Like Physician Unusual himself, Marvel Studios has its eyes set on the longer term with tactically scheduled releases following the extremely anticipated occasions of Avengers: Secret Wars, which is at present set to hit theaters in December 2027. At San Diego Comedian-Con, the form of the MCU’s subsequent period emerged as Marvel Studios unveiled a tantalizing take a look at what’s in retailer for 2028 and past. Marvel has already locked in a number of main tasks, together with Black Panther 3 slated for Dec. 15, 2028, and the Ryan Gosling-starring Ghost Rider, which hits theaters someday in 2028, whereas a number of claimed slots within the theatrical calnedar stays a thriller.
Again in March, Marvel Studios confirmed 4 dates for upcoming MCU films:
- Might 5, 2028
- July 28, 2028
- Might 4, 2029
- July 13, 2029
Marvel’s launch calendar is all the time topic to alter, however the studio’s plans after Secret Wars have gotten even simpler to learn following SDCC. The following period of the MCU gained’t be constructed across the identical heroes who carried the Infinity Saga, as X-Males and supernatural characters might be stealing the limelight quickly.
Primarily based on Marvel’s introduced tasks, Kevin Feige’s feedback, and the studio’s present course, right here’s what Part 7 may appear like. Remember the fact that whereas the precise dates have already been booked by Marvel, these films stay largely speculative.
1
Avengers: Secret Wars (Dec. 17, 2027)
Within the wake of Doomsday, Marvel’s Secret Wars will drop the heroes into one in every of their most harrowing conditions but. Though nothing is confirmed but, the story pulls from two of essentially the most beloved storylines within the comics, which contain a full rewriting of the Marvel multiverse, sometimes by the hands of Physician Doom. The multiverse basically turns into “Battle World,” a large planet that comes with many of the Marvel pantheon into smaller kingdoms.
It’s ripe territory to steer right into a full timeline reset, as many of the world as we as soon as knew it’s forgotten, and all that’s left is a world much like the Void from Loki, a wastebin of multiverses. Precisely how your complete timeline might be reforged is anybody’s finest guess, nevertheless it ought to result in a clear restart with each new and returning characters for X-Males, Avengers, and the like.
2
X-Males (Might 5, 2028)
The most secure guess for the primary main Part 7 launch is an X-Males movie in some capability. It’s inevitable, but in addition anticipated sooner reasonably than later. Marvel has spent years getting ready audiences for the return of mutants, from Ms. Marvel revealing Kamala Khan’s heritage to Deadpool & Wolverine formally bringing the X-Males again into the fold.
Following Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, that are each set to incorporate their very own slew of Fox Universe X-Males, the studio has a uncommon alternative to launch a very new established order, particularly within the wake of a “full reset.” Introducing a brand new X-Males crew could be the clearest strategy to sign that the MCU has entered its subsequent period, and Feige hasn’t been afraid to spotlight the way forward for the MCU being led by the mutants.
A solo X-Males film has repeatedly been named as one of the crucial essential tasks to get out the door following the top of Secret Wars, so it solely is smart to kick Part 7 off with a mutant-focused blockbuster. A summer time launch for an X-Males movie additionally is smart. Marvel has traditionally used its Might slots for main franchise launches and occasion films, and a recent X-Males movie is arguably the closest factor the studio has to a brand new Avengers-level centerpiece.
3
Ghost Rider (July 28, 2028)
The following main Part 7 pillar seems to be Shawn Levy’s Ghost Rider, which Marvel has positioned as one in every of its largest supernatural swings. Gosling’s involvement has solely elevated curiosity in Johnny Blaze’s return to the large display, particularly after Marvel spent years slowly constructing out its darker nook of the universe with exhibits like Moon Knight and Werewolf by Night time.
So far, Marvel Studios has solely slated Ghost Rider for a launch someday in 2028, however for the reason that studio already has July 28 booked, that’s probably when Ryan Gosling will make his debut. There aren’t any main story particulars obtainable for this undertaking but, however the actor did method Marvel with a selected imaginative and prescient for the function, so it might be a promising begin for a personality in the identical manner Deadpool was with Ryan Reynolds within the costume.
4
Black Panther 3 (Dec. 15, 2028)
Black Panther 3 is already set for Dec. 15, 2028, persevering with Marvel’s custom of putting main Wakanda tales within the vacation season. Ryan Coogler is returning to helm the following installment, which additionally provides Marvel one in every of its most dependable artistic partnerships shifting into the post-Secret Wars period. With the Avengers panorama altering, Wakanda may develop into one of many MCU’s most essential political and technological powers, and it’s exhausting to not be excited to see Denzel Washington because the antagonist.
The story is meant to comply with a younger Prince T’Challa II, performed by David Jonsson, in a coming-of-age story as he eyes the throne of Wakanda. It’s unclear how Washington may match into the premise, nevertheless it’s certain to be exhilarating.
5
Shang-Chi 2 (Might 4, 2029)
Shifting into 2029, it’s robust to chart the place Marvel may land subsequent, however the strongest candidate to suit right here must be Shang-Chi 2. By 2029, it is going to have been almost eight years since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, making its extremely sought-after sequel lengthy overdue. Shang-Chi stays one in every of Marvel’s most profitable but underutilized new heroes, and bringing him again into the MCU would assist Part 7 construct out the brand new established order of the MCU.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton and star Simu Liu have beforehand confirmed that the sequel continues to be in lively improvement, and the latest Doomsday trailer makes it appear like Shang-Chi may have a big function to play within the film.
6
Incredible 4 2 (July 13, 2029)
Marvel’s First Household is prone to develop into one of many MCU’s most essential franchises after 2025’s The Incredible 4: First Steps, which managed to rake in roughly $520 million globally. Relying on how these characters fare in Secret Wars, a direct sequel may strike a pleasant stability as earthbound heroes face cosmic threats. It’s a stable film to fit in after two comparatively grounded heroes like Black Panther and Shang-Chi, nevertheless it’s thus far out that it may possibly realistically be something that matches below Marvel’s Part 7 technique.
7
Different Potentialities
There are nonetheless loads of different prospects for the unclaimed dates, as properly. A brand new Deadpool spinoff, an X-Drive undertaking, and even one other main solo hero, like Blade (arisen from the useless) or Thor 5, may slot into one in every of these dates.
Stephen Unusual is another choice. The Sorcerer Supreme has develop into one in every of Marvel’s most essential connective characters, and after years of coping with incursions, alternate realities, and the implications of the Multiverse Saga, a 3rd film may lastly inform a extra centered story with the character — one that really takes its horror to the acute. Rumors have been circulating since early 2025 that Physician Unusual 3 is in early improvement with Benedict Cumberbatch set to return to the titular function, nevertheless it all relies on how issues shake out within the fallout of Secret Wars.
Nevertheless, on condition that Ghost Rider might be launched someday in 2028, Marvel may strive a Midnight Sons team-up film that includes Unusual alongside Ghost Rider, Blade, Moon Knight, and different darker heroes. That might give Marvel a brand new ensemble franchise with out instantly needing one other Avengers-level menace. Admittedly, although, this sort of movie may slot higher in September or October, dates that aren’t at present earmarked below Marvel’s plan.
With the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy full and The Marvels floundering on the field workplace, the studio wants a brand new cosmic hero able to carrying that a part of its universe. Thor and Physician Unusual may probably match that function, however Marvel wants a hero that may seize all sides of its cosmic pantheon in a brand new and fascinating manner with out feeling pressured. A Nova movie, which was simply formally introduced on the finish of SDCC, would enable the studio to rebuild its cosmic mythology from the bottom up and probably set the stage for bigger tales like Annihilation or Struggle of Kings, however the place precisely it matches in Marvel’s timeline is difficult to know.
These movies set a pleasant stability for Marvel’s Part 7 slate, providing mixture of earthbound tales whereas widening the scope to incorporate mystical and cosmic forces in equal measure. There’s all the time room for a little bit of change, however these movies appear the probably to comply with Secret Wars and succeed on the field workplace.
After the chaos of the Multiverse Saga, Marvel’s Part 7 slate seems to be shifting towards a less complicated construction, rebuilding across the strongest corners of its fantastical world, together with the mutants, supernatural heroes, Wakanda, and cosmic wanderers. The following period of the MCU may not be about increasing outward, however about lastly giving its largest characters room to breathe.
