Stranger Things: Tales From 85 trailer, images, voice cast, and 2026 release window unveiled by Netflix for Stranger Things Day 2025

We'll be heading back to Hawkins for a brand-new animated adventure in 2026

06 Nov 2025, 16:04 · TechRadar

News By Tom Power published 6 November 2025

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is set between the main show's second and third seasons (Image credit: Netflix)

Netflix has publicly unveiled the first footage and images for Stranger Things: Tales from '85
The animated spin-off's voice cast has also been revealed
It'll be released sometime in 2026

Netflix has publicly released the first footage, images, and voice cast for Stranger Things: Tales From '85.

To celebrate Stranger Things Day 2025, the streaming giant has revealed new details about the popular series' first spin-off. That includes a first look at its Saturday morning cartoon-style show's aesthetic by way of an official image, and fresh footage of Tales From '85 via a behind-the-scenes featurette, which you can view below.

Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 | Official Announcement | Netflix - YouTube

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We were already aware that Netflix was developing a Stranger Things animated spin-off, but this is the first time that the world's best streaming service has really pulled the veil back on a series developed by Eric Robles (Glitch Techs, Fanboy and Chum Chum) and executively produced by franchise overlords Matt and Ross Duffer.

Indeed, apart from exhibiting it at the 2025 edition of Annecy Film Festival in June, Netflix has been hesitant to show or tell us much about the first Stranger Things project that'll expand the universe in new and surprising ways.

There are some things we knew about Tales From '85 ahead of this latest reveal, though. Netflix had already confirmed it'll arrive sometime in 2026, be set between the primary show's second and third seasons, and take place during the winter of 1985. Additionally, it'll feature the best Netflix show's numerous characters and include an original character called Nikki Baxter (voice actor TBC).

Now, we know who's part of Tales From '85's voice cast – and none of the the actors who are part of the main show have returned to portray their characters in animated form.

Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler
Ben Plessala as Will Byers
Elisha 'EJ' Williams as Lucas Sinclair
Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson
Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield
Odessa A’zion as TBC
Janeane Garofalo as TBC
Lou Diamond Phillips as TBC

In some ways, it makes sense that Netflix would hire some new faces to voice these characters. After all, the show's kids are all grown up now, so you can't have, say, Caleb McLaughlin voicing the child version of Lucas anymore. Nonetheless, I'm sure some fans will be disappointed and/or baffled about the prospect of their favorite character being voiced by somebody else.

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