• Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 will arrive on Netflix on April 23
• A first trailer has also been released
• However, fans are mixed on their opinions

Stranger Things season 5 brought the long-running Netflix series to a close, and, like any good D&D campaign, it got a proper ending (even if it didn’t satisfy everyone). However, the franchise isn’t done yet as a new spin-off, Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, will arrive on April 23.

It’s impossible to ignore the cultural impact Stranger Things has had on fans, but the recent trailer drop has left people divided over whether a spin-off is necessary. After such a huge showdown with Vecna, surely it’s time to move on?

Not according to Netflix. Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 is adding even more lore into the mix, nestled between the events of seasons 3 and 4. It focuses on the main party from the original series, with all-new voice actors.

Take a look at the divisive new trailer below and see what you think.

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 hasn’t convinced fans yet

After an epic showdown in Stranger Things season 5, it did feel like a reasonable place to end things. I’ve said it before, but I do have a lot of respect for storytellers who know when to call it quits, and some of my favorite TV shows have been short and sweet as a result.

But when it comes to Stranger Things, we’re not done yet. Rather than serving as a direct prequel or sequel, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is sandwiched right in the middle, expanding on the story from that point onwards.

It is also an animated series with different voice actors serving as the main cast, so it will certainly feel different overall. But despite switching things up and trying a fresh approach, I can’t help but wonder what the point is.

Early reactions have been mixed. Here’s just some of the posts I found on X in response to the new trailer.

As you can see, there’s a very mixed reception there, and even claims it looks better than season 5. We’ll have to wait until it’s released in April to see if it’s any good.

Until then, plenty of the best Netflix shows are waiting for you to watch them. All of these will tide you over until April, that’s for sure!

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And, of course, you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

Lucy is a long-time movie and television lover who is an approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes. She has written several reviews in her time, starting with a small self-ran blog called Lucy Goes to Hollywood before moving onto bigger websites such as What’s on TV and What to Watch, with TechRadar being her most recent venture. Her interests primarily lie within horror and thriller, loving nothing more than a chilling story that keeps her thinking moments after the credits have rolled. Many of these creepy tales can be found on the streaming services she covers regularly.

When she’s not scaring herself half to death with the various shows and movies she watches, she likes to unwind by playing video games on Easy Mode and has no shame in admitting she’s terrible at them. She also quotes The Simpsons religiously and has a Blinky the Fish tattoo, solidifying her position as a complete nerd.