- Primary Subject: Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Animated Series)
- Key Update: Netflix has officially confirmed this animated prequel series for a 2026 release, featuring a new voice cast and a "Saturday-morning cartoon" tone.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: January 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: Tales From ’85 is an upcoming animated spin-off set between Stranger Things Seasons 2 and 3, introducing new monsters and a new "tinker" character named Nikki Baxter.
Stranger Things may have ended after five seasons, but the story of the Upside Down is far from over. Its universe will continue to expand in the upcoming prequel, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, though not without some changes.
Netflix is reportedly revising the lore of its flagship series as it introduces a new story, fresh characters, and expanded mythology. So how will these changes reshape the Stranger Things universe? Read on to find out.
How Will Tales From ‘85 Change the Stranger Things Lore?
Developed by Eric Robles and executive-produced by Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, Tales From ’85 is set in the winter of 1985.
The story takes place between the original series’ second and third seasons, following young Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max.
As a refresher, the second season revealed how Will (Noah Schnapp) was manipulated by the Mind Flayer, while Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) hid out at Hopper’s (David Harbour) cabin and met Kali (Linnea Berthelsen). The third season, meanwhile, saw the Russians opening a gate to the Upside Down after building a secret lab under Hawkins’ Starcourt Mall.
In Tales From ’85, Eleven and her friends will face a new breed of monsters while investigating a paranormal mystery – setting it apart from the original Stranger Things series.
According to the Duffer brothers, the show will capture the spirit of 1980s Saturday-morning cartoons.
“We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday-morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling,” they said.
The new series will also introduce a character named Nikki Baxter. While details about Nikki remain scarce, she is reportedly taller and bigger than Eleven and her friends, suggesting she may be older.
Also, compared to Stranger Things, Tales From ’85 will feature a softer, more family-friendly tone, making it suitable for younger audiences while still delivering the thrills of the Upside Down.
How Will Tales From ‘85 Change the Stranger Things Canon?
Netflix is taking a big risk by placing Tales From ’85 in the middle of the original series’ timeline and introducing a new character who has never been mentioned in Stranger Things’ five-season run.
With that in mind, the animated series will need to tread carefully to avoid altering or contradicting the franchise’s established canon that could undermine the story loved by fans around the world.
With a new story, monsters, and characters, it remains to be seen how Eric Robles and the Duffer brothers will integrate these elements without disrupting the original narrative.
If Nikki ends up joining Eleven and her friends, it could shift the group’s dynamic and potentially affect the series’ lore.
Such changes could create plot holes, inconsistencies, and lingering questions about what really happened, making the prequel feel forced.
Fans can only hope that everything comes together when Tales From ’85 finally premieres in 2026.
Keep it locked on Epicstream, your go-to source for film, TV, and celebrity news!