"Stranger Things" Animated Series in Works at Netflix

Netflix is continuing to expand the “Stranger Things” universe, with the streaming giant ordering an animated series set within the world of the series.

While the details about the project are being kept under wraps, it is known that it was developed by Eric Robles and Flying Bark Productions. Robles has previously created the animated shows “Random! Cartoons”, “Fanboy & Chum Chum”, and “Glitch Techs”.

“Stranger Things” creators the Duffer brothers executive produce via Upside Down Pictures along with Robles of Flying Bark as well as Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps. Upside Down Pictures and 21 Laps are currently under overall deals at Netflix.

“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,” the Duffer brothers said in a statement. 

"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…”

“Stranger Things” has proven to be a global hit and one of Netflix’s most popular original series since it debuted in 2016. It was renewed for a fifth and final season in February 2022.

Netflix announced plans for a live-action spinoff series and a stage play in July 2022, with the Duffers forming Upside Down Pictures at that time. 

“Stranger Things” was created by The Duffer Brothers and is produced by Monkey Massacre Productions & 21 Laps Entertainment.

The Duffer Brothers serve as executive producers on the series, alongside Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps Entertainment, Iain Paterson, and Curtis Gwinn.

The brothers developed the series as a mix of investigative drama alongside supernatural elements portrayed with childlike sensibilities.

They set the series in the 1980s and created an homage to the pop culture of that decade.

Several themes and directorial aspects were inspired and aesthetically informed by the works of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, and Stephen King, among others, including several films, anime, and video games.

No details are available about the live-action spinoff, though the Duffers have previously said it would not focus on characters like Eleven or Steve Harrington. It was revealed in March 2023 that the stage show would take place in Hawkins in 1959 and would debut in London’s West End.