Get ready to head back to Hawkins, but maybe pack some cereal and stay in your pajamas for this one. The first poster and trailer have officially materialized for “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85”. Now the premiere is drawing closer, really close in fact. The spin-off series from the Duffer Brothers lands on Netflix this April.
The Vibe: Pure ’80s Nostalgia
The Duffer Brothers aren’t just making a cartoon; they’re making a “Saturday Morning” time machine.
“The idea was to evoke the feeling of the ’80s cartoons we grew up with,” Matt Duffer explained.
Think less “prestige drama” and more “action-figure-commercial aesthetic,” but with that signature Hawkins grit. It’s a brilliant way to expand the lore without needing to worry about the live-action cast’s growth spurts.
Winter 1985
The series is set in Winter 1985, wedged firmly between Seasons 2 and 3 of “Stranger Things.” Expect the crew to face off against fresh paranormal threats and new monsters that were apparently hibernating during the summer of the Mind Flayer.
The New Voices of Hawkins
Since the original cast has… well, graduated to adulthood, a new crop of voice talent is stepping into the iconic roles to keep that middle-school energy alive. Those lending their voices include Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max. Elisha “EJ” Williams is voicing Lucas, Ben Plessala is Will, and Brett Gipson voices Hopper (filling some very big, flannel-covered boots).
The guest list is also pulling some serious retro weight, with Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips joining the fray.
The Creative Powerhouse
The show is being steered by showrunner Eric Robles (Fanboy & Chum Chum) with the heavy hitters at Flying Bark Productions (What If?, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) handling the animation.
According to Ross Duffer, this animated expansion was one of their earliest “Blue Sky” ideas for the franchise. Working alongside executive producers Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen, they’re finally bringing that vision to life.
Coming Soon
For those of us who are “nerds” for 80s creature features and practical-style monster designs, seeing them translated into high-energy animation is a major win. It’s a chance to see the kids be kids again, facing monsters that might have been too expensive or too “weird” for live-action.
Keep your walkies tuned for a concrete release date. Until then, remember: Friends don’t let friends miss the Saturday morning lineup. Tune in for the premiere of “Stranger Things: Tales from ’85” on April 23!
