The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its ever-expanding roster of superheroes and interwoven storylines. As fans eagerly anticipate the following chapters in this epic saga, the MCU release order has become a hot topic of discussion. With new films and Disney+ series on the horizon, keeping track of the upcoming adventures in the Marvel universe is more exciting than ever.
From the thrilling prospect of new Avengers team-ups to the introduction of the Fantastic Four, the future of the MCU is brimming with promise. Viewers can look forward to the debut of the Thunderbolts, the next instalment in Captain America’s journey with ‘Brave New World,’ and the mystical escapades of Agatha. As the Multiverse Saga unfolds, culminating in the highly anticipated ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ fans are in for an exhilarating ride through the vast and varied realms of Marvel’s cinematic multiverse. The anticipation for what’s to come is palpable, and the future of the MCU beyond Phase 6 is a source of excitement for fans worldwide.
MCU Phase 5 Overview
Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) marks an exciting new chapter in the ever-expanding superhero saga. This phase, which began in 2023 and is set to continue until mid-2025, promises to deliver a thrilling mix of theatrical releases and Disney+ series that will further develop the intricate web of Marvel’s storytelling. From the return of familiar faces to the introduction of new heroes, Phase 5 is a diverse and intriguing journey for fans.
Phase 5 Timeline
The MCU Phase 5 kicked off with a bang on February 17, 2023, with the release of “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” in the US and UK cinemas. This long-awaited sequel introduced audiences to the mysterious Quantum Realm and featured the addition of comedy legend Bill Murray to the cast.
Following this, the timeline includes:
- “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” – May 5, 2023 (US and UK cinemas)
- “Secret Invasion” – June 2023 (Disney+)
- “The Marvels” – July 28, 2023 (US and UK cinemas)
- “Echo” – Summer 2023 (Disney+)
- “Loki” Season 2 – October 2023 (Disney+)
- “Blade” – February 2025 (US and UK cinemas)
- “Ironheart” – Autumn 2025 (Disney+)
- “Agatha: Coven of Chaos” – September 2024 (Disney+)
- “Daredevil: Born Again” – Spring 20245(Disney+)
- “Captain America: New World Order” – February 2025 (US and UK cinemas)
- “Thunderbolts” – May 2025 (US and UK cinemas)
Phase 5 Key Movies
Phase 5 brings several highly anticipated films to the big screen. “The Marvels” is a sequel to “Captain Marvel” and a continuation of the “Ms. Marvel” series. It stars Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani. The film also features Zawe Ashton as the main antagonist.
“Blade” reboots the vampire hunter character, with Mahershala Ali taking on the titular role previously portrayed by Wesley Snipes. “Captain America: New World Order” sees Anthony Mackie fully embrace the mantle of Captain America, replacing Chris Evans in the iconic role.
The phase concludes with “Thunderbolts,” introducing a new team of reformed supervillains. While details are still under wraps, this ensemble film promises to bring together a unique group of characters from across the MCU.
Phase 5 Disney+ Series
Disney+ continues to play a crucial role in expanding the MCU narrative. ‘Secret Invasion’ brings back Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as the Skrull Talos, exploring the infiltration of shape-shifting Skrulls on Earth. These series are not just supplementary to the movies but integral to the overall MCU experience, keeping fans engaged and invested in the narrative.
“Loki” returns for a second season, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as the God of Mischief. While plot details are scarce, filming has taken place in London, hinting at new adventures for the fan-favourite character.
“Echo,” a spinoff from “Hawkeye,” delves into the origin story of Maya Lopez, played by Alaqua Cox. “Ironheart” introduces Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) in her series, following her debut in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
“Agatha: Coven of Chaos” explores the past of the scene-stealing villain from “WandaVision,” with Kathryn Hahn returning to the role that spawned countless memes. Finally, “Daredevil: Born Again” brings the beloved character back to the small screen, with Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprising their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin, respectively.
MCU Phase 6 Overview
Upcoming MCU Theatrical Releases
2024 MCU Movies
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand with exciting releases in 2024. “Deadpool & Wolverine” marks a new era for the MCU, introducing Fox characters as leads in an MCU movie. This highly anticipated film brings back Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, despite the actor’s previous retirement from the role. The movie promises to balance Deadpool’s signature comedy with emotional moments, building great anticipation for Marvel’s future.
Another thrilling addition to the 2024 lineup is “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” the third instalment in the Miles Morales animated Spider-Man franchise. This film continues Miles’ interdimensional journey as he strives to change the fates of his loved ones while discovering his own path as Spider-Man.
2025 MCU Movies
The year 2025 brings a lineup of highly anticipated MCU films. “Captain America: Brave New World,” set for release on February 14, 2025, in both US and UK cinemas, marks Anthony Mackie’s debut as the titular hero in a feature film. The movie will explore Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America in a world recovering from various calamities.
“Thunderbolts,” scheduled for May 2, 2025, assembles a team of anti-heroes and reformed villains. The film features an impressive cast, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, and Sebastian Stan, among others. While specific plot details are under wraps, the movie promises to bring a unique dynamic to the MCU.
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. This highly anticipated film introduces Marvel’s First Family to the MCU, with Pedro Pascal leading the cast as Reed Richards. The movie is rumoured to be set in an alternate 1960s, offering a fresh take on the iconic team’s origin.
Closing out the year, “Blade” arrives on November 7, 2025, starring Mahershala Ali as the legendary vampire hunter. This film marks the MCU’s official introduction to the world of vampires, promising a darker, more supernatural tone.
2026-2027 MCU Movies
Looking further ahead, the MCU has big plans for 2026 and 2027. “Avengers: Doomsday,” scheduled for May 1, 2026, marks the return of the Russo Brothers as directors. This film is set to introduce Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, a surprising twist that has fans buzzing with excitement.
The Multiverse Saga is expected to culminate with “Avengers: Secret Wars” on May 7, 2027. While details are scarce, this film promises to be an epic conclusion, potentially drawing inspiration from the comic storylines of the same name.
These upcoming releases showcase Marvel’s commitment to expanding its cinematic universe, introducing new characters, and exploring fresh narratives. With a mix of familiar faces and exciting newcomers, the future of the MCU looks brighter than ever, promising thrilling adventures for fans around the globe.
Upcoming MCU Disney+ Series
Marvel Studios continues to expand its presence on Disney+, offering fans a diverse array of series that delve deeper into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. These shows give supporting characters their time in the spotlight and introduce new heroes to the ever-growing MCU landscape.
2024 Disney+ Series
The year 2024 brings several exciting additions to the MCU’s Disney+ lineup. “Agatha: All Along,” originally titled “House of Harkness,” is set to premiere on September 18, 2024. This spinoff from “WandaVision” stars Kathryn Hahn as the Salem witch Agatha Harkness. The series picks up after the events of “WandaVision,” with Agatha still trapped in Scarlet Witch’s spell. The show boasts an impressive cast, including Aubrey Plaza and Joe Locke, and promises to blend comedy with magical intrigue.
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” an animated series exploring an alternate version of Peter Parker in the MCU’s multiverse, is also slated for a 2024 release. This show will delve into Peter’s origin story from a fresh perspective, featuring Hudson Thames as the voice of Spider-Man and introducing iconic villains like Rhino and Doctor Octopus.
Another animated offering, “Eyes of Wakanda,” is set to debut in 2024. This Black Panther spinoff prequel will follow various characters through different time periods as they attempt to collect vibranium artefacts, expanding on the rich lore of Wakanda.
“X-Men ’97,” a revival of the beloved 1990s animated series, is also expected to hit Disney+ in 2024. While the exact release date is yet to be announced, the show will pick up where the classic series left off, with many original cast members returning to their roles.
2025 Disney+ Series
Looking ahead to 2025, Marvel fans can anticipate the arrival of “Daredevil: Born Again” in March. This series brings back Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk, reuniting the fan-favourite duo from the Netflix series. Jon Bernthal is also set to return as Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, promising an action-packed and gritty addition to the MCU’s Disney+ lineup.
“Ironheart,” starring Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, is also scheduled for a 2025 release. The series will follow Riri’s journey to becoming the superhero Ironheart, pitting her technological prowess against Anthony Ramos’ Parker Robbins, aka the Hood, in a clash of tech and magic.
Future Disney+ Projects
Beyond 2025, Marvel has several exciting projects in various stages of development. “Wonder Man,” starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, has completed filming but hasn’t yet a confirmed release date. The series will also feature the return of Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery, adding an intriguing connection to previous MCU instalments.
“What If…?” is set to return for a third season, though the release date remains unknown. This animated series continues to explore alternate realities within the Marvel multiverse, offering fresh takes on familiar characters and storylines.
“Marvel Zombies,” a spinoff from the popular “What If…?” episode, is in development. It promises to feature a new generation of heroes, including Shang-Chi and Yelena Belova. Similarly, “Vision Quest,” a limited series focusing on Paul Bettany’s White Vision, is in the works, though details remain scarce.
Lastly, Ryan Coogler is developing a Wakanda-focused series, with Danai Gurira confirmed to reprise her role as Okoye. While specifics are yet to be revealed, this project promises to further expand the rich world of Wakanda introduced in the “Black Panther” films.
MCU Multiverse Saga
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has embarked on an ambitious journey with its Multiverse Saga, encompassing Phases Four, Five, and Six. This saga, which began with “WandaVision” and will conclude with “Avengers: Secret Wars,” explores the concept of infinite alternate realities and dimensions within the Marvel universe.
Multiverse Saga Key Players
At the heart of the Multiverse Saga are several key characters who play pivotal roles in shaping the narrative:
- Doctor Strange: As a master of the mystic arts, Strange serves as a guide through the complexities of the multiverse, often grappling with the consequences of his actions across different realities.
- Scarlet Witch: Wanda Maximoff’s journey from an Avenger to a powerful force capable of altering reality has significant implications for the multiverse.
- Kang the Conqueror: Introduced as the saga’s overarching villain, Kang’s multiple variants across different timelines present a unique threat to the MCU.
- Loki: The God of Mischief’s adventures with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) have been instrumental in setting up the multiverse concept.
- Spider-Man: Peter Parker’s multiversal encounters have brought together different versions of the character, expanding the scope of the MCU.
Multiverse Saga Story Arcs
The Multiverse Saga weaves together several interconnected story arcs:
- The Sacred Timeline: Initially, the MCU centred on a single universe known as the “Sacred Timeline,” protected by the TVA to prevent branching universes.
- Multiverse Unleashed: Following the events in “Loki,” where Sylvie kills He Who Remains, the multiverse expands, allowing for infinite possibilities and alternate realities.
- Variant Encounters: Throughout the saga, characters encounter different versions of themselves and others, leading to complex interactions and consequences.
- Incursions: The concept of incursions, where different universes collide, has been introduced as a significant threat to the multiverse’s stability.
- Integration of Fox Characters: With Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, characters from the X-Men and Fantastic Four universes are gradually being incorporated into the MCU.
Multiverse Saga Culmination
The Multiverse Saga is building towards an epic conclusion:
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty: In this film, the Avengers will likely face off against Kang and his variants across multiple realities.
- Avengers: Secret Wars: This movie is set to be the saga’s finale and is expected to bring together various elements of the multiverse in a grand-scale event.
- Mutant Era: Following “Deadpool & Wolverine” in 2024, Marvel Studios plans to fully explore the mutant characters acquired from Fox, marking the beginning of the MCU’s “Mutant era.”
The Multiverse Saga represents a significant evolution in Marvel’s storytelling approach. By expanding beyond the confines of a single universe, it offers opportunities for creative storytelling, character development, and fan service. The saga has introduced concepts like variants, allowing actors to portray different versions of their characters, and has opened doors for nostalgic callbacks and unexpected crossovers.
However, the complexity of the multiverse concept has also presented challenges. Marvel Studios has had to develop a “rule book” to maintain consistency across various projects. The studio’s creative team, including Kevin Feige, has held meetings to discuss effectively presenting the multiverse concept to audiences.
As the saga progresses, fans can expect to see more interconnected storylines, surprising character appearances, and exploring themes related to choice, destiny, and the consequences of our actions across multiple realities. The Multiverse Saga is expanding the MCU not just in terms of characters and stories but also in the very nature of its narrative structure, promising an unprecedented cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.
MCU’s Future Beyond Phase 6
Conclusion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to captivate audiences with its ever-expanding narrative and diverse cast of characters. From the introduction of the multiverse to the integration of beloved franchises like X-Men and Fantastic Four, the MCU’s future is brimming with potential. The upcoming phases promise to deliver a mix of familiar faces and exciting newcomers, setting the stage for epic adventures across multiple realities.
As the Multiverse Saga builds towards its climax, fans can look forward to groundbreaking storytelling that pushes the boundaries of superhero cinema. With a lineup of highly anticipated films and Disney+ series, Marvel Studios is poised to keep viewers on the edge of their seats for years to come. The MCU’s journey beyond Phase 6 holds endless possibilities, ensuring that the Marvel magic will continue to enchant audiences worldwide.