Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Parents Guide - Is The Show Suitable For Kids?

Stranger Things is coming back just a couple of months after its final episode with the spinoff series Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, which has a different tone from the main show. Since its release in 2016, Stranger Things has been one of Netflix’s most successful and popular TV shows, and though it had a divisive finale, this universe still has a lot more to offer. Thanks to that, Stranger Things is back with an animated spinoff series titled Tales From ‘85.

The show takes viewers back to the winter of 1985, thus being set between seasons 2 and 3 of Stranger Things. Tales From ‘85 reunites the audience with Eleven, Will, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Max as they come across new monsters from the Upside Down and team up with a new ally named Nikki. While Stranger Things isn’t exactly a family-friendly show and it's aimed at a mature audience, Tales From ‘85 is more suitable for younger viewers.

The animated format of Tales From ‘85 makes it more appealing to younger audiences, but it must be noted that the show isn’t entirely kid-friendly. Parental guidance is suggested, especially for children interested in watching the show, as even though it’s fun and exciting, there are some elements that might not be entirely suitable for young viewers.

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 Is Rated TV-PG On Netflix

Stranger Things: Tales From '85 has been given a TV-PG rating on Netflix, meaning that parental guidance is suggested. Tales From '85 got this rating for “violence, fear, and language”, which sounds more scandalous than it actually is for this specific show. Even though Tales From '85 is set in the same universe and timeline as Stranger Things, it isn’t as horror-oriented as the main show, and it leans a lot more towards action and some bits of comedy.

However, Tales From '85 isn’t entirely kid-friendly, as it does have elements that fall into the above-mentioned “warnings.” Tales From '85 sees the young Hawkins crew battling new monsters, such as monstrous pumpkins and a new type of Demogorgon creature, which can be scary for younger viewers. On top of that, the presence of these creatures leads the young characters into threatening situations that can be distressing for very young viewers.

As for the language warning, Tales From '85 doesn’t include swearing or any words that could fall into that category, but it’s well known that some characters, especially Dustin, can be a bit intense with their language sometimes. Tales From '85 has a lighter tone compared to the main show, and it’s more focused on the adventure itself and the kids solving a mystery rather than the complex mythology of the main show, which makes it suitable for younger viewers, but parental guidance is still advised.

Tales From '85 Is More Family-Friendly Than The Main Stranger Things Show

Stranger Things succeeded thanks to its mix of horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and 1980s nostalgia, allowing it to feature various monsters, send its characters into exciting yet dangerous adventures, and give them complex storylines. Now, even though Tales From '85 is canon within the universe of Stranger Things, it has a different tone and approach.

Tales From '85 feels more like a fun animated show focused on action and adventure, led by a group of young friends. As mentioned above, Tales From '85 doesn’t go deep into the mythology of Stranger Things, and as a result, it doesn’t complicate itself in that regard, making it lighter and more action-driven. This also makes Tales From '85 a lot more family-friendly, being an animated show that anyone can enjoy, including those unfamiliar with the main show.

While Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is suitable for younger viewers, it’s ultimately up to parents to provide guidance if needed, but the show is generally a family-friendly one that aims to entertain in a lighter and more colorful way than the main show.