Key Takeaways
- Netflix has ordered an untitled animated series set in the Stranger Things universe.
- The show will be produced by Sydney-based animation house Flying Bark and Eric Robles, creator of Nickelodeon's Fanboy & Chum Chum, and executive produced by the Duffer brothers, Shawn Levy, and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps.
- The new series will take inspiration from "Saturday morning cartoons" and is part of a larger effort to expand the Stranger Things franchise, which also includes a London stage show and an untitled live-action spinoff.
- Animated series have proven to be successful on streaming platforms due to their repeatability and cost-effectiveness.
- The success of Stranger Things has been attributed to its well-crafted storytelling, memorable characters, and homage to 1980s pop culture.
Netflix announced on Monday that it has placed a straight-to-series order for an untitled animated show set in the Stranger Things universe.
The streaming giant is working with Sydney-based animation house Flying Bark and Eric Robles, creator of Nickelodeon’s Fanboy & Chum Chum, on the project.
Stranger Things creators Matt and Ross Duffer will executive produce the series alongside their collaborator Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen of 21 Laps.
Saturday Morning Cartoons Inspiration
Although the plot details for the new animated series remain under wraps, the Duffer brothers have indicated that the show will take inspiration from “Saturday morning cartoons.”
This style harks back to popular 1980s-era series such as Masters of the Universe, Jem and the Holograms, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and G.I. Joe.
It is still unclear whether any of the original Stranger Things cast will lend their voices to the animated series.
Beyond the Stranger Things universe, the Duffer brothers are involved in several other projects, including adapting Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman, a live-action version of the anime show Death Note, and an original series from Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance duo Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.
Expanding the Stranger Things Universe
This upcoming animated series is part of a larger effort to expand the Stranger Things franchise under the Duffers’ Upside Down Pictures banner, which has a lucrative overall deal with Netflix.
In addition to the highly anticipated fifth and final season of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers have also announced a London stage show titled Stranger Things: The First Shadow and an untitled live-action spinoff of the flagship series.
Beyond the Stranger Things universe, the Duffer brothers are involved in several other projects, including adapting Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman, a live-action version of the anime show Death Note, and an original series from Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance duo Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.
Success of Stranger Things and Animated Series on Streaming Platforms
Stranger Things has been a global hit since its debut in 2016 and remains Netflix’s most popular English-language series of all time.
Animated series have proven to perform well on streaming platforms due to their repeatability.
Successful animated series can generate substantial revenue through merchandising lines, as demonstrated by The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty.
Although animated series typically take longer to produce, they tend to be more cost-effective than live-action originals.
More on Stranger Things and Its Success
Since its launch in 2016, Stranger Things has enjoyed immense popularity, captivating audiences with its unique blend of horror, science fiction, and nostalgia.
Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, the show focuses on a group of friends who become entangled in a series of supernatural events when a young boy goes missing.
With a talented ensemble cast that includes Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
The success of Stranger Things has been attributed to its well-crafted storytelling, memorable characters, and homage to 1980s pop culture.
The series has received numerous awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and several Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
As the show approaches its final season, fans eagerly await the conclusion of the beloved series and the expansion of the Stranger Things universe through various spinoffs and adaptations.
