The Duffer brothers are working on a Stranger Things animated series

A Stranger Things animated series is coming to Netflix (imagine the Mind Flayer being hit with a big old mallet!). The streaming service says the untitled show is already in the early stages of production and that it will be made with Eric Robles – the animator and co-creator of Netflix’s Glitch Techs and creator of Nickelodeon’s Fanboy and Chum Chum.

“We’ve always dreamed of an animated Stranger Things in the vein of the Saturday morning cartoons that we grew up loving,” the Duffer brothers explain, “and to see this dream realised has been absolutely thrilling.” The creators add: “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…”

The Duffer brothers will be executive producers on the project under their Upside Down Pictures production banner, working in collaboration with producer Dan Cohen and director Shawn Levy.

While we don’t know what form the series will take, the Duffers’ hint towards Saturday morning cartoons does suggest a lighter more child-friendly interpretation – perhaps even reimagining Stranger Things’ classic 80s aesthetics through animation, à la He-Man and the Masters of the Universe or The Scooby-Doo Show.

The animated series is the latest in a run of Stranger Things spin-off projects, in what some are calling the Stranger Things expanded universe (watch out MCU). Filming for Stranger Things 5 is due this summer, while the new play Stranger Things: The First Shadow will launch in November.