The new Stranger Things animated spinoff feels like a rerun to some, but others are calling it a return to form

Netflix's latest entry in the Stranger Things universe, Tales from '85, has arrived with a wave of mixed reactions. The animated spinoff, set in the brief window between the show's second and third seasons, follows the core group of kids as they face a new threat from the Upside Down. This time, though, it's not just monsters they're up against-it's also the growing pains of adolescence, all wrapped in a slightly more kid-friendly package than the original series.

Some critics are welcoming the return to form. A review from Polygon calls it the best Stranger Things season since 2019, praising its clever writing and strong voice performances. The animation, they argue, captures the mood and texture of the original show while giving the creators room to play with visuals in ways live action can't. Odessa A'zion, voicing a new character with ties to Hawkins Lab, stands out as a fresh and compelling addition.

But not everyone's on board. Variety dismissed the series as a "depressing, cynical retread," arguing that it doesn't push the franchise forward or backward in any meaningful way. Instead of expanding the world or deepening the lore, the show mostly rehashes old beats-flickering lights, shadowy government agents, kids on bikes-with little new insight. The Hollywood Reporter echoed that sentiment, calling the series "dull and unambitious," though they did single out Janeane Garofalo's dry humor as a rare bright spot.

What's clear is that Tales from '85 isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It leans hard into the nostalgia that made the original a hit-synth-heavy score, vintage fashion, and that distinct late-'80s small-town vibe. For longtime fans, that might be enough. But for others, it feels less like a spinoff and more like a rerun with a different filter.

The debate over the show also taps into a bigger question: what should animated spinoffs do? Are they meant to be fun side quests for superfans, or should they take creative risks that live-action series can't? Tales from '85 seems to land somewhere in the middle-neither bold enough to redefine the franchise nor shallow enough to be dismissed as pure filler.

Still, there's no denying the cultural pull of Stranger Things. Even a modest addition to the canon draws attention. And for younger viewers who might find the original series too intense, this slightly toned-down version could be a gateway into the world of Hawkins, Indiana.

Whether Tales from '85 will be remembered as a worthy extension of the story or just another Netflix experiment remains to be seen. But one thing's certain: the appetite for more Upside Down adventures isn't fading anytime soon.