Between Marvel Studios, Sony, and Fox, there's a lot of Marvel movies on the way. Here's every single film you can expect over the coming years.
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to dominate the worldwide box office, there are plenty of other Marvel movies on the horizon - from Sony Pictures and Disney's acquired subsidiary 20th Century Fox - that have release dates set in between future MCU films. With Black Widow kickstarting the return of the MCU movies in 2021, there are a lot of previously delayed films to look forward to in 2021 and early 2022. Beyond that, there are even more spinoffs, reboots, and many more sequels planned and scheduled for the not-too-distant future.
Despite Disney facing streaming controversies, Marvel has already had a strong year with the success of the launch of their new Disney Plus TV shows, and it doesn't show any signs of slowing down. While some have voiced fears in the past that the superhero genre might be a passing fad, Hollywood has continued to embrace it and received largely positive critical reception and huge box office returns. Producers are not going to be quick to forget Avengers: Endgame's record-breaking $1.2 billion opening weekend and will be eager to repeat that performance in a post-pandemic future. DC has been attempting to emulate the MCU model with limited success, but now Sony Pictures are dusting off some old Marvel properties to try their hand at their own extended universe
Studios have become substantially more confident in the genre following the massive success of franchises like The Avengers and X-Men. As a result, we're now in the midst of seeing studios take bigger (and necessary) risks. They're adapting standalone properties, offering lead roles to women and people of color. They're confidently choosing directors with distinct trademark styles. And, all the while, they're also offering them more creative control (see: Thor: Ragnarok). The cinematic superhero genre is constantly evolving, and this upcoming slate is just a taste of things to come.
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings - September 3, 2021
Promising to bring hardcore martial arts action into the MCU, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a priority for Marvel in Phase 4. The movie is based on comics about the son of Fu Manchu, who has his eyes opened to his father's wickedness and decides to become a superhero instead, fighting for those who need him instead of the father who would command him. Shang-Chi will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and hit theaters in Fall 2021. Simu Liu stars as the MCU's first Asian superhero. Meanwhile, Tony Leung has been cast as The Mandarin (the real one, not his Trevor Slattery imitation), replacing the problematic Fu Manchu as Shang-Chi's mystically-empowered father. The first trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has already been released, teasing the rest of the cast including Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Florian Munteanu, and Meng'er Zhang.
Eternals - November 5, 2021
In late 2021, Marvel Studios introduces Eternals to the MCU, in a film that sees Nomadland's Chloe Zhao in the director's chair. Written by Zhao and Patrick Burleigh, Eternals' story will cover over 7,000 years of time while chronicling the lives of the titular immortal alien race. It'll also presumably become the launchpad for a more cosmic MCU in Phase 4 and beyond. Gemma Chan leads the cast as Sersi. She'll be joined by Angelina Jolie as Thena, Richard Madden as Ikaris, a newly buff Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo, Brian Tyree Henry as Phastos, Lia McHugh as Sprite, Lauren Ridloff as Makkari, Don Lee as Gilgamesh, and Salma Hayek as Ajak. The film will also feature Kit Harington as Dane Whitman (a.k.a. Black Knight) and Barry Keoghan as the villainous Eternal named Druig.
Spider-Man: No Way Home - December 17, 2021
Officially titled Spider-Man: No Way Home, the third MCU solo Spidey film in will release in late 2021. Director Jon Watts and writing duo Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers are returning on the creative end, while Tom Holland reprises the title role. Picking up where Spider-Man: Far From Home's wild post-credits left off, the film was already expected to be an intense affair — with Peter and others potentially on the run. As if that wasn't enough, the installment will tie into the multiversal drama running throughout Phase 4, with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) serving as Peter's latest mentor. Alfred Molina's version of Doc Ock and Jamie Foxx's iteration of Electro are also already confirmed to be returning. Alongside them, it's heavily rumored that Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin, both Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Men, and several more will make appearances.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness - March 25, 2022
Cumberbatch's portrayal of Doctor Strange in Avengers: Infinity War earned him widespread acclaim, which is partly why Marvel Studios finally moved forward with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With Sam Raimi signed on to direct from a script by Jade Bartlett and Loki's Michael Waldron, Doctor Strange's second solo adventure won't see him entirely alone. Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) will play a large role in the story, the bulk of which is still being kept under wraps. Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rachel McAdams will return, as Wong, Baron Mordo, and Christine Palmer, respectively. They'll be joined by MCU newcomer Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez.
Thor: Love And Thunder - May 6, 2022
With Thor: Love and Thunder, the Asgardian warrior becomes the first MCU hero to get a fourth solo movie. Thor: Ragnarok's Taika Waititi returns to write (alongside Jennifer Kaytin Robinson) and direct the proceedings. Love and Thunder will mark the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster to the MCU. Jane will become a female version of Thor, while new Asgardian king Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) will be on the hunt for her queen. With several other familiar faces set to flit in and out of the story, Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) will serve as the central source of conflict
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - July 8, 2022
Ryan Coogler's Black Panther quickly became one of the biggest movies of all time, and while its international gross wasn't on the same level as Avengers: Infinity War (which no one expected it would be), there's no denying that it was an astounding success - critically and commercially - for Marvel Studios. So, it's no wonder that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to happen, with Coogler back in the director's chair. Despite the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, there are no plans to recast the role — with the film and planned spinoffs set to shine a light on other areas of Wakanda. As usual, story details are scarce this far out from its summer 2022 release. However, Namor the Sub-Mariner will reportedly join the MCU in the Black Panther sequel.
The Marvels - November 11, 2022
While not a hit quite as big as a Black Panther or Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel's first adventure was still a massive success. As such, it's no surprise that Brie Larson's Carol Danvers is set to return for a sequel towards the end of 2022. As usual for Marvel, almost nothing is known about Captain Marvel 2's plot this far out from release. It will, however, take place in the modern day. Equally, now officially retitled as The Marvels, the sequel will see Carol join forces with a now grown-up Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani). The latter will make her debut in the Ms. Marvel Disney+ series and together they will square off with Zawe Ashton's mystery villain. Nia DaCosta has signed on to direct, with WandaVision's Megan McDonnell officially penning the script.
Ant Man And The Wasp: Quantumania - February 17, 2023
Following on from Ant-Man and The Wasp, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangline Lilly) were confirmed for a third outing. The duo will once again be joined Michael Douglas' Hank Pym and Michelle Pfeiffer's Janet van Dyne. Despite being played by Emma Fuhrmann in Avengers: Endgame, the character of Cassie Lang will be assumed by Kathryn Newton. With an early 2023 release date confirmed, filming has already begun in England. Peyton Reed once again took on directorial duties, working from a script penned by Rick and Morty's Jeff Loveness. The shrinking superheroes will face their biggest challenge yet, with iconic Marvel villain Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) making his MCU debut.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 - May 5, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has already had a rocky road to production, with director James Gunn being fired by Disney after offensive jokes he made on Twitter years earlier resurfaced. After both fans and colleagues came out fiercely in support of Gunn, the decision was ultimately made to rehire him - though not before he'd already been snapped up by Warner Bros. to direct upcoming sequel/soft reboot The Suicide Squad. Gunn moved swiftly from that to a Peacemaker TV spinoff centered on John Cena's titular character. As a result, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 reportedly won't start filming until 2021's final months, at the earliest. Therefore, it'll be a while before we see the team back in action and any story details are revealed. However, the full cast are confirmed to be returning, following on from cameo appearances in Thor: Love and Thunder.