Stranger Things started out as a small show that debuted on Netflix on July 16, 2016. People fell in love with the first season, to the surprise of Netflix and the Duffer brothers. Stranger Things became an overnight success, which caused Netflix to quickly shift gears, ordering another season from the Duffer brothers to keep up with the popularity. This led to a total of five seasons over the course of 10 years and one of the most expensive TV shows produced in Hollywood history.
Despite the mediocre response the last season’s finale received, it is undeniable that Stranger Things is an icon in pop culture. Netflix would not let its golden goose fly away after the series ended.
However, Netflix and the Duffer brothers are no strangers to spin-offs when it comes to the show. Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a Broadway show centering on the story of a young Henry Creel, the main show’s antagonist, in Hawkins High along with the other now teenage adults.
The Broadway show debuted in London initially in late 2023 before New York followed with an opening of the show on April 22 at the Marquis Theatre. The events in the play actually end up affecting the narrative in the last season of the show.
Of course there was speculation from fans that the Duffer brothers and Netflix already had more planned. This suspicion was confirmed on November 6th, 2025, with an official announcement trailer released by Netflix for an animated series titled Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 set to debut in 2026.
The animated series is said to be set in the main series universe between seasons 2 and 3, according to Netflix. The show seems to be appealing towards a younger audience with bright colors and simple designs.
Fans suspect they have even more in store, supported by a Variety interview with the Duffer brothers. They confirm a spin-off with none of the old Hawkins crew.
Matt Duffer elaborates, saying, “It’s very fresh and very new, but yes, it will answer some of the loose threads that are remaining.” So the show seems to take place in the same universe without interacting with the main storyline. Many people believe they’ll come out with another live-action show to spin off the series; perhaps this is it.
There’s no telling what else the Stranger Things creatives are working on without any further insight into these mysterious projects, but it’s certain that we haven’t seen the last of the Stranger Things universe yet.
