It’s only been a few months since Stranger Things officially came to an end on Netflix with its highly debated series finale, but it already feels like a lifetime. Since then, there has been online chatter about secret episodes, a new movie, and the spinoffs that the Duffer Brothers have in the works, and while none of that is either true or (in the case of spinoffs) coming soon, there is something coming.
Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 brings us back to Hawkins and reunites us with all of our favorite characters, but don’t expect the same experience as the series that first stole our hearts. This time around, the new spinoff series is animated and features new cast members voicing the main characters. But there’s no doubt this new chapter is a must-watch for diehard fans!
What time is Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 released on Netflix?
For those who need a reminder, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 premieres on Thursday, April 23, 2026 on Netflix with all 10 episodes releasing at once. The episodes are expected to be within the half-hour runtime range, making for a rather quick binge-watching experience. But when can fans make their homecoming in Hawkins and start watching the animated spinoff?

Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 releases at 12 a.m. PT / 3 a.m. ET on Netflix. The midnight and overnight drop on both coasts of the United States are a bit late for fans stay up to watch, considering the series arrives on a Thursday. But some fans will definitely be tuning in ASAP to see what happens for the characters in this in-between chapter of the series.
Get a closer look at when Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 releases in your time zone:
- Hawaii: 9:00 p.m. HST on Wednesday, April 22
- Alaska: 11:00 p.m. AKDT on Wednesday, April 22
- West Coast of the US: 12:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, April 23
- Mountain Time: 1:00 a.m. MT on Thursday, April 23
- Midwest of the US: 2:00 a.m. CT on Thursday, April 23
- East Coast of the US: 3:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, April 23
- Brazil: 4:00 a.m. BRT on Thursday, April 23
- England: 8:00 a.m. BST on Thursday, April 23
- France: 9:00 a.m. CEST on Thursday, April 23
- Germany: 9:00 a.m. CEST on Thursday, April 23
- Italy: 9:00 a.m. CEST on Thursday, April 23
- Spain: 9:00 a.m. CEST on Thursday, April 23
- South Africa: 9:00 a.m. SAST on Thursday, April 23
- Israel: 10:00 a.m. IDT on Thursday, April 23
- India: 12:30 p.m. IST on Thursday, April 23
- South Korea: 4:00 p.m. KST on Thursday, April 23
- Japan: 4:00 p.m. JST on Thursday, April 23
- Sydney, Australia: 5:00 p.m. AEST on Thursday, April 23
Instead of taking place after the events of the season 5 and series finale or traveling even further back in time as a prequel, Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 takes place in between the second and third seasons during the winter months of 1985. The original show’s continuity isn’t expected to be impacted, but fans should definitely brush up on what the gang was up to back then.
In the series, the Stranger Things kids — Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max — team up with more of their friends (including new characters we haven’t met) to fight off new monsters, creatures, and threats that have started to terrorize Hawkins. Just as they banded together to defeat supernatural entities in the original series, they’re taking on formidable enemies to save the day.
Even though the show is animated, don’t write off Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 as a children’s show that isn’t accessible for adult fans of Stranger Things. The animated series packs a similar punch to the global phenomenon live-action series with larger-than-life adventures and action-packed battles with strange things (ha!) from the Upside Down, Hawkins Lab, or somewhere else.
Before diving into the new era of Stranger Things, watch the trailer for the animated spinoff below!
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