Neflix is no stranger to science fiction. The streaming platform houses some of the most iconic sci-fi projects of all time. From critically-acclaimed classics to modern thrillers that reinvented the genre, Netflix's back catalog has it all. And, of course, the streamer isn't afraid to produce its own original movies and TV series, with sci-fi being at the heart of many of its original programs.
It goes without saying that Stranger Things is the most beloved of all of the platform's original series, entertaining, thrilling, and even frightening audiences over the course of a decade. And now, more adventures in Hawkins - slightly more family-friendly ones - get to do it all over again, as the franchise's first spinoff series is officially coming back for a second season.
Netflix renews Stranger Things: Tales From '85 for season 2 (and confirms 2026 release)
Netflix has officially renewed Stranger Things: Tales From '85 for a second season. The streamer made the announcement mere days after the first season premiered on the platform, highlighting the sheer levels of faith that it still has in the Stranger Things franchise. In a press release, it revealed that Tales From '85 had one of the biggest premieres for an animated series in Netflix history, and that there also highlights how much interest the franchise's brand still carries even after the end of the original series. That press release also confirms that the show will be back with new episodes later this year.
The spinoff did make the Netflix daily Top 10 in the vast majority of countries throughout its first week of release, so it's clear that fans were willing to tune in for another adventure in Hawkins, Indiana - even if it is something of a prequel to the later seasons and doesn't feature the original cast reprising their roles. But this Stranger Things fact is truer than ever: Audiences still can't get enough of Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max (as well as the rest of the Hawkins crew)!
Stranger Things: Tales From '85 adopts something of a more light-hearted tone. According to the Duffer Brothers, this was intentional as it was a choice that allowed it to mirror the vibes of classic Saturday morning cartoons. It's not entirely family-friendly, allowing it to keep with the sense of dread that often enveloped the live-action show whenever a supernatural threat emerged in Hawkins, but it has fun with its somewhat less-serious approach.
The series is set between seasons 2 and 3 of Stranger Things and bridges the gap between them. This was a point of contention for fans for a few reasons, as some of the elements contradicted what we learned in the original series (Eleven wasn't allowed out of Hopper's cabin at the time, she and Max weren't instantly friends until season 3, and there is never any mention of new character Nikki Baxter - who becomes a pivotal part of the spinoff) but it hasn't prevented fans from tuning into it to see what it's like.
The show revolves around a new type of threat that isn't too dissimilar to the dangers of the Upside Down. Although the gate has seemingly remained shut since Eleven closed it in the season 2 finale (and remains that way until it reopens in the season 3 premiere), new supernatural creatures emerge, forcing our Scooby gang back into action in the midst of a snowstorm. The eerie visuals and those recognizable Hawkins backdrops make it a surprisingly delightful addition to the growing Stranger Things franchise.
Stranger Things ran for five seasons between 2016 and 2026, with each one getting bigger than the previous one. It all culminated in a super-sized fifth season that released in three parts between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve 2025. Although that larger-than-life series finale was the end of the original show, it was only the beginning for the franchise itself as the Duffer Brothers have confirmed that a live-action spinoff series will join Tales From '85 at some point down the line as Netflix plans on continuing this world that has become nothing short of a pop-culture phenomenon.
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