Marvel Studios has announced a significant reshuffle of its upcoming release calendar, postponing its next two major ensemble films:
- Avengers: Doomsday
Originally slated for May 1, 2026, the film will now premiere on December 18, 2026 ﹣ a delay of roughly seven months ﹣ as confirmed by Disney on May 23, 2025 www.ndtv.com. - Avengers: Secret Wars
Previously set to debut on May 7, 2027, it has been moved to December 17, 2027, aligning it roughly seven months later than planned www.ndtv.com.
Why the Delay?
Disney’s timing overhaul accompanies the removal of multiple unannounced Marvel titles from February 2026, November 2026, and November 2027 slots. The studio aims to:
- Improve production quality by granting more VFX and post-production runway for the sprawling multiverse storylines.
- Space out tentpole releases, creating clearer marketing windows and minimizing competition within its own slate.
- Bridge a longer gap between major MCU entries, resulting in no new releases between Fantastic 4: First Steps (July 25, 2025) and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026) www.ndtv.com.
What This Means for the MCU Slate
- 2025: Fantastic 4: First Steps – July 25
- 2026: Avengers: Doomsday – December 18
- 2026: Spider-Man: Brand New Day – July 31 (Sony/Marvel collaboration)
- 2027: Avengers: Secret Wars – December 17
This marks Marvel’s longest theatrical hiatus since the pandemic era, but promises two blockbuster year-end events to close out 2026 and 2027 www.ndtv.com.
Returning Cast & Crossover Highlights
- Robert Downey Jr. returns, not as Tony Stark, but embodying Doctor Doom.
- Epic crossovers will unite the Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, X-Men veterans (Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen), and longtime Avengers heroes www.ndtv.com.
Looking Ahead
With prime summer slots now vacant in early 2026 and mid-2027, Disney has left room for surprise announcements—potentially sequels like Blade, Armor Wars, or Black Panther installments. Fans should watch for updates at upcoming Comic-Con panels and Disney investor calls, where new titles often get their first official dates.
Source:
NDTV Movies News Desk, “Avengers: Doomsday And Secret Wars Postponed. New Release Dates Out” (May 23, 2025) www.ndtv.com.
