Disney has made major changes to its movie release schedule, pushing back two highly anticipated Marvel films to give them more time for production. According to reports from Deadline, the studio moved Avengers: Doomsday from May 1 to Dec. 18, 2026, while Avengers: Secret Wars shifted from May 7 to Dec. 17, 2027. The decision comes as these films represent some of the biggest productions ever made by Marvel Studios. Industry insiders explain that the delays allow more time to execute the massive vision behind both movies.
Disney chose December release dates based on their past success during the holiday season, particularly with Spider-Man: No Way Home, which performed exceptionally well in theaters. The Russo Brothers are directing both films, with Avengers: Doomsday currently in production. The cast for Doomsday includes major stars like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Paul Rudd, and Robert Downey Jr., who returns to the Marvel universe as the villain Doctor Doom. Deadline also reports that Disney announced new release dates for other films, including The Dog Stars and The Devil Wears Prada 2. The schedule changes represent a significant shift in Marvel's release strategy as the studio focuses on fewer but higher-quality productions.
The delays have created unexpected opportunities for other Marvel projects, particularly the upcoming Spider-Man film. IGN reports that Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland, was originally planned to release between the two Avengers movies on July 31, 2026. This positioning would have placed Spider-Man in a difficult spot, potentially requiring the film to address major events from Avengers: Doomsday or explain Peter Parker's absence from those storylines. Now that Brand New Day will arrive before either Avengers film, fans are expressing hope for a more grounded story focused on street-level adventures rather than cosmic threats.
The change means Spider-Man can tell its own story without being constrained by the massive events of the Avengers films. According to IGN, fans are particularly excited about this development, seeing it as the best news for Spider-Man 4 in recent months. Many hope the film will return to the character's roots in New York City rather than involving him in space adventures with the Avengers. Recent casting rumors suggest the film may introduce Miles Morales, with actress Liza Colon-Zayas reportedly cast as his mother. The timing change allows the Spider-Man story to breathe independently without multiverse complications that were previously expected.
The schedule reorganization reflects broader changes in Marvel's approach to filmmaking and release strategy. Variety reports that Disney removed several unannounced Marvel projects from its calendar, including a Feb. 13, 2026 slot and two November dates in 2026 and 2027 that have been redesignated as general Disney films rather than Marvel-specific projects. This reduction aligns with Disney CEO Bob Iger's recent statements about Marvel losing focus by producing too much content across films and Disney+ series.
Sources:
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/avengers-delayed-doomsday-secret-wars-december-1236407485/
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