As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that Netflix unveiled the initial details of their “Stranger Things” animated spinoff, titled “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85,” and their highly anticipated contender for awards season, “In Your Dreams,” during a panel at the Annecy film festival on Wednesday. I can hardly wait to see these new offerings from Netflix!
The animated spinoff of the “Stranger Things” world will take place in Hawkins during the chilly winter of 1985, bridging the gap between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series. This story will continue with the familiar cast of characters, along with a fresh addition, Nikki, a tough-as-nails girl sporting a mohawk, as they confront new supernatural threats and uncover a terrifying mystery plaguing their town.
The creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, are serving as executive producers for an upcoming animated series through their Upside Down Pictures production company, with Hilary Leavitt from Upside Down Pictures also participating. Additionally, Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen will be involved via 21 Laps. Eric Robles will take on the roles of executive producer and showrunner, working through Flying Bark Productions.
In his talk at Annecy, Robles provided a preview of the upcoming series, which he revealed was initially influenced by ’80s-era Saturday morning cartoons such as Masters of the Universe, Scooby-Doo, Dungeons and Dragons, with The Real Ghostbusters serving as its guiding light due to its dark and spooky episodes. However, the finished product veered far from these shows, instead taking inspiration from the CGI styles seen in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Arcane, the eerie covers of classic Goosebumps books, and character designs by Meybis Ruiz Cruz (Entergalactic). The new monsters, like pumpkin zombies and a toothy snow shark, are the creations of creature designer Carlos Huante, known for his work on Blade Runner 2049, Men in Black, and Alien vs. Predator.
Flying Bark, an Australian animation company that has previously worked on shows like Marvel’s “What If…?” and Netflix’s “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie,” as well as the upcoming film “The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender,” will be in charge of animation for the project titled “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85.”
Tales From ’85”, Flying Bark, a renowned Australian animation studio with credits including Marvel’s “What If…?,” Netflix’s “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie,” and Paramount Pictures’ “The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender,” will be handling the animation.
Netflix hasn’t specified an exact release date for the new series yet, but it’s confirmed that it will arrive next year. The fifth and last season of the live-action “Stranger Things” series will be divided into three parts towards the end of this year. The first part is set to premiere on November 26th, followed by a second part on Christmas day, and the series finale on New Year’s Eve.
The audience at Annecy was also given a sneak peek of the freshly made animated movie titled “In Your Dreams“. This innovative feature is the brainchild of ex-Pixar creators Alex Woo and Erik Benson who have previously contributed to the art department of productions such as “Toy Story 4” and “Cars 2“, among others.
Netflix has a strong strategy for major awards consideration, and it’s clear why. This movie centers around siblings Stevie and Elliot, who venture into the world of dreams, in pursuit of The Sandman. They hope that by finding him, he might grant their most heartfelt wish – the salvation of their parents’ relationship.
Standing proudly on stage at Annecy, I couldn’t help but share that this movie was deeply rooted in my own childhood experiences. A silent nod to my dad, who is right here among you all, for he might have been a bit cross if I didn’t mention it: my parents, despite their challenges, have managed to stay together for an incredible 50 years now.
I also wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Netflix for taking such a bold step with this original tale. It’s not every day we see such courage in the industry these days… they are truly setting an example of real leadership!
The spectators at the festival were given a breathtaking visual feast from the movie, along with glimpses of Stevie and Elliot’s dream realms. These included: a tantalizing peek into Breakfast Town, an idyllic French medieval village inhabited by morning pastries; Baloney Tony, a cherished yet worn stuffed toy; and disturbing scenes such as a carnivorous hot dog and a giraffe that expels lasers from its rear.
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During the festival, the crowd was presented with stunning visuals from the movie, in addition to glimpses of Stevie and Elliot’s fantastical dreamscapes. These included: a mouthwatering preview of Breakfast Town, a charming French-style medieval village populated by morning treats; Baloney Tony, a well-loved but worn stuffed toy; and unsettling images like a man-eating hot dog and a giraffe that emits lasers from its backside.
Instead, let me rephrase this for you:
However, the most stunning part was an incredible scene occurring within The Sandman’s lair, a radiant sandcastle adorned with a glass kaleidoscope in its ceiling, casting dazzling light patterns. This shot is so visually appealing that it could easily compete with any animation from Pixar.
Netflix is bowing In Your Dreams on Nov. 14. The Annecy film festival runs through June 14.
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2025-06-11 21:24