Netflix's Stranger Things has expanded into a sprawling franchise since its 2016 debut, with books, a stage play, and now its first TV spin-off: the animated Stranger Things: Tales From '85. This 10-episode series takes the Hawkins crew back to their middle-school roots, trading the high-stakes Vecna drama for a snow-covered monster side quest that feels like a love letter to the show's early seasons.
What Is 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85' About?
Set on January 10, 1985, just after Season 2, Tales From '85 gives fans something the main series never did: a winter storyline. The Party—Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Will, Max, and Eleven—are back in school, facing bullies and a mysterious new threat: a "snow shark" that's terrorizing Hawkins. Enter Nikki (Odessa A'zion), a punky new student who can burp the state capitals and loves Milk Duds. She joins the gang to uncover the creature's origins, leading to an adventure filled with pumpkin pies, a new science teacher, and plenty of green goo.
The spin-off is refreshingly self-aware, existing in a lull after Will's possession and before the horrors of Vecna. Showrunner Eric Robles and the team reward longtime fans with nods to Season 3, like billboards for Scoops Ahoy! and Starcourt Mall. The series also explores key character dynamics—Hopper's distrust of Mike, Dustin and Lucas's rivalry, and Will's struggle to fit in—allowing the kids to just be kids again. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, making it a perfect binge-watch for fans who want a lighter, nostalgic adventure without the weight of the main storyline.
Animation Style: Rich Detail and Retro Horror
Visually, Tales From '85 is a treat. Flying Bark Productions and Robles have recreated Hawkins in stunning detail, from the Palace Arcade to the Wheelers' home. The character designs are lifted straight from Season 2—Dustin's trucker hat and vest, Lucas's red corduroy jacket, Hopper's police uniform—and the animation never undercuts the horror. The snow sharks have a Tron-like neon quality, and the series uses "demo-vision" (introduced in Season 5) in a clever retrospective way. The result is a filmic, poster-worthy aesthetic that fans will want to pause and admire.
Voice Cast: Braxton Quinney's Dustin Steals the Show
While replacing the original cast raised concerns, the new voice actors deliver. Braxton Quinney's Dustin is uncannily spot-on, instantly hooking viewers. Jolie Hoang-Rappaport captures Max's sarcasm, and the duo's chemistry shines, especially in Lucas and Max's monster-fighting dynamic—something the main series underused. The older characters (Nancy, Steve, Jonathan) get limited screen time, but the core Party carries the story. The soundtrack leans into iconic rock tracks, with nods to Kate Bush and Black Sabbath, though Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein's cinematic score is missed.
For fans craving a return to the small-town horror that made Stranger Things a phenomenon, Tales From '85 is a welcome escape. It's a fun, self-contained adventure that proves the franchise can thrive in animation. If you're looking for more chilling horror, check out our list of The Most Bone-Chilling Final Shots in Horror Movie History, Ranked or dive into 7 Vintage Horror Series That Only Get Better With Time.
