Netflix Unveils Stranger Things Animated Spinoff Details

Netflix has unveiled new details and character posters for "Stranger Things: Tales From 85," an animated spinoff series that expands the franchise's universe with fresh threats and a new character in the familiar town of Hawkins, Indiana.

The series, set for release on April 23, 2026, takes place during the winter of 1985, bridging the gap between the second and third seasons of the original live-action show. In this period, Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas and Max have returned to a semblance of normalcy after previous encounters with the Upside Down. Snow covers the town as the group engages in Dungeons & Dragons sessions, snowball fights and everyday routines. However, a new mystery emerges from beneath the icy surface, prompting the teens to investigate a localized threat that could originate from the Upside Down, Hawkins Lab or an unknown source. Officials from Netflix described the story as one where the heroes race to solve the puzzle and protect their hometown from horrors that demand their unique skills.

A key addition to the narrative is Nikki Baxter, a 14-year-old exchange student voiced by Odessa Azion. Originally from the East Coast and accustomed to frequent...