What’s Next in the MCU After Fantastic Four: First Steps? Spider‑Man 4, Avengers: Doomsday & Secret Wars Schedule
Marvel fans brace for a 371-day wait after Fantastic Four: First Steps. The next planned movies are Spider‑Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026), followed by Avengers: Doomsday (Dec 18, 2026), and concluding Phase Six with Avengers: Secret Wars (Dec 17, 2027)
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After the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25, 2025, Marvel Studios is set to pause theatrical offerings for the rest of Phase Six—resulting in the longest gap since the pandemic-era MCU slowdown: 371 days without a new movie.
Here’s the confirmed upcoming movie line-up in Marvel’s Phase Six:
Spider‑Man: Brand New Day – Premieres on July 31, 2026, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker with Jon Bernthal as Punisher.
Avengers: Doomsday – Hits theaters on December 18, 2026, directed by the Russo Brothers. The film reunites multiple Avengers teams—including the Fantastic Four and returning X-Men—with Robert Downey Jr. appearing as Doctor Doom.
Avengers: Secret Wars – Scheduled for December 17, 2027, considered the finale of Phase Six and the Multiverse Saga.
Between these major films, several Marvel series are scheduled on Disney+:
Eyes of Wakanda (Aug 2025), Marvel Zombies (Oct 2025), Wonder Man (Dec 2025), and others like Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, Vision Quest, and Friendly Neighborhood Spider‑Man Season 2 appear in 2026.
Why the Long Wait?
Marvel intentionally slowed its release calendar:
The nearly year-long gap after Fantastic Four is the longest break since Spider-Man: Far From Home to Black Widow during the pandemic.
CEO Bob Iger confirmed a strategy shift to reduce Marvel’s yearly film output to focus on quality and fan engagement.
After Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios spreads out its flagship movies to reenergize the cinematic experience. With Spider‑Man rounding into the MCU, a high-stakes Avengers confrontation in Doomsday, and the saga-closing Secret Wars, this next chapter promises epic payoffs after a patient build-up.
