5 Highlights From Stranger Things: Tales From ’85

Originally published April 29, 2026. This article reviews season 1 of Stranger Things: Tales from ’85.

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Four months after the epic conclusion of Stranger Things, we’re returning to the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, for a new animated spin-off series. Titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, the 10-episode first season follows our intrepid youngsters as they battle a mysterious – and equally terrifying – creature.

Timeline-wise, it takes place shortly after the flagship show’s season 2 finale and before the start of season 3. At this point, Eleven has closed off the interdimensional gate to the Upside Down, but the Mind Flayer is still a looming threat. In Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 season 1, the Hawkins Investigators Club squares off against an entirely new kind of monster. Bolstered by a toe-tapping ’80s soundtrack, high-stakes action, and a fun new character, this sci-fi horror series isn’t as bad as reviewers have made it out to be. Consider me its defense attorney.

I’ve compiled a list of five highlights from Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 season 1. Proceed at your peril.

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Eye-Catching Animation

The animation in this show is easily one of its strengths. It’s reminiscent of Arcane and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as well as an upgrade on the visuals from the canceled Stranger Things Telltale game. There’s a tactile feel to the animation, as if you could reach out and touch the fabric on a character’s jacket or the siding on a house. This tangible quality makes it feel more real. Additionally, the visuals appear almost clay-like.

I love the vibrant ’80s color palette at play. The series leans into the decade’s use of bright colors in a way the original show didn’t. Of course, this is animation – you can do so much more visually with this medium. On a materialistic note, everyone has perfectly arched, full eyebrows, and this thin-browed gal is green with envy. Steve Harrington’s hair is inexplicably bigger and better here, achieving heights Joe Keery couldn’t in live action. You know what they say: The higher the hair, the closer to Vecna.

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It’s All in the Voice

The vocal performances are solid across the board. Sure, initially, it’s a challenge to shake off the voices of the OG characters. However, the creatives did a good job selecting voices that are similar enough not to be distracting. I’d probably find it more jarring if the actors tried to execute pitch-perfect imitations of these iconic characters. Thankfully, everyone finds a groove and aims for similarity over sounding identical.

It’s also wonderful that younger people, some of whom are actually teens, are voicing, well, teens. Their vocal work is brimming with vim and vigor — it’s as upbeat as it is infectiously energetic.

Some standouts include Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, who captures that nervous energy El has about her in Stranger Things’ earlier seasons. Braxton Quinney also captures the spirit of Dustin as the show’s comedic relief. I also love Elisha Williams as Lucas and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, who knock it out of the park. (Also, if the voice actor for Steve sounds familiar, that’s none other than Jeremy Jordan, AKA Lucifer Morningstar from Hazbin Hotel.)

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A Real ’80s Punk

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 season 1 brings a new character into the fold: Nikki. The daughter of Mrs. Baxter, the middle school science teacher, Nikki is a bona fide ’80s punk girl who joins our crew on their mission to prevent this new threat from destroying Hawkins. Nikki is a breath of fresh air. I wish she existed in the flagship series. Not only does she have a cool character design, but she fits right in regarding the group dynamic. It almost feels like she’s been there since the beginning.

Nikki believes in science and, along with her teacher mom, helps the kids crack the code on this creature by implementing science. She also has a healthy relationship with her mom. It’s lovely to see a strong mother/daughter bond portrayed in this era, especially a mom who encourages her child’s interests and lets her embrace her weirdness.

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Crank Up the Action in Hawkins

Lights, camera, evolving shapeshifting monster. This animated show strikes a great balance between action and more character-driven moments. The action sequences are a delight to watch, especially the campier narrative beats. The scene in episode 2 in which Lucas and Max ward off the monster jack-o’-lanterns is an absolute blast, and something that would’ve been difficult to accomplish in a live-action format. Eleven utilizing her abilities to battle the “Snow Shark” is also fun, as is the zombie/horror aspect of this shapeshifting creature that requires a host to thrive (at least initially).

The kids staging a break-in to steal the Polaroid of El gives off major heist vibes, too. The show’s action doesn’t really stick to one genre or style, either, ensuring these sequences don’t drag. They hold your attention. Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’s action scenes are also more intricately detailed and fluid in their execution and pacing, and that’s 100% down to the use of animation.

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More Lighthearted and Free

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is the epitome of “lighthearted.” There’s a freer feel to it. While there are certainly more somber moments here and there, it doesn’t carry half of the darkness of the flagship show. We also get to see the kids be — gasp — kids. Even amid the threat of this formidable monster, the gang finds time to enjoy being kids. They play games at the town’s winter festival. They hang around the arcade.

Not that we don’t see this in Stranger Things, but oftentimes, the weight of the life-or-death narrative tends to overshadow the show’s moments of levity, especially in the later seasons.

So, sit back, relax, and get lost in the “Saturday Morning Cartoons” feel of this series. Don’t take it too seriously. Enjoy this piece of cotton candy fare (perhaps with some Eggo waffles) set in the world of Stranger Things (and keep your fingers crossed for a season 2).

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What did you love most about Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 season 1?

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