With how long it took “Stranger Things” to release new seasons, at no point did anyone expect the animated series to arrive in any timely manner. Yet, Netflix has surprised everyone, quietly setting a release date for “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” Season 2.
The full September schedule isn’t out just yet, and that’s not surprising. Netflix doesn’t tend to release that until a little closer to the end of the month. However, the streaming giant loves to hype up some of what it considers its bigger releases, and that means announcing special release dates on Tudum. That’s exactly what happened with “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” Season 2, with Netflix confirming that it will be released on Sept. 17, 2026.
The Animated ‘Stranger Things’ Series Is Arriving Sooner Than Expected
NetflixThe first season of the animated “Stranger Things” series only just came out in April 2026. Most people would expect a much longer wait for the second season, especially considering the long wait everyone had for the live-action series. Remember how many years it took to get “Stranger Things” Season 5, and it was split up into three parts?
So, the idea of the second season of “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” coming out within five months seems absurd. Yet, Netflix is the one that has made the huge announcement, although it possibly would have felt a little more fitting to wait until the beginning of 2027. After all, these episodes have a Valentine’s Day theme, as Eleven, Mike, and the rest of the friend group prepare for Valentine’s Day festivities.
If you did miss the first season of the animated show, there is plenty of time to catch up on it. There are 10 episodes in the first season already out now, and you’ll want to catch up before jumping into the action of Season 2.
What to Expect in ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ Season 2?
NetflixThe second season of the sneaky addition is set shortly after the events of the first season. The gang is back, but that means strange creatures continue to lurk in the quiet town. Just as everyone prepares for Valentine’s Day, a swarm of hate sprites and “ghostly” apparitions take over Hawkins, causing plenty of trouble, and it’s clear that a new gate to the Upside Down could be reopened any minute.
The gang isn’t about to let that happen. Whether the adventure takes them to Hawkins Middle School or the Palace Arcade, they are ready for action. While the series will bring those locations to life in animated form, get ready for some new spots — places that the live-action series didn’t get a chance to go to.
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt and Luca Diaz will return to voice Eleven and Mike, respectively. Other returning cast members are Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Elisha “EJ” Williams, Braxton Quinney, Benjamin Plessala, and Odessa A’zion.
It will be interesting to see how the surprise addition will affect the viewership of the series. “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85” Season 3 is still to be announced, but it’s clear that there are plans for many more seasons in this animated addition.
