Stranger Things Animated Midquel Coming to Netflix in 2026
Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is an upcoming animated series set between seasons 2 and 3 of the popular Stranger Things show. While the main series will conclude its fifth and final season with a two-hour finale on December 31, 2025, fans can revisit Hawkins, Indiana, soon after through this new spinoff.
About the Series
The Duffer Brothers teased this animated continuation in 2023, aiming to honor 1980s culture by paying tribute to the era’s Saturday morning cartoons. The animation is produced by Flying Bark Productions, known for work on What If…? and Nickelodeon's Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Eric Robles, known for Fanboy & Chum Chum and Glitch Techs, serves as the showrunner.
Plot and Style
Although story details remain limited, the first visuals and featurettes reveal the Hawkins kids confronting a menacing carnivorous plant and hiding from a zombie-like creature roaming the town’s streets.
Cast and Characters
The new animated format allows the young characters to continue their stories despite the original actors aging out of their roles after nine years. However, the original cast does not return as voice actors; instead, the roles are filled by new, young actors with little prior fame.
Release and Announcement
Netflix announced the spinoff on November 6, a date marked as Stranger Things Day since the series began on the same date with Will Byers’ disappearance. The fifth season's world premiere is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles at 8 p.m.
"Flying Bark Productions, which worked on What If…? and Nickelodeon’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, is handling the animation."
"Eric Robles (Fanboy & Chum Chum, Glitch Techs) serves as showrunner."
"The spinoff news was announced on Nov. 6, which Netflix has designated as Stranger Things Day since the series kicked off with Will Byers going missing on Nov."
Author's Summary: The Stranger Things animated series, Tales from ‘85, set between seasons 2 and 3, will debut on Netflix in 2026, featuring new young voice actors and celebrating ‘80s culture through the lens of Hawkins’ mysteries.