If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the "leaked" release schedules that look like someone threw a handful of comic books at a dartboard. It's messy. Honestly, it's exhausting trying to keep track of which Peter Parker is currently active and whether Robert Downey Jr. is a hero, a villain, or just a very expensive hologram this week.
But the reality of superhero movies coming out over the next year or two is actually much more structured than the rumors suggest. We aren't just getting "more Marvel." We’re seeing a total pivot in how these studios operate.
Basically, the era of "throw everything at the wall and see what sticks" is over. Disney and Warner Bros. have both realized that audiences are tired of homework. They’re trimming the fat.
The MCU’s Massive 2026 Gamble
People keep saying the MCU is dying, but the 2026 calendar looks more like a revival tour than a funeral. The biggest news? Spider-Man: Brand New Day is locked for July 24, 2026.
Destin Daniel Cretton, the guy who gave us Shang-Chi, is taking the reins from Jon Watts. This is a big deal because the tone is likely to shift away from the multiversal chaos of No Way Home toward something a bit more grounded. Or at least as grounded as a movie featuring Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk can be. Yeah, the rumors about Bruce Banner showing up aren't just whispers anymore; they're pretty much the backbone of the production leaks.
Then there’s the elephant in the room. Avengers: Doomsday.
It’s coming December 18, 2026.
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The Russo Brothers are back. Robert Downey Jr. is back, but not as the guy who loves you 3000. He’s Victor von Doom.
Kinda weird, right? It's a massive risk. If they don't explain why the guy who looks exactly like Tony Stark is now a masked dictator from Latveria, the audience is going to be incredibly confused. But Marvel is banking on the "nostalgia plus shock" factor to carry them through. The filming kicked off in London back in April 2025, and the sheer scale of the cast is ridiculous. We’re talking Benedict Cumberbatch, the Fantastic Four crew (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, etc.), and a whole lot of X-Men alumni.
James Gunn’s DCU Finally Hits the Gas
While Marvel is trying to fix its house, James Gunn is busy building a new one from scratch. 2026 is the year we see if his vision for the DCU actually has legs.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is the big one here, dropping June 26, 2026.
Forget the CW version. Milly Alcock is playing a Kara Zor-El who is, frankly, a bit of a mess. She’s jaded. She’s seen her entire planet die while she watched from a drifting rock. It’s based on the Tom King comic, which is more of a space-western than a traditional superhero flick. If you’ve seen Craig Gillespie’s other work like I, Tonya, you know he doesn't do "standard."
Surprisingly, we're also getting a Clayface movie on September 11, 2026.
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It’s being pitched as a "body-horror tragedy." That is not a phrase you usually hear associated with DC movies outside of the Joker films. James Watkins is directing, and Tom Rhys Harries is starring. It’s a bold choice to lead with a villain solo film so early in a rebooted universe, but it shows Gunn isn't afraid to get weird.
The Batman Part II: The Lone Wolf
There’s a lot of confusion about where Robert Pattinson fits into all this. He doesn't.
The Batman Part II is officially set for October 2, 2026.
It’s an "Elseworlds" project, meaning it has zero connection to the Superman or Supergirl stuff. Matt Reeves is keeping his universe separate, dark, and very, very rainy.
The delay from 2025 to 2026 was a gut punch for fans, but after the success of The Penguin series, the hype has actually stabilized. We’re expecting more of a focus on the Gotham underworld rather than giant, world-ending lasers.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2027
If you think 2026 is crowded, 2027 is where the "Multiverse Saga" actually ends. Avengers: Secret Wars is the finish line, currently slated for May 7, 2027.
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But here is what people miss: the gaps.
Marvel has started pulling movies from the schedule. They removed an untitled July 2026 slot recently because they're terrified of burnout. They'd rather have two massive hits than four mediocre ones.
On the DC side, 2027 will bring Superman: Man of Tomorrow (the sequel to the 2025 film) on July 9. Gunn is already writing it. It’s reportedly a "Super-Family" movie involving David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor forced into an uneasy alliance.
Navigating the Hype: Your Action Plan
Look, following superhero movies coming out shouldn't be a full-time job. To stay ahead of the curve without losing your mind, focus on these three things:
- Ignore the "leak" accounts on X (Twitter): Most of those "confirmed" 2028 slates are fan-made. If it isn't in a trade like The Hollywood Reporter or Variety, or coming directly from James Gunn’s Threads account, take it with a massive grain of salt.
- Watch the Disney+ and Max gaps: The shows are now essential bridge material. Vision Quest (2026) and Lanterns (2026) aren't just side stories anymore; they are the literal setups for the 2027 movies.
- Track the "Elseworlds" labels: If a movie doesn't have the DC Studios logo or the Marvel Studios "Phase" branding, it’s a standalone. Don't go looking for Batman in the next Superman movie; you'll just be disappointed.
The next two years are going to be a wild ride for the genre. We're moving away from the "interconnected soup" and back toward movies that actually have a specific vibe and director-driven style. Whether it works or not depends on if we're actually ready to see Robert Downey Jr. hide behind a metal mask for two hours.