When is Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 set in the series timeline and is it canon?

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Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 transports fans into an animated world version of Hawkins, Indiana.

This new animated series expands the world of Stranger Things, but with a twist: while you’ll recognize the characters, they’re voiced by a new cast and will encounter different monsters than before.

We also get to meet some more residents of the small town – friends and enemies of the gang alike.

How does the new show connect to the original series? Does it follow the established storyline and events?

This explains how the events in Tales from ’85 connect to and affect the overall story of Stranger Things.

Where does Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 fit into the show’s timeline?

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 sits between the events of seasons 2 and 3 of the main show.

Just a reminder, the second season of Stranger Things concluded with Eleven, Dustin, Max, Mike, Will, and Lucas all going to their school’s Snow Ball dance in the winter of 1984.

Steve tried to help Dustin with girls, but his attempts with classmates didn’t work out. He ended up sharing a slow dance with Nancy, Mike’s older sister, instead.

This is also the location of the first kisses for both Max and Lucas, and Eleven and Mike, effectively pairing off the show’s two main couples.

Season 3 jumps ahead in time to late June 1985, just before Hawkins celebrates the Fourth of July with a big carnival.

Things were actually pretty good for a while there! Dustin finally got a girlfriend, and for six or seven months, we all had a break from the Upside Down. No Demogorgons, no Mind Flayer… just a little bit of peace, which, as a fan of this story, I really appreciated!

However, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 proves that things aren’t quite so simple. The group does have fun with D&D and snowball fights, but a frightening danger is hidden just below the surface in their town.

Honestly, it doesn’t take long before my favorite characters are thrown back into the thick of it, trying to uncover the origins of this new monster and, you know, save the day before everything goes wrong. It’s classic stuff, and I’m totally here for it!

Is Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 canon to the main show?

Although Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 takes place during the show’s established timeline, creator Eric Robles has stated it won’t be considered official canon – meaning it’s not a story that directly impacts the main plot.

This story doesn’t significantly impact the main plot, but it’s designed to be enjoyed independently, separate from the events of the Upside Down.

In an interview with TopMob, he shared that the creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers, didn’t initially plan for an animated spin-off. However, he emphasized their commitment to respecting both the audience and the show’s fans.

We’re starting the story at the very end of season two, but if the show continues, we plan to connect everything back to the start of season three.

These are the core principles guiding our work. Everything we build within that framework will be a unique journey.

He explained that it just wouldn’t be possible to develop these thrilling stories with these characters and still have them fit naturally into the existing live-action series.

We need to create a self-contained story that feels like a unique experience. The goal is for the audience to relax, enjoy the entertainment, and reconnect with beloved characters.

You can watch new Stranger Things stories with ‘Tales from ’85’ coming to Netflix on April 23rd. All previous seasons of Stranger Things are already available for streaming.

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 today for daily TV suggestions, exclusive features, and more.

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Tilly PearceFreelance Writer

Okay, so I’m Tilly Pearce – I write about TV for a living. Honestly, I cover everything – one week I’m deep-diving into the drama of shows like Love Is Blind, the next I’m analyzing the world-building in something like Fallout. I’m a fully accredited journalist – I’ve got that NCTJ Gold Standard qualification – and I’ve cut my teeth working at places like Digital Spy and the Daily Express US, where I’ve even been a deputy editor.

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2026-04-23 13:43