Welcome Back to Hawkins!

So, here we are! Just when you thought you were free from all the strange happenings in Hawkins, Netflix is like, “Surprise!” and pulls us back in with the shiny new trailer for Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. If you thought the last season was a bit of a chaotic mess, hold onto your bike helmets because this one is serving serious nostalgic vibes!

What’s the Deal with the Trailer?

Set in the wonderfully wacky winter of 1985, this little gem takes us back in time, and honestly, it feels like a love letter to all the Saturday morning cartoons we adored. Picture the four boys, Eleven, and Max, zooming around on their bikes, dodging snowballs like pros, and getting into all sorts of mischief. Talk about a throwback!

Familiar Faces and Spooky Creatures

And wait, there’s more! We get to see some fan-favorite characters like Hopper—still rocking that dad bod—and our beloved Steve Harrington, whose hair looks like it could be classified as a national monument. Plus, we encounter some old monsters that make us go “Aw, cute!” like a puppy version of the Demodog, and this super cool pumpkin creature that’s just screaming for some attention.

Channeling the 80s Cartoon Vibe

Now, let’s talk about the creators, the Duffer Brothers, who are channeling their inner kids who grew up on Saturday cartoons. For all those who miss that feel good animation style, the trailer provides a taste, even if the pumpkin monster feels a bit more Scooby-Doo than high art. You can totally imagine that little guy popping up in a one-off scooby-episode, right?

A New Approach

This new series is also taking a page from the past by featuring sound-alike voice actors instead of the older cast. Yes, that’s right! It’s a throwback move that makes it even more reminiscent of our childhood faves. It’s like we’re stepping back into a time when cartoons didn’t have to match the exact voice of the actors.

Can We Save the Franchise?

If Tales from ’85 manages to catch some of that charm from the first seasons—think ’80s kids fighting monsters rather than an overly complicated storyline about a psychic boy gone bad—then we might just be onto something good here. The heartwarming moments, like Lucas holding Max’s hand, are enough to remind us why we fell in love with Stranger Things in the first place.

Mark Your Calendars!

So, as we gear up for the nostalgia trip, make sure to mark your calendars for April 23, 2026, because Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is hitting your screens. Will it bring back the magic? We sure hope so!