After the lackluster fourth and fifth seasons and the so-so series finale, I was pretty much over Stranger Things when it wrapped up at the end of 2025. The idea of a secret final final episode, let alone whatever spin-offs and sequels Netflix had planned, filled me with more dread than an incoming demogorgon.
So when the animated spinoff was announced and trailers began popping up, I wasn’t all that interested. Then I decided to give it a chance and found it to be way better than I expected. It was so good, in fact, that it’s already been picked up for a second season.
In defense of Stranger Things: Tales from ’85
Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 takes place between the second and third seasons of Stranger Things. It follows Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, Max, and series newcomer Nikki as they tangle with some new, plant-like creatures from the Upside Down. What makes the series surprisingly strong is how much the characters feel like they did in the show’s earlier years. Much of the problem with the latter seasons of the show was that the kids no longer felt like kids — because, of course, they weren’t — but Tales from ‘85 reinvigorated the characters with a sense of youthful adventurism. This was made possible by casting very convincing voice actors for the kids and keeping the focus squarely on them (as opposed to branching out to the adults and older teens the way the original series does).
While I enjoyed it myself, the overall response to the series was mixed, with Variety calling it a cynical attempt to prolong the franchise and The Seattle Times calling it dull. Regardless, the series made it into Netflix’s top 15 animated debuts ever and was quickly picked up for a second season.
What to expect from Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 season 2
Shortly after the announcement of season 2, The Hollywood Reporter spoke with Tales from ‘85 showrunner Eric Robles. He was light on details, but did mention the importance of addressing why Nikki, who is quickly ingratiated into the party in the animated spinoff, is never seen or mentioned in the original Stranger Things series.
“Technically, she doesn’t fit into the timeline,” Robles admitted of Nikki. “What I can say is that I understand the responsibility of ending this story for this series correctly — what the kids process, how they move forward after that, how it connects perfectly to season three and why they don’t talk about her.”
Unfortunately, in the same interview, Robles also mentioned that Tales from ‘85 is “soft canon,” meaning it may not fit with every single detail of the original series. While that’s probably why the cartoon was able to tell an enjoyable, coherent story in its first season, it doesn’t reassure me that it will be able to neatly square a pretty difficult-to-explain plot hole.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is streaming on Netflix
