Hawkins Goes Hand-Drawn: Netflix Unveils ‘Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’ Trailer and Big-Screen Premiere

While the live-action saga of Stranger Things concluded its monumental run at the end of 2025, the world of Hawkins is far from dormant. Netflix has officially pulled back the curtain on its next major expansion: an animated spinoff titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85.

Through a series of major announcements and a nostalgic teaser trailer, the streamer has confirmed that the series will not only arrive on small screens this April but will also make a high-profile stop at the cinema.

A “Frozen” Chapter in Time

Unlike a sequel or a prequel set decades in the past, Tales from ’85 takes a unique approach to the timeline. Set during the winter of 1985—roughly six months before the events of Season 3—the series explores an “untold adventure” occurring while the town is blanketed in snow.

Showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs, Fanboy & Chum Chum) explains that animation allowed the team to “freeze time” and spend more quality moments with the core group—Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max—during a period of relative peace that is quickly shattered by a new, mutating threat. “We want the audience to feel that these kids are in danger, the stakes are real, and bad things can happen to anyone,” Robles told Netflix’s Tudum.

The Voice of a Fan-Favorite

The most buzzworthy casting news from the trailer is the addition of Broadway and Hazbin Hotel star Jeremy Jordan, who will take over the role of Steve Harrington. He joins a cast of newcomers voicing the younger roles, including:

• Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven

• Luca Diaz as Mike

• Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max

• Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas

• Braxton Quinney as Dustin

• Benjamin Plessala as Will

• Brett Gipson as Hopper

Visuals: “The Kyle Lambert Aesthetic”

Produced by Flying Bark Productions, the show utilizes a hybrid 2D/CG style designed to mimic the “Spielbergian” look of the 1980s. A major inspiration for the art direction was the iconic poster work of Kyle Lambert, known for his vibrant, neon-on-black color palettes. When the colors shift toward magenta and cyan, Robles notes, it’s a “John Williams-style” cue to the audience that something from the Upside Down is seeping into reality.

“Stranger Saturday”: The Theatrical Event

In a move that mirrors the massive theatrical success of the live-action series finale, Netflix is bringing Tales from ’85 to the big screen for a one-day event.

Dubbed “Stranger Saturday,” the event will take place on April 18, 2026. Fans in the U.S. can watch the first two episodes of the animated series in 34 select AMC Theatres across the country, as well as at the Paris Theater in New York and the new Netflix House in Philadelphia.

Theatrical Details:

• Date: April 18, 2026

• Showtimes: 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM (Local Time)

• Perks: Attendees at U.S. screenings will receive an exclusive collectible while supplies last.

• Tickets: Available via AMCTheatres.com starting March 18.

Release Date

Following the theatrical preview, the full series will begin streaming globally on Netflix on April 23, 2026. For those still recovering from the emotional weight of the live-action finale, Tales from ’85 offers a chance to return to the era of D&D and walkie-talkies one more time.