Netflix's Smash Hit Sci-Fi Franchise Is So Good, It's Already Renewed For 2 More Seasons

Published May 31, 2026, 5:15 PM EDT

Angel Shaw is a Lead Writer and Critic on ScreenRant's TV team, covering new-release and classic TV shows across all major streaming platforms. She has been a writer with ScreenRant since 2022 and specializes in Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and fantasy. 

Angel holds a bachelor's degree in language interpreting and is passionate about all things culture and communication—especially in how it relates to popular media throughout history (from Shakespeare to Friends to Game of Thrones).

Tales from '85 season 1 wasn't as big a hit as Stranger Things, but given the intense popularity of the original story, Netflix had no trouble giving the green light for a sophomore season. Not only that, but the Duffer Brothers have a new live-action Stranger Things spinoff series in the works that will introduce new characters in a new setting. This means that, at the very least, we can expect two more full seasons within the Stranger Things franchise. It's a testament to this story's impact on popular culture, but also a sign that Netflix has no intention of bringing about a definitive end.

The Stranger Things Franchise Is Unlikely Ever To Truly End On Netflix

Image courtesy of Netflix

Stranger Things is to Netflix what Game of Thrones is to HBO. The original show was so extremely massive and impactful that there could be no real question about doing more. Game of Thrones has now expanded into House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with further GOT spinoff TV shows and movies currently in development. Chances are, there is no time in at least the next decade that HBO won't be working on some Game of Thrones project. Now, the same is true for Netflix and Stranger Things.

It took some time for Game of Thrones to officially expand into spinoffs, but Stranger Things dove right in. The central series only ended in December 2025, and Tales from '85 hit the platform in April 2026. The currently unnamed live-action spinoff series is in the early stages of development, but estimates place a premiere between 2027 and 2028. If these projects continue to perform even moderately well, they will be greenlit for further seasons, and more spin-offs will hit the scene.

Suffice it to say, just because the central Stranger Things series came to an end doesn't mean Netflix has plans to move away from one of its biggest TV shows of all time. Chances are, so long as there is a Netflix, there will be a Stranger Things franchise.

Is Netflix Taking Its Flagship TV Show Too Far?

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix

As eager as viewers are to continue consuming new installments of their favorite franchises, a frequent complaint is that the entertainment industry doesn't provide enough fresh, unique content anymore. Everything is either a sequel, a spinoff, or a remake. When something does well, a production company or streaming platform can't help but keep the momentum going. Overall, it's not a terrible thing, since the demand is obviously there. The big concern is that platforms like Netflix will continue adding installments to franchises like Stranger Things until the whole concept is run ragged.

In this way, Netflix is still taking a risk by doing more Stranger Things. The show's entire legacy could be tarnished if the franchise goes downhill. Since this is Netflix's flagship series, such an outcome would reflect very poorly on the streamer. Still, if Tales of '85 and future spin-offs do well, they will solidify their positive place in pop-culture history. Only time will tell.