What is the best animated Netflix show for Stranger Things fans?

Arcane is the strongest overall recommendation if you care most about quality and emotional stakes. Hilda is the better pick if you want softer family-friendly mystery adventure.

Is Tales from '85 the best animated Stranger Things-style show on Netflix?

No. It has brand familiarity, but there are stronger animated Netflix shows with better writing, stronger worlds, and more memorable emotional payoff.

Which animated Netflix show is best for kids who like Stranger Things?

Hilda is usually the safest and strongest starting point because it is adventurous, creature-filled, and much easier for families to watch together.

Curated List · April 25, 2026

Best animated Netflix shows for Stranger Things fans who want more mystery, adventure, and sci-fi energy

By MovieJam Crew6 min readTags: Netflix · Animation · Stranger Things-adjacent

Custom MyMovieJam artwork for our animated Netflix guide.

If Stranger Things: Tales from '85 left you wanting a better animated Netflix watch, you are not the only one. The biggest problem with the spin-off is not that animation is the wrong format. It is that the storytelling rarely feels sharp enough to justify the brand.

The good news is that Netflix already has stronger animated shows if what you really want is mystery, emotional stakes, weird worldbuilding, or found-family adventure. This list is built for that exact gap.

Quick picks at a glance

Best overall quality jump

Arcane

Best family-friendly replacement

Hilda

Best easy weekend watch

The Sea Beast

Best emotional fantasy pick

Over the Moon

What to look for after Tales from '85

Most people searching for animated Netflix shows after Stranger Things usually want one of four things: spooky mystery, retro-friend-group energy, imaginative sci-fi, or something family-friendly that still has actual storytelling weight.

So instead of stuffing this page with random Netflix animation, we focused on titles that scratch some part of that Hawkins itch.

The best animated Netflix shows to try next

Arcane is the easiest recommendation if you want emotional intensity and visual ambition. It is darker, richer, and dramatically stronger than Tales from '85.
Hilda works when you want gentler mystery-adventure energy. It is cozier than Stranger Things, but still has discovery, creatures, and real charm.
The Sea Beast is a good pick if your favorite part of Hawkins is the kids-on-a-dangerous-adventure vibe. Big scale, clean storytelling, very easy watch.
Over the Moon is softer and more emotional, but it works if you want animated sci-fi-fantasy that still feels heartfelt instead of disposable.
Carmen Sandiego is a smart fallback if you want momentum, mystery, and a lighter binge with strong episodic hooks.

Which one is best for different moods

Choose Arcane if you want the strongest writing and the highest stakes.

Choose Hilda if you want family-friendly adventure with actual warmth.

Choose The Sea Beast if you want the easiest crowd-pleasing watch.

Choose Over the Moon if you want more heart than suspense.

Choose Carmen Sandiego if you want lighter mystery and chase energy.

MyMovieJam recommendation

If you watched Tales from '85 because you wanted more animated Hawkins energy, start with Hilda for atmosphere or Arcane for quality. Those are the clearest upgrades, depending on whether you want comfort or intensity.