Netflix is bringing the Hawkins gang back to our screens on April 23. In this Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Review, we dive into the first of several promised animated spin-offs, set specifically between the events of the Season 2 finale and the start of Season 3. While the live-action epic recently concluded, the characters are "baaaaack" in a vibrant, new format.
A Nostalgic Look in our Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Review
While executive produced by creators Matt and Ross Duffer, the series is creatively led by showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs). The show leans into an upscale, Saturday-morning cartoon aesthetic that feels like Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! but with significantly more visual swag.
The 10-episode season is richly animated by Flying Bark Productions, featuring gorgeous production design in '80s neons by Benjamin Plouffe. Set during a winter season—a first for the franchise—the story picks up one month after Eleven closed the gate to the Upside Down. The atmosphere benefits from a fresh setting of snow and winter woolies, though the central mystery can occasionally feel repetitive over its five-hour runtime.
New Faces and Familiar Voices
The series features a talented cast of new performers voicing the iconic Hawkins crew. While the core group remains centered on the middle schoolers, several older characters pop in and out of the story. Key players include:
- Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norringstedt)
- Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max (newly voiced performers)
- Hopper (Brett Gipson)
- Nancy Wheeler (Alessandra Antonelli)
- Steve Harrington (Jeremy Jordan)
The show also introduces Nikki Baxter (Odessa A’zion), a science-savvy transfer student who arrives with her mother, Anna Baxter (Janeane Garofalo). Portrayed much like a beefier, non-psychotic version of Jinx from Arcane, Nikki brings engineering smarts to the group and joins the newly formed Hawkins Investigators Club (HIC).
The Verdict on the Animated Spin-off
The plot follows the gang as they encounter dangerous Upside Down remnants, such as a menacing snow shark monster dragging victims under snow drifts. However, because the story must stay within Hawkins' city limits to avoid interfering with live-action canon, the stakes can feel somewhat bland. The creature battles against organic, Demogorgon-esque plant creatures eventually begin to run together.
Despite these narrative limitations, the series offers plenty of appeal for younger audiences. The vocal performances are standout highlights, particularly Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max and Braxton Quinney as Dustin, who both faithfully channel their live-action counterparts. Ultimately, while it lacks the infinite rewatchability of the original series, it remains a light, visually stunning watch for families to enjoy together.
