Stranger Things: Tales from '85 OTT release date in India - Here's when and where can you stream Stranger Things' animated spin-off series

The first animated feature from the Hawkins universe is all set to debut on Netflix in just a couple of months. The launch of Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is set for April 23, 2026, on the streaming platform. The primary live-action series concluded its five-season run on New Year's Eve, and this announcement follows its completion.

Where does Stranger Things: Tales from '85 fit in Stranger Things timeline?

Seasons before Tales from '85 advanced the plot by years, whereas this one acts as a mid-quel. This story bridges the narrative void between Seasons 2 and 3 and takes place in the winter of 1985.

While it seemed like the Upside Down's horrors were fading away once the portal was closed, a new "paranormal mystery" starts to stir beneath Hawkins' frozen earth, according to the official logline. The main characters—Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max—try to lead regular lives, full of D&D and snowball battles, until they are compelled to take action again.

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Who are the new voices behind Stranger Things' iconic characters?

Due to the animated nature of the show and the fact that the characters are younger than the live-action actors who now play them, a new voice cast has been established to depict the famous inhabitants of Hawkins. Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike Wheeler, Braxton Quinney as Dustin Henderson, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas Sinclair, Benjamin Plessala as Will Byers, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max Mayfield, Brett Gipson as Jim Hopper, and Jeremy Jordan as Steve Harrington.

A new and important character, Nikki Baxter, is also introduced in the series. She is an adult member of the group who helps the kids out with her mechanical talents, is described as a "tinker" and has a unique short, pinkish haircut. Already, her appearance has set fans wondering why the latter live-action seasons made no mention of her.

Who is leading the creative production of Stranger Things: Tales from '85?

Showrunner Eric Robles (Glitch Techs) is spearheading the project, which he co-created with Matt and Ross Duffer. Flying Bark Productions is responsible for the animation.

An observation made by the Duffer Brothers is that they wanted the show to feel like the "Saturday morning cartoons" of the '80s. Character designs by fan artist Meybis Ruiz Cruz inform the visually striking style, which uses stylised, high-quality computer-generated animation. While the show is in an animated style, the creative team has stressed that "bad things can happen to anyone," keeping the series' characteristic mix of horror and heart, and saying that the stakes are still high.

When and where can you stream Stranger Things: Tales in India?

In India, the series will be available in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu to cater to the franchise's broad domestic audience. Following Netflix's classic binge-release approach, subscribers may anticipate the simultaneous release of all episodes on April 23, 2026.

In an effort to broaden the Stranger Things brand into other cinematic universes, this series is the first of multiple planned spin-offs.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 FAQs:

Q: When is the release date of Stranger Things: Tales from '85 on Netflix?

A: Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is scheduled to release globally on April 23, 2026. In India, the series will be available from the same date with dubs in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

Q: Is Stranger Things: Tales from '85 canon to the main series?

A: Yes, Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is considered official canon. It was developed by the Duffer Brothers specifically to fill the narrative gap between Season 2 and Season 3. However, showrunner Eric Robles has noted that while it aligns with the main timeline, it follows its own standalone mystery involving new monsters.

Q: Where does Tales from '85 fit in the Stranger Things timeline?

A: Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is a mid-quel set during the winter of 1985. This places it exactly after the Snow Ball dance at the end of Season 2 and several months before the events of the Starcourt Mall in Season 3.