It's safe to say that Avengers: Doomsday is the most heavily-anticipated movie of the year. That's no disrespect to any of the other releases in 2026 (and we have some massive movie releases this year), including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but whenever there is an Avengers movie coming to theaters, nothing else can capture the levels of hype, buzz, and excitement that surround it. It's simply more evidence of the endless reach that the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to have.
Set to serve as the beginning of the Multiverse Saga's culmination, the film is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and it will feature the official arrival of the MCU's portrayal of Doctor Doom (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.), who shows up to the franchise's main earth as the fate of the multiverse itself seemingly hangs in the balance. Yes, it's going to be a high-stakes adventure that promises to kickstart the MCU's next era in an appropriately larger-than-life way.
There has been a lot of mystery about the upcoming film, particularly with regards to its cast, plot, and even the trailer release date. It has been that way ever since Marvel Studios officially rebooted the film formerly known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, announcing Downey Jr.'s casting along the with new title, but as the film draws closer the mystery, anticipation, and hype increases. And, with that, here's everything you need to know about Avengers: Doomsday.
Avengers: Doomsday release date
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026. This makes it the first Avengers movie to release during the festive season (as all four previous outings were summer blockbusters) and it will undoubtedly see out what is shaping to be a major year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a characteristically epic fashion.
Interestingly, the film was originally set for a May 1 release before Marvel Studios made the decision to delay it until later in the year (and was replaced on the calendar by juggernaut The Devil Wears Prada 2). This was simply down to the fact that the studio wanted to take more time to improve the film and ensure it's the epic, long-awaited experience it's supposed to be. This is a wise choice considering that some more recent MCU projects have received criticism for feeling "unfinished" and it allows for reshoots to take place, ensuring that the previously-filmed footage and the new content is as seamless as possible.
The Russo Brothers directed four critically-acclaimed Marvel classics (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame). There's no reason to think that this streak won't continue for another two runs with the pair's next two MCU movies. More on those shortly...
There have been four Avengers: Doomsday trailers (so far)
Considering the levels of hype surrounding Avengers: Doomsday, it's no surprise that Marvel Studios has opted for a more long-term marketing strategy. That has involved launching marketing for the movie as early as December 2025, kicking things off with four teaser trailers designed to tease its arrival a whole year out from its release date.
All four of them were initially exclusive to theaters, attached to the theatrical release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, debuting weekly throughout its $1.6 billion run. They were then released online on a weekly basis as well, with each one coming one week after their respective theatrical releases.
Watch them all below:
The first one spotlighted Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers, a.k.a. the original Captain America, confirming that he would be back in the role (as the original cast list announcement had intentionally left him out). Although there had been plenty of rumors, Marvel Studios had not confirmed Evans' comeback until this trailer.
The teaser clip features Steve Rogers back in the house he shares with Peggy Carter, looking at his Captain America suit before revealing that he and Peggy have had a child in the years since we saw them reunite in Avengers: Endgame.
The second teaser trailer came the very next week and it featured another famous Chris from the MCU, as it spotlights Chris Hemsworth's return as Thor.
The God of Thunder talks to his father Odin, praying to him in the hopes that he will be strong enough to do battle with what's coming - summoning up the hope, strength, and will to defeat Doctor Doom and protect his adoptive daughter Love.
The third Avengers: Doomsday trailer spotlighted three returning X-Men. Showcasing a broken and destroyed X-Mansion, the teaser allows us to see Sir Patrick Stewart return as Professor Charles Xavier, Sir Ian McKellen back as Magneto, and James Marsden return as Cyclops - pulling off his visor to unleash a massive optic blast.
We knew that Marvel's Mightiest Mutants from the Fox X-Men movie series would be making an appearance due to the cast announcement in March 2025, but seeing them again - this time in their comic-accurate suits was something truly spectacular.
The fourth teaser from the 2025 / 2026 trailer releases takes us to Wakanda, catching us up with Letitia Wright's Shuri, a.k.a. Black Panther, and Winston Duke's M'Baku as they cross paths with none other than Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing, from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Needless to say, this is just one of the epic crossovers that Avengers: Doomsday will be able to bring us. We can't wait to see the rest of them!
A new Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer was released at CinemaCon, screening exclusively to audiences in attendance. Although Marvel Studios has yet to release it online, footage breakdowns have confirmed that it will feature the first look at Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, while also featuring some more of those epic crossovers we teased - including Cyclops vs. Shang-Chi, Mystique masquerading as Yelena Belova, and Thor going face-to-face with Doctor Doom himself.
Avengers: Doomsday full cast is a dream come true for Marvel fans
It's one thing to call a major movie star-studded, but when we say that the Avengers: Doomsday cast is star-studded, we mean star-studded. A who's who of Marvel icons from both the MCU and the earlier Marvel movies, the studio first announced the stunning line-up in a five-hour livestream that broke all kinds of records for the MCU. Yes, Marvel fans waited around through a five-hour cast announcement to watch set chairs - each reveal confirming another major name that joined the cast.
Since the San Diego Comic-Con announcement in 2024 that confirmed Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the MCU in the brand new role of Doctor Doom, it was clear that Avengers: Doomsday would be full of recognizable faces from across the Multiverse Saga, the MCU, and the wider Marvel movie landscape. And since this super-sized cast announcement, there have been a few more cast reveals - particularly the Chris Evans one in the Avengers: Doomsday trailer, which literally broke the internet for a day.
With all of that in mind, here are all of the CONFIRMED cast members in Avengers: Doomsday thus far, consisting of MCU legends, the stars of Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. and the X-Men movies:
- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker / US Agent
- Tenoch Huerta Mejia as Namor
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
- Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy / Beast
- Lewis Pullman as Bob / Sentry
- Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres / The Falcon
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / The Human Torch
- David Harbour as Red Guardian
- Winston Duke as M'Baku
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
- Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
- James Marsden as Cyclops
- Channing Tatum as Gambit
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
- Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang
- India Hemsworth as Love
- Mabel Cadena as Namora
- Alex Livinalli as Attuma
- Wesley Holloway (in a mystery role)
Additionally, there are more Marvel stars expected to appear in the film based on high-profile reports, statements made by the actors themselves, or accidental slip-ups that suggest an appearance could be likely.
Among those names are Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter (with rumors suggesting that she could be playing multiple versions of the character), who will likely be present in scenes with Evans' Steve Rogers. Moreover, we could also see the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, as the actor has made differing remarks over the past few years, indicating that he may or may not be involved in the film. It's also being reported that we will once again see Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, with insiders suggesting she will have a smaller role as the character reacts to Tony Stark's multiversal doppelganger. And it's now likely that Iman Vellani could appear as Ms. Marvel, after Andy Serkis made a comment suggesting her involvement.
That doesn't even take into account the other stars who are rumored to appear as well. These names are expected to have some kind of role just based on both leaks and insider information but, as Marvel has yet to confirm their involvement (and will likely leave it as a surprise), they will have to remain rumors for now.
They are: Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye, Joe Locke as Billy Maximoff / Wiccan, Ruaridh Mollica as Tommy Maximoff / Speed, Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop / Hawkeye, Benedict Wong as Wong, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / the Incredible Hulk, Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk, Paul Bettany as Vision and potentially even Chris Pratt as Peter Quill / Star-Lord based on previously-leaked Avengers: Doomsday concept art.
Two other names that are heavily-rumored to be involved are Tobey Maguire and Hugh Jackman. They would fit the bill of the Multiverse Saga, too, for they are obviously stars of the legendary Marvel movie days, with Maguire swining his way onto screens in 2002 as Spider-Man and Jackman standing strong as Wolverine since 2000's X-Men. Both also made recent returns in the MCU, with the former appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 and Jackman headlining 2024's Deadpool and Wolverine.
Speaking of Deadpool, there are conflicting reports about whether Ryan Reynolds will reprise his role as the Merc With A Mouth. While an MCU return is imminent for the anti-hero, it's not yet clear if he will be involved in the upcoming two Avengers movies - although fans are hoping that he will be due to the character's beloved, iconic, unhinged, and chaotic friendship with Wolverine.
Right now, it's unclear if Elizabeth Olsen will return as the Scarlet Witch herself, Wanda Maximoff. The star has repeatedly denied that she is in the movie, while insiders have claimed that she is. Right now, it's looking like it could be a smaller role to set up her eventual return in sequel Avengers: Secret Wars, but we will have to wait and see.
The plot will set up sequel Avengers: Secret Wars
While much of Avengers: Doomsday's plot remains a mystery, the film will focus on the beginning of the end of the multiverse itself as the arrival of Doctor Doom. The incursions, seemingly caused by the events of the Multiverse Saga - including the arrival of the three Spider-Man stars (and Peter's spell) in Spider-Man: No Way Home as well as Doctor Strange's dimension-hopping in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - with potentially break down barriers between worlds, allowing Doctor Doom to "save the day" with a self-serving plan of his own.
Like Avengers: Infinity War, the film will set up a direct sequel so it is going to end of a cliffhanger, setting the stage for 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars to pick things up and ultimately conclude the Multiverse Saga. While that one remains even more of a mystery for MCU fans, it will be based on the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name and undoubtedly feature a multiversal extravaganza of a final battle between the heroes of the Marvel Multiverse and Doctor Doom himself.
The first film reportedly has a budget of $400 million, which means that it will need to reach around $1.5 billion - $2 billion in order to break even. Not only does that suggest that the MCU movie is going to go all-out in terms of visuals, story, and all-around theatrics, it means that Marvel Studios is going all out to ensure that the film delivers on every single front. It needs to, and that will undoubtedly make the whole thing so much more of an edge-of-seat experience. And if that's what Avengers: Doomsday is costing, you can imagine that the budget for Avengers: Secret Wars will probably be even higher.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.
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