‘Stranger Things’ Prequel Teaser Gives Fans A First Look At A Mysterious UFO Over Nevada

For years, fans of ‘Stranger Things‘ have wondered what lurks beyond the borders of Hawkins. The franchise has since grown into an animated series, a stage production and a run of books, but the live-action prequel series is the project everyone has been waiting to see. Now the first teaser has arrived, and it points to something far bigger than the Upside Down.

The prequel arrives after a long period of rumor, speculation and carefully managed hints. Ross Duffer previously said it would be a different decade with different characters, though still connected to the Stranger Things universe. Matt Duffer also told Variety last November that the spinoff will explain the rock young Henry Creel finds in a scientist’s briefcase in the Nevada caves.

That tease has now turned into a first look. Netflix ordered ‘Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure’ as part of Stranger Things Day, and it is set to debut in 2028. The teaser features a disturbance in the night sky that fans are reading as a UFO.

The teaser is dated April 19, 1955, in Marion, Nevada. A bicycle lies abandoned near a restricted area at night, with town lights glowing in the distance. One outlet noted that the disturbance in the sky resembles a wormhole forming rather than a classic flying saucer. Either way, dark clouds churn above the town as something opens in the sky.

The teaser plays ‘Sh-Boom’ by The Chords, which was previously used in Season 5, Episode 4, when Max visits Henry Creel’s memory of Hawkins High. It is a neat musical callback that links the prequel to the main series.

‘The First Shadow’ is set in 1959 and follows a teenage Henry Creel, with key events in Rachel, Nevada. ‘Other Worlds’ is set in 1955, a few years earlier, before the Nevada experiment. For the filmed version of the play, the Nevada location was changed to Marion, with tweaks made to align it more closely with Season 5. That detail now looks like a deliberate bridge between the 2 projects.

The Duffers teased that the spinoff would focus on events before Henry was exposed to the otherworldly substance that gave him his powers. They have also said the show won’t follow Eleven, Mike, Dustin or other Hawkins characters. Instead, the series promises new heroes and villains, with the Duffers describing it as thrillingly fresh.

The series is co-created by the Duffer Brothers and Kate Trefry, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. Joe Wright will helm the first 3 episodes. Shawn Levy is also executive producing through 21 Laps Entertainment, though he is not directing. The Duffers will not be day-to-day showrunners due to their Paramount deal, though their Stranger Things work through Upside Down Pictures is carved out of that pact.

Filming is set for New Mexico, reportedly starting in 2027. Levy has said the show will explore a new era, setting and all-new characters while keeping the DNA of the flagship series. That balance of fresh ideas and familiar mythology is exactly what a prequel needs to get right.

First teaser for the ‘STRANGER THINGS’ prequel series. “Before Hawkins there was Marion, Nevada.” Coming to Netflix in 2028. https://t.co/HfWMVuNbEu

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) November 6, 2026

‘Other Worlds’ marks the second ‘Stranger Things’ TV spinoff and the third overall, including the stage play ‘The First Shadow’. The animated ‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ has released 2 seasons and is awaiting a renewal decision. The franchise has also expanded to a Tony Award-winning stage production, live experiences at Netflix House and a series of books.

The announcement also included a playful sign-off from the Duffers, who ended their message by telling fans to watch the skies. One outlet noted that the title, the 1950s New Mexico setting and a hint from the Duffers suggest a UFO, alien or outer space theme. The new teaser appears to confirm that instinct.

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