As the curtain closes on the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, fans can take solace in the fact that the Duffer Brothers' universe is far from over. Netflix is actively developing multiple spinoffs, promising to expand the world of Hawkins, Indiana, and the Upside Down in exciting new directions. Here's what we know about the upcoming projects:

Stranger Things: Tales From '85

Set to debut sometime in 2026, Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is an animated series that revisits the familiar territory of Hawkins during the winter of 1985, specifically between the events of seasons 2 and 3. This animated adventure will follow the original crew—Eleven, Mike, Will, Lucas, Dustin, and Max—as they confront new monsters and unravel a paranormal mystery.

While the characters will be recognizable, they will be voiced by a new cast, including Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, and Brett Gipson as Hopper. The Duffer Brothers are "heavily creatively involved" in the project, with Eric Robles (Glitch Techs) serving as showrunner. Matt Duffer has emphasized that despite the animated format, the series will retain the thrills and chills of the original, describing it as a "monster show" that will appeal to a wide audience.

Live-Action Spinoff: A Clean Slate

The second confirmed spinoff is a live-action series, shrouded in secrecy. Unlike Tales From '85, this series will not be a continuation of the Hawkins story. Instead, it will introduce a completely new cast of characters in a new location and a different decade. The Duffer Brothers have revealed that the spinoff will explore "an entirely new mythology," answering some lingering questions from the original series while forging its own path.

One key detail that has emerged is that the spinoff will delve into the origins of the mysterious rock that grants Henry Creel his powers, transforming him into Vecna. The Duffers have teased that the series will explain the rock's mythology, but it will not be a deep exploration of the Mind Flayer. Ross Duffer has also hinted that "one small scene in the finale gives a hint as to what the spinoff will be,” tasking fans to look for clues related to the Mind Flayer particles embedded in the rock.

While the Duffer Brothers will be creatively involved, they will not serve as showrunners, as they are focusing on developing projects for Paramount. A release date for the live-action spinoff has not yet been announced.

Maintaining the Essence of Stranger Things

Despite the new characters and settings, the Duffer Brothers have emphasized that the spinoffs will maintain the "brand" and "style of storytelling" that made Stranger Things a hit. This includes a focus on kids, adventures, and sci-fi/fantasy elements. Ross Duffer has described the approach as "anthologizing," suggesting that future spinoffs could explore different corners of the Stranger Things universe while maintaining a connection to the original series.

As fans bid farewell to Eleven and the Hawkins crew, the Stranger Things universe is poised for an exciting expansion. With a mix of familiar and new elements, the upcoming spinoffs promise to deliver more of the supernatural mysteries and heartfelt storytelling that have captivated audiences worldwide.