The animated spin-off "Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85" will return for its second season on September 17, 2026, Netflix revealed as part of its upcoming fall slate. This follows the release of the first season on April 23.
The new season's premise, as described by Netflix, centers on the characters uncovering the truth behind "ghostly apparitions and a swarm of strange creatures causing chaos around town" as Valentine's Day approaches.
"Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85" is set between the events of the main series' second and third seasons. The show received a greenlight for its second season shortly after its debut. The quick production timeline suggests that animation studio Flying Bark Productions may have been working on subsequent episodes prior to the first season's release.
The inaugural season garnered a mixed reception, achieving a 63% score from critics and a 52% score from users on Rotten Tomatoes. While some viewers appreciated its recapture of the early "Stranger Things" charm, others found it to be a perfunctory "midquel."
Eric Robles and Jennifer Muro developed the first season, with Robles also serving as showrunner. The Duffer Brothers, creators of the original series, were executive producers. Production credits include Netflix Animation Studios, Upside Down Pictures, 21 Laps Entertainment, and Flying Bark Productions. Flying Bark Productions has previously contributed animation to titles such as "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender," "Marvel's What If...?," and "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
With the main "Stranger Things" series set to conclude its 42-episode run on December 31, 2025, the creation of a spin-off is a logical progression given the franchise's immense popularity. The third season of the original show previously set a record for the most-watched Netflix original series. A live-action spin-off was reportedly in development as of 2023, though no formal announcements have been made.