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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 Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
61% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 250+ 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

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A nostalgic return to the world of Stranger Things paired with a fun animation style means Tales from '85 can steadily continue the story for a new set of younger viewers, while still appealing to the core fanbase.

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Critics Reviews

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Zaki Hasan San Francisco Chronicle May 22, 2026
While the scares are softer and the humor broader, the emotional through line remains intact. This is still a story about kids trying to make sense of things far bigger than themselves. Go to Full Review Peter Travers The Travers Take Apr 25, 2026
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, 2026
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 John Stark Mac the Movie Guy Aug 23, 2026
47/100
Stranger Things: Tales From 85 is a brand killing waste of time. Go to Full Review Callie Hanna FandomWire May 12, 2026
9/10
It's visually spectacular, there's a genuine sense of mystery reminiscent of the early seasons, it's surprisingly funny when it needs to be... Go to Full Review Alex Maidy JoBlo's Movie Network May 7, 2026
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Da T @RT69202174 2 days ago Good show, i love it, and i like it more than the actual movie! See more Brandon C @BrC24 3 days ago It’s cute, of course it’s not as graphic as it’s made for kinds but the storyline could have been developed. See more Andi M @Ghalib 3 days ago animation the best season 2 the best 100/1000 the best See more Brayden G @DeadShotVibe802 3 days ago What the heck is this goofy ahh show See more Brayden G @Itzbm06 3 days ago They ruined it by making a kids animated ahh spin off See more Tyler P @RT44544619 Sep 10, 2026 Most of the characters designs & the voice acting done by the new voice cast are done close enough to their live action counterparts that they comfortably feel like the characters we've followed around for just over 10 years now. Even a few of the new introductions succeed in feeling like they belong in Hawkins. The drawback is in the few cases where character designs look significantly different or the voice actors actively are trying to be their own version of the character, it becomes jarring. If it was similarity or originality across the board it would work better. My main gripe is that its an inconsistent, mid-series and non canon spinoff, seemingly intended as the intro point for younger viewers, this is a misstep in my opinion, however look to the comics for a better example of that idea in action. All in all it does more right than wrong, if you've REALLY missed the series the past 9 months, it might be worth a watch, with another season about a week away from streaming. See more Read all reviews
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Brooklyn Davey Norstedt

Eleven

Luca Diaz

Mike Wheeler

Braxton Quinney

Dustin

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport

Max Mayfield

Elisha Williams

Lucas Sinclair

Benjamin Plessala

Will

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 Now Playing Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser 1:49 Now Playing Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser - Announcement Stranger Things: Tales From '85: Season 1 Teaser - Announcement 1:01 Now Playing View more videos
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Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 View more photos

Season Info

Director
J.J. Conway, Phil Allora, Ben Choi, Sarah Partington, Ashe Jacobson, Eric Robles
Executive Producer
Dan Cohen, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy
Screenwriter
Ray Utarnachitt, Alexis Quasarano, Joshua Pruett, Jen Bardekoff, Jennifer Muro, Dan Milano, Chad Quandt, Eric Robles, Kevin Burke, Chris Wyatt
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Sci-Fi, Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 23, 2026
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