The world of Stranger Things may have officially closed the book on its original story, but the franchise itself is far from over.
After nearly a decade of Demogorgons, the Upside Down and unforgettable characters, Netflix’s hit sci-fi series ended after five seasons on Dec. 31, 2025. While fans said goodbye to Hawkins as they knew it, Netflix and creators Matt and Ross Duffer have already confirmed that multiple spinoffs are in development—ensuring the Stranger Things universe will continue to grow.
From an animated series set in the mid-1980s to a brand-new live-action show with new characters, plus an already-running Broadway prequel, here’s everything to know about all the Stranger Things spinoffs currently in the works.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (Animated Series)
Netflix’s first official spinoff is an animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, which is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026.
Originally announced in 2023, the show received its first look in November 2025 and is produced by Stranger Things showrunner Eric Robles, alongside the Duffer Brothers.
What Is Tales From ’85 About?
The animated series is set during the winter of 1985, placing it chronologically between seasons 2 and 3 of the original show. While it features the original Hawkins characters, they will be voiced by new voice actors.
According to Netflix’s official synopsis:
“Welcome back to Hawkins in the stark winter of 1985, where the original characters must fight new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery terrorizing their town.”
Matt Duffer explained that the creative goal was to capture the nostalgic spirit of classic 1980s animation.
“The idea was kind of to evoke a feeling of an ’80s cartoon,” he said.
Ross Duffer added that Tales From ’85 was one of the earliest spinoff concepts they discussed while exploring new ways to expand the Hawkins storyline.
Voice Cast for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85
Netflix has confirmed the following voice cast:
- Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven
- Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max
- Luca Diaz as Mike
- Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas
- Braxton Quinney as Dustin
- Benjamin Plessala as Will
- Brett Gipson as Hopper
Additional cast members include Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Untitled Stranger Things Live-Action Spinoff
In addition to the animated series, Netflix is also developing a live-action Stranger Things spinoff, which the Duffer Brothers have described as a “clean slate.”
What We Know So Far
Unlike Tales From ’85, the live-action spinoff will not follow the original Hawkins characters. Instead, it will explore a new decade, new timeline and new characters, while remaining connected to the broader Stranger Things universe.
Ross Duffer confirmed the news shortly after the season 5 finale aired.
“This is the end of the story for these characters of Hawkins and the Upside Down,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “It’s a different decade and different characters, but of course, still connected to the Stranger Things universe.”
While the Duffer Brothers will be heavily involved in shaping the project, they will not serve as showrunners.
Matt Duffer teased that the creative process has been especially exciting.
“It’s very fun to start developing a new mythology and new characters,” he said. “It’s been a blast.”
Release Date and Title
As of now, the live-action spinoff has no official title, cast, synopsis or release date, though the Duffers have hinted that an announcement could arrive sometime in 2026.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Broadway Prequel)
For fans who aren’t ready to leave Hawkins behind, there’s already another way to experience the universe: Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
The Broadway play, which opened in April 2025, serves as an official prequel to the Netflix series.
What Is The First Shadow About?
Set in Hawkins in 1959, the story takes place 20 years before the events of the TV show and focuses on younger versions of familiar characters, including:
- Jim Hopper
- Joyce Maldonado (later Joyce Byers)
- Bob Newby
The plot centers on the arrival of a new student, Henry Creel, whose presence triggers a chain of unsettling events that foreshadow the horrors to come.
The play was written by Kate Refry, based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers and Jack Thorne.
Cast and Reception
Louis McCartney stars as Henry Creel, with Burke Swanson as Hopper and Alison Jaye as Joyce. The ensemble also includes T.R. Knight, Alex Breaux and Gabrielle Nevaeh, among others.
The stage production has been praised for deepening the mythology of Stranger Things and providing emotional backstory to its most mysterious villain.
The Stranger Things Universe Isn’t Ending Anytime Soon
Although the flagship series has concluded, Netflix is clearly committed to expanding the Stranger Things franchise across animation, live action and theater.
With Tales From ’85 arriving in 2026, a live-action spinoff in development and a Broadway prequel already running, Hawkins—and the Upside Down—remain very much alive.
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