The big list list of upcoming Marvel movies and series just got a lot more real. With I Am Groot, Thor: Love and Thunder and Ms. Marvel in the rear view mirror, Marvel’s 2022 Comic-Con panel made the future a lot clearer. Except one very small delay could change when we watch Marvel’s Disney Plus shows.
So, we’ve compiled the definitive list of what’s coming around in Phases 4, 5 and 6 with confirmed release dates for the films that have them and rumored or possible dates for those that don’t have official ones yet.
Upcoming Marvel movies and shows: Cheat Sheet
She-Hulk: 8/18/22
Black Panther 2: 11/11/22
Ant-Man 3: 2/17/23
Secret Invasion: Spring 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy 3: 5/5/23
The Marvels: 7/28/23
Plus, we’ve updated them per the results of Loki and Black Widow, which — of course — have ramifications upon the MCU. Oh, and we’ve also added the newest confirmed Marvel series: Loki season 2. So, of course, beware spoilers past this point.
Those who have watched the Marvel movies in order know that the MCU has a lot of work to do without Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark and Chris Evans as Captain America, as the MCU may need to assemble a new set of Avengers. And many a fresh face will arrive to join those ranks — with one making their acting debut in a Disney Plus series. The best Netflix shows are losing the Marvel Netflix shows, though, which are coming to Disney plus.
And while the X-Men are expected to be in the MCU, watching the X-Men movies in order is always an option, though it isn’t factoring in much yet (outside of fake Pietro). Oh, and looking outside the MCU? We’ve got a guide to all of the upcoming DC movies from Black Adam to The Flash.
Marvel movies and series programs: MCU Phase 4
She-Hulk
(Disney Plus series — started on Aug. 18, 2022 — She-Hulk episode 2 airs on Aug. 25)
In the Marvel comics, there isn’t just one Hulk. There’s also She-Hulk: Attorney At Law. And in the Disney Plus series that bears her name, She-Hulk (aka Jennifer Walters) will be portrayed by Tatiana Maslany — who was a true chameleon on Orphan Black. A half-hour comedy series, which has CGI that’s already been mocked, She-Hulk will be the next place we see Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock, aka Daredevil, in the MCU. But the original August 17 date changed to August 18, as Disney Plus just delayed She-Hulk’s release date, to a Thursday, which could see a ripple effect to other Disney Plus Marvel shows, which usually debut on Wednesdays. Check out our She-Hulk review to see how we rate episodes 1 through 4.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(Movie — coming November 11, 2022)
Who will the new Black Panther be? Namor (Tenoch Huerta) is here for the newest fight against Wakanda. Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, which will not recast the role of T’Challa after Chadwick Boseman passed away, tackles the above questions. The first teaser trailer gives clues that it will be Shuri (Letitia Wright) one of the front-runners to take over as the new Black Panther. We would not be shocked to see M’Baku (Winston Duke) also make a claim for that title. That said, how will Wakanda’s work to build embassies go without T’Challa there to oversee them? The film may also feature Daniel Brühl, now that Baron Helmut Zero is in Wakandan custody.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special
(Disney Plus special — coming holiday season 2022)
How many holiday lights can you hang on Groot before you get a grumpy teenager? We may get that answered in this first for the MCU. Written and directed by James Gunn, the The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special is conveniently placed between Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians Vol. 3. Will it explain what happens to the characters between those adventures, or just be a chance for Drax to misunderstand holiday sayings? We only expect that Star-Lord will be a bit moody, as it seems Gamora has separated from the pack, giving Quill nobody to kiss under the mistletoe. Could easily be non-canonical.
What If …? season 2
(Disney Plus series — Early 2023)
This continuation of Marvel’s Disney Plus animated series will introduce The Watcher to new heroes and sections of the multiverse. Episodes will focus on topics such as the 1602 series, and Iron Man on Sakaar.
Upcoming Marvel movies and shows — Phase 5
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania
(Movie — coming Feb. 17, 2023)
Footage of Ant-Man 3 was shown at SDCC 2022. Scott Lang is now living the celebrity life, and grown distant from his family. MODOK will be in the film, as will Bill Murray, but the main villain is Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). This is most important because Kang is Nathaniel Richards, the father of the Fantastic Four patriarch Reed Richards. So, this gives us one way that Marvel may begin to introduce the space-travelling Richards/Storm family.
Secret Invasion
(Disney Plus series — Spring 2023)
What do we know about Marvel’s Secret Invasion show? Fortunately a fair bit, as the series isn’t as secretive as its title suggests. It will focus on a pack of shape-shifting Skrulls that have secretly taken positions of power on Earth. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and his Skrull friend Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) will reunite to fight them off. Cobie Smulders will be back as Agent Maria Hill. Emilia Clarke, Olivia Colman (playing an old ally of Fury’s) and Kingsley Ben-Adir (likely the villain) will also be in the series. And we’ve got reason to believe that Secret Invasion will be the biggest Marvel show yet.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3
(Movie — coming May 5, 2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will serve as James Gunn’s return to the director’s chair in a Marvel feature film, after his temporary ousting. As mentioned above, Gamora’s presence is likely all that Peter Quill cares about, but there’s one Guardian we still haven’t seen join the crew: Adam Warlock. That being said, is this the final run of the Guardians? Gunn has said it’s likely his last with the series (will he be making The Suicide Squad 2 a thing?).
X-Men ’97
(Disney Plus series — Fall 2023)
Not an MCU show, but X-Men ’97 brings The X-Men to their first Marvel Studios production, and it’s going to be an animated series taking place in the “classic” period of X-Men that you may remember from the 1990’s animated series. The story, according to Marvel “will follow “a familiar team with the ‘DNA of the original show,’ after an impactful event in X-Men ‘97 will launch the reunited X-Men into an all-new chapter that will resonate with fans of the original series.”
They’re also bringing back plenty of the original cast: Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), George Buza (Beast), Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), Chris Potter (Gambit), Catherine Disher (Jean Grey), Adrian Hough (Nightcrawler) and Christopher Britton (Mister Sinister). Though not all of those voice actors will reprise their original roles, with some playing “entirely brand-new parts,” according to Marvel.
Joining the cast are Jennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie, Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson, JP Karliak, Holly Chou, Jeff Bennett and AJ LoCascio.
Echo
(Disney Plus series — Summer 2023)
Hawkeye standout Maya Lopez / Echo (played by Alaqua Cox) is getting her own show. This deaf character is a butt-kicking martial artist who can identically mimic others’ moves (as the name Echo suggests), and Charlie Cox (as Daredevil), and Vincent D’Onofrio (as Kingpin) are expected to appear.
Loki season 2
(Disney Plus series — Summer 2023)
We got confirmation of Loki season 2 at the end of the Loki finale. Loki has a lot of work to do, including figuring out why Mobius and Hunter B-15 don’t recognize him. We’re also likely to get more of Sylvie, who’s just unleashed chaos upon all the timelines.
The Marvels
(Movie — coming July 28, 2023)
The Marvels will tell the next adventure of Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). And they won’t be alone either; the WandaVision finale tipped us off to the fact that Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) will be going up to space to see her mother’s friend again. Also, Ms. Marvel will be appearing in Captain Marvel 2, to meet her hero.
As for the story? We don’t know who our heroes will be fighting, but we would not be shocked to learn that this movie factors into the Disney Plus series Secret Invasion — which will focus on a bad batch of Skrulls, who Fury and Talos fight to stop.
Blade
(Movie — Nov. 3 2023)
The reveal of Mahershala Ali as the start of the Blade MCU movie rocked Comic-Con 2019. Yes, the daywalker made famous by Wesley Snipes is coming to the MCU. Unlike Deadpool 3, this will be a PG-13 (and not rated R) affair. Little else is known, other than Stacy Osei-Kuffour (HBO’s Watchmen) being signed on to write the movie. Since it doesn’t have a real release date, or a production date, this is very much wishful thinking about how soon we will see Blade hack and slash his way through the MCU.
Ironheart
(Disney Plus series — release date TBA)
Riri Williams, a recent addition to the Marvel comics world, is a genius inventor who is making armor that would impress Tony Stark (whether he would admit it or not). And she’s going to get a Disney Plus show, starring Dominique Thorne (Judas and the Black Messiah, If Beale Street Could Talk) in the lead role. Williams built her suit in her MIT dormitory room, so this could be the MCU property that finally takes Marvel to the one place it’s yet to go: college. Will she become the new Iron Man, as she did in the comics? Only time will tell. Disney Plus Day gave us a new logo and nothing else.
Agatha: Coven of Chaos
(Disney Plus series — Winter 2023/24)
Agatha’s Disney Plus series was fully confirmed at Disney Plus Day, and while we don’t know when it’s coming, we do know we’re more than excited. After all, once we learned it was Agatha all along in WandaVision, we knew we needed more of the newest witch on the block. Kathryn Hahn stars.
Daredevil: Born Again
(Disney Plus series — Spring 2024)
This 18-episode series is Charlie Cox’s full-fledged Disney Plus series, giving Daredevil the spotlight that fans have begged for.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year
(Disney Plus series — 2024)
This animated series gives us the one thing (arguably) missing from the MCU Spider-Man movies: another re-telling of Peter Parker’s origin story. That said, Marvel promises “a journey unlike we’ve ever seen and a style that celebrates the character’s early comic book roots.”
Captain America: New World Order
(Movie — May 3, 2024)
Captain America 4 will star Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson, the new Captain America.
Thunderbolts
(Movie — July 26, 2024)
The last Phase 5 movie, Thunderbolts is basically an anti-Avengers. Expect William Hurt to reprise the villainous role of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross to lead a group including US Agent and possibly Yelena Belova.
Upcoming Marvel movies and shows — Phase 6
One unannounced Phase 6 project will debut in Fall 2024, before Fantastic Four. Three more projects — dropping in Winter 2024, Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 — will debut before Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. One more hits after that film, and another drops before Avengers: Secret Wars.
Fantastic Four
(Movie — Nov. 8, 2024)
A whole lot of fan demand was stirred up with the rumored casting notes for Marvel’s Fantastic Four. Nothing’s confirmed, but with their comic book connection to He Who Remains, we expect the Richards family will have their work cut out for them.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
(Movie — May 2, 2025)
In the comics, this arc is where Kang blew up the United Nations. Who knows what Avengers 5 will be in the MCU.
Avengers: Secret Wars
(Movie — Nov. 7, 2025)
In the comics, the Secret Wars have happened twice, but we know to expect the X-Men by this point, as well as the Fantastic Four.
Deadpool 3
(Movie — 2024 or 2025)
Yes, Deadpool 3 is a Marvel movie, and it’s going to have an R rating. Yes, that same foul-mouthed Deadpool that Ryan Reynolds brought to the screen will exist in the same MCU that gave us plucky lil Steve Rodgers. The only catch? Deadpoool 3 is probably going to take a while. MCU head honcho Kevin Feige has said the movie isn’t starting production until 2022, which puts it as a possible 2023 release. That said, it’s already got scribes attached: Lizzie Molyneux-Logelin and Wendy Molyneux, both Bob’s Burgers writers. As for what the heck Deadpool will do in the MCU? Probably continue the work that Fake Pietro started in WandaVision, and continue breaking the wall down between Marvel’s X-Men properties and the MCU.
Marvel Zombies
(Disney Plus series — 2024)
This animated series looks to be a bit like What If…?’s reimagining of the Marvel universe that pits the heroes against zombies. It is most likely non-canonical.
Armor Wars
(Disney Plus series — release date TBA)
Don Cheadle’s already been on one Disney Plus show, and he’s going to get his own down the line. Armor Wars adapts the comic series of the same name, and gives James Rhodes a new mission: to stop Tony Stark’s armor from being misused. It’s been theorized that Iron Man 2 baddie Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) could be the one using Stark’s armor for bad deeds, selling them on the black market.
Wakanda-set series from Ryan Coogler
(Disney Plus series — release date TBA)
We’re going back to Wakanda, one way or another. A TV series that takes place in the technological wonderland of Wakanda will be one of the five projects coming from the partnership between Disney and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media. No word on cast or crew.
