‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ Renewed for Season 2 Despite Mixed Reception, New Teaser Drops
The animated Stranger Things spin-off Tales From ’85 is already moving forward with more episodes, as new reports confirm the series has been renewed for a second season even before its first season fully settled with viewers.
Netflix confirmed the renewal in an official statement. Showrunner Eric Robles shared his thoughts on the early success of the series and the decision to continue it. He said, “Working on Season 1 has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Now that it’s out in the world, seeing fans connect with these characters—whether they’ve loved them for years or are just meeting them for the first time—has been truly special. I’m excited to continue the journey. We’re thrilled to return to the winter of ’85 for season two. The Hawkins Investigators Club is back, and a new paranormal threat has emerged from the town’s abandoned silver mines. I can’t wait for fans to discover where this entity and the mysterious blue flower we last saw blooming in the Upside Down at the end of Season 1 take our young heroes.”
The series is part of Netflix’s growing Stranger Things universe and marks one of the first major animated expansions of the franchise on the platform. It follows the core group of characters, often called “the Party,” in a new story set in the mid-1980s.
There's a haunting in Hawkins…
— Netflix (@netflix) April 28, 2026
Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 Season 2. Coming this fall! pic.twitter.com/jFZGNB57m8
Season 1 launched on April 23, but the response has been mixed. Some viewers enjoyed the style and return to the world of Hawkins, while others felt the show did not fully live up to expectations. This split reaction has been reflected in early discussions around the series.
Despite that, the show performed well enough globally to stay in Netflix’s viewing charts shortly after release. It had stronger performance in some international regions, while English-speaking markets showed a more modest response. The series briefly reached the top ten in several countries but did not dominate major markets.
Reports also suggest the renewal was planned early, even before the show premiered. This fits with Netflix’s usual approach to animation, where multiple seasons are often prepared in advance to keep production schedules steady. This helps avoid long gaps between releases, something seen in other animated projects.
The first season ended with a major cliffhanger involving a new threat connected to the Upside Down. After the main conflict is resolved, a strange new growth appears, hinting at something more dangerous still developing. Showrunner Eric Robles has already hinted that this will play a key role in the next season.
With the Hawkins group back together and new mysteries forming, Season 2 is expected to continue building on the darker side of the story.
It makes sense that Netflix is moving forward quickly with another season, even if the reception to Season 1 was mixed. The Stranger Things world still has a strong fan base, but the show will need to improve if it wants to keep viewers fully engaged. What do you think about early renewals like this? Do you think Season 2 can fix the issues fans had with Season 1? Share your thoughts in the comments.