Netflix’s Stranger Things officially returning, only this time it’s bringing 1950s nostalgia: ‘Can’t wait for you to see what they’re cooking up’

Stranger Things became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 2016, blending 1980s nostalgia with a story about a small town, the Upside Down, and a girl named Eleven with telekinetic powers. Over five seasons and nearly a decade, it entertained audiences, but it finally ended in December 2025. However, even though the flagship show is finished, the series spawned a media franchise.

A prequel play titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow opened in 2023 on the West End and on Broadway in 2025, with both productions only announcing closing dates in 2026. The animated Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 received mixed reviews but just ended its second season on Netflix in September 2026. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has shared news of a brand-new live-action prequel titled Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure, with a tentative 2028 release date.

A new adventure with new heroes awaits

The newly announced prequel series will be set in the 1950s in New Mexico. The Duffer brothers, who created the original Stranger Things series, will return as co-creators but plan to hand over most creative duties. While most details are still under wraps, the Duffer brothers may have offered a hint in their statement about what fans can expect to see in the new series.

They reportedly explained, “We’ve been dreaming of Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure for many years now, and to see it become a reality is surreal and exhilarating. We’re so grateful to our incredible team of collaborators: our showrunner Kate Trefry, who has been in the trenches with us since season two and wrote Stranger Things: The First Shadow; and our director, Joe Wright, a brilliant artist whose work we’ve long admired. We can’t wait for you to see what they’re cooking up. It’s Stranger Things, but also thrillingly fresh, with a new setting, new heroes and villains, and new… actually, we’re not allowed to say any more. Now, on to casting. In the meantime — watch the skies, nerds!”

Between the “watch the skies,” the New Mexico setting, and the promo, fans speculate the new series may involve UFOS and/or aliens. Perhaps Area 51 will even be involved?

The new ‘Stranger Things’ will still be on Netflix

Though the Duffer brothers left Netflix recently and signed a four-year deal with Paramount, Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure will still air on the streamer.

Jinny Howe, Netflix’s scripted head, reportedly stated, “Today, on Stranger Things Day, we’re honored to partner again with Matt and Ross Duffer and Kate Trefry to give fans a new dimension of this universe to step into. Other Worlds: A Stranger Things Adventure takes us to the 1950s with new heroes and all the heart, mystery, and spectacle of the original series.”

The original Stranger Things was Netflix’s biggest show ever, crossing the 1.2 billion views mark across the franchise. Additionally, Variety reported that the series boosted the economy, contributing around $1.4 billion to the national GDP.

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