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

Marvel Phase 5 is under immense pressure to do well. The Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) latest line-up of movies and TV shows only began in February 2023, but it's already been beset by various issues and criticisms. 

After the mixed reception to Marvel Phase 4, plus Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantuamania, then, Marvel needs a big win. Luckily for the Disney subsidiary, it seems Guardians of the Galaxy 3 could be the MCU's savior. Time will tell if that proves to be the case.

Regardless, Marvel is pressing ahead with its Multiverse Saga plans, with multiple movies and Disney Plus shows in the works. Below, you'll find more information on each of those MCU Phase 5 projects, including their release dates, trailers, cast news, and plot specifics (some spoilers are also discussed, FYI). We also briefly cover the first Marvel Phase 6 that have been revealed, too.

So, whether you're new around these parts or looking for the latest MCU updates, let's dive into Marvel Phase 5 together.

Marvel Phase 5: every movie and TV show

Nick Fury will star in Secret Invasion on Disney Plus this year. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here's the full line-up for Marvel Phase 5, including any new release date announcements and rumored launches:

• Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (May 5, 2023)
• 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)

Marvel Phase 5 movies

Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Release date: May 5, 2023

Guardians Vol. 3 will end the MCU trilogy James Gunn (now co-head of DC Studios) has helmed since 2014. It's set after Thor: Love and Thunder and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and sees every member of the cosmic ragtag crew return.

It'll marks the final time we'll see the group's current line-up, too. Dave Bautista isn't returning as Drax, while Gunn has hinted at some major character deaths in the threequel. The film's first trailer teased Adam Warlock's first MCU appearance, a multi-armed, gun-toting Groot, and baby Rocket, while its second teaser (which you can view above) arrived in February.

Will Poulter will play Adam Warlock, who was teased in Guardians 2's post-credits scene. Chukwudi Iwuji (Peacemaker) portrays the villainous High Evolutionary, while Maria Bakalova (Borat 2, Bodies Bodies Bodies) reprises her role as Cosmo the Spacedog from The Holiday Special. Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) and Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians) have been cast in undisclosed roles. Lastly, Linda Cardellini has been confirmed to be voicing Lylla the Otter, Rocket's love interest.

Want the lowdown on what to watch before the film arrives? Read our guide on the Marvel movies and shows to stream ahead of Guardians 3.

The Marvels

Release date: November 10, 2023

This Nia DaCosta-directed film, 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 finally 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.

Captain America: New World Order

Sam Wilson's first proper outing as Captain America is coming soon. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: May 3, 2024

A new Captain America film 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 will reprise their roles as Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley from FATWS, with Torres 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, with Feige confirming Ross is the USA's new President in this film (via Entertainment Weekly (opens in new tab) (EW)). Lastly, Chris Evans has repeatedly refuted he'll be back as an aged-up Steve Rogers, though there are rumors he'll be part of proceedings.

Thunderbolts

The MCU's first anti-hero team is on its way. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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 (opens in new tab) suggests filming will begin in early June.

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

Blade's release date has been pushed to late 2024. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: September 6, 2024

After his off-screen Eternals cameo, Blade is getting a solo MCU movie. Beau DeMayo (The Witcher) is rewriting Watchmen scribe Stacy Osei-Kuffour's original script, and Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) is its new director. Kevin Feige has confirmed principal photography will begin in May, while industry insider DanielRPK says it'll be R-rated (opens in new tab), thus beating Deadpool 3 to that landmark by two months.

Mahershala Ali (Green Room) will star as the titular vampire hunter. Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) has joined the cast, while Joshua Mikel (Ozark) have also reportedly signed on. However, Milan Ray (The Wonder Years) has dropped out over supposed scheduling conflicts.

The movie is said to be 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

Deadpool 3 might actually cap Marvel's Phase 5 slate. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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 (opens in new tab) to appear, while Succession's Matthew Macfayden has also joined the cast (per Deadline (opens in new tab)). Morena Baccarin and Stefan Kapicic, who played Vanessa and Colossus in Deadpool's two previous films, are also returning (via Deadline (opens in new tab)), as are Karan Soni's Dopinder and Leslie Uggams' Blind Al (Deadline (opens in new tab) 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. Other industry insiders 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 (opens in new tab)). Jackman could portray two versions of Wolverine (opens in new tab) in this comedy-infused multiversal adventure.

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

Armor Wars is now being developed as a movie. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: TBA

Originally billed as a TV show, Armor Wars is being turned into a movie. Yassir Lester (Black Monday) will write the script, with the story picking up after MCU TV show Secret Invasion. 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 Foreverand her own forthcoming Disney Plus series.

Spider-Man 4

Spider-Man will join Thor in getting a fourth solo MCU film. (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Release date: TBA

A fourth Spider-Man MCU movie is in early development. There are reports it could be part of Marvel Phase 5 and could be release in July 2024. Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman has confirmed another Spider-Man film will be made, 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) could make his live-action debut, which could see Donald Glover's Aaron Davis appear following his Spider-Man: Homecoming cameo. Marvel leaker CanWeGetSomeToast (opens in new tab) 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 the flick.

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.

It'll focus 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

Loki will reunite with Agent Mobius and Sylvie in season 2. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: 2023

Loki season 2 is still slated to arrive this year (Marvel leaker KC Walsh (opens in new tab) 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

X-Men '97 will pick up events straight after the original show's finale. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: 2023/2024

X-Men '97 is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series that'll pick up right after the final episode of its predecessor's original run. 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.

An official albeit 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 (opens in new tab)). 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 (opens in new tab) and CanWeGetSomeToast (opens in new tab) have claimed it's been pushed to 2024. DeMayo has hinted this might be the case (opens in new tab), too.

What If...? season 2

What If...? season 2 isn't coming in early 2023. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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.

Marvel executive 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 (opens in new tab) in season 2 as well.

Finally, a third season has been greenlit, with MCU scooper DanielRPK (opens in new tab) suggesting that season will mark the end of the road for What If...?.

Alaqua Cox's Echo is getting her own Disney Plus series. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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). It's "tonally different" and more "spiritual" than previous MCU projects, too, according to producer Stephen Broussard (per Collider (opens in new tab)).

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. CanWeGetSomeToast claims it'll make parts of Netflix's Daredevil series canon in the MCU as well (though She-Hulk already did this in some respects). 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 (opens in new tab)) and Charles Murphy (opens in new tab) saying it'll debut in November. Based on other rumors, however, it's possible Echo might be delayed until 2024.

Ironheart

Riri Williams will star in her own TV show soon. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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.

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 are all believed to have signed on in undisclosed roles.

Agatha: Coven of Chaos

WandaVision's villain is getting a spin-off series. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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 (opens in new tab) Twitter fan account), while Patti LuPone (Last Christmas) has confirmed she's playing a witch called Lilia Calderu (per The Wrap (opens in new tab)). Joe Locke (Heartstopper) is playing a grown-up Billy Maximoff, aka Wiccan.

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Audrey Plaza (The White Lotus season 2) Ali Ahn (Raising Dion), 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 (opens in new tab)).

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

The Man Without Fear makes the leap to Disney Plus. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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 (opens in new tab)), 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, with Michael Cuesta (Dexter) announced as its first director.

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. However, 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 (opens in new tab).

Spider-Man: Freshman Year

A Spider-Man animated series thwips its way onto Disney Plus in 2024. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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's Daredevil is part of the cast, 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

Marvel Zombies will be a spin-off series from What If...?. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

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, and 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

We're getting two new Avengers movies as part of Phase 6. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Marvel Phase 5 is the primary focus of this guide, but the first three Phase 6 movies have been announced:

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

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