Stranger Things: Tales from '85 renewed for season 2

After lackluster fourth and fifth seasons and a so‑so series finale left interest in the franchise muted, the animated spinoff Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 surprised expectations and has already been picked up for a second season. Set between the second and third seasons, Tales from ‘85 follows Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, Eleven, Max and newcomer Nikki as they tangle with plant‑like creatures from the Upside Down.

The show’s strength comes from casting convincing voice actors for the kids and keeping the focus squarely on them, which restores a sense of youthful adventurism the later live‑action seasons lost. Reception has been mixed: Variety called it a cynical attempt to prolong the franchise and The Seattle Times found it dull, yet the series made Netflix’s top 15 animated debuts and was quickly renewed.

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