At the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 11, Netflix revealed its first official details for the upcoming animated spin-off of “Stranger Things,” titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. The announcement came during Netflix’s “Next on Netflix Animation” presentation in the Bonlieu theater, boasting a packed house of animation industry insiders. Showrunner Eric Robles introduced the project to an enthusiastic audience.
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What’s the Premise?
Set in the frigid winter of 1985, Tales from ’85 is positioned between seasons two and three of the original “Stranger Things” series. The animated narrative promises to reunite beloved characters from Hawkins while introducing a brand-new figure in the gang—Nikki, described as “fierce” and ready to help confront new paranormal threats.
Netflix’s official logline teases a return to Hawkins during a snowy period of 1985, with the core group once again battling strange creatures with the added intrigue of new allies.
Creative Team and Animation Style
Creators Matt and Ross Duffer, operating under their Upside Down Pictures banner, will executive-produce alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen from 21 Laps, and Eric Robles via Flying Bark Productions—who will also serve as showrunner.
Flying Bark Productions—already credited with Marvel’s What If…?, Netflix’s Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, and the forthcoming film The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender—will lead animation production.
Eric Robles described the creative inspiration behind the series: “cartoons like Scooby-Doo, Masters of The Universe, and The Real Ghostbusters,” blended with visual styles reminiscent of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Arcane, along with the eerie flair of classic Goosebumps covers, and character design by Meybis Ruiz Cruz of Entergalactic fame.
Release Timeline
Netflix has confirmed that Tales from ’85 is slated to premiere in 2026, though no specific date has yet been disclosed.
First Look at “In Your Dreams” Animated Feature
At the same festival event, Netflix also debuted a first-look poster and details for In Your Dreams, an entirely separate animated feature aimed at awards season recognition.
Plot and Inspiration
Developed by former Pixar talents Alex Woo and Erik Benson—who previously worked on Toy Story 4 and Cars 2—the film centers on siblings Stevie and Elliot, who journey into the realm of dreams in hopes of finding The Sandman to mend their parents’ marriage.
Woo shared that the concept draws directly from his own experience: his father attended the Annecy premiere, with Woo crediting Netflix for championing the personal nature of the project—highlighting “real leadership in the industry”.
Cast, Crew, and Release Date
In Your Dreams boasts a cast led by Simu Liu (as Dad), Craig Robinson, and Cristin Milioti, with Jolie Hoang-Rappaport and Elias Janssen voicing Stevie and Elliot, respectively. Omid Djalili voices The Sandman .
The film is produced by Netflix Animation alongside Kuku Studios and animated by Sony Pictures Imageworks. Scheduled for release on November 14, 2025, it marks a strong contender in Netflix’s upcoming feature launch slate.
Noted composer John Debney—recently announced in June 2024—handled the musical score.
The Bigger Netflix Animation Vision
Netflix’s Annecy showcase did more than unveil two major projects: it served as a bold statement about the streaming giant’s expanded animation ambitions.
Under its Netflix Animation banner, the company is developing multiple high-profile series, including new adaptations of Dr. Seuss, Far Cry, and Minecraft, among others.
The simultaneous unveiling of both the Stranger Things spin-off and the personal story of In Your Dreams indicates Netflix’s dual strategy: leverage existing IP’s power while investing in original, emotionally resonant storytelling.
Fan & Industry Reaction
Early reactions from fans and attendees at Annecy are overwhelmingly positive. Social channels report excitement for Tales from ’85, praising the nostalgic callbacks and promise of fresh storylines in the Hawkins universe. Industry insiders noted the ambitious visual direction and strategic expansion of Netflix’s animation portfolio.
The simultaneous promotion of two animated projects—one rooted in a blockbuster franchise and the other tapping into heartfelt family narrative—demonstrates Netflix’s confidence in the medium’s ability to attract both mass and critical acclaim.
Looking Ahead
- Tales from ’85 joins the growing lineup of “Stranger Things” extensions, including the West End play The First Shadow and an upcoming live-action spin-off.
- In Your Dreams could mark Netflix’s strongest entry yet in award-centric animation, given its pedigree and emotional stakes.
By – Sonali