Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters in 2026, arriving just over a month from now as the most anticipated superhero movie on the calendar, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the villainous Doctor Doom. The film will pit childhood legends against each other, setting up to be the biggest MCU movie ever.
The superhero genre has staged a comeback after a turbulent early 2020s, with DC’s Superman kicking off the DCU and the MCU regaining momentum following Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Eight superhero movies with confirmed release windows span Marvel and DC properties from 2026 through 2028.
Doomsday Leads the 2026 Slate With Downey as Doctor Doom
Avengers: Doomsday stands as the sole unreleased 2026 entry and the immediate focal point for fans. The film brings back established icons including Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, and Cyclops, portrayed by James Marsden, while introducing Downey in a villainous capacity. The movie also marks the final film for Patrick Stewart, a detail that adds a bittersweet dimension to the release.
2027 Brings Spider-Verse, Secret Wars and Man of Tomorrow
The year 2027 will be a quiet one for the genre, with the MCU and DCU each releasing only one film; for the former, it is Avengers: Secret Wars. Sony’s Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse leads the slate, continuing Miles Morales’s story after the cliffhanger ending of its predecessor, with The Spot still rampaging and Miles trapped in an alternate world.
Marvel’s Avengers: Secret Wars targets 2027 as a sequel of sorts to the 2026 film, though production has not yet begun, leaving fans uncertain whether the date will hold. DC’s Man of Tomorrow pairs Superman with Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, against Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger, in a team-up that could determine the fate of the DCU.
2028 Stacks X-Men, Ghost Rider, Batman Part II and Black Panther 3
Marvel announced its 2028 slate at a blowout event, revealing X-Men, Ghost Rider and Black Panther 3 alongside other projects. X-Men, directed by Jake Schreier, features a cast including Sadie Sink, Kit Connor, Inde Navarrette, Maya Boyd, Asa German, Samara Weaving, Christopher Abbott and Adam Driver, and marks the live-action debut of Mister Sinister. Ghost Rider stars Ryan Gosling with Shawn Levy directing. Black Panther 3, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring David Jonsson, will round out the trilogy.
Warner Bros. counters with The Batman Part II, pushed from 2026 to early 2028, featuring Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan in a winter-set story. While there is recent news about Matt Reeves, filming will resume with Steven Soderbergh.
How to Track Each Release Window
Current announcements list release years rather than specific days: Doomsday in 2026; Beyond the Spider-Verse, Secret Wars and Man of Tomorrow in 2027; and X-Men, Ghost Rider, The Batman Part II and Black Panther 3 in 2028. Fans can follow developments through official Marvel Studios and DC announcements for the upcoming 2027 and 2028 titles.
FAQ
Has production started on Avengers: Secret Wars?
No. It is reported that the 2027 film has not begun production, which leaves its release window less certain than the other titles on the list.
Which 2028 film features Mister Sinister?
X-Men marks the live-action debut of the villain, with Jake Schreier directing the ensemble cast that includes Sadie Sink and Adam Driver.
Who is the villain in DC’s Man of Tomorrow?
Brainiac, portrayed by Lars Eidinger, serves as the antagonist in the 2027 film that pairs Superman with Lex Luthor.
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