Netflix has hired Brad Breeck to score Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. The composer will write the entire original score for the upcoming animated series based on the popular live-action series Stranger Things.
Keep reading to learn more about Breeck’s involvement with the series and how it might affect the franchise going forward.Brad Breeck’s Tales from ’85 score Brings a New Sound to Stranger Things
The Upside Down has opened once again, but this time, it will have a brand‑new musical identity. That’s right! Stranger Things is back, due to popular demand. This time, Netflix is expanding the universe in a bold new direction with a brand-new animated series.
The simply titled Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will bridge the gap between Seasons 2 and 3, thereby revealing what happened during those 7-8 months following the Snow Ball.
By now, you should already know about the returning characters, monsters, and the other mysteries that will plague the town of Hawkins. However, you might not have known that neither Kyle Dixon nor Michael Ste returned for the soundtrack. Netflix brought in award-winning Brad Breeck to write the score instead.
Fortunately, for a franchise where music is inseparable from the mood and mythology, Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things involvement signals a deliberate and thoughtful evolution, rather than a simple continuation.
Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things Fresh Musical Chapter
Music has been a part of Stranger Things’ DNA since day one. The live‑action series’ signature electronic score defined its atmosphere, fusing ’80s nostalgia with dread, wonder, and emotion. That sound became iconic, but Tales from ’85 chose not to copy it.
Instead, the animated series carved out its own sonic space, one tailored to the energy, pacing, and heightened emotion of animation. Thus, enter Brad Breeck’s Tales from ’85 score.
Known for his ability to blend mystery, humor, heart, and tension, Breeck’s musical sensibility is perfectly suited to animated stories, especially those about young people navigating extraordinary circumstances.
Who Is Brad Breeck?
Animation fans should already know Breeck, even if they don’t know his name. That’s because he previously worked on Gravity Falls, The Owl House, Glitch Techs, Voltron: Legendary Defender, We Bare Bears, and Kiff, among many others.
Through those projects, Breeck built a reputation for creating playful yet emotionally grounded scores. In other words, his music feels spooky without being overwhelming, and adventurous without losing a sense of character. Overall, his music often shifts effortlessly between genres, adapting to shifts in tone while maintaining a strong thematic core.
That flexibility makes him an ideal fit for Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, a series that blends coming‑of‑age adventure with the supernatural.
Stranger Things Go Back to Hawkins, Winter 1985
As mentioned above, Tales from ’85 is set between Seasons 2 and 3 of the original show. Because of this, it will explore a crucial, and previously unseen, chapter in the Stranger Things universe. The kids of Hawkins face new threats during a period when the town canonically believes the worst is over.
The animated format allows for bigger monsters, wilder visuals, and faster storytelling. That freedom requires a score that can track suspense, wonder, humor, and emotional stakes, sometimes within the same scene.
Fortunately, Breeck’s work thrives in that environment.
Breeck Teases the Score
While we still don’t have specific details about the music, Breeck has shared his enthusiasm for the project with fans. In a recent YouTube post, the composer offered a brief but telling glimpse into the work going into the series:
“Been working hard on this… can’t wait for you all to see and hear it!!!” — Brad Breeck
It might be short, but it reflects his personal enthusiasm for the project and its scope. That’s exciting news for longtime fans familiar with his work. The show is in good hands.
Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things Score is Different By Design
Unlike the live‑action series, the Tales from ’85 score isn’t bound to a specific musical palette. According to early reports, the animated show intentionally steps away from heavy synths, giving Breeck the space for a wider range of textures, melodies, and orchestration.
Luckily, that doesn’t mean they’re abandoning Stranger Things’ identity. They’re reframing it, instead.
They’re going for a score that feels adventurous, mysterious, and emotional without simply mimicking what came before. However, they also want a more family-friendly sound that still honors the franchise’s darker edges.
Why Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things Score Is the Right Choice
What sets Breeck apart is his understanding of character storytelling. His music serves as an emotional guide, especially for young protagonists navigating strange, overwhelming worlds, a recurring theme throughout his animation career.
That philosophy fits Stranger Things. At its core, the series is about kids grappling with forces beyond their understanding, leaning on friendship, courage, and curiosity to survive.
In animated form, that spirit becomes even more pronounced, and Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 score is positioned to elevate it.
Animation Changes Everything
Animation allows Tales from ’85 to push visual boundaries that the live‑action show couldn’t. Creatures can be more exaggerated, action more kinetic, and emotional beats more stylized.
Music plays a crucial role in all of that. Every chase, reveal, and quiet moment of reflection will rely on the score to shape it. Fortunately, Breeck’s experience scoring animated worlds ensures the soundtrack will keep pace with the visuals without overwhelming them.
What We Can Expect from Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 Soundtrack
When the show premieres on April 23, 2026, fans should expect Brad Breeck’s Stranger Things soundtrack to be:
- Adventurous and character‑driven
- Suspenseful but not overpowering
- Emotionally resonant and nostalgic
- Distinct from, yet connected to, the original show
Rather than redefining Stranger Things, Breeck’s score will expand it. That’s all we should hope for.
Final Thoughts
Stranger Things always understood the power of atmosphere, and music played a central role in that success. By bringing Brad Breeck on board, Netflix made it clear that Tales from ’85 is more than a side project. It’s a significant and meaningful addition to the franchise’s legacy.
With a composer who understands animation, the series is poised to feel both fresh and familiar. Hawkins may look different in animation, but thanks to Breeck, it’s going to sound unforgettable.
However, that’s my take. What’s yours? Post it in the forums or comments below.
