Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Isn’t Canon – And That’s Okay

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Shortly after the main series ended, Stranger Things is back with a new animated spin-off. This series takes place between seasons 2 and 3 of the original show, following the kids as they face a new danger connected to the Upside Down in Hawkins. While it fits neatly into the show’s timeline, fans are debating whether Tales from ’85 is officially part of the Stranger Things story, but a more important question remains.

Many fans are still upset with the final season of Stranger Things. The show tried to tie in a stage play, which confused and frustrated viewers who weren’t sure if it was officially part of the story or if they needed to see it to understand the season. Now, a new series, Tales from ’85, is facing similar questions, but whether or not it’s considered official canon shouldn’t matter – it should be enjoyed on its own merits as part of the Stranger Things universe.

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’s Showrunner Weighs in on the Canon Debate

Ever since the announcement of the spinoff, fans have been passionately debating how it connects to the original show. The conversation intensified after showrunner Eric Robles discussed the timeline in an interview with RadioTimes. He clarified that the animated series takes place within the same timeframe as the live-action show, but admitted that the adventures planned for the spinoff wouldn’t quite fit seamlessly into that existing timeline.

Because of a recent statement from Robles, many fans believe that Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 doesn’t fully align with the events of the main Stranger Things show. Viewers of the spinoff likely agree, as it introduces plot points that the original series will never address – such as questions about a specific character and her mother, or the lack of certain creatures in other parts of the story. Even if the spinoff gets another season, some inconsistencies between Tales from ’85 and Stranger Things may be too significant for it to be considered official canon.

Even though Tales from ’85 isn’t officially part of the main Stranger Things storyline, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching. It’s a separate, family-friendly adventure that should be evaluated on its own qualities – its strengths and weaknesses – and not just on how closely it sticks to the original series’ story.

Stranger Things’ Canon Was Already Messy Before Tales from ’85

Tales from ’85 isn’t the first spin-off of Stranger Things to have confusing connections to the main story. Several books and comics related to the show have had events that were either ignored or altered in the original series. Even watching this new series isn’t essential, as it doesn’t significantly impact the core storyline.

As a longtime viewer of Stranger Things, I’ve noticed the show isn’t perfect when it comes to keeping its own story straight. There have been a few head-scratching moments over the seasons – remember how Will’s birthday just slipped by without a mention in Season 4? Or the buzz around production details for Season 5? – but some changes have actually enhanced the story, like the reveal of Vecna’s earlier influence. Because of all that, I don’t think whether or not Tales from ’85 officially fits into the established canon really matters. It shouldn’t stop anyone from enjoying the spinoff, honestly.

Tales from ’85 Follows in the Footsteps of Other Popular Animated Spinoffs

These days, with huge, connected franchises everywhere, fans spend a lot of time debating what’s ‘official’ – what truly matters to the overall story. But it wasn’t always like this; previously, simpler, self-contained movies and TV shows were much more typical.

During the 1980s and 90s, many popular live-action shows and movies – from Ghostbusters to Happy Days – were adapted into animated series. While critics had mixed reactions, these cartoons generally weren’t very faithful to the original stories. However, that didn’t stop fans from enjoying them, and many are still fondly remembered as entertaining additions to their favorite franchises.

Similar to other animated spinoffs, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 offers a lighter, more family-friendly adventure while still being a self-contained story. It doesn’t break new ground, but it delivers on what it promises. Though not officially part of the main storyline and not for every viewer, it’s a delightful return to the earlier days of the show, especially for fans who enjoyed seeing the original group of friends together during the series’ first seasons.

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2026-04-25 18:37