TheStranger Thingsuniverse is getting bigger, and now it is about to branch out into animation with Netflix ordering a new animated series set in the world of popular horror series. While the main flagship show is coming to an end with its fifth season, that does not mean it is the end of the franchise by a long way. There has already been talk of a new live-action spin-off show being developed and now this animated series will be pushing the story of the Upside-Down in a whole new direction.
The Duffer Brothershave revealed a small bit of information about where the future ofStranger Thingsmay lie, with the announcement that Netflix have green lit the new show which they say will be based on “classic Saturday morning cartoons.” That should really mean lots of running around and incoherent logic, but based on the need of everything to be much more heavily plotted and thought out that these days, we can probably expect something much more intricately plotted than your standardScooby-Dooepisode although it will probably have the same feel about it. In a statement, the Duffers said:
“We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving, and to see this dream realized has been absolutely thrilling. We couldn’t be more blown away by what Eric Robles and his team have come up with – the scripts and artwork are incredible, and we can’t wait to share more with you! The adventure continues…”
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Stranger Things Animated Series Will Follow Season 5 of the Main Show
While there is little known about the plot or characters that will feature in the new animated show, it is clear that the series will not arrive until after the final chapter of theStranger Thingsstory plays out in season 5. The new season isexpected to get filming underway this May/June, with multiple cast members noting that they are due to return to the set at that time. There is still no air date for the final season of the show, but it is thought to be arriving sometime later in 2024.
Stranger Thingsis also branching out into theater productions later this year, witha new show entitledThe First Shadowthat will be getting its debut performances in London’s West End. If nothing else, this proves that the reach ofStranger Thingsis not bound to just television. The franchise has already put out a number of prequel novels set within the universe, and it is likely that there will be more offerings fromStranger Thingsto come for a number of years as long as the interest in the show remains high.
Currently, the franchise is riding a wave that brought in over 1.35 billion viewed hours in the first 28 days of season 4 arriving. Although the season was around twice as long as any of the previous three, the viewership was still phenomenal, and its reach also expanded to the music charts, when the inclusion of the Kate Bush songRunning Up That Hillsaw the song top the charts around the world over 40 years after its original release. Where the show’s success leads next is anyone’s guess.
