Good news, Stranger Things fans, the season 5 finale wasn’t the last big screen trip to Hawkins, as Netflix is set to release the upcoming animated spin-off show in theatres.
As announced by Netflix via Tudum, the streamer will release the first two episodes of Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85 in movie theatres across the US on April 18. That’s five days before the series premieres globally on Netflix on April 23.
The streamer is calling the event ‘Stranger Saturday’, which is held in partnership with AMC Theatres. The episodes will be shown at 34 locations at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, and attendees will also receive an exclusive collectible to take home. The spin-off show seems to be following in its predecessor’s footsteps, as on New Year’s Day, the Stranger Things season 5 finale was shown in theaters, bringing in over $25 million in one day.
Set in the winter of 1985, the upcoming animated series takes place between the events of Stranger Things seasons 2 and 3, filling in the gaps after Eleven closed the gate to the Upside Down. However, just as our favorite heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max settle down to enjoy winter break, a terrifying new threat awakens beneath the ice. Just like they do in the main show, the crew band together to take on whatever mystery awaits.
The series is led by showrunner Eric Robles, with Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers on board as executive producers. However, the original cast is not returning. Instead, a new set of voice actors will bring the beloved characters to life, including Brooklyn as Eleven, Luca Diaz as Mike, Benjamin Plessala as Will, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Elisha Williams as Lucas, and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max.
Netflix continues to show movies and TV shows first on the big screen before they hit the cinema. Just this month, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man hit cinemas two weeks before it’s due to hit on Netflix on March 20, and the site’s upcoming Narnia adaptation is expected to show in theatres this Thanksgiving holiday.
Tickets for Stranger Things: Tales of ’85’s cinematic release go on sale on March 18 at AMC Theatres. For more, check out our picks of the best shows on Netflix, and keep up with new shows heading your way.