MCU Phase 6 begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025) and concludes the Multiverse Saga with Avengers: Secret Wars (December 2027). The four confirmed Phase 6 films in release order are: Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. plays Doctor Doom as the new primary antagonist.
What is MCU Phase 6?
MCU Phase 6 is the third and final phase of the Multiverse Saga, the broader narrative arc that began with WandaVision (2021) and continues through Phase 4 (concluded with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, 2022) and Phase 5 (concluded with Thunderbolts*, 2025). Phase 6 is structured around two major events: the introduction of the Fantastic Four and the integration of multiverse threats culminating in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Marvel Studios announced the Phase 6 lineup at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con and has incrementally updated the schedule across subsequent Comic-Con and D23 announcements. The current lineup represents the studio's response to the perceived overcrowding of Phase 5 and the broader audience fatigue with the Multiverse Saga's pacing.
The complete Phase 6 lineup
The MCU's long-awaited Fantastic Four debut. Pedro Pascal stars as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing. The film is set in a retro-futuristic alternate 1960s timeline and serves as the team's introduction to the broader MCU multiverse. Galactus, the planet-eating cosmic entity, has been confirmed as the film's primary antagonist, with Julia Garner cast as the Silver Surfer.
The fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man film, following the universe-resetting events of No Way Home (2021). The film picks up Peter Parker in a world where no one remembers his identity, including MJ and Ned. Director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) replaces Jon Watts. The film is expected to introduce Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and Punisher (Jon Bernthal) into Spider-Man's storyline, building on Daredevil's appearance in No Way Home.
The Russo Brothers return to the MCU to direct the first of two back-to-back Avengers films. Robert Downey Jr. — previously Tony Stark / Iron Man across 10+ MCU appearances — plays Victor Von Doom / Doctor Doom, the multiverse-spanning sorcerer-king who replaces Kang the Conqueror as the saga's primary antagonist (following Jonathan Majors's legal issues and removal from the franchise). The film is expected to feature the largest cast of any MCU film, including multiple X-Men cast members from the Fox-era films and the Fantastic Four.
The conclusion of the Multiverse Saga and the broader MCU's third major event-saga finale (following Endgame for the Infinity Saga). Based on Jonathan Hickman's 2015 Secret Wars comic event, the film is expected to feature multiverse-spanning team-ups across every MCU continuity, the Fox-era X-Men, Sony's Spider-Man Universe, and potentially the animated Spider-Verse. The final scope of which characters appear remains under tight secrecy.
Other Phase 6 productions
Beyond the four confirmed theatrical features, Marvel Studios has indicated several additional Phase 6 productions in active development, with release windows yet to be officially confirmed:
- X-Men reboot film — A standalone X-Men reintroduction film is in active development with Jake Schreier reportedly directing. Cast has not been officially announced.
- Vision Quest — Disney+ series following Paul Bettany's return as the resurrected White Vision from WandaVision.
- Wonder Man — Disney+ limited series starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams / Wonder Man.
- Eyes of Wakanda — Animated series exploring the history of Wakanda's warriors across millennia.
- Marvel Zombies — Animated horror series exploring an alternate-universe MCU zombie outbreak.
- Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 — Already confirmed for production, continuing Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock storyline.
What we're still waiting to learn
Several major Phase 6 questions remain unanswered as of May 2026:
- The full Avengers: Doomsday cast — which Fox-era X-Men return? Does Hugh Jackman's Wolverine appear? What about Patrick Stewart's Professor X?
- The fate of the original Avengers — does Captain America (Chris Evans) return for the saga finale?
- The future of the X-Men post-Secret Wars — does Phase 7 launch a new X-Men franchise?
- How the animated Spider-Verse intersects with the live-action MCU — if at all.
- The status of cancelled or delayed Phase 6 productions including Armor Wars and the previously-planned Blade reboot.
Related guides
- MCU Watch Order — complete chronological viewing order for every MCU film and series, including all Phase 4 and Phase 5 entries.
- MCU Timeline — visual chronology of the entire MCU.
- Every Spider-Man Movie in Order — context for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
- Best Marvel Villains Ranked — where Doctor Doom may eventually rank.
- Highest-Grossing Comic Book Movies — Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are expected to challenge the all-time records.