Avengers: Doomsday Rescheduled — Marvel’s Epic Crossover Set for December 2026

Marvel Studios has officially postponed the release of Avengers: Doomsday to December 18, 2026. The film, initially scheduled for May 1, 2026, will now arrive seven months later, according to US media reports.

This delay also impacts its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, which has been moved from May 7, 2027, to December 17, 2027.

Return of the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr.

Avengers: Doomsday marks the return of Joe and Anthony Russo as directors.

The filmmaking duo previously helmed key Marvel titles including Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Adding to the excitement, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the MCU, this time as the villain Vincent Van Doom, also known as Doctor Doom.

The MCU began with RDJ’s portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008), a role he continued through ten Marvel films, including Endgame, where Iron Man dies using the Infinity Gauntlet to defeat Thanos.

Updated Release Schedule and Competition

With the reshuffled schedule, Avengers: Doomsday and Sony’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day are the only MCU entries confirmed for 2026. Disney has reassigned the original May 1, 2026, slot to The Devil Wears Prada 2, produced by 20th Century Studios.

Disney and 20th Century also announced Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars will release on March 27, 2026.

Additionally, several untitled Marvel films have been removed from the release calendar, including one originally dated February 13, 2026. The dates of November 6, 2026, and November 5, 2027, are now reserved for untitled Disney projects.

Marvel’s 2025 and 2026 Lineup

In 2025, Marvel will release The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie, premiered on February 14 and will begin streaming on JioHotstar from May 28.

There will be a notable gap between Marvel’s theatrical releases after Fantastic Four: First Steps until Spider-Man: Brand New Day premieres on July 31, 2026 — over a year without a new MCU theatrical release.

Massive Cast and MCU Crossovers

During a five-and-a-half-hour livestream in late March, Marvel Studios introduced the cast of Avengers: Doomsday.

The lineup includes core MCU actors, stars from 20th Century Fox’s X-Men films, and cast members from Fantastic Four: First Steps. Notably, Tom Holland and Chris Evans were not present. However, Chris Evans is expected to appear in at least one of the two Avengers films.

Characters from the upcoming Thunderbolts movie will also feature in both Doomsday and Secret Wars. Marvel insiders describe these two films as among the studio’s most ambitious projects.

The decision to delay their releases aligns with the production needs, as Doomsday is currently in production.

Strategic Moves and Past Success

Marvel’s decision to shift its big releases to December may be strategic, considering the success of Sony’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which also launched in December.

The studio aims to avoid the pitfalls of rushed productions, learning from past challenges.

Production activity for Avengers: Doomsday has picked up pace. Robert Downey Jr. recently posted a photo with fellow cast members attending a screening of Thunderbolts, showing support for Marvel’s ongoing projects.

What Lies Ahead for Marvel Fans

The delays in release may test the patience of Marvel fans, but anticipation remains high.

The upcoming Avengers films promise to unite key Marvel teams — including the Avengers, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and members of the X-Men universe such as Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.

Despite the extended wait, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are expected to be cinematic events of epic scale, reassembling heroes and villains in a multiversal showdown that could redefine the MCU’s future.