The summer of 1985 changed everything for the characters in the Netflix series, Stranger Things. It was also the year everyone was drinking New Coke. The upcoming third season takes place in the summer of 1985, the same year as the launch of New Coke. Originally, the beverage, a sweeter take on the classic Coca-Cola formula, was pulled after just 79 days on the market. New Coke will return to stores this summer for a limited promo run tying into the release of Stranger Things 3.