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
- 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.
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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With Stranger Things season 5 set to premiere on November 26, this year's Stranger Things Day is the final time that fans will have the chance to celebrate one of the biggest Netflix TV Originals of all-time before it ends.
There are bound to be more Stranger Things season 5 reveals before the day is over. For one, would it be too much to ask for some official news on the live-action spin-off that star Finn Wolfhard correctly guessed the outline of? Regardless, stay tuned to TechRadar for more details on those.
In the meantime, get the full lowdown on the supernatural sci-fi horror's last chapter by reading my guide on Stranger Things season 5.
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As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
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