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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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62% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 53% 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

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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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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
Callie Hanna FandomWire 2d
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
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 May 7
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
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Audience Reviews

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Keith N @RT27565593 16h WHAT?! Stranger things Tales From '85 season 1 was everything that I expected after coming from season 5 of original show, but still came out extremely disappointed. This new spin-off unfortunately carries the same issues that were in season 5 of the original show, but somehow, in someway they made it even worse. First of all, this is not canon to the story, and I'm content to believe that. The stuff that happens in the show are just nonsense and don't even carry to seasons 3 (this takes place in between season 2 and 3). Second of all this show has a serious case of what I like to call (kindergarten writing) where everyone talks so childish that it isn't even cringe anymore it's just constant torture. Lastly the the animation looks so choppy and cheap you would think that this was fan-made. When I first saw the trailers, this show looked fine but when the characters are actually moving, it is chopped as hell. Overall, do not watch this, it isn't worth your time, trust me. 1/10 See more Pedro A @PedroAlao 2d I'm not sure how well it fits in the narrative of the original series, but what this show does is provide a fun and charismatic adventure with the set of young characters we all know and love, alongside some pretty cool additions. The twists and turns of the plot are rather predictable, but its charm and colorfulness are strong enough to make for an enjoyable experience all throughout. Overall, if you can accept that all kids are heavily protected by anti-monster plot armor, you'll have a pretty good time! See more Paul L. @pauly87 4d I think the best part of stranger things is a group of kids going out and fighting monsters. This series gave me all of that. See more Brady S. @Brady_sizemore1316 5d This is a great spin off! It feels like the original but only difference voices (sound close to OG) & animation version. The story is great. They didn’t do too much to it. They didn’t leave anything open besides what’s to come in the 2nd season. I’m very excited to watch season 2! I hope there’s multiple seasons! 10/10. I recommend watching it. It’s very close to the OG but animated. THE INTRO IS ALSO AMAZING! I love the music and how it’s really similar but different that way the OG Show has its original intro. :) See more Adam V @Yin69yang 5d 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 May 5 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 Read all reviews
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 — Season 1

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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

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