As a fan of *Stranger Things* (2016–2025), I wasn't exactly thrilled by the idea of an animated series set between the seasons of the original show; it struck me as just another attempt by Netflix to make a quick buck. However, I must admit that I had an absolute blast with this series.
Positive Aspects of *Stranger Things: Tales from ’85* (2026–): Personally, I love that this series captures the vibe of Saturday morning cartoons—just like the ones I used to watch during my childhood: *Pokémon*, *Yu-Gi-Oh!*, *Bakugan*, *The Spectacular Spider-Man*, *Loonatics Unleashed*, and just about any DC animated series. I still enjoy hanging out with Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max on another 80s-style adventure, battling monsters from the Upside Down. The voice acting is truly excellent; I appreciate how the voice cast manages to capture the energy and personalities of these characters almost flawlessly.
Creators: Jennifer Muro, Eric Robles, Matt Duffer
Stars: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Luca Diaz, Braxton Quinney
The animation is highly dynamic and features a unique video-game-esque style that fits the series' tone to perfection. For the most part, I enjoyed the new characters and am eager to continue experiencing new adventures alongside our core group of protagonists. There is still plenty of witty banter and joking around among the characters, which makes for very entertaining viewing—especially within this new format for the franchise's universe. Furthermore, it was a very pleasant series to binge-watch; I took my time to savor it at a leisurely pace—something I don't often find myself doing with many Netflix shows. And finally, I officially declare that I am fully invested in the future of this animated series and in the various adventures that await us in the upcoming seasons.
Mixed Aspects of *Stranger Things: Tales from ’85* (2026–): The series attempts to recreate that Saturday morning cartoon atmosphere—both in its storytelling and its characters—which is certainly fun; However, there are certain aspects of this approach that might displease some viewers—especially the most die-hard fans of the original series. While I was initially concerned about the direction this series was taking—and with good reason—when its production was first announced, over time I have come to accept and appreciate it for what it is.
Negative aspects of *Stranger Things: Tales from ’85* (2026–): It feels incredibly odd to produce an animated spin-off featuring the same characters, participating in a storyline set between the seasons of the original series; this significantly diminishes the tension surrounding the major threat in this first season. I must also add that our core group of characters feels incomplete in the absence of Joyce Byers, Steve Harrington, Nancy Wheeler, Jonathan Byers, and Jim Hopper, as they would have been of great assistance to the kids in their fight against this new monster from the Upside Down.
All in all, *Stranger Things: Tales from ’85* (2026–) is an animated series I was skeptical about at first, but which ultimately proved to be a fantastic experience to binge-watch. I eagerly look forward to future seasons, regardless of whether or not they fit within the canon of the original series.
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