Since its debut, Stranger Things has balanced nostalgic horror, teen drama, and supernatural threats to become one of Netflix’s most recognizable series. The show’s success led to a larger franchise that now includes stage productions, books, and spinoff projects designed to explore different corners of its universe.
That expansion will continue with Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, a 3D animated series that has now debuted its first official trailer. The show returns to Hawkins during the winter of 1985, bringing the core cast of characters back for a new storyline set between seasons 2 and 3 of the original series.
New Monsters Outside the Upside Down
Netflix describes the series as follows: “Welcome back to Hawkins in the winter of 1985, where the original characters face new monsters — and a paranormal mystery — in this epic animated series.”
The show acknowledges that the portal to the Upside Down was sealed at the end of Season 2. Rather than reopening that threat, the story introduces creatures formed from leftover material tied to the alternate dimension. Showrunner Eric Robles explained how the concept emerged while studying the series’ established lore, telling EW last year:
“I dissected the [main live-action] show, looking for any loopholes. I found a few of ’em. And then I found this one idea that I was just like, ‘Oh s—! I think that’s it.’ What is this big idea? Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter. There’s a chain reaction to the creatures that are in our world and the things that are popping up.”
Related: ‘Stranger Things' Is Being Retconned Following Divisive Fifth Season : Disney Fanatic
Is The New Stranger Things Series Canon?
However, the question of continuity has quickly become one of the biggest talking points surrounding the show. The Duffer brothers have not given a definitive answer, but Robles has highlighted one major creative influence: The Real Ghostbusters.
“It all went back to The Real Ghostbusters,” Robles told Deadline last year. “It was silly but had a handful of dark, creepy episodes and we just kept talking about that. That became the north star for us.”
The animated Ghostbusters series followed the events of the 1984 film while introducing standalone supernatural threats and storylines that were never referenced in later movies. That approach suggests Tales From ’85 may exist in a similar space, respecting established lore while telling largely self-contained adventures.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 premieres April 23 on Netflix, while all five seasons of the original series remain available on the platform.
Are you excited about Tales From '85? What do you think of the new trailer? Let us know in the comments!
