Stranger Things Tales from '85 Arrives on Netflix: Plot, Characters, and Review!

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Stranger Things: Tales from '85, officially premiered on Netflix on April 23, 2026.

Set in the winter of 1985, between the events of the second and third seasons of the live-action series, "Stranger Things: Tales from '85" brings back the iconic Hawkins gang.

Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max will reunite to face a new threat from the Upside Down.

They must uncover a paranormal mystery that has returned to terrorize their small town after the gates to the Upside Down were successfully closed at the end of season two.

Showrunner Eric Robles emphasized that "Tales from '85" is not strictly canon, but rather a standalone adventure that will not affect the main storyline.

Stranger Things fans can now breathe a sigh of relief after the long wait, as "Stranger Things: Tales from '85" has officially arrived on Netflix.

All ten episodes of the animated series will be available to watch starting April 23, 2026, giving viewers the opportunity to binge-watch the new adventures of the Hawkins gang.

Prior to its global release on the streaming platform, the first two episodes of "Tales from '85" had a limited screening in select theaters on April 18, 2026.

The series is strategically set in the winter of 1985, filling the gap between the events of the second and third seasons of the live-action Stranger Things series.

This time period was chosen to explore what happened in Hawkins after Eleven closed the gate to the Upside Down, before the Mind Flayer's reappearance in season three.

"Stranger Things: Tales from '85" returns viewers to Hawkins, where Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max must confront new monsters from the Upside Down.

The series features the reappearance of familiar locations like Hawkins National Laboratory and introduces new supernatural creatures, including "Upside Down pumpkin zombies" and vine-like monsters.

The Hawkins gang must use their wits and courage to battle these dark forces.

In addition to beloved old characters, "Tales from '85" also introduces a new character named Nikki Baxter, a "tinker" with short pink hair on the sides.

Nikki is the daughter of the new substitute science teacher at Hawkins Middle School, Mrs. Baxter, voiced by actress Janeane Garofalo.

While "Stranger Things: Tales from '85" features familiar characters from the live-action series, the voice cast is made up of new faces.

Brooklyn Davey Norstedt voices Eleven/Jane Hopper, Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler, Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson, Elisha 'EJ' Williams as Lucas Sinclair, Benjamin Plessala as Will Byers, and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield.

A new character, Nikki Baxter, is voiced by Odessa A'zion.

Brett Gipson voices Jim Hopper, Jeremy Jordan plays Steve Harrington, and Janeane Garofalo plays Anna Baxter, Nikki's mother.

Other actors, including Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer and Robert Englund as Cosmo.

"Stranger Things: Tales from '85" has received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for the visuals and criticism for the storyline.

The series has been praised for its "gorgeous," "rich," and "vibrant" visuals, featuring a blend of 2D and 3D animation inspired by the 80s.

The soundtrack features iconic songs by Black Sabbath, The Go-Gos, and Billy Idol, as well as a distinctive, "Hawkins-esque" synth score.

Several reviews also noted the series' accessibility, calling it a "beginner-level Stranger Things" that can be enjoyed even by viewers who have never seen the live-action series.

However, major criticism focused on the storyline, which was considered "thin" and "repetitive."

The lack of significant stakes was problematic, as viewers already knew the main characters would survive, given the series' setting between seasons two and three.

The series was considered "too sanitized" and "watered down" compared to the live-action series, which featured cleaner language and more humor. This may not appeal to the older core Stranger Things audience.