‘Stranger Things: Tales from ’85’ Debuts With Mixed Rotten Tomatoes Score — Fans Not Impressed
The new animated series Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 has just arrived on Netflix, and early reactions are already coming in. The show, which acts as a spin-off of Stranger Things, takes place between seasons two and three and follows the familiar group of kids as they deal with another mystery tied to the Upside Down.
The project was first announced in 2025, with original creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer involved alongside Shawn Levy and others. The goal was to create something that feels like an 80s cartoon, but still set in the same world fans know.
Now that the show is out, the scores are in. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series currently holds a 67% score from critics. The audience score is lower, sitting at 51% based on early ratings. This shows a clear split between how critics and viewers see the show.
Critics have mixed opinions. Some say the show struggles to do something new. Chase Hutchinson from the Seattle Times gave a negative review, writing “it’s an experience that, even with some playfulness, is so narratively boxed in and stuck looking back that it proves to be a largely dull drag.”
Others were more positive but still had concerns. Tara Bennett from IGN gave it a 6 out of 10 and said “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is a colorful but underbaked addition to the Stranger Things universe.”
Brian VanHooker from Polygon had a more favorable view, saying “it did make me remember what I love about these characters, which, to be honest, was something I’d kind of forgotten.”
Still, not all critics were convinced. Ben Travers from IndieWire wrote “the animated series aims to be an addendum when it needs to be an adventure.” Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter described it as “a diet version” of the original show. Alison Herman from Variety also criticized it, saying “nostalgia for nostalgia… a recursive loop with a predictably diminished impact.”
There are also critics who found positives in the show. Robert Lloyd from the Los Angeles Times said “it feels at once familiar and fresh.” Jack Seale from The Guardian added “it would be cool to be stuck in 1985 in Hawkins, Indiana indefinitely.” Katherine McLaughlin from SciFiNow pointed out “it is more of the same minus the suspense.”
Fan reactions are even more divided. Some viewers enjoyed the return to Hawkins and the lighter tone. One fan wrote “Stranger Things Tales from 85 is a fun ride… Something for the whole family with all kinds of jump scares.” Another said “I love the monsters. I love everything.”
But many fans were unhappy. Some felt the show did not respect the characters or the tone of the original. One viewer wrote “Obvious cash grab. The mischaracterization is insane.” Another said “Dumb show… A waste of time.”
There were also complaints about how certain characters were treated. One fan reacted strongly, saying “this really pissed me off, come on…what was this.”
Overall, the reaction to Tales from ’85 is mixed. Critics are split, and fans seem even more critical. Some enjoy the nostalgic feel and animation style, while others think the show plays it too safe and does not add anything new to the story.
The biggest issue here is expectations. When a show like Stranger Things gets a spin-off, people expect something fresh but still true to what made the original special. Right now, it seems like Tales from ’85 sits somewhere in the middle, and that’s why reactions are so divided. What do you think about the show and its scores? Share your thoughts in the comments.
