2026 is shaping up to be an absolutely massive year for superhero cinema. Both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Studios are pulling out all the stops to deliver some of the most ambitious, highly anticipated films the genre has ever seen. With the MCU diving deeper into the Multiverse Saga and DC Studios building fresh momentum from James Gunn’s successful reboot, the stakes have never been higher. Let’s dive into the 5 biggest DC & Marvel movies that will undoubtedly dominate the box office and fan conversations throughout 2026.
5 Biggest DC & Marvel Movies Set to Dominate 2026
Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
There’s simply no denying that Avengers: Doomsday is the heavyweight champion of 2026’s superhero lineup. After a seven-year absence from the big screen, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are making a triumphant return in what promises to be one of the most monumental events in MCU history. Scheduled for December 18, 2026, this film will conclude the Multiverse Saga and set up the franchise’s future direction for years to come.
The star power alone is staggering. Robert Downey Jr. is making his MCU return—but not as Tony Stark. Instead, he’s stepping into the shoes of Victor Von Doom, the MCU’s new primary antagonist. The Russo Brothers, who helmed the legendary Infinity War and Endgame, are back in the director’s chair, guaranteeing the kind of epic storytelling and massive scale that fans have come to expect from their Avengers films.
Kevin Feige has confirmed that Avengers: Doomsday will wrap up ongoing narrative arcs from the Multiverse Saga while simultaneously laying the groundwork for the MCU’s future. Rumors suggest the film could potentially reset the timeline, introducing the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the main continuity. With cast members from across the entire MCU expected to appear—from the Fantastic Four to the Thunderbolts—this film is essentially the MCU’s answer to a second Endgame-level event.
The first trailer will drop on December 19, 2025, ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash screenings, meaning we’re just weeks away from getting our first major glimpse of what to expect. The combination of Downey’s return, the Russo Brothers’ direction, and the sheer scope of the project makes Avengers: Doomsday the undisputed king of 2026’s superhero releases.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)
Tom Holland is officially swinging back into action as Peter Parker with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, marking the web-slinger’s first solo MCU film in five years. Arriving on July 31, 2026, this movie promises to deliver a more grounded, intimate take on the character—something the MCU has never fully explored before.
The premise is anchored in the aftermath of No Way Home, where Peter made the ultimate sacrifice to save the multiverse. To undo the multiversal chaos, he agreed to have his entire life erased, losing his advanced Stark technology, his relationship with MJ, his friendship with Ned, and even the confidence of Happy Hogan. Spider-Man: Brand New Day picks up with a Peter Parker living under Aunt May’s roof, stripped of his previous advantages and forced to rely on his ingenuity and heart to survive.
The casting announcements have already generated enormous buzz. Zendaya is returning as MJ, Jacob Batalon as Ned, and Michael Mando as the Scorpion. But the real excitement comes from the newcomers—Stranger Things star Sadie Sink has been cast in an undisclosed role, with speculation running wild about whether she’s playing a new version of Gwen Stacy (aka Spider-Gwen), Mayday Parker, or even Jean Grey. Additional cast members include Liza Colón-Zayas, Melanie Scrofano, and rumors suggest Joe Keery might appear as Harry Osborn, while Charlie Cox could make a return as Daredevil/Matt Murdock.
The film has also been teased to feature Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk (his first MCU appearance since She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) and Frank Castle, aka the Punisher, making his big-screen debut. Director Amy Pascal has hinted that the movie will feature an incredible array of female characters, suggesting a truly stacked ensemble that rivals some of the MCU’s greatest hits. With set photos already generating excitement and a street-level focus that feels refreshingly different from Marvel’s recent cosmic and multiversal storytelling, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is positioned to be the MCU’s answer to intimate, character-driven superhero storytelling.
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26, 2026)
After stealing the show in the final moments of Superman, Supergirl is making her grand entrance to the DC Universe with Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow on June 26, 2026. Directed by Craig Gillespie and based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s beloved comic run, this film represents DC Studios’ commitment to exploring diverse storytelling styles and character journeys within the broader DCU.
House of the Dragon star Milly Alcock leads the cast as Kara Zor-El, bringing an edge and authenticity that James Gunn himself praised when announcing her casting. The plot follows Kara as she travels across the galaxy, celebrating her 21st birthday aboard Krypto the Superdog, when she encounters a young, noble alien warrior named Ruthye Marye Knoll. Ruthye’s father has been murdered by the violent assassin Krem of the Yellow Hills, and together, the pair embarks on a “murderous quest for revenge” that will shake them both to their core and force Kara to confront her own emotional trauma surrounding the loss of Krypton.
The supporting cast is exceptional. Matthias Schoenaerts (The Old Guard) plays the menacing Krem, Eve Ridley (3 Body Problem) portrays Ruthye, David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) appears as Supergirl’s father Zor-El, and Emily Beecham (Into the Badlands) plays her mother Alura In-Ze. Jason Momoa makes a charismatic appearance as Lobo, the intergalactic antihero. There’s also speculation that David Corenswet’s Superman might make a cameo, teasing future interconnections within the DCU.
What makes Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow particularly exciting is its tonally unique approach within the DCU. Compared to the grounded, weighty Superman film, Gunn’s Supergirl is described as a beautiful, star-spanning space adventure in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy. The film balances epic sci-fi spectacle with deeply personal character exploration, promising a fresh take on Supergirl that’s radically different from the Arrowverse’s version. With incredible action sequences, emotional depth, and the first major team-up between a Kryptonian and an intergalactic hero, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is poised to be a defining moment in DC’s cinematic universe.
Clayface (September 11, 2026)
DC Studios is taking massive creative risks with Clayface, releasing on September 11, 2026, and the results promise to be unlike anything the superhero genre has delivered before. Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil, Eden Lake) and written by horror legend Mike Flanagan—the mastermind behind The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep—this is a body horror origin story that explores the tragic transformation of Matt Hagen from struggling actor to shape-shifting monster.
The premise alone is audacious: an up-and-coming actor’s face is disfigured by a gangster, forcing him to turn to a scientist who transforms his body into clay. The result is a film that takes inspiration from body horror classics like David Cronenberg’s The Fly, creating a character-driven story that works as both a tragedy and a thriller. Flanagan’s script emphasizes emotional depth and psychological horror rather than relying solely on action spectacle, making Clayface fundamentally different from traditional superhero blockbusters.
Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, alongside Naomi Ackie and Max Minghella in key roles. James Gunn and Peter Safran confirmed that Clayface will be part of the DCU’s “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” slate, and there’s considerable speculation about whether the film could provide the first official glimpse of the DCU’s Batman—whether in silhouette form or a proper live-action appearance.
What’s particularly brilliant about Clayface is that it proves superhero films don’t need to follow a rigid formula. By combining the creative vision of a horror maestro like Flanagan with the action-oriented sensibilities of director Watkins, DC Studios is creating something that could appeal to horror fans who might not typically gravitate toward superhero content. This is experimental, ambitious filmmaking that shows the genre is still capable of innovation and surprise.
Batman: Knightfall Part 1
Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall is an upcoming animated film adaptation of the iconic early 1990s DC Comics storyline set for release in 2026. This marks the first comprehensive adaptation of the beloved Batman story that has never been fully brought to screen before, though elements were incorporated into Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.
The film is being produced by Warner Bros. Animation, DC, and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment as the first part of a multi-part animated event. According to announcements made at New York Comic-Con 2025, this will be a four-part film adaptation with the first installment currently in production.
The official synopsis describes the story as follows: “When the mysterious behemoth known only as Bane frees Batman’s entire Rogue’s Gallery from Arkham Asylum, the Caped Crusader is pushed to his mental and physical breaking point.”
The narrative follows Batman being systematically worn down by Bane, who orchestrates a mass breakout of all his most dangerous villains to assault the Dark Knight simultaneously. This forces Bruce Wayne to eventually step back from his role, handing the mantle of Batman to his protégé Jean-Paul Valley (also known as Azrael). As Jean-Paul takes on the cowl, he becomes increasingly violent and unstable, tarnishing Batman’s reputation. Bruce eventually undergoes supernatural healing to reclaim his role as Batman.
