Netflix has dropped the official trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, a new animated spin-off set between seasons 2 and 3 of the hit series. Watch the trailer above, then read on for what this new chapter in Hawkins has in store.
A Return to Hawkins… With a Twist
Set during the winter of 1985, Tales From ’85 drops us back into Hawkins at a time when things should, theoretically, be calm. The gate is closed, the immediate threat is gone, and life is meant to be settling. Of course, this is Stranger Things, so that peace doesn’t last long.
More on Screen Realm:
The trailer makes it clear that something has survived from the Upside Down, with strange new creatures emerging across town. This time, the threat leans into a more stylised, animated horror vibe, including a snow-buried, shark-like monster that feels pulled straight from classic creature features.
Showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs) gave a clearer sense of what that threat looks like, explaining to Tudum, “It’s like Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter. When you put them together, those are the kinds of creatures we have in our world.” It’s a combination that opens the door to something a little stranger and more unpredictable than what we’ve seen before, with animation giving those ideas more room to run.
The Original Crew — And a New Addition
The core group is back, with Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt), Mike (Luca Diaz), Dustin (Braxton Quinney), Lucas (Elisha “EJ” Williams), Will (Benjamin Plessala), and Max (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) once again at the centre of the mystery. Familiar faces like Hopper (Brett Gipson) and Steve (Jeremy Jordan) also make appearances, keeping things firmly tied to the mainline series.
But there is a new addition to the mix: Nikki Baxter, a pink-haired character voiced by Odessa A’zion (Marty Supreme). She’s positioned as a key part of this story, though her sudden inclusion has already sparked a bit of chatter online.
Some fans have jokingly pointed out the timeline questions this raises. As one YouTube commenter put it, “POV the ending of this: ‘Let’s just pretend that this never happened.’” Another added, “i love the idea of a spin off but this just opened 20 more plot holes for stranger things.” It’s all light-hearted, but it does speak to the tricky spot the series is in by dropping a new story into a timeline fans already know pretty well.
A Chance to Revisit the Characters
Beyond the monsters and mystery, the real hook here is spending more time with these characters during a period we’ve never properly explored. Robles described it as a rare opportunity to revisit the group in a meaningful way, saying, “This is one of the rarest opportunities that we’re ever going to get to be with the main characters. We get to go back in time and really just hang out with these kids.”
At the same time, he was clear that this isn’t just a lighter side story. “It’s got the thrill of being young, being a kid, and going on these thrilling adventures. But then there’s this essence of real danger, real stakes.” That balance seems to be the goal: recapturing the sense of adventure from earlier seasons while still giving the story weight.
And with animation removing many of the usual limitations, the Duffers have already hinted that the creative team has been able to go ‘wild’ with what they’re building. That could let this series push Hawkins into some pretty unexpected territory.
Release Date
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 premieres April 23 on Netflix.
