Marvel Phase 5: every forthcoming MCU movie and TV show release date

Marvel Phase 5 is truly up and running. After a less than stellar beginning with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is back on track with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 – the franchise's latest film working wonders at the global box office.

Now, it's up to the rest of MCU Phase 5 to follow in its (and not Ant-Man 3's) footsteps. And, if you're looking for a complete rundown on every forthcoming Marvel movie and Disney Plus show, you've come to the right place. 

In this guide, we give you all the important details on the MCU's next slate of films and TV series. That includes their release dates, which are subject to change due to the ongoing writers' strike (read the latest on Daredevil: Born Again and the other Marvel films and shows to be affected), cast information, plot points, trailers, and more. We've also outlined the first Marvel Phase 6 projects to be announced, too.

Here, then, is everything worth knowing about Marvel Phase 5.

Marvel Phase 5: every movie and TV show

Here's the full line-up for Marvel Phase 5. Bear in mind that most of these films and shows will likely be delayed, though, due to the 2023 writers' strike, so expect their launch dates to be altered accordingly:

• Secret Invasion (TV show, June 21, 2023)
• The Marvels (November 10, 2023)
• Loki season 2 (TV show, 2023)
• X-Men 97 (animated TV show, 2023)
• Echo (TV show, 2023/2024)
• Ironheart (TV show, 2023/2024)
• What If…? season 2 (TV show, 2023/2024)
• Captain America: New World Order (May 3, 2024)
• Thunderbolts (July 26, 2024)
• Blade (September 6, 2024)
• Deadpool 3 (November 8, 2024)
• Agatha: Coven of Chaos (TV show, 2024)
• Daredevil: Born Again (TV show, 2024)
• Marvel Zombies (animated TV show, 2024)
• Spider-Man: Freshman Year (animated TV show, 2024)
• Armor Wars (movie, TBA)
• Spider-Man 4 (movie, TBA)

Marvel Phase 5 movies

The Marvels

Release date: November 10, 2023

The Marvels, whose release date has been pushed into late 2023, will see a female superhero-only team up on the big screen for the first time. Well, if you discount the all-female ensemble in Avengers: Endgame.

Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers reunites with Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau, the daughter of Danvers’ best friend Maria (Lashana Lynch) from 2018's Captain Marvel. The last time we saw Rambeau, aka Photon, was in WandaVision, so expect an awkward family-style reunion between the pair. Iman Vellani’s Ms Marvel will also make her MCU movie debut after starring in her own TV show. Zawe Ashton (Velvet Buzzsaw) will play Dar-Benn, the movie’s villain. Park Seo-joon (Parasite) will portray an as-yet-unnamed character and Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury will also cameo.

The Marvels' first trailer debuted online in March, and it's giving us some serious Avengers: Assemble vibes. If this Marvel Phase 5 movie is half as good as that flick, we'll be in for a good time. Find out how to watch the Marvel movies in order (and what movies/TV shows you need to stream) before The Marvels takes flight.

Captain America: New World Order

Release date: May 3, 2024

A new Captain America film – which will get a name change, per MCU leaker CanWeGetSomeToast – starring Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is in development, with principal photography beginning in March. Malcolm Spellman (Falcon and the Winter Soldier (FATWS)) penned the script, while Julius Onah (The Cloverfield Paradox) is on directing duties.

Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly reprise their roles as Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley from FATWS, with Torres reportedly suiting up as the MCU's new Falcon. Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns/The Leader makes his first MCU appearance since 2008's The Incredible Hulk, while insiders claim Liv Tyler's Betty Ross is also returning after 15 years away. Shira Haas (Unorthodox) will play Israeli superheroine Sabra, who may provide another link to mutants existing in the MCU. Xosha Roquemore (Atlanta) has reportedly landed a key casting role, which could be Leila Taylor, Sam's love interest from the comics.

Legendary actor Harrison Ford will portray Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, the role held by William Hurt until his death in March 2022. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has since confirmed Ross is the USA's new President (via Entertainment Weekly (EW)). Lastly, Chris Evans has repeatedly refuted he'll be back as an aged-up Steve Rogers, though rumors persist he'll show up.

Thunderbolts

Release date: July 26, 2024

Billed as an anti-hero Avengers-style film, Thunderbolts is being helmed by Jake Schreier (director) and Lee Sung Jin (head writer), whose recent Netflix show Beef has been met with critical acclaim. ProductionList.com suggested filming will begin in early June, but the writers' strike will surely push that start date – and that of Blade and Deadpool 3 – back (per The Hollywood Reporter (THR)).

Sebastien Stan's Bucky Barnes will be joined by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) – all four debuted in Black Widow – US Agent (Wyatt Russell) from FATWS, and Ghost (Hannah-John Kamen) from Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Harrison Ford's Thaddeus Ross will also feature, while FATWS' Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl) could cameo. Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) has reportedly joined the cast in an undisclosed role, too. Invincible's Steven Yeun has joined the Thunderbolts' cast, too – and we think he'd be perfect for one particular role.

Blade

Release date: September 6, 2024

After his off-screen Eternals cameo, Blade is getting a solo MCU movie. Beau DeMayo (The Witcher) was said to be rewriting Watchmen scribe Stacy Osei-Kuffour's original script. Now, Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective) has taken over those duties – writers' strike pending – after Michael Starrbury (When They See Us) revamped the script. Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) is Blade's new director following Bassam Tariq's departure.

Kevin Feige previously confirmed principal photography will begin in May but, again, the writers' strike has delayed production. Industry insider DanielRPK says it'll be R-rated, though, thus beating Deadpool 3 to that landmark by two months.

Mahershala Ali (Green Room) will star as the titular vampire hunter. DanielRPK also suggests Saul Williams (Neptune Frost) has been cast as Jamal Afari, joining Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) and Joshua Mikel (Ozark). Mia Goth is believed to have signed on to play iconic Marvel character Lilith as well (DanielRPK, per Blade Updates).

Blade might partly set in the 1920s, but it's unclear how much of its runtime will be devoted to that time period. Either way, don't expect Kit Harington's Black Knight (last seen in Eternals) or Oscar Isaac's Moon Knight to cameo.

Deadpool 3

Release date: November 8, 2024

Deadpool 3 is in development (filming will begin in May) – and, delightfully, Hugh Jackman is reprising his iconic role as Wolverine.  As revealed by lead star Ryan Reynolds, The Crown's Emma Corrin has signed on to appear, while Succession's Matthew Macfayden has also joined the cast (per Deadline), and 

Rob Delaney's Peter is returning (per Deadline) alongside Morena Baccarin and Stefan Kapicic, who played Vanessa and Colossus in Deadpool's two previous films. (via Deadline). Karan Soni's Dopinder and Leslie Uggams' Blind Al are also thought to be back (Deadline again). However, Charlie Cox's Daredevil won't make a surprise appearance.

Leakers suggest Fox's defunct X-Men teams, as well as other characters from Deadpool's previous two solo films, such as Domino (Zazie Beetz), could appear. Others claim Loki season 2 will have a hand in Deadpool's MCU arrival, and some have even suggested Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Ian McKellen's Magneto might show up (per ComicBook.com). Jackman could portray two versions of Wolverine in this comedy-infused multiversal adventure, too.

It's unclear if Deadpool 3 will cap Marvel Phase 5 or open Phase 6. Once we know for sure, we'll update this section accordingly.

Armor Wars

Release date: TBA

Originally billed as a Disney Plus series, Armor Wars is going to be a movie instead. Yassir Lester (Black Monday) is writing the script, with the story picking up after Secret Invasion (more on this shortly). There are conflicting reports about when shooting will commence on this Marvel Phase 5 project.

Armor Wars will follow Cheadle's James Rhodes/War Machine as he pursues criminals who have acquired some old Stark technology for nefarious means. The Department of Damage Control (DoDC), seen in projects including She-Hulk, Ms Marvel, and Spider-Man's MCU trilogy, are expected to show up, as is Ironheart following her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and her own forthcoming TV show.

Spider-Man 4

Release date: TBA

A fourth Spider-Man MCU movie is in early development. There are reports it may be part of Marvel Phase 5 and could release in July 2024 (although MCU insider MyTimeToShineHello says it's been pushed back to August 2025).

Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman has confirmed another Spider-Man film is coming, but hasn't specified when that'll be. Kevin Feige also confirmed “we have a story” for Spidey's next big-screen adventure.

Tom Holland and Zendaya could return as Peter Parker and MJ respectively. There are rumors that Miles Morales (another Spider-Man) might make his live-action debut, which may see Donald Glover's Aaron Davis appear following his Spider-Man: Homecoming cameo. Marvel leaker CanWeGetSomeToast also suggests it'll tie into the MCU's other “street level” projects, including Hawkeye and Daredevil: Born Again. However, Jon Watts – director on Spidey's three other solo Marvel films – isn't likely to helm it.

Marvel Phase 5 TV shows

Secret Invasion

Release date: June 21, 2023

After months of waiting, Secret Invasion finally received an official release date of June 21 – after Marvel accidentally leaked it, no less – and it could be the reassuring win that Marvel needs right now.

Secret Invasion focuses on the Skrulls, with Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn's Talos being the show's leads. Kingsley Ben-Adir (One Night in Miami), Olivia Colman (The Favorite), and Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) are among the MCU's newcomers. Martin Freeman's Everett K. Ross, Don Cheadle's James Rhodes, and Cobie Smulders' Maria Hill will also feature.

Kyle Bradstreet (Mr Robot) has penned the six-part series, but a unnamed writer was also reportedly brought on board to improve the scripts. Thomas Bezucha (Let Him Go) and Ali Selim (Condor) are on directorial duties.

Jackson has revealed we'll see more of Fury's life away from all the superhero stuff. Everything else is being kept under wraps, although Smulders has also teased the series will be much darker than we expect.

Loki season 2

Release date: 2023

Loki season 2 is still slated to arrive this year (Marvel leaker KC Walsh suggests it'll land in September). Tom Hiddleston, Owen Wilson, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw are back as Loki, Agent Mobius, Sylvie, and Revanna Renslayer. Wunmi Mosaku's Hunter B-15 could also return, plus Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), and Rafael Casal (Bad Education) have been cast in undisclosed roles.

Season 1 head writer Michael Waldron is returning in an executive producing capacity. Eric Martin, a staff writer on three of season 1's six entries, is the new head writer, while Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (Moon Knight) have co-directed its episodes.

Kevin Feige has revealed Loki season 2 “directly connects” to all three phases in the Multiverse Saga. A brief teaser was shown to D23 2022 attendees, which hints at a far creepier, time-jumping instalment.

X-Men 97

Release date: 2023/2024

X-Men '97 is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series that'll pick up after the original show's final episode. JB Ballard (Moon Knight) is on board as script coordinator, while Beau DeMayo (The Witcher) is its showrunner. Most of the series' original voice cast have signed on to reprise their iconic roles.

A brief plot synopsis was revealed during a Marvel Unlimited panel celebrating 60 years of the X-Men, which reads: “Storm and Wolverine try to continue the X-Men. Magneto comes in and wants to step up for Charles Xavier. Sinister comes in to try to end the X-Men once and for all.” Sunspot, Nightcrawler, Cable, and Bishop are among the team's new members.

The Marvel Phase 5 series will consist of 10 episodes and a second season has already entered full production (via Twitter user Tankados). Given that X-Men: The Animated Series' theme tune was used in Ms Marvel's season finale, here's hoping X-Men 97 is a pre-cursor for the mutants' eventual live-action MCU debut.

X-Men '97 is still slated (officially, at least) for this year, but industry insiders Charles Murphy and CanWeGetSomeToast have claimed it's been pushed to 2024. DeMayo has hinted this might be the case, too.

What If…? season 2

Release date: likely 2024

What If…? season 2 was expected to be the first Marvel Phase 5 TV show, but it's reportedly been delayed until 2024.

Executive producer Brad Winderbaum confirmed season 2 will dig into what makes The Watcher tick and show more of his humanity, while co-creator Bryan Andrews also says it'll be wilder than its predecessor.

Scarlet Witch actor Elizabeth Olsen will reportedly lend her voice to her character's animated version, despite not doing so in season 1. Cate Blanchett is back to voice Hela for a Thor: Ragnarok-based episode, while Laurence Fishburne will portray Bill Foster in an episode. Other entries include the unused Gamora-Iron Man team-up, which was originally part of season 1, and a supposed Marvel 1602 set instalment. An original superhero called Kahhori will make their debut in season 2 as well.

Finally, a third season has been greenlit, with MCU scooper DanielRPK suggesting this season will mark the end of the road for What If…?.

Echo

Release date: likely 2024

Following her MCU debut in Hawkeye, Alaqua Cox's Maya Lopez/Echo is getting her own show, which is helmed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai). CanWeGetSomeToast claims it'll make parts of Netflix's Daredevil series canon in the MCU as well (although She-Hulk already did this in some respects).

Zach McClarnon reprises his role as Lopez's father from Hawkeye, and Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk and Charlie Cox's Daredevil are also set to feature. Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon), Dervery Jacobs (Reservation Dogs), Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!), and Graham Greene (1883) have also been cast in undisclosed roles. 

Despite its mid-2023 launch window, there's confusion over when it'll be released. Showrunner Marian Dayre has claimed Echo could be delayed until late 2023, with Cox suggesting an October 2023 release is on the cards (per ComicBook.com). Charles Murphy saying it'll debut in November, while The Cosmic Circus' Lizzie Hill agrees it's still set to arrive this year. Based on other rumors, however, it's possible Echo might be delayed until 2024.

Ironheart

Release date: likely 2024

Ironheart will see Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams star in her own TV show. It's been written by Chinaka Hodge (Snowpiercer), with Angela Barnes (Killing It) and Samantha Bailey (Dear White People) on directing duties. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is also on board as an executive producer.

Anthony Ramos (In The Heights) will play Parker Robbins, aka The Hood, who specializes in dark magic. Nick Fury could make a cameo, too. Meanwhile, there are serious rumors that Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) will portray Mephisto, a previously rumored WandaVision villain. Elden Ehrenreich (Solo: A Star Wars Story) is also part of the cast.

Potentially joining those big names are: Lyric Ross (This Is Us), Manny Montana (Good Girls), Zoe Terakes (Nine Perfect Strangers), Chaim Girafi (Waterworld), Shakira Barrera (GLOW), Rashida Olayiwola (Insecure), Sonia Denis (BoJack Horseman), Paul Calderon (Bosch), Cree Summers (Cosmic Love) and newcomer Harper Anthony.

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

Release date: likely 2024

This Marvel Phase 5 show sees Kathryn Hahn reprise her WandaVision role in this nine-episode musical comedy, which began filming in January.

DanielRPK reports Sasheer Zamata (Tuca & Bertie) has been cast as Jennifer Kale (via the Scarlet Witch News Twitter fan account), while Patti LuPone (Last Christmas) has confirmed she's playing a witch called Lilia Calderu (per The Wrap). Joe Locke (Heartstopper) is playing a grown-up Billy Maximoff, aka Wiccan, plus Ali Ahn (Raising Dion) portrays Alice Gulliver (DanielRPK, via Agatha News), a detective with magical abilities.

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Audrey Plaza (The White Lotus season 2), and The Good Nurse's Maria Dizzia are also part of the cast. Meanwhile, Emma Caulfield Ford, Evan Peters, and Debra Jo Rupp, who played Dottie, Ralph Boener, and Sharon Davis in WandaVision, are expected to return. There's also speculation Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda could feature (per Deadline).

WandaVision writers Peter Cameron, Cameron Squires, and Laura Donney are penning the scripts, as is The Marvels' Megan McDonnell. WandaVision co-executive producer Mary Livanos co-produces alongside Jac Schaeffer, who served as head writer on Black Widow and WandaVision. Schaeffer is also on directing duties.

Daredevil: Born Again

Release date: likely 2024

The Man Without Fear is finally getting an MCU TV series – and Daredevil: Born Again season 2 is already in development, apparently. Season 1 will comprise 18 episodes, reportedly be split into two parts (per MyTimetoShineHello), and star Charlie Cox doesn't think it'll be fully R-rated. 

Matt Corman and Chris Ord (The Enemy Within, Covert Affairs) are helming the series. Filming began in early March – the writers' strike has suspended activity on set, however – with Michael Cuesta (Dexter) announced as its first director. The Cosmic Circus claims Jeffrey Nachmanoff (Homeland, Replicas) is also directing some episodes.

Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio reprise their roles as Daredevil and Wilson Fisk – the duo having already made MCU cameos in Spider-Man: No Way Home and She-Hulk, and Hawkeye respectively. Michael Gandolfini (The Many Saints of Newark), Margarita Levieva (The Deuce), Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant), Sandrine Holt (American Gigolo), and Arty Froushan (Carnival Row) have reportedly signed on in undisclosed roles. 

John Bernthal is rumored to be back as Frank Castle/The Punisher from Netflix's Marvel universe – a character who creates a big problem for the MCU, in our view – and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon) is said to be playing Kirsten McDuffie, an assistant district attorney. Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, and Ayelet Zuhre's Karen, Foggy, and Vanessa aren't expected to make the leap from Netflix's Daredevil series to the MCU. Foggy's absence will be addressed, though, according to CanWeGetSomeToast.

Additionally, Jack McBryan of The Direct and CanWeGetSomeToast have hinted that one specific plot point will directly tie into Daredevil's Netflix show, making that series canon in the MCU.

Spider-Man: Freshman Year

Release date: likely 2024/2025

This animated series follows Peter Parker during his college days and celebrates his early comic book roots. Tom Holland isn't expected to voice this version of the character, which isn't surprising, given the show is apparently not canon. However, Charlie Cox will supposedly voice Daredevil, which muddies the canonicity waters.

Harry Osborn, Amadeus Cho, and Nico Minuro are part of Peter's friendship group. Norman Osborn will be Peter's main mentor, and multiple villains will show up, including Doc Ock, Chameleon, Scorpion, and Rhino.

Production has wrapped on this Marvel Phase 5 project. A second season, titled Spider-Man: Sophomore Year, is said to be in development. However, apparent cost-cutting measures mean Sophomore Year – and Freshman Year – are in serious trouble and could even be canceled.

Marvel Zombies

Release date: likely 2024/2025

A spin-off of What If…?, Marvel Zombies will make MCU history when it launches as it'll be Marvel's first R-rated TV show.

It'll pick up after the events of What If…? season 1 episode 5 – aka 'What If… Zombies!?' – and comprises four episodes. It'll see the MCU's newer heroes face off against the ever growing zombie superhero threat, with Shang-Chi, Ms Marvel, Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova, and Red Guardian among the dwindling superhero roster.

We'll also see a zombified version of Ikaris. However, given the Eternals are human-robot hybrids, it'll be interesting to see what role Ikaris will play. Other zombified heroes will include Captain Marvel, Okoye, Ghost, Abomination, and Hawkeye.

Marvel Phase 6 movies and TV shows

Marvel Phase 5 is the primary focus of this guide, but the first three Phase 6 movies have been announced. You can view their release dates below, but The Cosmic Circus' Alex P suggests Marvel will give a big update over the MCU's future releases at San Diego Comic Con in July. In short: expect these movies to be delayed.

• Fantastic Four (February 14, 2025)
• Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (May 2, 2025)
• Avengers: Secret Wars (May 1, 2026)

For more Marvel-based content, read our X-Men movies in order article, Spider-Man movies in order guide, and our Marvel movies ranked piece.