After a two-year hiatus from the MCU hitting the $1 billion mark, the disappointing performance of The Marvels at the global box office has left Marvel Studios facing a challenging year. Sandwiched between the success of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and the lackluster results of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantummania and The Marvels, the MCU experienced a mixed bag. That said, a few future Marvel movies could finally save the MCU from their current slump.
The Marvels, with a production budget of $275 million, the highest since Avengers: Endgame, fell short of Marvel’s expectations. In contrast, 2019 was a stellar year with all three releases grossing over $1 billion each. The MCU’s significant loss has raised concerns about superhero fatigue and the future of the franchise. However, with upcoming releases on the horizon, including one imminent release, Marvel Studios has the opportunity to regain momentum and address these challenges.
Also read: Loki Season 2 Review – The MCU Needs Loki
Future MCU Movies That Will Likely End Marvel’s Draught
It has been established that the MCU is going through a major slump for the past couple of years, as fans are simply tired of the same old formula Marvel has been doling out. That said, here are some upcoming movies that might end Marvel’s draught.
Deadpool 3
Deadpool 3 is set to revive interest in the MCU by featuring Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and other X-Men characters. Scheduled for release on July 26, 2024, the film aims to capitalize on the nostalgia for the original X-Men lineup and follows the successful formula of previous MCU movies that incorporated multiple established characters.
Despite its R rating, the star power and integration of Fox’s X-Men into the MCU, along with rumored appearances by Taylor Swift as Dazzler, may give Deadpool 3 the push it needs to exceed expectations and finally end the Marvel draught for good.
Also read: Despite $300,000,000 Marvel Paycheck, Robert Downey Jr. Claimed MCU “Atrophied” His Acting Muscles
Spider-Man 4
The next installment in MCU’s Spider-Man franchise starring Tom Holland is expected to continue the MCU’s success streak, following the triumph of Spider-Man: No Way Home. With the Spider-Verse theme gaining popularity, Marvel could leverage the multiverse concept in the sequel.
The Spider-Man franchise has consistently performed well, and the hype surrounding Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse suggests continued major interest. Considering the proven track record of Spider-Man sequels, Spider-Man 4 might have the potential to surpass $2 billion at the box office if all goes well.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is set for release on May 1, 2026. The movie already faces challenges as it centers around newer MCU heroes. The recent underwhelming performance in the MCU movies introducing newer characters raises concerns about the film’s potential success. However, the popularity of the character Kang the Conqueror and the positive reception of multiverse themes, as seen in Loki, could help the film break Marvel’s curse.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Secret War slated for May 7, 2027, holds the promise of being a significant event in Phase 6 of the MCU. If Marvel stays faithful to the source material, the film could combine successful elements from past MCU movies.
The inclusion of Doctor Doom and the potential for a showdown among well-known heroes from the Multiverse raise expectations. With the goal of surpassing the success of Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Secret Wars has the potential to break the $1 billion mark and become a monumental MCU movie.
Thunderbolts
Marvel’s Thunderbolts is the first MCU villain team-up movie, which was confirmed this year, after years of speculation. The movie, set for release in July 2025, will feature Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes and Harrison Ford as General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. The lineup may expand with additional members from movies and Marvel Disney+ shows released in the interim.
Ayo Edebiri, known for The Bear, has joined the cast. While her role is undisclosed, the movie is set to connect closely to Black Widow, serving as somewhat of a sequel. Thunderbolts began filming in June 2023 after a delay from its original 2024 release date. The film has the potential to end Marvel’s current slump thanks to the interesting premise, among other things.
