Steve Harrington's Upcoming 2026 Stranger Things Return Continues Major Season 5 Story

After Stranger Things season 5, a major Steve Harrington story is being picked back up again in the franchise’s upcoming 2026 release. Netflix’s biggest shows include a mix of pre-existing franchises, book adaptations, and original concepts. As one of the latter, Stranger Things has become one of the most popular shows in the age of streaming, and that is no small feat.

Now, Stranger Things has ended after five seasons, with Eleven’s fate uncertain and the rest of the party left to grow up in a world where Vecna, the Mind Flayer, and the Upside Down are no longer a problem. However, Stranger Things spinoffs will continue to delve into those concepts, with 2026’s upcoming Stranger Things series doing so and bringing back key characters.

The First Stranger Things Spinoff Arrives Soon

Netflix has released the first trailer for Stranger Things: Tales from ’85. The first Stranger Things spinoff is an animated prequel series that uses the same characters as the original show. As such, fans of the Netflix sci-fi series will be treated to new adventures with beloved characters like Eleven, Hopper, Mike, Steve, and many more.

Eleven using her powers in Stranger Things season 5

Stranger Things’ Eleven Is Officially Returning In September To Make Netflix Series History

After Stranger Things season 5, it has now been confirmed when Eleven will return in 2026, and how her new story will make Netflix series history.

The events of the Stranger Things prequel take place between seasons 2 and 3 of the main series, exploring a world where the Upside Down is still very much a threat, as new monsters make their way to a snowy Hawkins. Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 will be released on Netflix on April 23, 2026. At the end of the trailer is a key moment.

Stranger Things’ New Spinoff Brings Back Steve’s Major Season 5 Story

Robin, Steve, Nancy, and Jonathan in Stranger Things season 5

The final scene in the Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 trailer is Steve Harrington talking to Natalie, who reveals she always had a crush on him, but gets a disappointing reply, as Steve says, “I always had a crush on you too, Nancy.” Steve and Nancy have been romantically linked since Stranger Things season 1, when they dated.

After that, the duo continued to be close, with multiple intimate moments shared between the two characters throughout the Netflix series. In Stranger Things season 5, the show closed the door for good on that relationship, with Steve and Nancy admitting that they knew it would never work between them, but not before making their connection a major point in the final season.

Now, merely four months after Stranger Things ended, the first spinoff of the Netflix series is once again tapping into the Steve and Nancy romance. It makes sense, given the placement of the prequel in the show’s history, and I believe it will work due to how different it will be from season 5. The romance elements should be lighter in Stranger Things: Tales from ’85, rather than more dramatic like in season 5.