As anticipation builds for the final season of Stranger Things, due out in November 2025, the universe of Hawkins, Indiana continues to expand. The Duffer Brothers’ creation has left a lasting mark on television, blending supernatural thrills with 1980s nostalgia. For fans looking to explore the world beyond the main storyline, several spin-offs are currently in various stages of development, promising new stories and fresh perspectives on the Upside Down.
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 – The Animated Spin-Off
In April 2023, Netflix confirmed the expansion of the Stranger Things universe with a straight-to-series order for an animated show titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. This spin-off is set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the main series, during the winter of 1985, and will be animated by Flying Bark Productions. Executive producers include the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, and Dan Cohen, ensuring continuity with the tone and mythology of the original show.
The Duffer Brothers have indicated that the animated series aims to capture the spirit of the Saturday-morning cartoons of their youth. The animation style and storytelling approach are designed to tap into nostalgia while offering new narratives within the Stranger Things universe. Central to Tales From ’85 is a new character named Nikki Baxter, described as “a tinker” with short pinkish hair on the sides. Nikki is expected to provide fresh insights into the broader mythology of the Upside Down while offering viewers a new perspective on life in Hawkins during the mid-1980s.
The animated series represents a significant development for the franchise, allowing creators to explore events and characters that were previously only hinted at, all within a visually distinct format that can experiment with the show’s established aesthetic.
The Rumoured Anime Project: Stranger Things: Tokyo
In December 2022, reports emerged about a potential anime spinoff called Stranger Things: Tokyo. At this stage, neither Netflix nor the Duffer Brothers have confirmed the project, leaving fans to speculate about its premise and style.
If realised, the anime could reinterpret the series’ familiar characters, supernatural elements, and eerie tone through a distinctly Japanese animation lens. Fans are particularly interested in how the visual and narrative style of anime could provide new layers of suspense and atmosphere, while exploring cultural references distinct from Hawkins, Indiana. Even without official confirmation, the speculation around Stranger Things: Tokyo reflects the franchise’s influence and the creators’ willingness to experiment with storytelling across different formats.
Live-Action Anthology Spin-Off
Beyond animation, a live-action spin-off is also reportedly in development. Finn Wolfhard, who portrays Mike Wheeler, has provided insight into this project, describing it as “like David Lynch’s Twin Peaks.” According to Wolfhard, the series will adopt an anthology format, exploring new narratives and locations while remaining tethered to the overarching mythology of the Upside Down.
This spin-off is expected to move away from Hawkins and the original cast, instead focusing on other areas where the Upside Down and related experiments could exist. Wolfhard noted, “There has to be labs everywhere. If there was one in Hawkins, there’s one in Russia. Where else could they be?” This suggests that the series could delve into secret laboratories, government experiments, and unexplored global implications of the Upside Down, offering a broader, more investigative perspective on the series’ core mysteries.
By embracing an anthology format, the live-action project could allow for different tones and stories in each episode or season, much like Twin Peaks, while maintaining continuity with the supernatural rules established in the main series. It would expand the franchise’s narrative possibilities without relying on the established Hawkins setting or the original characters.
The Expanding Stranger Things Universe
Together, these proposed spin-offs highlight the depth and flexibility of the Stranger Things universe. Animated adventures like Tales From ’85 provide opportunities for character development and lore expansion within the familiar 1980s setting. The potential anime project hints at stylistic experimentation and cross-cultural storytelling. The live-action anthology promises to explore untold stories, new characters, and additional labs connected to the Upside Down around the world.
As fans prepare for the release of Stranger Things Season 5, these spin-offs indicate that the world of Hawkins is far from fully explored. Each project offers a different avenue to engage with the franchise, blending nostalgia with new narratives that expand both character arcs and supernatural mysteries. For viewers invested in the series’ mythology, the upcoming spin-offs could provide fresh insight into the Upside Down and reinforce Stranger Things as a multifaceted pop culture phenomenon.
The Duffer Brothers’ commitment to expanding the universe ensures that even after the main story concludes, fans will have multiple ways to continue exploring the series’ mythology. With animation, anime, and live-action projects all in the mix, the Stranger Things franchise is positioned to remain a significant presence in entertainment for years to come.
