Stranger Things Spinoff Tales From ’85 Premieres on Netflix in April

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Following the show’s debated finale, Netflix is expanding the world of Stranger Things with a new series. Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, the first spinoff, will premiere on April 23rd, continuing the story and addressing some lingering questions.

With the ending of Stranger Things Season 5, the show is now poised to expand beyond a single series and become a larger franchise. A fresh, lighthearted spin-off, reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons, could be the perfect way for the Netflix hit to move forward and begin a new chapter.

Stranger Things Is in Crisis Mode After Divisive FInale

After concluding with its fifth season in late 2025, Stranger Things left some viewers disappointed. The finale was so confusing for some fans that a popular theory emerged: the ending wasn’t real, but an illusion created by the villain, Vecna, to maintain control over the heroes.

Rumors spread among fans that a hidden, final episode of Stranger Things was still on the way. The speculation became so intense that…

The recent events have disappointed many dedicated fans of Stranger Things. It’s a situation reminiscent of the ending of Game of Thrones, but unlike that show, fans have eagerly embraced the House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms prequels, proving their continued interest in that world. This leads us to…

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Is Going Back to Basics

With Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, Netflix is revisiting what initially captivated viewers about Stranger Things. This animated series takes place between seasons 2 and 3, a relatively peaceful period for the characters. It’s an ideal setting because the entire cast is available, and with the gateway to the Upside Down sealed, Hawkins, Indiana, was enjoying a calm period – free from major threats.

The show still needs a central conflict, so the creators of Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 decided to bring back a threat from the Upside Down, putting Hawkins in danger once again. This pushes the kids to work together and fight monsters like they did in the first seasons of Stranger Things – before the show got bogged down in complex backstory and the detailed mythology of the Upside Down.

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 Is the Start of a New Era

As Stranger Things moves forward, it’s following a familiar path for popular franchises – using animation to keep fans engaged. Star Wars successfully did this with The Clone Wars, an animated series that kept interest high between films, and it appears Netflix hopes Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will do the same. Releasing the animated series before the live-action show returns shows Netflix understands the importance of maintaining momentum and keeping the Stranger Things universe alive.

What’s really on the line here? Stranger Things is the one Netflix show that’s become a major franchise, complete with toys, related content, and now, a spin-off series. But that’s just the beginning. Netflix has plans for more shows like this, and if fans are going to embrace a new story with a completely different cast, Tales from ’85 needs to reignite their love for the original series.

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 debuts on Netflix on April 23.

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2026-03-27 20:48