I’m really excited about the new show from the people who made Stranger Things – it looks like a blast! But honestly, it reminds me a lot of an old favorite from the ’80s. Even though Stranger Things finished its main story back in December 2025, that’s not the end of it. We’re getting an animated spin-off called Tales from ’85 really soon, which I can’t wait for!
As a huge Stranger Things fan, I’m loving that they’re giving us more content between the seasons we already know! There’s a new series that shows what Hopper, Eleven, and the whole gang – Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Max, and even Steve – were up to between seasons 2 and 3. And if you want even more backstory, the author Caitlyn Schneiderhan wrote a novel called Stranger Things: One Way or Another that bridges the gap between seasons 4 and 5. It’s great to get those little details filled in!
Fans are excited to see the new spinoffs expand the world and backstory of the original series, and also want to see what the creators come up with next. The Duffer Brothers, who created Stranger Things, recently produced Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, and their next project, The Boroughs, will be released in May.
The Duffer Brothers’ The Boroughs Looks A Lot Like 1985’s Cocoon
The story, The Boroughs, takes place in a retirement community where the residents discover a hidden danger beneath the peaceful surface of their lives. They band together to fight against a mysterious, supernatural force that threatens their remaining time.
If the show sounds frightening, it’s best to watch the trailer first. While The Boroughs does have some dangerous moments, it’s more similar in feel to the heartwarming movie E.T. than to the scary film The Thing.
The trailer’s lighthearted style brings to mind Joe Dante’s 1985 film Explorers, or even feels like a fresh take on Ron Howard’s 1985 classic Cocoon. Both Cocoon and The Boroughs share a similar premise: aliens arrive at a retirement community and give the residents a new lease on life.
The movie Cocoon features a charming group of elderly friends, played by well-known actors like Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, and Brian Dennehy, who regain their youth thanks to friendly aliens. The new trailer for The Boroughs brings to mind Cocoon because it also suggests the presence of aliens isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The upcoming series might revive a controversial element from Stranger Things season 5, as it appears to share a similar lighthearted and comedic style. However, this could actually be a benefit. Stranger Things had darker seasons leading up to its finale, while The Boroughs seems to be consistently brighter and more humorous from the very beginning.
The Boroughs Is More Than Just ’80s Nostalgia
Unlike Cocoon, which doesn’t have any scares at all, The Boroughs does offer some frightening moments. Cocoon is a simple science fiction comedy-drama, but the trailer for The Boroughs shows that its strange, otherworldly elements are at least a little bit menacing, even though they’re also impressive.
The series uses striking visuals – like Denis O’Hare’s character gazing at glowing blue lights – alongside creepy hints of a lurking monster, shown as shadowy claws and someone being pulled away. This combination suggests The Boroughs mixes the themes of Cocoon and Alien.
This show feels like a reimagining of Cocoon, but it’s a bit creepier, which helps it avoid being overly sweet or sentimental like the original film. While Cocoon was generally well-received, even positive reviews noted that Howard’s movie could be a bit too sugary for some viewers.
The Boroughs Has The Potential To Be Truly Great
Unlike Cocoon, which felt slow-paced, The Boroughs suggests its older main characters will actively fight the incoming danger, promising a more exciting and fast-moving story. Even though it doesn’t premiere on Netflix until mid-May, The Boroughs already looks promising.
Featuring a talented cast including Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, and Alfre Woodard, The Boroughs starts strong simply with the actors involved. The show takes the basic idea of Cocoon and adds a darker, more suspenseful twist, which is a welcome addition.
Though Cocoon was well-received and still enjoys a nostalgic following among fans of 1980s science fiction, its portrayal of aliens felt a bit too gentle. The Boroughs, however, offers a darker take, while still managing to be humorous and entertaining thanks to its witty writing and talented cast.
Following the acclaim for Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen and the somewhat divided reaction to the more upbeat tone of Stranger Things season 5, the Duffer Brothers could have easily focused on consistently darker and more intense projects. But their new film, The Boroughs, shows they still have a knack for fun, just like in the later seasons of Stranger Things.
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2026-04-15 17:09