Critics Are All Saying the Same Thing About Stranger Things: Tales from ’85

Alright, so Netflix has taken another swing at the Stranger Things universe, but this time, it’s animated. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 just hit the platform (April 23, if you’re keeping track), and critics have wasted zero time weighing in. If you’re wondering if this latest spin-off actually brings anything new to the table, well, you’re not alone—because a big chunk of the reviews are basically circling the same block.

A Cartoon Trip Back to Hawkins

Here’s the deal: Tales from '85, overseen by showrunner Eric Robles and produced by the Duffer Brothers, drops us back into Hawkins during the winter of 1985. We’re with the OG kid crew, plus one new face—Nikki, who’s basically the punk rock addition (think: mohawk and attitude). The team finds themselves up against fresh monsters, with the kind of threats you expect from this franchise, just now with Saturday morning cartoon colors.

What the Critics Are Saying

• Jonathan Wilson (Ready Steady Cut) sums it right up: 'Tales from '85 tries to recapture that old school, innocent feel.' If you ever wanted nostalgia on top of nostalgia, this is your jam.
• Tara Bennett (IGN) thinks the show looks fun but falls short story-wise: 'Colorful but underbaked… lots of monster action, but the plot feels thin and kind of repetitive.' So: more flash than substance, at least for her.
• Brian Vanhooker (Polygon) is a bit more upbeat about it, praising the writing and the voice acting. He feels the show nails the personalities of the six main kids and keeps the spirit from the early seasons alive. That energy’s hard to fake, apparently.
• Robert Lloyd (LA Times) calls it a 'streamlined, supercharged telling'—no melodrama, just a straightforward kids-vs-monster cartoon. Grownups? Barely a blip.
• Alison Herman (Variety), on the other hand, isn’t charmed: 'The plot’s stuck in a rut, echoing the exact same beats as every other Stranger Things season.' Translation: if you’ve seen any of the live-action versions, don’t expect much to surprise you here.

So, Is It Worth a Watch?

If you’re a die-hard Stranger Things fan who can’t get enough of the Upside Down—or you just want to see the gang in cartoon form—you’ll probably find something to like here, even if you feel a little déjà vu. But don’t go in expecting a game changer for the franchise. It’s less about breaking new ground, more about marinating in retro vibes (again).

All 10 episodes are already out, by the way, so if you want to binge the whole season, Netflix’s got you covered.