Not everything has to be canon. In fact, who made the rule that a spin-off can't just be a cool story that exists within the same world? Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is cute, fun, and quite possibly the most kid-friendly entry in the franchise… but it's tainted by that five-letter word that everyone loves to throw around.
Tales From '85 takes place between Stranger Things seasons 2 and 3, after Eleven closes the gate in Hawkins Lab and releases Will from the Mind Flayer's grasp, and before the Party meets Robin and Steve becomes the world's greatest babysitter. As winter break approaches, Mike, Will, and co. uncover a new threat to Hawkins – of the Upside Down variety, of course.
