With 27 feature films and six Disney+ shows in 14 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to rule pop culture. Thanks to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con and the D23 Expo, we now have an ever better idea of what’s coming next from the MCU. In short: a lot. We’ve got all the details for Phase Four, Phase Five, and even Phase Six right here.
Between all the Marvel theatrical release dates and Marvel TV release dates on Disney+—which the studio often tweaks or reschedules—it can be hard to keep track of when your favorite superheroes are returning or making their debuts. To help you stay super-organized, we’re compiling all the current MCU release dates; when specific titles have been announced but still not officially scheduled, we’ll put them in order when we think they’re most likely to show up.
(Last updated 10/24/22)
What’s the next Marvel movie?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Release date: November 11, 2022 (In theaters)
Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther sequel had to overcome the tragic passing of star Chadwick Boseman (along with some other delays), but the first glimpse we got at San Diego Comic-Con strongly suggests the film will be a fitting tribute to the late star, as well as a powerful film well worth the wait. The cast includes Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, and more—including a new Marvel hero: Dominique Thorne, who will make her debut as Riri Williams in the movie ahead of her Disney+ series, Ironheart. You can check out everything we spotted in the trailer here. A second trailer arrived October 3; here’s our breakdown.
Wakanda Forever also marks the end of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first phase to not end with an Avengers film.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Footage Lays Down the Law
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Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe Release Dates
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Release date: December 2022 (On Disney+)
Can’t get enough of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special? How about a Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+ that’s written and directed by James Gunn? This winter treat is shooting alongside Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and will come out a few months before that movie hits theaters. (One adored space dog may also make their return).
The Christmas special will also have its own Awesome Mix soundtrack, and we are expecting some great holiday tunes in it. Gunn has also said he sees the show as the epilogue for Phase Four of the MCU.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Release date: February 17, 2023 (In theaters)
The third Ant-Man movie will return to the quantum realm and bring back director Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Kang, played by Jonathan Majors, is back, and MODOK will also be making his appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (along with… Bill Murray?). The trailer arrived online October 24; read our breakdown here.
It’s the official start of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Secret Invasion
Release date: Spring 2023 (On Disney+)
This series picks up storylines from both Captain Marvel and Spider-Man: Far From Home to explain the decades-long Skrull invasion of Earth. Samuel L. Jackson and Ben Mendelsohn will star. Martin Freeman has also confirmed he will be appearing in Secret Invasion.
The Disney+ blurb of the series describes the series as a “crossover event series showcasing a faction of shape-shifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years.” A trailer was released at D23.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Release date: May 5, 2023 (In theaters)
The final movie in the Guardians trilogy was supposed to be completed years ago, but then writer-director James Gunn got fired, then rehired, then did a really fun DC superhero movie. Now Guardians 3 is finally coming, starring the usual crew (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan), and actor Will Poulter as Adam Warlock. Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) has also joined the cast in a small, undisclosed role and Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) is playing Cosmo the space dog.
Gunn screened the first footage from the film at San Diego Comic-Con, and you can read about it here, but it largely showed a film that will dive into Rocket Raccoon’s origins and features Peter Quill pining for Gamora, who is now running the Ravagers since Yondu is dead.
The Marvels
Release date: July 28, 2023 (In theaters)
The sequel to Captain Marvel will pull together three of the MCU’s most powerful women: Brie Larsen’s titular Captain, Ms. Marvel’s Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, and Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau. Nia DaCosta (who most recently helmed the revival of Candyman) is directing the film.
In the finale of Ms. Marvel season one, Carol Danvers showed up in Kamala Khan’s bedroom, marking the first real tease of the film.
Loki Season 2
Release date: Summer 2023 (On Disney+)
The smash hit series about Tom Hiddleston’s antihero will return soon for more variant shenanigans across the multiverse. Hiddleston confirmed “the whole cast” of Loki’s first season will return for season two on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Echo
Release date: Summer 2023 (On Disney+)
This spinoff from the Hawkeye series will follow Echo, a deaf martial artist, as played by actress Alaqua Cox. Devery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs) co-stars. Echo officially began filming on May 24, according to a tweet by series creator Marion Dayre. According to James Clement on an episode of the Weekly Planet podcast, both Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox are set to return for the Echo series at Disney+.
X-Men ‘97
Release date: Fall 2023 (On Disney+)
The X-Men are coming to the MCU… kinda. X-Men ‘97 is a revival of the classic ‘90s animated show, bringing back the same style, stories and yes, theme song, of the iconic series. (See more: X-Men ‘97 Looks Like a Nostalgic Blast From the Past)
Ironheart
Release date: Fall 2023 (On Disney+)
With Tony Stark gone, the MCU needs a new super-genius inventor. Enter teenage prodigy Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne), who creates a brand new, ultra-advanced armored suit. Other cast members include Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) as the villain the Hood and Lyric Ross (This Is Us). Chinaka Hodge (TNT’s Snowpiercer) is attached as the head writer, and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is an executive producer alongside Marvel’s Kevin Feige and others. Manny Montana (Good Girls) has joined the cast of Marvel’s Ironheart in an undisclosed role as well as Han Solo himself, Alden Ehrenreich.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos
Release date: Winter 2023/2024 (On Disney+)
This spinoff from WandaVision will star Kathryn Hahn as her fan-favorite character Agatha Harkness.
Captain America: New World Order
Release date: May 3, 2024 (In theaters)
We’ve got a new Captain America, so it was inevitable that we’d be getting a new Cap movie. Anthony Mackie will appear in the title role.
Daredevil: Born Again
Release date: Spring 2024 (On Disney+)
Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio will return as Daredevil and Kingpin for an 18-episode Disney+ series.
Thunderbolts
Release date: July 26, 2024 (In theaters)
Marvel Studios is readying a movie based on the comic Thunderbolts and director Jake Schreier has been tapped to bring it to life. This film marks the end of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Blade
Release date: September 6, 2024 (In Theaters)
Disney hasn’t revealed much about this reboot of the franchise that features a badass vampire-hunter who is also a vampire, but we know that it stars two-time Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali, who also played Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in Netflix Marvel series Luke Cage. We also know Blade appeared (or at least his voice did) in the end credits of The Eternals. After losing director Bassam Tariq, who would have been the first U.S.-Pakistani person to helm a Marvel Studios film, Blade was put on pause, and its release date was shifted from November 2023.
Deadpool 3
Release date: November 8, 2024 (In Theaters)
Ryan Reynold’s “merc with the mouth” is set to appear in Disney’s first R-rated film following the company’s completed acquisition of Fox assets. Oh, and did you happen to hear that Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is also appearing in this one? Unless you are cut off from all social media, you no doubt caught that announcement.
Deadpool 3 writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wenick spoke with Den of Geek about how Deadpool’s move to the MCU will not affect the feel of the movie. Or, in Wernick’s words: “Deadpool’s gonna be Deadpool.” Reese also said that Disney has been more than willing to ensuring the franchise keeps its core identity. Shawn Levy (Free Guy) is directing.
Fantastic Four
Release date: February 14, 2025 (In theaters)
Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, kicks off with the MCU debut of Marvel’s most famous family. Jon Watts was scheduled to direct but he is no longer doing that—Matt Shakaman of WandaVision is now in the chair—and though we saw John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there’s no guarantee he returns.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Release date: May 2, 2025 (In theaters)
Since neither Phase Four or Phase Five ended with Avengers movies, Phase Six will end with two, back to back. The first is The Kang Dynasty, a title which heavily suggests that Kang (Jonathan Majors) will play a major role. Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) will direct.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release date: May 1, 2026 (In theaters)
It all comes down to this. Phase Six, and the whole Phase 4-6 arc of the Multiverse Saga, ends with Secret Wars. We don’t know anything about the plot other than the comics that the title is based on; Marvel veteran Michael Waldron (Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) is writing the script.
Armor Wars
Release date: Unknown (In theaters)
This project—originally slated for a Disney+ series, but now getting the feature film treatment—will follow James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) as he tracks down stolen tech that allows criminals to replicate Iron Man technology.
Also: Marvel slotted several other projects for Phase Six that take place alongside Fantastic Four and the Avengers films. There are two in fall 2024, two in winter 2024, one in winter 2025, two in spring 2025 and two in summer 2025. Some of those are probably…
Unscheduled But Probably Still Happening Shows & Movies
Moon Knight Season 2
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
Moon Knight himself, Oscar Isaac, was recently spotted in Egypt and teased that a second season of his show could be on the way. Marvel and Disney have yet to confirm.
Marvel Zombies
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
This new animated show is loosely spun out from a breakout episode of What If? that saw MCU heroes battling a zombie apocalypse.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
Disney says this new animated series follows Peter Parker “on his way to becoming Spider-Man in the MCU, with a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.”
What if…? Season 2
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
The speculative animated series and its omnipresent narrator the Watcher will return with an all-new season. The show’s creators say next season will focus on new stories, new heroes, and “lots of fun.” Though the trailer still hasn’t been released, the Marvel Animation Panel at San Diego Comic Con revealed some Phase 4 characters that will be in the show.
Untitled Wakanda Series
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
Not much is known yet about this show set in Black Panther’s home country.
Untitled Shang-Chi sequel
Release date: Unknown (In theaters)
Shang-Chi’s debut movie was compelling, exciting and fun. It also made a ton of money, so a sequel is inevitable. That the film’s director is making Avengers: The Kang Dynasty does throw it into limbo a bit.
Untitled Wonder Man series
Release date: Unknown (On Disney+)
Marvel Studios has announced that it’s moving ahead with a Wonder Man series. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton is attached to helm and Brooklyn 99 writer Andrew Guest (who also produced Hawkeye) is on board to showrun the series.
Untitled mutants movie
Release date: Unknown (In theaters)
Now that Disney owns the old Fox assets that included all the “mutant” Marvel superheroes, you can very likely count on characters like the X-Men making an MCU debut.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
