Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 review – A welcome return to Hawkins

by

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

As a huge movie and TV fan, I’ve noticed a trend: if something gets popular enough, it almost always gets an animated version eventually. Seriously, think about it – classics like Star Wars, Robocop, Ghostbusters, and even Spider-Man have all been reimagined as cartoons over the years. And now, it’s happening to Stranger Things, which I’m definitely curious about!

Just a few months after the end of the fifth and final season, Netflix is releasing a new series called Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. It revisits the town of Hawkins, taking place between the events of seasons 2 and 3.

As a huge fan, I’m so excited to be back with Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Max! It’s amazing to see them as younger versions of themselves. And honestly, it feels perfect – it really captures that vibe of the old Saturday morning cartoons they probably grew up watching while riding their bikes around town.

While modern 3D animation is definitely more advanced than the style of shows like The Real Ghostbusters that influenced Tales from ’85, it doesn’t quite have the same nostalgic charm. However, the series still manages to capture the spirit of the original live-action show. It takes a little getting used to the new voice actors, but the core personalities of the beloved characters – especially Lucas (Elisha Williams) and Dustin (Braxton Quinney) – really come through.

The villains are a key part of what makes Stranger Things work, and this season’s monster doesn’t disappoint – it’s suitably creepy, reminiscent of the shark in Jaws. While there’s still a horror element, the violence is toned down compared to previous seasons, fitting with the show’s move towards being more appropriate for families.

Many fans will be excited to spend extra time with their favorite characters before the darker storylines of seasons four and five. ‘Tales from ’85’ successfully recreates the charm of the show’s first seasons, and keeps the core cast together throughout most of its ten episodes – something the original series didn’t always achieve. The show also introduces a new character, Nikki, who is the independent-minded daughter of a new teacher at Hawkins Middle School.

A key problem with Tales from ’85 stems from what makes it appealing: its placement between seasons two and three of the original show. This limits the characters’ ability to grow or change significantly, as the established storyline can’t be altered. It feels like the plot is somewhat repetitive. Additionally, the show’s focus on a younger audience means that familiar, older characters like Nancy, Steve, and Hopper don’t get much screen time.

Even though the story doesn’t drastically change, this series will leave you feeling good thanks to the familiar characters and cozy setting. If you’re eager to revisit this world between seasons or simply enjoy spending time with these beloved characters, it’s a worthwhile watch.

I’m so excited for the new Stranger Things special! ‘Tales from ’85’ is coming to Netflix on Thursday, April 23rd. And if you haven’t already, you can binge-watch all the previous seasons right now on Netflix – it’s the perfect way to get ready!

Don’t miss out on Stranger Things: Tales from ’85! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Matthew Trask

Read More

2026-04-23 10:35