Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, the highly anticipated animated spinoff from Netflix’s acclaimed series, is set to delve into uncharted territories of the Upside Down universe. The series, which has been in development for some time, faced a unique challenge: introducing new creatures without the familiar direct portal into the Upside Down.
Matt and Ross Duffer, the masterminds behind the Stranger Things phenomenon, envisioned a 1980s cartoon-inspired animated show. This new narrative is strategically positioned between the events of seasons two and three, specifically in 1985, after Eleven, portrayed by Millie Bobby Brown in the original series, sealed off the gate to the eerie world of demo-things and Mind Flayers.
The Creative Mind Behind the Spin-off
Enter Eric Robles, a veteran in children’s animation known for his work on Fanboy & Chum Chum and Glitch Techs. Robles was tasked with finding a way to bridge the narrative gap. “I dissected the show, looking for any loopholes. I found a few of ’em,” Robles shared with Entertainment Weekly. “And then I found this one idea that I was just like, ‘Oh s—! I think that’s it.'” His groundbreaking concept? “Hawkins Lab science meets Upside Down matter,” he teases, hinting at a chain reaction affecting creatures in our world and new phenomena emerging.
While specific story details remain under wraps, Robles has revealed that the series will introduce a fresh cast of younger actors taking on roles of familiar characters. This includes Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, and Luca Diaz as Mike, among others. Additionally, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips are set to lend their voices to undisclosed roles.
Not Just Another Horror Show
Although horror elements are integral to the Stranger Things universe, Robles is cautious about labeling the animated series strictly as horror. “It’s got its bite to it,” he admits. “The stakes are real for the kids. It’s not Scooby-Doo, man. It’s not like, ‘Oh, well, it’ll be fine.’ We don’t know if it’ll be fine.”
“Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 will feature ‘a lot of freaking cool monsters,'” Robles further teases, emphasizing that “it’s not just ‘monster of the week’ for the sake of ‘monster of the week.'” Everything is connected to a season-long mystery.
Visual Inspirations and Production
Flying Bark Productions, known for its work on What If…?, is the animation studio behind this new venture. Robles, however, drew inspiration from the original Stranger Things posters by Kyle Lambert, which themselves were influenced by the iconic work of Drew Struzan. “Those posters have it all. They have these brilliant colors, there’s darks, there’s vibrancy to it,” Robles explains. “I’m just like, ‘That’s the show!’ If I can bring those posters to life, I got something pretty awesome. And that’s exactly what we did.”
Looking Ahead
The announcement of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 comes as the Duffers are rolling out the final season of the main series. This animated spinoff, overseen by the Duffers with Robles as the principal showrunner and executive producer, promises to expand the Stranger Things universe in exciting new ways. Should the series succeed, Robles suggests that any future seasons will continue under the Tales From ’85 banner, with the first season unfolding hour by hour, day by day.
As fans eagerly await more details and the eventual premiere, the animated series is poised to offer a fresh perspective on the beloved Stranger Things lore, blending nostalgia with new narrative twists. With a premiere date set for 2026, the anticipation for this new chapter in the Stranger Things saga continues to build.
