As fans eagerly anticipate the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, creators Matt and Ross Duffer have assured audiences that they intend to wrap up every significant plot thread and character arc. In an interview for Variety’s October 15 cover story, Matt Duffer stated, “We do every last remaining thing we wanted to do with the Demogorgons, Mind Flayer, Vecna, the Upside Down, Hawkins, and these characters.” He emphasized that this season will deliver a complete story, marking the end of an era for the beloved Netflix series.
The announcement of a Stranger Things spinoff in the summer of 2022 has sparked significant intrigue. Unlike typical spinoffs that continue existing narratives, the Duffers have confirmed that this new series won’t focus on any of the original show's characters. Instead, they plan to explore a distinct storyline that aligns with the show’s established brand and style of storytelling. Matt Duffer explained, “It’s so different than something like ‘Star Wars.’ It doesn’t really work like that.”
Ross Duffer elaborated, stating that while there will be some connective tissue, the spinoff will adopt an almost anthological approach. “You’re just too boxed in,” Matt added, highlighting the creative freedom that comes from starting anew with different characters. This fresh perspective, he noted, has been a fun aspect of developing the spinoff while simultaneously working on Stranger Things Season 5.
The Duffers are committed to being heavily involved in the creative process of the spinoff series, though they will not serve as its showrunners. This shift allows them to embark on new filmmaking ventures under a recent deal with Paramount. Ross mentioned, “We’ll, hopefully, be writing and directing something new in the meantime.” Netflix’s chief creative officer, Bela Bajaria, expressed excitement about the new series, noting that the Duffers are dedicated to doing “the show and title justice.” Although the concept remains under wraps, she confirmed that it has been in the works for some time.
In addition to the spinoff, Netflix and the Duffers are also progressing with an animated offshoot titled Stranger Things: Tales From ’85. Developed by showrunner Eric Robles, this series aims to capture the nostalgic spirit of classic cartoons inspired by beloved films. Matt Duffer shared that the idea for the animated series stemmed from their love of shows like Beetlejuice and Ghostbusters, and they want to present it in a modern context while still embracing the essence of the 1980s.
Currently, there is no release date for Tales From ’85, but the Duffers have expressed enthusiasm after viewing a complete episode. They appreciated the animation style, which is reminiscent of Netflix’s Emmy-winning series Arcane, though they aim to keep production costs lower. Matt humorously noted, “It’s nice because the kids can stay young forever,” as the series is set during the characters’ perfect Season 2 age.
Should Tales From ’85 or the upcoming spinoff prove successful, the Stranger Things franchise could continue to thrive on Netflix. Executive producer Shawn Levy expressed his excitement about extending the storytelling life of the series, though he refrained from labeling it a “universe.” As discussions about the future continue, the Duffers pondered what to call this extended narrative. “What do you call it that’s not lame — a universe? A franchise?” Matt mused, while Ross playfully suggested the term "Strangerverse."
As the concluding season approaches, fans can look forward to the new directions Stranger Things may take, promising an exciting evolution of the beloved story and its characters.
