Stranger Things ’85 Season 2: Release Date, Cast & First Photos Revealed
Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 Season 2 – Everything You Need to Know
Quick Summary: The animated kids’ show returns September 17 with mysterious flowers, ghostly apparitions, and a brand-new mine to explore — all while the Hawkins Investigators Club tries to stop another gate to the Upside Down from opening.
What Is This Show Anyway?
Imagine Stranger Things — but as a cartoon for younger kids. That’s Stranger Things: Tales From ’85! It follows younger versions of Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, Max, and their friend Nikki as they form the Hawkins Investigators Club (HIC). They solve spooky mysteries, play arcade games, and try to keep their town safe from Upside Down creepiness.
Season 1 ended with the gang defeating the Horde Queen and stopping her from opening a new gate to the Upside Down. Now Season 2 picks up right where that left off.
When Does Season 2 Come Out?
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: September 17
That’s when all new episodes drop on Netflix. Perfect timing for fall spooky vibes!
What’s the Big Mystery This Season?
The Mysterious Flowers
Right when everyone thinks life is back to normal, strange iridescent flowers start popping up ALL OVER Hawkins. They look beautiful — colorful petals, glowing in the dark — but showrunner Eric Robles says there’s a supernatural secret hiding inside them.
The Business Scheme Gone Wrong
Nikki and Max decide to sell these flowers all over town. Sounds like a fun Valentine’s Day fundraiser, right? Wrong! Robles warns: "Now [the flowers] are going to be everywhere, which creates a bigger problem."
More Spooky Stuff
- Ghostly apparitions haunting the town
- Hate sprites (tiny angry magical creatures) causing chaos
- The HIC must solve everything before a NEW gate to the Upside Down rips open
New Places to Explore
The gang returns to familiar spots like:
- Hawkins Middle School
- Palace Arcade (everyone’s favorite hangout)
BUT — exciting news! They’re also going somewhere brand new:
"There’s a mine in Hawkins that we haven’t explored yet." — Eric Robles, Showrunner
A creepy abandoned mine? In a Stranger Things show? Yes, please!
Meet the Voice Cast
The Hawkins Investigators Club (Main Kids)
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Eleven | Brooklyn Davey Norstedt |
| Mike | Luca Diaz |
| Will | Benjamin Plessala |
| Dustin | Braxton Quinney |
| Lucas | Elisha "EJ" Williams |
| Max | Jolie Hoang-Rappaport |
| Nikki Baxter | Odessa A’zion |
Returning Grown-Ups & Friends
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Hopper | Brett Gipson |
| Anna Baxter (Nikki’s mom) | Janeane Garofalo |
| Steve Harrington | Jeremy Jordan |
| Nancy Wheeler | Alessandra Antonelli |
| Rosario | Valeria Rodriguez |
| Jeff | Jack Griffo |
What Should You Do Before September 17?
WATCH SEASON 1 FIRST!
If you haven’t seen it yet (or want a refresher), Season 1 is streaming on Netflix right now. It sets up the Horde Queen battle and introduces all the characters. Plus, it’s only 10 short episodes — perfect for a weekend binge!
Sneak Peek: Behind the Scenes
There’s also a cool behind-the-animation video showing how they bring the cartoon to life. It features the kids exploring a dark, eerie forest with flashlights — very Stranger Things atmosphere!
Quick Recap Checklist
- [x] Show: Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 (animated spinoff)
- [x] Season 2 Release: September 17 on Netflix
- [x] Main Mystery: Glowing flowers + ghosts + hate sprites
- [x] New Location: Hawkins Mine (never seen before!)
- [x] Valentine’s Day Theme: Holiday festivities mixed with horror
- [x] Stakes: Prevent another Upside Down gate from opening
- [x] Prep: Watch Season 1 first (on Netflix now)
FAQ – Your Burning Questions Answered
Q: Do I need to watch the live-action Stranger Things first?
A: Nope! Tales From ’85 is its own story with younger versions of the characters. It’s designed to be kid-friendly and standalone. But if you love the main show, you’ll catch fun references!
Q: Is this show scary for little kids?
A: It’s "spooky but not terrifying" — think Gravity Falls or Scooby-Doo vibes. There are monsters and suspense, but it’s made for a younger audience than the live-action series.
Q: How many episodes in Season 2?
A: The article doesn’t say exactly, but Season 1 had 10 episodes. Expect a similar count!
Q: Are the flowers the main villain?
A: The flowers seem to be the source of the trouble, but the real threat is whatever supernatural force is behind them — plus the hate sprites and ghosts. The flowers spreading everywhere just makes everything worse.
Q: Will Eleven use her powers?
A: Almost certainly! She’s part of the HIC team, and her abilities are key to fighting Upside Down threats. The voice actor (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt) returns, so Eleven’s definitely in action.
Final Thoughts
Season 2 of Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 looks like the perfect fall treat — mystery, friendship, new locations, and just the right amount of spooky. Whether you’re a longtime Stranger Things fan or new to Hawkins, the HIC’s next adventure kicks off September 17 on Netflix.
Grab your flashlight, dust off your bike, and get ready to investigate!
Pro Tip: Watch Season 1 now so you’re totally caught up. Then on September 17, you can dive right into the flower mystery with zero confusion!