Photo courtesy of: Netflix
Written by: TiShea Wilson, Managing Editor
When Stranger Things became a cultural phenomenon, it set a high bar for blending supernatural horror with heartfelt storytelling. With Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, the franchise steps into animated territory. While it may not carry the same emotional weight as the flagship series, it delivers a surprisingly fun and stylish return to Hawkins that fans can genuinely enjoy.
Set between Seasons 2 and 3, Tales from ’85 revisits the gang during a snowy chapter of their lives that we’ve never seen before. Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, Will, and Max are back in action, facing off against new Upside Down threats that feel inventive and, at times, delightfully weird. The shift to animation opens the door for more imaginative creature designs and action heavy sequences. Something the show takes full advantage of that freedom.
One of the show’s most interesting additions is Nikki Baxter, a new character who slots into the group with surprising ease. Voiced by Odessa A’zion, Nikki brings a different energy to the dynamic. She’s sharper, more outspoken, and not quite as wide eyed as the others were when they first encountered the strange happenings in Hawkins. The character often acts as a grounded counterbalance to the chaos, and while she doesn’t overshadow the core cast, she adds just enough freshness to keep interactions from feeling overly familiar. It’s a smart inclusion that hints at the show’s willingness to expand its world without disrupting what already works.
What stands out most is the show’s embrace of its ’80s cartoon inspiration. From its vibrant color palette to its brisk, episodic storytelling, Tales from ’85 feels like a love letter to a bygone era of animation while still staying rooted in the eerie world that made Stranger Things so compelling. It’s a tonal shift, no doubt, but one that works more often than it doesn’t.
Yes, the stakes are lighter here, and the story leans more into adventure than horror. But that’s not necessarily a drawback. Instead, it gives the show a different kind of appeal. It’s something more accessible, more energetic, and at times, just plain fun. The series is less about dread and more about discovery. Think of it as a bonus D&D side quest set in a new module with characters fans already love.
And those characters remain the heart of the experience. The group’s chemistry translates well into animation, with plenty of humor, banter, and moments of camaraderie that remind you why this ensemble clicked in the first place. Even when the plot feels episodic, the relationships keep things grounded. Nikki’s presence adds a subtle but welcome new layer to that chemistry, helping the dynamic feel fresh without losing its established roots.
Visually, the series commits fully to its retro identity, delivering a polished yet nostalgic look that feels both fresh and familiar. The animation leans into bold colors, expressive character designs, and dynamic action sequences that give the Upside Down a slightly more surreal, almost comic book-like edge. Backgrounds are packed with small details and visual callbacks that longtime fans will appreciate, reinforcing that lived in Hawkins atmosphere even in animated form. It doesn’t push the overarching story forward in major ways. However, it doesn’t expand the world in creative directions that feel worthwhile, using its visual freedom to explore new creature designs and environments that wouldn’t be as easily realized in live action.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 isn’t trying to replace or rewrite the original. It knows exactly what it is and stays comfortably in that lane. Instead, the series plays like a bonus adventure. One that offers fans a chance to revisit Hawkins through a different lens while spending more time with characters they’ve grown attached to over the years. That sense of familiarity, mixed with a slightly more playful and experimental tone, gives the show its own identity without straying too far from the origins the world was built on. For those who aren’t quite ready to leave the Upside Down behind, that’s more than enough reason to tune in.
Stream all episodes of Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 now on Netflix.
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