‘Stranger Things: Tales From ’85’ Season 2 Sets Rotten Tomatoes Record for Low Ratings

Laura Bais
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The ‘Stranger Things‘ universe has remained quite active since the flagship series concluded in late 2025. With projects like the behind-the-scenes documentary ‘One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5,’ the stage production ‘The First Shadow,’ and the animated spinoff ‘Tales From ’85,’ Netflix is clearly banking on the idea that Hawkins still has more stories to share.

This bet faced its biggest challenge yet with the return of ‘Tales From ’85’ for its second season, which came with significant pressure due to the divisive reception of its first season among fans and critics alike. Executive produced by the creators of ‘Stranger Things,’ Matt and Ross Duffer, the animated series aims to evoke the charm of a 1980s Saturday-morning cartoon, sending Nikki and the Hawkins kids into yet another paranormal adventure.

Now that season two has premiered, the reviews are in, and they aren’t favorable. On its release day, ‘Tales From ’85’ season two launched with a disappointing 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on just six reviews, marking it as the lowest-rated season in the ‘Stranger Things’ franchise.

This score is not an isolated incident. It reflects a clear downward trend for the animated spinoff, which has struggled to earn the same critical acclaim as its live-action predecessor. The first season of ‘Tales From ’85’ debuted with a 61% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes back in April, already falling short of the expectations set by the main series.

Screenshot 2026 09 18 at 08 47 19 Stranger Things Tales From 85 Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes

Initial reviews for season two indicate that the show is grappling with many of the same problems that affected its debut. In a review from ScreenRant, critic Matthew Rudoy rated the season four out of ten stars, stating that while new monsters are exciting, they cannot compensate for significant flaws. He noted that the season fails to reach the heights of the original live-action series, despite having fun moments and plenty of action, pointing out issues with character development and pacing.

This sentiment was echoed in other reviews, with one from CBR labeling the season as passable but far from the groundbreaking standards set by earlier live-action seasons of ‘Stranger Things.’ This review suggested that the mixed reception of the spinoff might indicate that Netflix is uncertain about the direction of the franchise.

Season two introduces ghostly apparitions and a swarm of hate sprites causing chaos in Hawkins, prompting the animated Hawkins Independent Committee to uncover the truth before a new gate to the Upside Down opens. The show revisits familiar locations like Hawkins Middle School and the Palace Arcade, leaning into the nostalgia that has always been central to its appeal, even if critics feel that nostalgia alone isn’t enough to sustain the series.

Showrunner Eric Robles has indicated that he does not plan to extend the story indefinitely, suggesting he has a rough idea of how many seasons the spinoff needs to tell its story without overstaying its welcome. Whether this plan will change in light of season two’s reception remains to be seen, but a franchise-low Rotten Tomatoes score is certainly a signal that could influence those decisions.

It’s also important to note that with fewer than 50 user ratings logged so far, the season does not yet have an official audience score, meaning the current 50% critics rating could still fluctuate as more reviews come in over the next few days.

For a franchise that built its reputation on widespread acclaim, it is a significant shift to see its animated segment struggle to find its footing.

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