We're officially into 2026, which promises to be one of Marvel Studios' biggest years in some time. New years always bring new release calendars, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been banking on this particular one for quite a few years now, as 2026 sets the stage for the conclusion of its Multiverse Saga. And it does that with the long-awaited fifth Avengers movie, which we now know will bring back both of the MCU's original stars (Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans).
But that one is coming at the end of the year, which means we have a ton more Marvel goodness to enjoy first. The studio has evolved from its classic Infinity Saga days of just releasing three movies a year, as we now have Disney Plus TV shows, specials and animated offshoots to go along with them. This year is no different as we have titles from all of those formats to look forward to in 2026.
Here's everything that you can expect from the MCU this year.
Wonder Man
Release date: January 27, 2026
Kicking off the year will be the last holdover from Marvel's miniseries days of TV. Wonder Man may be produced by the newly-formed/reformed Marvel Television, but it's a product of the studio's previous vision for the Disney Plus shows - which it has since moved away from via ongoing TV shows like Daredevil: Born Again. And yet, there's a compelling cinematic feel to Wonder Man that makes it potentially one of the most must-see titles of the year.
Simon Williams might just be the MCU's next big superhero and, judging by the trailer, Yahya Adbul-Mateen II is certainly going to bring it in the unique project. And he won't be alone as he's joined by the legendary Sir Ben Kingsley, who reprises his Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi role of Trevor Slattery. Yessir, this is going to be an interesting one - and we'll get to enjoy it all at once as Disney Plus is releasing it as a single binge-drop instead of its usual weekly release format.
Daredevil: Born Again season 2
Release date: March 4, 2026 (tentative)
The Devil of Hell's Kitchen returns for a second outing of his revival series in what is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated shows of the whole year. Daredevil: Born Again was extremely well-received when it premiered last year, with fans finally getting the long-awaited sequel to Netflix's Daredevil they had hoped to see for nearly a decade. Although there were some teething issues, it worked them out quickly, setting the stage for an even stronger second season.
Season 2 will see Daredevil put together an army of resistance fighters who can stand against Mayor Wilson Fisk and his corrupt leadership. That team will consist of close allies Karen Page, Cherry, Josie, as well as the returning Jessica Jones. Yes, Krysten Ritter is back as the beloved private investigator seven years after her own Netflix series ended and you can bet that fans are ready to see the two Defenders reunited once more. The only question is whether the other two Defenders will join them too. Right now, it's still possible!
The Punisher (Special Presentation)
Release window: Summer 2026
Another character from the Netflix era of Marvel shows, the Punisher made his official MCU debut in Daredevil: Born Again last year. Jon Bernthal reprised his role as the rough, unforgiving Frank Castle, immediately finding that chemistry with Charlie Cox's Daredevil once more. Now, he gets the chance to stand in the spotlight once again, seven years after the conclusion of Netflix's The Punisher series.
Disney Plus will bring back its Special Presentation format to showcase The Punisher himself, which will give MCU fans a chance to witness the hardened vigilante in action - in a way we haven't seen him since his own series. Bernthal co-wrote the script and filmed the project last year. Although the streaming service has yet to officially announce the release date, Bernthal suggested that it would arrive this summer to coincide with his appearance in another MCU project.
Speaking of which...
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Release date: July 31, 2026
Tom Holland's beloved webslinger returns in the long-awaited fourth Spider-Man movie from Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios. After the game-changing success of Jon Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, Spider-Man: Brand New Day looks to tell a very different kind of story for Peter Parker.
Set after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the world doesn't remember Peter Parker, which allows him to continue his duties as Spidey without being bogged down by the drama that might come with being a young adult living a very real life. But, understandably, Peter will struggle with having nobody, especially when his best friend Ned and love MJ are still out there living their lives.
With a host of rumored villains, alongside appearances from Marvel veterans Mark Ruffalo and Jon Bernthal, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is easily one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It isn't hard to see why.
X-Men '97 season 2
Release window: Summer 2026
To me, my X-Men! Perhaps one of the most anticipated new Marvel titles of 2026, the second season of X-Men '97 comes just over two years after the first season arrived on our screens. A revival of the beloved '90s classic X-Men: The Animated Series, the 10-episode Disney Plus show received critical acclaim for building upon the strong and mature writing of its predecessor while also finding a way to make it even more relevant to today's audiences.
The second season is set to bring long-standing villain Apocalypse back, with the promise of reviving Gambit as one of his infamous Four Horsemen. Marvel's Mightiest Mutants had a rough go of things in season 1, which ultimately resulted in some unexpected time travel - and a run-in with En Sabah Nur before he became the destructive Apocalypse - so you can bet that fans are ready for the twists and turns that await in season 2.
VisionQuest
Release window: Fall 2026
One of Marvel's greatest trilogies will come to a close this fall as VisionQuest finally arrives on Disney Plus. The sequel series to WandaVision and Agatha All Along, it will bring back Paul Bettany as the long-standing MCU hero known as The Vision in a tale that sounds like it's going to be every bit as cutting edge and thought-provoking as the two shows that came before it.
When we last saw the beloved synthezoid, he had been resurrected by S.W.O.R.D using Wanda's magic. Although programmed to do the organization's bidding, he had his memories restored by a magical version of himself that Wanda had actually created. Now, he's out to figure out his place in the world in an adventure that will also bring back James Spader as Ultron, James D'Arcy's Mr. Jarvis, and more.
Something else to look out for: Ruaridh Mollica is expected to portray Tommy Maximoff, a.k.a. Speed - the son of Wanda and Vision, and twin brother of Billy Maximoff. As Billy and Agatha Harkness are currently searching for him (as seen in Agatha All Along), don't be surprised if the two Maximoff siblings cross paths with each other for the first time in VisionQuest.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2
Release window: Fall 2026
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man was the first offering from Marvel Studios in 2025 and it turned out to be an unexpected delight. Although Spidey always delivers on the animated front, fans just weren't sure whether a non-canon MCU project would be worth their time - especially in an era where Marvel Studios was attempting to course-correct and dial things back. But just a few minutes into the first episode of this one, and it was clear that it was very much worth our time.
The series explores Peter Parker's origins if they had played out a little differently. There are elements of the MCU in there, with the Avengers' infamous Civil War playing out pretty similarly here. But the big difference is that Norman Osborn is Peter's mentor - and not Tony Stark. It leads to some interesting developments and a darn good, compelling season of 10 episodes.
Marvel already has plans for more seasons of this show on the horizon (with a season 3 renewal in the bag!) and the future of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man officially comes into focus when season 2 premieres in the fall.
Avengers: Doomsday
Release date: December 18, 2026
The one that Marvel fans all over the world have been waiting for, Avengers: Doomsday has been seven years in the making. The beginning of the end for the franchise's Multiverse Saga, it will see Robert Downey Jr. make his long-awaited return to the MCU, but in the new role of villain Doctor Doom. The motivation? The character seemingly takes issue with all of the multiverse's incursions and sees this as an opportunity to save it. And by save it, we mean remake it in his own image.
With a massive cast to its name, Avengers: Doomsday features MCU stars from past, present, and future, as veterans like Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, and Sebastian Stan all lead the charge. Joining them will be the respective casts of Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The cast of Fox's X-Men movies will also have a role in there, giving the beloved stars one more chance to shine - in comic-accurate costumes this time - before Marvel reboots the X-Men as part of the MCU.
Although the Multiverse Saga has had its fair share of ups and downs, the anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday is extremely high. This is Marvel's chance to prove that it was all worth it, setting the stage for the saga's epic conclusion in 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.