Marvel Studios’ film slate is always evolving, and fans are eager to know what the next Marvel movie is and beyond. We’ve got you covered with a list of upcoming Marvel movies through 2026, complete with release dates, cast details, and the latest updates.
After a period of mixed reactions and a Marvel movie release schedule that left some fans fatigued, the franchise is refocusing on quality over quantity. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige even admitted they began “pulling back” on projects to “only accept insanely great” scripts.
Now, with fresh momentum, future Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and Disney+ shows are poised to reclaim the spotlight. Below is a list of upcoming Marvel movies (and series) with confirmed dates, followed by rumored projects on the horizon.
Confirmed Marvel Movies Coming in 2026
Marvel Studios has two major theatrical releases in 2026, both of which are pivotal entries in the MCU storyline. Here are the next Marvel movies locked in for theaters, in order of release:
1. Spider-Man: Brand New Day – July 31, 2026
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the fourth Tom Holland-led Spider-Man film, scheduled to hit theaters on July 31, 2026. The title (confirmed by Marvel in 2025) nods to a comic storyline where a cosmic reset lets Peter Parker start fresh with his secret identity. In the aftermath of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the world no longer remembers Peter, giving him a clean slate to be New York’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man without personal baggage.
This next Marvel film promises a different kind of Peter Parker story. Peter will grapple with loneliness as his best friend, Ned, and his love, MJ, are living their lives not knowing him.
Fans can also expect high-profile guest appearances: Marvel veterans Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner) and Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle) are reported to reprise their roles in Brand New Day. Notably, the film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (of Shang-Chi fame), and Marvel has hinted at a team-up between Spider-Man and Shang-Chi (the Master of Kung Fu) in the near future – potentially foreshadowing an exciting crossover.
All eyes are on Brand New Day as the next Marvel release in theaters, continuing Spidey’s journey post-Endgame.
2. Avengers: Doomsday – December 18, 2026
Avengers: Doomsday is Marvel’s blockbuster winter 2026 release, arriving December 18, 2026. Originally slated for May, Marvel made the bold move of shifting this Avengers film to a holiday-season debut. This is the next Avengers movie in the saga (essentially Avengers 5), and it carries enormous hype and stakes.
Why the excitement?
Robert Downey Jr.’s shocking return to the MCU was announced at San Diego Comic-Con, but not as Iron Man. This time, he’s donning a new mask as Doctor Doom.
As RDJ teased on stage: “New mask, same task,” indicating Doom’s mission might mirror Stark’s ethos in a twisted way. Avengers: Doomsday steps in to replace the originally planned “Kang Dynasty” storyline after Marvel dropped actor Jonathan Majors and refocused the narrative. The result is an Avengers film that pits Earth’s heroes against Doctor Doom as the central villain.
Marvel isn’t holding back on scale. The cast is massive, featuring MCU stars of the past, present, and future. Veterans like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson’s Captain America), and Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) will lead the charge alongside the younger heroes.
They’ll be joined by the ensembles from Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four: First Steps (the 2025 FF film). In a multiverse-bending twist, even the cast of Fox’s X-Men movies is slated for appearances in Doomsday, finally wearing comic-accurate costumes as they get “one more chance to shine” before Marvel reboots the X-Men in the MCU.
This film is the beginning of the end for the Multiverse Saga – setting up the grand finale in Avengers: Secret Wars the following year. Given the MCU’s ups and downs recently, anticipation is sky-high for Doomsday to deliver an all-out spectacle. Marvel Studios is treating it as a make-or-break moment to prove all the multiversal storytelling was worth it.
Marvel Series and Specials Coming to Disney+ in 2026
The MCU’s upcoming Marvel movie release dates are only part of the story, as 2026 is also packed with high-profile Disney+ series, animated projects, and even a special. Marvel has been expanding its storytelling beyond theaters, and these releases will fill in the year’s earlier months and off-screen arcs.
Here are the confirmed Marvel shows and specials arriving in 2026:
1. Wonder Man – January 27, 2026 (Disney+ Series)
Kicking off 2026 is Wonder Man, a Disney+ original series premiering January 27, 2026. This action-comedy series stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, who is playing an aspiring actor who unexpectedly gains superpowers. The concept is meta: Simon auditions to play a superhero in a movie (titled Wonder Man), only to develop real hero abilities in the process.
Wonder Man is noteworthy as it falls under the Marvel Spotlight banner (Marvel’s new label for standalone stories) and is produced by Marvel’s reorganized television division. The show will also feature Oscar-winner Sir Ben Kingsley reprising his role as Trevor Slattery (the goofy actor from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi).
In fact, the series’ blend of Hollywood satire and superheroics has made it one of the most anticipated new Marvel titles of 2026. Uniquely, Disney+ will release Wonder Man as a binge-drop (all episodes at once) rather than weekly, which is a sign of confidence that viewers will want to marathon this quirky adventure.
2. Daredevil: Born Again – Season 2 (March 4, 2026 on Disney+)
The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen is back. Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is set to debut on Disney+ on March 4, 2026 (tentatively).
The first season of this revival was well-received by fans in 2025, successfully continuing the story of Matt Murdock from the acclaimed Netflix series. Now Season 2 aims even higher, with Matt assembling allies to take down the villainous Mayor Wilson Fisk (Kingpin), who has tightened his grip on New York.
Notably, this season will bring back Jessica Jones (played by Krysten Ritter) – her first appearance since Netflix’s Jessica Jones ended seven years ago. Seeing Jessica team up with Matt again has fans excited, and it raises hopes that other street-level heroes (perhaps Luke Cage or Iron Fist) could cameo as well.
With Charlie Cox back as Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin, Born Again Season 2 is positioned as one of the most anticipated Marvel series of 2026. It continues the MCU’s trend of integrating characters from the earlier Marvel TV era, proving that these heroes still have stories worth telling on the upcoming MCU slate.
3. The Punisher – Special Presentation (Summer 2026 on Disney+)
Fan-favorite vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a. The Punisher, will take center stage in a standalone Marvel Special Presentation anticipated in Summer 2026. This one-off special brings back Jon Bernthal as Frank, following his official MCU reintroduction in Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (where he immediately rekindled his fiery chemistry with Matt Murdock). Now it’s Frank’s turn to unleash justice in his own story – likely with the gritty, mature tone that made his Netflix series a hit.
Marvel is reviving the “Special Presentation” format (previously used for Werewolf by Night and Guardians Holiday Special), allowing The Punisher to tell a contained, high-impact story without a full series commitment. Excitingly, Jon Bernthal himself co-wrote the script and filmed the project in 2025.
While Disney hasn’t officially announced the drop date, Bernthal suggested in an interview that it would be released in summer 2026, timed to coincide with Frank Castle’s appearance in another MCU project.
4. X-Men ’97 – Season 2 (Summer 2026 on Disney+)
Marvel’s mutants continue their animated comeback with X-Men ’97 Season 2, expected in summer 2026. This series is a loving revival of the classic 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series, and its first season (which premiered in 2024) earned praise for capturing the original’s mature storytelling while updating it for today.
Season 2 will up the ante by bringing back one of the X-Men’s greatest villains: Apocalypse. The new episodes promise to explore Apocalypse’s return (after some time-travel shenanigans last season) and even show Gambit as one of his Four Horsemen.
Marvel Studios Animation head Brad Winderbaum confirmed that Season 2 “is going to be in ’26”, so fans can rest assured it’s coming. He also teased that the team is hard at work and “it’s exciting”.
By reviving X-Men ’97, Disney+ is keeping the mutant legacy alive while the MCU figures out how to integrate the X-Men in live action. For now, this animated series will satisfy mutant fans in the Marvel movies to be released and shows lineup. Expect all ten episodes to land on Disney+ for a nostalgic summer binge.
5. VisionQuest – Late 2026 (Disney+ Series)
The story of Vision continues in VisionQuest, a Disney+ series slated for late 2026. A sequel of sorts to WandaVision, this show follows the “White Vision,” a rebuilt version of Vision (Paul Bettany), who last appeared at the end of WandaVision. In that finale, he regained his memories and then flew off seeking purpose. VisionQuest finds him struggling with those restored memories and grappling with his identity now that he’s essentially a new being.
The series is expected to be thought-provoking and emotional, much like its predecessors. Vision will reportedly be hunted by a bounty hunter named Paladin as he tries to figure out his place in the world.
Several familiar faces are set to return: James Spader will voice Ultron again (somehow, the evil AI finds a way back), and even James D’Arcy’s Jarvis (Howard Stark’s AI butler) is rumored to appear. There’s also buzz that young Tommy Maximoff (Wanda’s son, aka Speed) will show up, since VisionQuest ties into the events of Agatha: All Along, where Tommy’s brother Billy and Agatha Harkness are searching for him.
All told, VisionQuest will conclude a little trilogy (WandaVision → Agatha → VisionQuest) that explores the fallout of Vision and Wanda’s story. It’s a must-watch for fans invested in those characters’ arcs across the upcoming Marvel universe movies and series.
6. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – Season 2 (Late 2026, Animated Series)
Rounding out 2026, Marvel will release Season 2 of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in the fall of 2026. This is an animated series that offers a fun “what if” style twist on Spider-Man’s origins.
Season 1 (which debuted in early 2025) imagined Peter Parker’s early days differently from the live-action MCU, including a scenario where Norman Osborn mentors Peter instead of Tony Stark. The show turned out to be a pleasant surprise, proving that even non-canon spin-offs can win fans over if the storytelling is strong.
Season 2 will continue this alternate-universe Spidey’s adventures. While not part of the main MCU continuity, Marvel Studios has already renewed Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man for Season 3, signaling their confidence in the series’ future.
For viewers, it’s another dose of Spider-action in 2026 outside of the live-action films. By the end of the year, between Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, we’ll see the web-slinger thrive in all upcoming Marvel movies and media.
Rumored and Future MCU Projects (TBA)
Beyond the confirmed 2026 lineup, Marvel has several future projects in development. Some are strongly rumored to arrive in 2026 if schedules permit, and others are slated for later.
These upcoming Marvel universe movies and series don’t have firm dates yet, but here’s what we know about them:
Blade (Movie – Release TBD):
The MCU reboot of Blade, starring Mahershala Ali as the half-vampire vampire hunter, has faced significant delays. Originally announced back in 2019, the project has cycled through at least five writers and two directors.
Marvel halted production to overhaul the script, with Feige candidly saying they didn’t want to “just put a leather outfit on [Ali] and have him start killing vampires” without a unique take. Blade is currently delayed indefinitely, and there were even rumors it might be canceled or reworked into a different project (like a Midnight Sons team-up).
However, as of 2026, Marvel hasn’t scrapped it outright. Fans are eager for this new Marvel movie featuring Blade, but Marvel Studios is clearly taking its time to get it “insanely great.” Until then, Ali’s Blade is expected to cameo in another project first (he made a voice cameo in Eternals), keeping the hope alive.Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings 2 (Movie – TBA):
A sequel to 2021’s Shang-Chi is on Marvel’s docket, though not dated. There’s been little public info about Shang-Chi 2, but Simu Liu himself reassured fans that plans are underway – “I promise it’s happening,” he wrote in response to speculation that Marvel abandoned it.
Destin Daniel Cretton (who directed the first film) is expected to return, though his schedule was once tied up with an Avengers film. With the Avengers movies now being helmed by the Russos, Cretton could refocus on Shang-Chi 2.
It’s possible this sequel could land in 2026 (Marvel even teased a future team-up between Shang-Chi and Spidey), but no official date has been set yet. Given the first film’s success and Shang-Chi’s popularity, this is one future MCU movie that’s a matter of when, not if.Armor Wars (Movie – TBA):
Armor Wars was initially announced as a Disney+ series, but in late 2022, Marvel decided to redevelop it as a feature film. The story will center on James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) dealing with Tony Stark’s technology falling into the wrong hands.
If it follows the comic storyline, Rhodey has to protect Iron Man’s legacy in a world without Tony. The script is being written by Yassir Lester, and it’s confirmed that the villainous arms dealer Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins, last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp) will appear.
Armor Wars is currently undated and possibly aiming for 2026 or 2027. Since Cheadle’s War Machine just had a prominent role in Secret Invasion and other projects, fans are keen to see him lead his own movie.X-Men Reboot (Movie – in Development):
After reacquiring the X-Men via the Fox merger, Marvel Studios is slowly working toward introducing mutants into the MCU proper. A full X-Men reboot film is in early development.
In fact, a writer (Michael Lesslie) was reportedly in talks to pen the script as of late 2025. No cast or director yet, and no release date set. It’s clear Marvel is taking a cautious approach to avoid rushing the beloved franchise.Nova (Disney+ Series – in Development):
Marvel is also developing Nova as a streaming series. Nova is an intergalactic hero (Richard Rider in the comics) who gains powers from the Nova Corps who are the cosmic police force seen in Guardians of the Galaxy.
In Avengers: Infinity War, we heard that Thanos decimated Xandar (the Nova Corps’ home), which sets the stage for Nova’s origin as the last survivor empowered by the Corps. The Nova project has Ed Bernero (former Criminal Minds showrunner) attached, and it’s confirmed to be a Disney+ series.
Details are scarce, and no release year has been announced yet. A Hollywood Reporter piece noted Nova is on a “slower path” in development, meaning Marvel is not rushing it. It could possibly hit in late 2026 or beyond.
These are just a few of the major projects on Marvel’s radar. There are other rumored or in-development titles (a Wakanda Okoye spin-off series, a Moon Knight Season 2, etc.), but Marvel has not officially scheduled those.
As always, plans can evolve due to creative shifts or industry factors. For example, the recent writer/actor strikes caused Marvel to shuffle many dates, and quality control is clearly a priority now.
Conclusion
The upcoming Marvel movies and Disney+ shows in 2026 represent a schedule for a year that could redefine the MCU’s trajectory. From Spider-Man: Brand New Day in midsummer to Avengers: Doomsday at year’s end, the big screen will see the MCU’s next Marvel movies push the story forward with massive crossover events.
Meanwhile, Disney+ will keep fans engaged throughout the year with returning heroes (Daredevil, Punisher), new faces (Wonder Man, Nova), and even animated throwbacks (X-Men ’97).
Disclaimer: All release dates, box office figures, and production statuses are accurate as of January 14, 2026, based on available industry reports, studio announcements, and verified insider leaks.
FAQs
1. Why is Robert Downey Jr. playing Doctor Doom?
It is a strategic maneuver to re-engage lapsed fans who left after Endgame. Narratively, the Russo Brothers have teased that this Doom is a complex figure—potentially a Stark variant from a universe where he went down a dark path, or a “Prime Doom” whose resemblance to Stark is a cosmic irony used to manipulate the Avengers. It leverages RDJ’s charisma while subverting his heroic legacy.
2. Is the Blade movie officially cancelled?
Disney has removed it from the release calendar. While not “officially” cancelled in a press release, industry insiders confirm the solo film is dead in its current form. The character will likely appear in an ensemble film (Midnight Sons) to avoid the scripting issues that plagued the solo project.
3. Will Tom Holland’s Spider-Man appear in Avengers: Doomsday?
Yes. Tom Holland is confirmed to play a pivotal role. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 2026) will lead directly into the events of Doomsday (Dec 2026). He serves as the primary emotional anchor for the audience, especially regarding the “Stark vs. Doom” conflict.
4. Are the X-Men in the 2026 movies?
Yes, but incrementally. Avengers: Doomsday will feature characters from the Fox X-Men universe (like Wolverine from Deadpool & Wolverine and potentially others). Spider-Man 4 is rumored to introduce Sadie Sink as Jean Grey/Firestar. However, the proper MCU X-Men reboot film will not happen until after the Secret Wars reset in 2027/2028.
The Tech Junction is the ultimate hub for all things technology. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply curious about the ever-evolving world of technology, this is your go-to portal.
