If you’re anything like me, you spent the last few years wondering how Netflix was going to keep the Stranger Things fire burning after the main series started winding down. Well, the wait is over, and the answer is… a little different than we expected.
Netflix just dropped “Stranger Things: Tales From 85” yesterday (April 23, 2026), and the internet is already losing its mind. It’s not a live-action Season 6; it’s a full-blown animated spin-off. I’ve spent the last 24 hours binging it, and here is the lowdown on everything you need to know.
What’s the Story?
The biggest question everyone had was: When does this happen? “Tales From ’85” is what we call a “midquel.” It takes place during the freezing winter of 1985, tucked right between the events of Season 2 and Season 3. Remember that period where the kids were just trying to be “normal” after Eleven closed the Gate? Yeah, it turns out things weren’t as quiet as we thought.
The series follows the OG crew—Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max—as they form the Hawkins Investigators Club. They’re dealing with “entry-level” Upside Down threats that leaked through before the door slammed shut.
The New Kid on the Block
The show introduces a major new character: Nikki Baxter (voiced by Odessa A’zion). She’s a “tinker”—a punk rock girl with pinkish hair who’s way more tech-savvy than the boys. She brings a fresh, slightly more cynical perspective to the group, acting almost like the “Ahsoka Tano” of the Stranger Things universe.
The Vibe: Saturday Morning Cartoons
The Duffer Brothers wanted this to feel like a “lost ’80s Saturday morning cartoon,” and they nailed it. The animation is a mix of smooth CGI and hand-drawn effects (think The Clone Wars meets a neon-soaked 80s comic book).
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The Monsters: Instead of just Demogorgons, we get “Pumpkin Zombies” and “Snow Sharks.” It’s a bit more whimsical and colorful than the live-action show, but it still has that creepy edge we love.
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The Voices: Heads up—the original actors are not voicing their characters. While it’s weird at first to hear someone else as Dustin or El, the new voice cast (like Luca Diaz and Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) does a solid job of channeling the original energy.
Why You Should (or Shouldn’t) Watch
| The Good | The Not-So-Good |
| Lore Expansion: We get to see Hawkins in the winter, which is a vibe we haven’t explored much. | Voice Jarring: If you’re a die-hard fan, hearing a “fake” Millie Bobby Brown might take a minute to get used to. |
| New Monsters: The creature designs are creative and lean into the “analog horror” aesthetic. | Canon Questions: It’s a bit weird that none of these events are mentioned in Season 3 or 4. |
| The Pacing: Episodes are punchy and perfect for a quick binge. | Tone Shift: It’s definitely more “family-friendly” than the later live-action seasons. |
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Hype?
Honestly? Yes. If you can get past the fact that it’s not the live-action cast, it’s a total blast. It feels like a love letter to the fans who grew up on The Real Ghostbusters or Scooby-Doo, but with that dark, synth-heavy Stranger Things heart.
It’s the perfect palate cleanser while we wait for whatever comes next. Plus, there’s even a McDonald’s Happy Meal tie-in happening right now in the U.S., so you can grab a “Demogorgon nugget” while you watch.
Watch Online –
Stranger Things: Tales From 85 on Netflix
