At the beginning of this year, there were two easy choices for the most highly-anticipated movie of 2026: Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday. Now that the first of those two Marvel Cinematic Universe movies has dominated the box office, attention has understandably shifted to the second. And with the marketing already beginning, it's clear that the road to the MCU's Doomsday is going to be full of anticipation.
The upcoming film marks the beginning of the end for the franchise's Multiverse Saga, with Robert Downey Jr. making his long-awaited MCU return - albeit in a brand new role - to bring Doctor Doom to life. And, as audiences await its theatrical release, Disney Plus is already ensuring that Marvel fans are in for a treat.
Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday takes over Disney Plus
Disney Plus has officially unveiled its "Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday" section on the platform, showcasing the library of Marvel movies and TV shows that Marvel Studios itself has hand-selected as the must-see projects ahead of the big Avengers: Doomsday release in December. Interestingly, the platform has also officially added the Avengers: Doomsday tab itself, which houses the trailer for the upcoming MCU movie ahead of its release (and will be where the movie ultimately makes its presence felt when it's added to the streaming service next year). That Avengers: Doomsday placeholder kicks off the "Countdown" section.
The list of projects included in the official countdown watch-list are X-Men, X2, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Shang-Chi, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Brave New World, Deadpool & Wolverine, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
While there are some genuinely understandable picks there, Marvel's announcement regarding this specific watch-list received criticism for its overreliance on Infinity Saga movies and the absence of some major Multiverse Saga titles (like WandaVision, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law, Agatha All Along and The Marvels).
Nevertheless, the watch-list is already making an impact, as Disney Plus original series Loki is currently in the Top 10 TV shows on the platform in various locations around the world (despite not releasing new episodes since 2023) while the three listed Avengers movies are all dominating the Top 10 movie charts, too. While those movies are favorites of the streamer's daily Top 10, all three of them being in there at the same time - so shortly after the Countdown was unveiled - is no coincidence. Moreover, Avengers: Infinity War is outranking the other two in various locations, which is likely down to preparation for the upcoming Avengers Endgame:: Encore re-release - another big part of Marvel's marketing strategy for Avengers: Doomsday.
Speaking of which, Disney Plus has also added the Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday Official Podcast. Hosted by Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani and Frank Alvarez, it charts the big, exciting discussions on the road to the Multiverse Saga's biggest movie, featuring a thrilling discussion from two of the biggest MCU fans. It's also available to stream on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and wherever else you get your Podcasts:
Considering that all of this is happening when we are still four months out from Avengers: Doomsday's release, it's clear that the movie is already making an impact. With continued hype building up towards its arrival (which also includes the release of brand new Disney Plus series VisionQuest), that hype is going to increase as the days, weeks, and months go by.
Marvel officially kicked off the marketing campaign for Avengers: Doomsday the week before San Diego Comic-Con, unveiling the first official trailer to the world (the same trailer that had been privately screened for audiences in attendance at CinemaCon months prior). A second, Doctor Doom-focused trailer, titled "A Special Look", was released at D23. There will be at least one more released before the movie's arrival in theaters this Christmas.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives on Disney Plus on December 18, 2026.
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