Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Release Date and Story Plot Everything We Know So Far?
The Upside Down doesn’t stop expanding. For fans who aren’t ready to say goodbye to Hawkins yet, Netflix just released the new trailer of Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, the highly anticipated animated TV series that promises to reveal new behind-the-scenes stories about the universe created by the Duffer brothers. The animated series follows Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max during what appears to be a quiet winter break, between snowball fights and Dungeons & Dragons sessions. But when one mysterious threat awakens beneath the snow-covered streets of Hawkins, the young heroes must discover its source and save their city once again.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Release Date and Story Plot Everything We Know So Far?
On the occasion of the Stranger Things Day on November 6th, just a few weeks away from the exit of the fifth and final season, Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, the new spin-off animated series, announced in 2023, which expands the universe of the Upside Down, as already happened with the prequel theatre show The First Shadow. The Duffer Brothers had introduced Tales From ‘85 in a video that featured the first images of the animated series, as well as providing information on the cast, production, plot, and release period. Now, Netflix has announced the exact day of release and most importantly has released the first official teaser trailer. Here, then, is everything there is to know and see.
Where is the Spin-Off Set? The Plot
Unlike the original series, this spin-off is set in a specific time frame: between the second and third seasons. The new images show a previously unseen Hawkins, completely submerged in massive snowfall. Yet beneath the ice and seemingly muffled atmosphere lies a new supernatural threat. The trailer introduces creepy creatures reminiscent of the Demogorgonians, but with one peculiarity: mysterious organic “pumpkins” that seem to be at the center of the new mystery.
Hawkins’ Universe Expands
Behind the scenes, we find the Duffer brothers again as executive producers, supported by Shawn Levy, while the construction is entrusted to Flying Bark Productions, already a well-established studio on high-profile franchises. The series is intended as an independent story, accessible even to those who don’t have the saga fresh in their memory, but rich in references for historical fans. Another element of discontinuity: the characters’ voices are new. Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and the others return with different interpretations, more in line with the language of animation than with the imitation of the original actors.
The Return of Iconic Characters
Despite the change in format (from action to animated drawing), the original cast is present in full force. In the trailer, we find:
- The historical group: Mike, Eleven, Will, and Lucas.
- The most beloved protagonists: Max, Sheriff Hopper, and Steve Harrington.
Right on, Steve, an interesting narrative detail is concentrated: being the story set immediately after the breakup with Nancy, we will still see him dealing with feelings for the girl, adding that teen drama touch that made the parent series famous.
The Cast And Producers Of The Stranger Things Animated Series
The showrunner and executive producer of Tales from ‘85 has been Eric Robles, with brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, along with Hilary Leavitt, serving as secret producers for Upside Down Pictures; Shawn Levy for 21 Laps; and Dan Cohen. The animation studio is Flying Bark Productions
The original voice cast consists of: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt (Eleven), Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Max), Luca Diaz (Mike), Ej (Elisha) Williams (Lucas), Braxton Quinney (Dustin), Ben Plessala (Will), and Brett Gipson (Hopper). Featuring Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips
Our Take On Stranger Things: Tales From ’85?
Excellent Character Dynamics
A character can be well written, but if it doesn’t work within the group, it’s unlikely to make its mark. Stranger Things excels at just that: with a large cast, the series manages to make every interaction seem natural and believable. Characters are often divided into groups, each with its own narrative line, but when these intertwine, the result is always fluid and convincing. Children, adolescents, and adults coexist in the same narrative universe, never out of tune, creating a rare balance to be found in a series with so many protagonists. This also applies to the relationship between heroes and antagonists, particularly that between Eleven and Vecna: two characters with similar origins, but opposed developments.
A Series for Everyone
One of the real strengths of Stranger Things is its ability to speak to multiple generations at once. Each group of characters represents a different age group, allowing anyone to find someone they can identify with. Children embody adventure and discovery, teenagers emotional conflict and growth, and adults a sense of responsibility and loss. This variety not only expands the potential audience, but also makes the series richer and more layered.
Direction and Show of the Highest Level
The direction is one of the key elements that allowed Stranger Things to last and renew itself over time, obviously in the television field. From the beginning, the series showed a clear direction, capable of building a recognizable and influential visual style. It’s not just about aesthetics, but a coherent vision that has guided the evolution of history season after season. While they didn’t have everything planned down to the smallest detail, the Duffer Brothers had a clear idea of where they wanted to go. This allowed subsequent seasons to expand on existing elements, rather than introducing completely unrelated ones. Even the directors who took turns behind the camera – from Shawn Levy to Andrew Stanton- have helped to maintain a consistently high technical level.
Solid Writing
Great direction cannot make up for a weak script, and Stranger Things demonstrates this by focusing on consistently curated writing. Story arcs, worldbuilding, and character dynamics work because they rest on solid narrative foundations. While the Duffer brothers are the main creative force behind the series, teamwork was crucial. Numerous screenwriters have contributed over the years, ensuring continuity and quality even in the most complex moments of the story.
Story Arcs and Character Development
If there’s one aspect where Stranger Things surpasses almost any other series, it’s the development of its characters. Even when the plot divided some of the audience, the attachment to the protagonists remained very strong. The most emblematic case is Steve Harrington: introduced as the classic arrogant antagonist, he has over time become one of the most beloved characters in the entire series. The audience becomes attached to the characters’ growth, relationships, and even destiny, experiencing every danger as something personal. It’s virtually impossible not to become attached to at least one of the protagonists, and it’s precisely this involvement that holds the real key to Stranger Things’ success.
What is the Release Date for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85?
The wait is almost over. Mark the date on the calendar: Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 will arrive on Netflix on April 23rd. It will be the perfect bridge to pass the wait ahead of the final season of the main series.
