The countdown is on for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, due out in 2025. While that might sound like the end of the road for Eleven, Mike, Dustin, and the rest of the Hawkins gang, Netflix has other plans. Fans won’t be saying goodbye to the Upside Down anytime soon.
In fact, the Stranger Things universe is just getting started.
Hawkins Lives On — Just Not How You Might Expect
If you’ve grown attached to the eerie woods, flickering lights, and 1980s nostalgia that made Stranger Things a global sensation, you’re in luck. Netflix has made it clear: season 5 won’t be the last time we visit Hawkins.
While the original storyline is wrapping up, the world of Stranger Things will continue to expand through new projects, including a Broadway play and now, an animated series. These fresh takes won’t just stretch the timeline—they’ll also allow creators to explore different characters, tones, and formats.
A New Chapter Begins: Tales from ’85
Set to be unveiled in June 2025 at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the new animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is one of the most anticipated spin-offs in the works.
Netflix teased the project with a promise that Saturday morning cartoons are about to get “turned Upside Down.” From the sound of it, Tales from ’85 won’t be a direct continuation of the main plotline, but rather a standalone anthology series, likely offering snapshots of life in Hawkins during the same era as season 3—just before the Byers family moved to California.
Though plot details are still under wraps, the show aims to dive into untold stories that unfold in the shadow of supernatural chaos. Think side quests, background characters, and maybe even a deeper look into some of the town’s unexplored mysteries.
The Duffer Brothers Are Still in Charge
This animated offshoot won’t be a departure from the Stranger Things DNA. Matt and Ross Duffer, the creative duo behind the original show, are fully involved and, by their own admission, “have always dreamed” of doing something in animation.
In a statement shared via Netflix’s Tudum, they expressed their excitement about the project: “The scripts and artwork are incredible—we can’t wait for fans to see it. The adventure continues…” Their commitment to the world they built suggests Tales from ’85 will stay true to the tone and emotional depth of the main series, just in a different medium.
Why Animation Makes Perfect Sense?
Let’s face it—while we all love the original cast, even the most nostalgic fan knows that time isn’t on their side. The actors who once convincingly played small-town teens are now full-fledged adults. As noted by Inverse, animation offers a clever workaround: characters can stay the same age forever, no matter how many years pass in real life.
More than that, animation allows for bigger, bolder storytelling. Strange dimensions, surreal monsters, and retro action sequences can unfold without the constraints of practical effects or real-world filming limitations. It’s a chance to go deeper—and weirder—into the Upside Down than ever before.
When Can We Watch?
As of now, Netflix hasn’t shared a release date for Tales from ’85. But with first looks set for the Annecy Festival in June 2025, fans can expect more details soon.
Until then, the final season of Stranger Things will be the main event in 2025—but it definitely won’t be the last word. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the horror, or the heartwarming friendships, the world of Hawkins is far from finished.
