New ‘Stranger Things’ Spin-Off ‘Tales From ’85’ Drops Trailer: “Something From the Upside Down Must Have Survived…”
Netflix has released the first trailer for its new animated series Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, taking fans back to Hawkins during the winter after Season 2. The trailer dropped on Monday and confirms the story will be set in 1985, with familiar characters facing a new threat that did not disappear when the gate to the Upside Down was closed.
According to Netflix, the trailer hints that the danger in Hawkins is not over. A warning in the preview says that “something survived”, suggesting that the events at Hawkins Lab did not fully end the nightmare. The new series is being promoted as an untold chapter from the Stranger Things universe, filling in gaps from the original timeline.
The animated show follows Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and their friends as they try to return to normal life. Snow covers the town, and things appear calm on the surface. The official logline released by Netflix explains that “beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened”. The kids must figure out where this new threat comes from and stop it before Hawkins is in danger again.
Something from the Upside Down must have survived…
— Netflix (@netflix) February 2, 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From '85, a new animated series, premieres April 23. pic.twitter.com/7lwtOsU0wr
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is led by showrunner Eric Robles. The original creators, Matt and Ross Duffer, are also involved as executive producers through Upside Down Pictures. Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen are producing through 21 Laps, with animation handled by Flying Bark Productions.
Netflix also confirmed the voice cast for the series. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven, while Jolie Hoang-Rappaport plays Max. Other roles include Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, and Benjamin Plessala as Will. Brett Gipson voices Hopper, Jeremy Jordan voices Steve, and additional cast members include Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips.
The animated spin-off is set to premiere on Netflix on April 23. It marks a return to Hawkins in a new format while keeping the tone and characters that made the original series a hit.
This animated series feels like a smart way to keep the Stranger Things world alive without forcing the main story to stretch too far. Going back to 1985 also plays into the show’s strongest era. What do you think about the animated spin-off and the return to Hawkins? Share your thoughts in the comments.