Marvel Studios has decided to postpone the releases of its next two major Avengers films by seven months each. Avengers: Doomsday will now premiere on December 18, 2026, instead of its original date of May 1. Similarly, Avengers: Secret Wars is moving from May 27, 2027, to December 17 of the same year.
According to insiders who spoke to Deadline, this delay is intended to accommodate the “gargantuan vision” for the two films, which are expected to be among the largest cinematic endeavors ever attempted. It has also been speculated that the decision may have been influenced by the impending release of GTA 6. The movies are being directed back-to-back by Joe and Anthony Russo, who previously helmed the last two Avengers films, Infinity War and Endgame, both of which rank as Marvel’s highest-grossing titles. Production on Avengers: Doomsday is currently underway.
Disney, the parent company of Marvel, is likely untroubled by the movies shifting from their usual summer release slots to the holiday season. The success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which debuted in mid-December 2021 and became the third-highest-grossing Marvel film, supports this strategy. The May 1, 2026, release slot for Doomsday will be filled by another major Disney project, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
This scheduling adjustment reflects a broader trend at Marvel Studios towards prioritizing quality over quantity. Disney CEO Bob Iger noted in an investor call that Marvel had “lost a little focus by releasing too much content.” In 2024, Marvel will release only one film, Deadpool & Wolverine, followed by three releases in 2025: Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. After this burst of activity, there will be a significant hiatus, with no new releases planned until Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July 2026 and a further year until the two upcoming Avengers films.
Furthermore, Variety has reported that Disney has removed or swapped multiple dates for “untitled Marvel” projects scheduled for 2026 and 2027. However, the company has retained three slots for Marvel films in 2028. The future direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Secret Wars remains uncertain, particularly with the status of projects like Armor Wars and Blade in limbo, and plans for sequels to Shang-Chi and Black Panther still unclear. Additionally, a potential X-Men film appears to be gaining traction.
In the interim, there is much to anticipate with the two upcoming Avengers films. The announced cast for Doomsday features a diverse array of characters from the MCU, new faces from Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts, actors from the classic Fox X-Men franchise, and unexpected additions like Channing Tatum’s Gambit. Notably, Robert Downey Jr. will take on the role of Doctor Doom, diverging from his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark. The possibilities for these films are wide-ranging and exciting.
