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Season 1 – Stranger Things: Tales From '85

Play trailer 2:31 Poster for Season 1 – Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Apr 2026 Sci-Fi Horror Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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61% Tomatometer 33 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
Welcome back to Hawkins in the winter of 1985, where the original characters face new monsters and a paranormal mystery.
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Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Peter Travers The Travers Take Apr 25
1.5/4
Who’s the audience for this infantile, animated take on an indelible series? Only diehards and dimwits need apply. Go to Full Review Chase Hutchinson Seattle Times Apr 24
An animated spinoff that takes place between seasons 2 and 3 of the original series, it’s an experience that, even with some playfulness, is so narratively boxed in and stuck looking back that it proves to be a largely dull drag. Go to Full Review Ben Travers IndieWire Apr 23
C
But rather than burying the past and starting fresh, or even building from it toward an unknown future, the animated series aims to be an addendum when it needs to be an adventure. Go to Full Review Alex Maidy JoBlo's Movie Network 1d
7/10
Fun but ultimately not required viewing, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is well animated and solidly made, making for an entertaining return to the beloved franchise. Go to Full Review Archi Sengupta LeisureByte.com 2d
2.5/5
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 brings back the beloved gang in an animated midquel that balances nostalgia, mystery, and a softer tone—though it doesn’t quite match the emotional highs of the original. Go to Full Review Daniel Kurland Bloody Disgusting May 1
2.5/5
Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 doesn’t rise above these low standards, and it’s hardly essential viewing. It’s a shameless attempt to recapture the magic of Stranger Things’ past at a point when it feels like they should have already left the party. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Adam V @Yin69yang 42m I don't know why people are whining and complaining. This is a fun, funny and great show with lots of cool action. I'm really enjoying it. I don't care if it is cannon or not. It's just a fun entertaining show and should just be treated as such. See more Kristiyan I @RT23377106 3d The first season of this show is much better than season 5 of the original series. It has more action, a bit more fantasy, and the best part is there're are no hidden woke agendas. Definitely worth watching. See more nori B @noribori 4d These Tales are to ST what the opening minutes of the first "Toy Story" movie (where Andy plays wildly and chaotically with his toys) are to the rest of the film, in which the toys actually come to life. It's fascinating to watch, but only for a short time. In fact, there are a surprising number of ST figures available as merchandise: perhaps the Tales are meant to appeal to toy owners who enjoy playing "kids vs. monsters" themselves. See more Anthony B. @Aborrelli3 4d The new reboot a stranger things has been pretty good but has it's ups and downs the animated style was clean and perfect but the storytelling kind of falls flat at times See more Gfxp52 T @RT42508380 5d Its better than Stranger Things 5 See more SIDAR Ö @Sidoken 5d Its entertaining not that bad. Better then seison 5. But the animation style is goofy. The main titels music is great See more Read all reviews
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Brett Gipson

Jim Hopper

Luca Diaz

Mike Wheeler

Elisha Williams

Lucas Sinclair

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport

Max Mayfield

Jeremy Jordan

Steve Harrington

Benjamin Plessala

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter One: Welcome to Hawkins, New Kid A surprising new threat alters the gang's plans to shovel snow for extra cash, bringing them face to face with danger and closer to a cool new student. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Two: Bad Harvest Nikki joins the party and the newly formed Hawkins Investigators Club; strange things take root at a nearby farm and shake up the Winter Festival. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Three: Evolution The kids look for answers about the mutant creatures plaguing their town and get a helpful lesson from Mrs. Baxter, their substitute science teacher. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Four: The Confession A worried Mike decides to come clean to Hopper and Dustin drags Steve into the H.I.C.; Nikki welcomes Will to the mosh pit; Lucas and Max hit the arcade. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Five: The Weekly Watcher When a photo that could put El in danger gets sold to a popular tabloid, the kids pull Nancy into a heist to get it back; if they can't then it's game over. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Six: A Storm Is Coming As a blizzard bears down on Hawkins, Dustin goes on a side quest and Max and Lucas hear a cry for help; a bold move lands some of the gang in detention. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Seven: Enter the Storm Lucas and Max seek higher ground to call in a Code Red; across town, Will, Mike and Nikki are snowed in at school and El can see they're not alone. Details Episode 8 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Eight: The Party Dustin finds danger at the Food Mart when two terrifying creatures break in; the gang gears up to go underground just in time for Nikki's birthday. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Nine: The Suspect In the wake of a shocking revelation, the H.I.C. digs in to investigate, splitting up into teams to search for more clues and uncover the truth. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 23, 2026 Chapter Ten: Countdown With time running out, the party pulls together for a brave battle to stay alive; friends have to help friends because Hawkins' future depends on it. Details
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Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Trailer Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Trailer 2:31 Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser 1:49 Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser - Announcement Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser - Announcement 1:01 View more videos
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Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

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Season Info

Executive Producer
Dan Cohen, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 23, 2026