Stranger Things: Season 2 of the Animated Spinoff Is Official—Fans Get More Episodes Despite Modest Success

May 9, 2026

Stranger Things: Season 2 of the Animated Spinoff Is Official—Fans Get More Episodes Despite Modest Success 4

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Thought the Upside Down saga was over? Not quite. Several months after the original Stranger Things concluded on Netflix, the Duffer brothers' universe is still expanding. The new animated series, Stranger Things: Tales of 1985, recently premiered, and Netflix wasted no time announcing that a second season is in the works—just five days after the show’s debut.

Season 2 Confirmed Soon After Premiere

The renewal came quickly: Tales of 1985 launched on April 23, 2026, and Netflix confirmed a second season five days later. This speedy decision suggests the new season was likely planned from the beginning, a practice not uncommon for animated series on streaming platforms.

Setting: Hawkins in the Dead of Winter

Stranger Things: Tales of 1985 is set between seasons 2 and 3 of the original show, during a snowy winter in Hawkins, Indiana. Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max are shown returning to everyday life, with Dungeons & Dragons games, snowball fights, and peaceful days marking their routine. But, as the official synopsis teases, “under the ice, a terrible threat has awakened”—reminding fans that in Hawkins, calm never lasts.

Modest Debut but More Episodes Confirmed

The first season attracted modest attention, recording just 2.8 million views in its first week and placing seventh in Netflix’s rankings, well behind series like Unchosen (10.4 million views) and La Meneuse (5.3 million). Still, Netflix has ordered 10 more episodes for the new season, giving dedicated fans something to look forward to.

Production, Cast, and Animation

Details about the second season’s plot or release date have not been shared yet. Tales of 1985 was created by Eric Robles, also known for Miko and High Five and Fanboy & Chum Chum. The show is produced by original Stranger Things creators Ross and Matt Duffer, with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen also on board. Rather than the original live-action cast, the animated series features 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, and Jeremy Jordan as Steve. Animation is handled by Flying Bark Studio, known for their work on Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and the movie Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender.

Though Stranger Things: Tales of 1985 didn’t break viewing records, the story of Hawkins isn’t done yet. Fans can expect more snow, more supernatural trouble, and more D&D when season two arrives.

Ethan Collins Author

Ethan Collins is a London-based tech journalist specializing in digital innovation, smartphones, and the Android ecosystem. Passionate about new technologies for over a decade, he analyzes market trends, tests the latest devices, and breaks down the impact of emerging tools on everyday life. Before joining the editorial team, he collaborated with several UK media outlets and tech startups, where he developed strong expertise in mobile ecosystems and SaaS solutions. Curious, detail-oriented, and always on the lookout for what’s next, Ethan is committed to delivering clear, reliable, and accessible articles for both tech enthusiasts and casual users alike.