After the popular series Stranger Things concluded last year, Netflix quickly began expanding the universe with spinoffs. The first, an animated series called Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, is now available. Released just months after the final episode of the original show, the series aimed to capture the feel of classic Saturday morning cartoons. While most reviews are good, Tales From ’85 has unfortunately set a record as one of the shortest-lived animated series on the platform.
As a huge Stranger Things fan, I was a little surprised to see how Tales From ’85 is being received. It currently has a 68% score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the lowest-rated installment in the whole series. Before that, Season 5 held the ‘lowest’ title with an 83%, but honestly, the first four seasons were all critically acclaimed, consistently scoring in the 90s. It’s interesting to see such a shift in reception!
What Critics Are Saying About Stranger Things: Tales From ’85
Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t have an overall critics’ score for Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 yet, but early reviews show both good and bad points. Many viewers enjoy how well the show recreates the adventurous and playful feel of the first Stranger Things seasons. Set between seasons 2 and 3, Tales From ’85 generally does a good job of capturing that earlier, more lighthearted tone. While the latest season of Stranger Things had some criticism, this new installment is a welcome return to the franchise’s strengths and is enjoyable for all ages.
However, some viewers feel that Tales From ’85 relies too heavily on nostalgia and doesn’t offer enough fresh content. Critics have also questioned the purpose of adding a new story to an already finished one. Because the events of Tales From ’85 – including the new character Nikki Baxter – aren’t acknowledged in the main series, it can be hard to feel fully connected to the story. While revisiting the Hawkins group as children is enjoyable, the overall impression is that Tales From ’85 isn’t essential viewing, as it doesn’t significantly affect the live-action show.
Currently, Rotten Tomatoes only has 22 reviews for Tales From ’85. That’s a pretty small number, so the show’s score will probably change as more reviews are added. For comparison, the fifth season of Stranger Things has 168 reviews. While Tales From ’85 might not get as many (it’s an animated spinoff and likely has a smaller audience), even Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord has almost double the number, with 40 reviews. It’s likely that more critics will share their thoughts soon.
Most people probably won’t change their overall opinion after these first reviews. Usually, the initial reactions give a good sense of how something is being received. It seems like Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is enjoyable, but doesn’t quite reach the same level as the original series. This isn’t the ideal start Netflix was hoping for with its spin-offs. While Tales From ’85 is animated, other franchises have successfully used animation to add interesting details to their stories. Hopefully, the next Stranger Things series will be better received.
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2026-04-23 21:44