What can we expect from the MCU films in Phases 5 and 6 over the following seven releases?
Unquestionably, the MCU has had highs and lows in the Multiverse Saga throughout Phases 4 and 5, both on Disney+ and the big screen. But with a ton of eagerly awaited television series and films on the horizon, the future seems bright.
Which Seven MCU Films Will Be Released Next?
Seven forthcoming Marvel Studios films are now scheduled for release between 2024 and 2027; the most recent update to Disney's theatrical calendar has confirmed the release dates for all of these films.
But following the announcement, Marvel Studios changed the release dates of Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four (formerly known as Fantastic Four), according to Variety.
The Fantastic Four was originally scheduled for May 2, 2025, and Thunderbolts on July 25, 2025; but, due to production changes, the two will now take place on different dates.
The following list includes the next seven MCU films in Phases 5 and 6, in addition to a number of other films that Marvel Studios is currently developing:
Wolverine & Deadpool - July 26, 2024
Deadpool & Wolverine, formerly known as Deadpool 3, is the first film on Marvel Studios' forthcoming release schedule. It will finally introduce Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson into the MCU in a Multiversal adventure alongside Hugh Jackman's return to the role of Wolverine.
It is anticipated that numerous appearances from former Fox characters, such as Elektra played by Jennifer Garner, would appear in the film. But as Loki's TVA gets embroiled in Deadpool's Multiversal shenanigans, there will definitely be more surprises pertaining to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
During this year's Super Bowl, the first trailer for the Deadpool threequel was released, giving fans a quick peek at Wolverine and confirming Emma Corrin's enigmatic villain. On July 26, the threequel directed by Shawn Levy will hit theaters.
Captain America: Brave New World - Feb. 14, 2025
Captain America: Brave New World, which was originally scheduled for release this summer, will now be released on February 14, 2025, after extensive rewriting and reshoots.
After eventually taking over as Steve Rogers from Chris Evans in Disney+'s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson's Star Spangled hero in Captain America 4 will be his first big-screen venture.
Harrison Ford's MCU debut as the recast General "Thunderbolt" Ross, a fresh take on Falcon, and a few unexpected Hulk-related characters are among the other big names.
Thunderbolts - May 2, 2025
Earth's Mightiest Heroes will reunite in Avengers 5, but fans will have to wait until May 2, 2025, for the next crossover group, Thunderbolts, directed by Jake Schreier.
Together with the enigmatic Valentina played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Thunderbolts will assemble an odd group of ethically ambiguous MCU characters, including as Yelena Belova, Winter Soldier, Ghost, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Taskmaster.
Following Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead's departure from the film, Thunderbolts, which stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and others, will also feature Lewis Pullman from Top Gun: Maverick as the formidable Sentry.
The Fantastic Four - July 25, 2025
The Fantastic Four, arguably one of the most anticipated MCU films, is scheduled to open in theaters on May 2, 2025, having started filming this summer, according to Variety.
On Valentine's Day, Marvel Studios finally unveiled the film's cast, confirming Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the film's First Family.
Matt Shakman of WandaVision will direct the film after Jon Watts of Spider-Man: No Way Home left the project. Given the Fantastic Four will reportedly face off against Galactus, it is unlikely that the film will serve as the beginning of the new First Family.
Blade - November 7, 2025
Mahershala Ali made his debut as the MCU's Blade at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, which was nearly five years ago. Fans are still holding out for his standalone film to come out following his brief yet mysterious appearance in Eternals.
There aren't many details available about the Yann Demange-helmed vampire film, but Ali is expected to face off against Mia Goth's Lilith, who rose to fame in the horror genre with her performance in 2022's Pearl.
Blade is a highly anticipated R-rated film that will be the second in the MCU, following Deadpool 3. After multiple delays, fans are hoping that November 2025 will finally be the release date for the horror superhero epic.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty - May 1, 2026
Following his involvement in Loki and Ant-Man 3, the much-anticipated comeback of the Avengers is scheduled for May 1, 2026 with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This film will finally pit Earth's Mightiest Heroes against the titular conqueror.
With Avengers 5, Marvel Studios has already encountered one significant challenge after splitting with Kang actor Jonathan Majors because of his assault conviction. Marvel Studios is currently recasting Kang, and Colman Domingo, who starred in The Color Purple, has been mentioned as a possible replacement.
Although the new Avengers cast has not yet been revealed, a number of predictable heroes are believed to be part of The Kang Dynasty.
Avengers: Secret Wars - May 7, 2027
Similar to the Infinity Saga, the Multiverse Saga will come to an end with two massive Avengers films. The eagerly anticipated Secret Wars will be the second one, premiering on May 7, 2027, one year after The Kang Dynasty.
There is already a lot of discussion about which Marvel characters might appear in Secret Wars. Resurrecting X-Men, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four characters are among the speculations, and Robert Downey Jr. might consider playing Iron Man again.
4 More MCU Films Are In Development
Although these are the next seven MCU films that have been officially confirmed to be in development, Marvel Studios undoubtedly has a ton more in the works, some of which will probably release prior to Avengers: Secret Wars.
Along with more likely sequels and franchise beginnings, the MCU also has Armor Wars, Spider-Man 4, Shang-Chi 2, Eternals 2, and Doctor Strange 3 in the works.
Some of these films are likely to be released on the studio's scheduled dates of February 13, July 24, and November 6, 2026, for unknown projects.
It's presently unknown how these films will fit into the future slate as Marvel Studios continues to plan out the rest of the Multiverse Saga and beyond.
Deadpool & Wolverine, the upcoming MCU film, will open in theaters on July 26.
