Summary

Stranger Things season 5 is the final season, with eight episodes released in three batches.
An animated spinoff, Stranger Things: Tales From '85, features new monsters in Hawkins.
Fans are unsure about an animated spinoff, hoping for a live-action continuation with original characters.

The Duffer Brothers created such a fun, intense, and singular world that it feels like Netflix's Stranger Things could go on forever. But even though I'd be happy to see Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and her friends for a few more seasons, the fifth and final season is fast approaching, and the last eight episodes will be released in three batches.

I'm as eager as other fans to learn where everyone ends up, and I'm also curious about whether Hawkins, Indiana can survive what is certain to be an epic and scary battle. I'm also curious to learn more about the Stranger Things animated series, and after hearing a little bit more about it, I have some concerns.

Joyce looking at Christmas lights in Stranger Things

Netflix's Stranger Things Spinoff Needs To Be Radically Different In Order to Be Successful

Stranger Things season 5 is coming in 2025, and after watching the conclusion to this epic story, fans are curious what the spinoff could be like.

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By Aya Tsintziras

Is Netflix's Animated Series Stranger Things: Tales From '85 The Spinoff That Fans Want?

According to Deadline, Eric Robles, the showrunner of Stranger Things: Tales From 85, shared a look at the animated series at Annecy. Although there aren't any major details yet, he did describe it a little bit. Fans of the original series are familiar with the creatures of the Upside Down, and the animated series will have other monsters, such as snow sharks and pumpkin zombies.

The logline for the show reads:

“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 in Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, an epic new animated series.”

Robles explained:

“It all went back to The Real Ghostbusters. It was silly but had a handful of dark, creepy episodes and we just kept talking about that. That became the north star for us... The vision is kids riding bikes, using walkie-talkies,”

Although Ghostbusters is one of the most popular sci-fi franchises and pumpkin zombies sound fun, this new show sounds like it's simply an animated version of Stranger Things, and I'm not sure about it. Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is going to feature animated versions of the characters fans know and love, and there's only one new character named Nikki. But, while I'm sure the animation will be beautiful and creative and the show will look great, is this the spinoff that fans are looking for?

I think that the animated Stranger Things would be a lot more interesting if it were set in a different time period or featured all new characters. Since the creatures of the Upside Down, like Jamie Campbell Bower's intense and dangerous Vecna, are so memorable, it's hard to get excited about the same characters battling different monsters.

Rather than Stranger Things: Tales From '85, I'd be happy to see a live-action spinoff featuring one or more original characters. I'm sure there are more stories to tell after the highly anticipated series finale, and while some actors like David Harbour seem ready to move on with their careers, there might be one or two stars who would be excited to reprise their roles. To me, it makes a lot more sense to continue with the creepy and fun story in this format than to create an animated version of the show.

There Will Be Another Stranger Things Spinoff, But No One Is Sure About The Storyline

Joyce Byers and Murray trying to solve a mystery in Stranger Things

While some details were shared about Stranger Things: Tales From '85, there is another spinoff of the Duffer Brothers series in the works. I'm eager to hear more about this, but so far, there aren't any updates.

In 2022, Matt and Ross Duffer mentioned the new show in an interview with Variety, although they didn't share the premise. Matt said:

"It's going to be different than what anyone is expecting, including Netflix."

Maybe the spinoff will have some cameo appearances from the original cast, but while I wait for the final season of the show along with other fans, I'm also going to hope for some news about this upcoming spinoff.

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