Stranger Things to get the Saturday morning cartoon treatment with new series

The Stranger Things universe is expanding again! Netflix just revealed that a new series is in the works from the Duffer Brothers, to be developed by Flying Bark Productions and executive producer Eric Robles (Glitch Techs, Nickelodeon’s Fanboy and Chum Chum). The Duffer Brothers will also be producing on behalf of Upside Down Pictures and Shawn Levy for 21 Laps.

Both Netflix and the Duffers have been teasing a Stranger Things spinoff for over a year. They’ve said only Finn Wolfhard figured out what the new show would be about, but it’s unclear if this recently announced series is the much-discussed spinoff they were referring to.

What is the new Stranger Things animated series about?

Unfortunately, Netflix is being very coy regarding any plot details or casting news for this new show. All we know is that it’s an untitled animated series set within the Stranger Things universe, and the Duffers were heavily inspired by the Saturday morning cartoons they loved growing up.

"“We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling. We couldn’t be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with — the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can’t wait to share more with you! The adventure continues…”"

This new show appears to be unrelated to the other recently-announced Stranger Things anime. It will follow a pair of brothers in 1980s Tokyo as they stumble upon the Upside Down and embark on a grand adventure. The anime is believed to be the series Wolfhard guessed the plot of previously.

It’s interesting that Netflix has yet to greenlight any official live-action spinoffs. Will we ever see another live-action project in the Stranger Things universe? It seems doubtful that Netflix would let the show go without trying to get as many different projects from it as they can.

When could the Stranger Things animated series be released?

There are next to no details regarding the status of this show. All we know is that it is in development. That means we probably won’t see it air on the service until 2024 or 2025. I think it’s unlikely Netflix will release these new shows before Stranger Things season 5, but they may try to fast-track it to tide fans over between seasons. That said, we will probably get the anime first since it has been in the works longer.