Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 – Timeline Placement Explained

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The popular series Stranger Things is growing with a new animated show called Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85. This animated series will fit into the existing storyline, taking place during the events of the main show. Stranger Things is one of Netflix’s biggest hits, especially within the science fiction, horror, and fantasy genres.

As a longtime fan, I remember the buzz around Stranger Things when it first dropped, and it’s hard to believe we’re gearing up for the fifth and final season. But Netflix has been hinting at this for a while: the world of Hawkins isn’t actually closing up shop. They’re expanding the universe with an animated series, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, and we’ve just gotten our first glimpse. It’s got me thinking – where exactly does this animated spin-off fit into the timeline of the main show? It’s an interesting move, and I’m definitely curious to see how it all connects.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Takes Place During The Winter Of 1985

Netflix

I just got a first look at Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, and it’s shaping up to be a cool addition to the universe! Set in the winter of 1985, this animated installment isn’t just revisiting familiar faces. We’re meeting new characters too, and the one everyone’s talking about is Nikki Baxter – a resourceful “tinker” who stands out with her distinctive pink hair. I learned all this at the Annecy Animation Festival, and Collider has the details if you want to know more.

The new show isn’t a traditional spinoff because it still focuses on the familiar characters from Hawkins – Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas. The interesting part is that the actors who normally play these characters didn’t voice them in this version. Instead, the roles were recast with new voice actors.

In Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, the Hawkins gang faces off against both new and familiar monsters from the Upside Down – including young Demogorgons, as seen in the trailer – while investigating a strange new mystery that’s frightening the town. After everything they’ve experienced, they’re the perfect team to figure it out.

Where Tales From ’85 Fits In Stranger Things’ Timeline

What’s unique about Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 is that it’s set during the events of the main show, offering more insight into what happened in between scenes. While important backstory occurs in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the central story of Stranger Things officially starts in November 1983, when Will Byers goes missing at the beginning of season 1.

Season 2 of Stranger Things picks up almost a year later, in late 1984, and culminates with the kids attending the Snow Ball dance in December of that year. The third season takes place during the summer of 1985, and ends in October 1985 when the Byers family and Eleven leave Hawkins.

Season 4 of Stranger Things picks up in March 1986, and Season 5 will jump forward to 1987, bringing viewers back to Hawkins a year later. The story Tales from ‘85 fits into the timeline between seasons 3 and 4, even though Eleven has the same haircut she wore in season 2.

It remains to be seen how the events in Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 will affect the story we’ve seen so far, and whether it will explain some of the show’s lingering mysteries and unanswered questions.

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2025-11-06 22:30