There’s no denying that the most popular genre around these days is the superhero movie. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy proved that comic book adaptations could be just as dramatic and heavy as non-genre films, Marvel Studios jumpstarted a massive interconnected series of superhero movies that were significantly more colorful and humorous, and audiences have been turning out to both kinds of superhero films in droves. With nearly every major studio now working to turn its own comic book properties into the next big thing, and with Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. plotting out half a decade’s worth of material, it’s sometimes tough to keep track of what’s coming out when, who’s in it, and how it fits into the overall picture. Not to worry, though, because we here at Collider have you covered.
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide of superhero movie release dates for every major comic book adaptation on the calendar, going all the way up to the year 2020. Moreover, we’ll be updating this guide regularly with the most current information, so if you’re ever at a loss for when exactly Captain Marvel is supposed to be in theaters, you can come right back here for a quick refresher.
X-Men: Apocalypse
Release Date: May 27, 2016
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Evan Peters, Olivia Munn, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Rose Byrne, Ben Hardy, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Alexandra Shipp.
What We Know So Far: Described as an “extinction-level event”, the disaster sequel takes place in 1983 and will focus primarily on the X-Men: First Class castmembers, wrapping up the trilogy arc that began with the Matthew Vaughn-directed prequel. The mutants must join forces in order to battle the titular Apocalypse (played by Isaac), a mutant who has been around since the days of Ancient Egypt and was treated as a god at that time. Apocalypse assembles his four horsemen, Magneto (Fassbender), Angel (Hardy), Storm (Shipp), and Psylocke (Munn), which once again pits mutants versus mutants as Singer also introduces the young versions of more familiar X-Men.
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Suicide Squad
Release Date: August 5, 2016
Director: David Ayer
Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman, Cara Delevingne, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Adam Beach, Jim Parrack, Scott Eastwood, Ike Barinholtz, Karen Fukuhara, and Viola Davis
What We Know So Far: The DC comic revolves around a group of anti-heroes who take on dangerous missions for the government in exchange for commuted sentences. Smith is Deadshot, Robbie is Harley Quinn, Leto is The Joker, Courtney is Captain Boomerang, Kinnaman is Rick Flagg, Delevingne is Enchantress, and Davis plays Amanda Waller, who is essentially DC’s Nick Fury. This is Warner Bros.’ first non-Superman film in its new DC Movie Universe, and Ayer appears to be striking a much darker yet playful tone judging by the film’s terrific trailer.
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Doctor Strange
Release Date: November 4, 2016
Director: Scott Derrickson
Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Mads Mikkelsen, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benedict Wong.
What We Know So Far: Marvel initially courted Joaquin Phoenix for the lead role in this new franchise, but as the time came to finally sign the contract Phoenix opted to walk away. Cumberbatch eventually signed on, to be joined by Swinton as eventual mentor The Ancient One and Ejiofor as the villainous Baron Mordo. The comic adaptation will bring mysticism into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (described as Marvel’s Fantasia) as it tells the origin story of Stephen Strange, a former neurosurgeon and narcissist who is granted magical powers by a hermit called the Ancient One after his hands are seemingly irreparably damaged in a car accident.
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The LEGO Batman Movie
Release Date: February 20, 2017
Director: Chris McKay
Cast: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, and Mariah Carey
What We Know So Far: The first of Warner Bros.’ series of sequels and spinoffs to The LEGO Movie is an animated Batman film with Arnett’s sad, dark caped crusader leading the way and LEGO Movie co-director Chris McKay taking the helm. Arnett will be joined by Arrested Development co-star Michael Cera as Robin and Zach Galifianakis as Joker, making this one of the most promising superhero movies on the slate.
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Untitled Wolverine Movie
Release Date: March 3, 2017
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Boyd Holbrook, Stephen Merchant, Richard E. Grant, and Patrick Stewart
What We Know So Far: Jackman has said time and again that he would only return if the story is worth telling, but he and The Wolverine director James Mangold have been working on carving out the next Wolverine solo adventure, and now Jackman says this will be his last time playing the X-Men character. Patrick Stewart‘s Professor X will also have a significant role in the film, making it a sort of team-up film between the two as Jackman adds that the movie will explore their father-son relationship in greater detail than ever before. A fitting sendoff to Jackman’s Wolverine indeed, and one that will be R-rated.
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Release Date: May 5, 2017
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Kurt Russell, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Tom Flanagan, Sean Gunn, Michael Rooker, and the voices of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel.
What We Know So Far: Not much as the film is firmly under wraps, but Gunn has previously said that Thanos may or may not appear, but he is most certainly “not the most important character”. The main crux of the story will involve the parentage of Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord, with the iconic Kurt Russell filling the mysterious role of Peter’s birth father.
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Wonder Woman
Release Date: June 2, 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Ewen Bremner, Saïd Taghmaoui, Elena Anaya, and Lucy Davis.
What We Know So Far: Gadot made her first appearance as the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will appear in Justice League Part One and Justice League Part Two, but not before she gets her own standalone film, and a World War I one at that. This marks the first female-led superhero movie of the modern era, and it will fittingly be directed by a woman. However, while Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones veteran Michelle MacLaren was previously attached to direct, she departed over creative differences and Warner Bros. subsequently enlisted Monster helmer Jenkins, who herself was previously attached to Marvel’s Thor 2. Cast-wise, Pine is onboard to play Wonder Woman’s love interest Steve Trevor in what will hopefully be some fun gender reversal.
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Untitled Spider-Man Reboot
Release Date: July 7, 2017
Director: Jon Watts
Cast: Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, Zendaya, Tony Revolori, Robert Downey Jr., and possibly Michael Keaton.
What We Know So Far: Few thought it would ever happen, but Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios came to an agreement in which they will be sharing the character of Spider-Man, with the webslinger first appearing in an MCU movie (Civil War) before getting his own rebooted film. Marvel’s Kevin Feige is producing the picture, which is said to bring forth a younger Spidey who is still in high school. The Cabin in the Woods co-writer/director Drew Goddard was first rumored to take the helm, but Marvel eventually settled on Cop Car helmer Watts with Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (Vacation) writing the script. Michael Keaton is eyed to play the film’s villain, rumored to be Vulture, and Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark will further his relationship with the young webslinger after first appearing together in Captain America: Civil War. And no, there will not be another origin story.
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Untitled Fox/Marvel Film
Release Date: October 6, 2017
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
What We Know So Far: Nothing, since this is a mysterious untitled film. There are a few possibilities, though. This could be the new release date for Gambit, given that that film was originally slated for October 2016, or this could be the release date Fox is holding for Deadpool 2. Or it could be a different Fox/Marvel movie altogether. But given that it’s not terribly far away, odds are it’s for a film already in development, meaning it’s probably Gambit or Deadpool 2.
Thor: Ragnarok
Release Date: November 3, 2017
Director: Taika Waititi
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Idris Elba, and Anthony Hopkins.
What We Know So Far: The title most likely refers to the event from Nordic mythology in which catastrophic destruction comes to Asgard, submerging the entire world underwater and killing nearly every god. Or it could also refer to a cloned version of Thor that Tony Stark creates after Thor is presumed killed during the Ragnarok event. Either way, Marvel says the “Norse End of Days” is coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the studio plans to have filming underway by June 2016. They’ve tapped What We Do in the Shadows director Taika Waititi to take the helm, making for a very curious hire given his background in comedy. Cate Blanchett will be leading the villain charge as Hela, Tessa Thompson is Valkyrie, and Karl Urban is the villainous muscle Skurge, while the MCU is about to get a lot weirder with Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster, one of the Elders of the Universe.
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Untitled Fox/Marvel Film
Release Date: January 12, 2018
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
What We Know So Far: If the Untitled Fox/Marvel film dated for October 2017 is either Deadpool 2 or Gambit, then this is probably the other of the two. Or it’s possible this is a placeholder for an X-Force movie, although that would be a terribly quick turnaround given that Ryan Reynolds is likely due to focus on a Deadpool sequel first and foremost. Whatever the case, between X-Men and Deadpool Fox’s Marvel universe has been well established, and these dates for untitled Fox/Marvel films signal the studio is bullish on expanding the universe as quickly as possible.
Justice League Part One
Release Date: November 17, 2017
Director: Zack Snyder
Cast: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Ezra Miller, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, J.K. Simmons, Willem Dafoe, and Amber Heard.
What We Know So Far: Warner Bros.’ Justice League film is so big that they’re releasing it in two parts, two years apart. Thus far the only confirmed castmembers are Cavill as Superman, Affleck as Batman, and Adams as Lois Lane, but expect to see Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Ezra Miller’s The Flash, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg. The rumored villain for the firstJustice League adventure is Steppenwolf, who apparently is summoned to Earth by the distress beacon that Superman set off during Man of Steel, but more curious will be to see how/if Snyder and Warner Bros. course correct after the response to Batman v Superman. The film will broaden the DCEU so far with J.K. Simmons as the new Commissioner Gordon and Amber Heard as Aquaman character Mera.
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Black Panther
Release Date: February 16, 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, and Michael B. Jordan.
What We Know So Far: The comics character will make his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War, but he gets his own feature film not long after. 42 star Chadwick Boseman will be filling the role of the powerful native of Wakanda, an African nation that is isolated from the rest of the world. Marvel says the crux of the film will be how this isolationist nation meets the world, so expect some friction. Selma director Ava DuVernay came close to signing on, but ultimately opted not to helm the film over concerns her artistic voice would be lost in the final product. Subsequently, Marvel hired Joe Robert Cole—who came up through the Marvel Studios writing program—to pen the script, and finally nabbed Creed and Fruitvale Station helmer Ryan Coogler to fill the director’s chair. He’s forging ahead with quite possibly the most exciting MCU film to date, and he plans to fill out the cast with 90% African and African-American actors, already establishing a fantastic ensemble with the addition of Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o and his Creed and Fruitvale star Michael B. Jordan.
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The Flash
Release Date: March 16, 2018
Director: TBA
Cast: Ezra Miller
What We Know So Far: Miller will first make an appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will likely be part of the Justice League Part One ensemble. And after tasking Phil Lord and Chris Miller with penning a treatment only to see them head off to direct the Han Solo Star Wars film, the studio subsequently tapped Seth Grahame-Smith to make his directorial debut on the superhero picture. Grahame-Smith penned the novels Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, as well as the screenplays for Vampire Hunter and Dark Shadows, but he’s only directed a couple of episodes of an MTV series before. Alas, after the disappointing reception to Batman v Superman, Warner Bros. opted to change course and parted ways with Grahame-Smith, seeking to find a more established filmmaker in his stead.
Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1
Release Date: May 4, 2018
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Cast: TBD
What We Know So Far: Marvel is finally tackling the Infinity War storyline, and it’ll take two films to tell it. The main antagonist will be Thanos (played by Josh Brolin), and the movie will no doubt unite many, many characters from the MCU. Moreover, Marvel adds that Avengers: Infinity War Part I is the beginning of the culmination of everything that has come before. Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War directors Joe and Anthony Russo have been tapped to direct both parts of Infinity War, which will be shot at the same time during one long production beginning in late 2016. Moreover, they’ll shoot the entire movie using IMAX’s brand new digital cameras, meaning the whole film will be shot in IMAX. This two-part epic has been described as “the end of the Avengers team as we know it,” acting as a culmination of everything Marvel Studios had done since Iron Man. No pressure.
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Aquaman
Release Date: July 27, 2018
Director: James Wan
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard
What We Know So Far: Momoa made his first appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and will be part of the Justice League Part One ensemble. Warner Bros. has enlisted Furious 7 and The Conjuring helmer James Wan to direct.
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Untitled DC Film
Release Date: October 5, 2018
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
What We Know So Far: Nothing at all, but it’s possible that this is either a new release date for an existing DC film or a sequel to Suicide Squad or Batman v Superman. Warner Bros. and Zack Snyder are keen on having Ben Affleck direct and star in a Batman standalone, and with Affleck having penned a script with Geoff Johns, that seems like an inevitability at this point. But which will come first, Suicide Squad 2 or Batman?
Captain Marvel
Release Date: March 8, 2019
Director: TBD
Cast: TBD
What We Know So Far: Marvel’s first female-led superhero film will revolve around the most powerful character in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. This iteration of Captain Marvel will focus on the character of Carol Danvers, whose adventures are earthbound but whose powers are based in the cosmic realm. Joss Whedon wanted to introduced the character at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, but Marvel didn’t want to bring Captain Marvel into the MCU fully formed without first telling her origin story. Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) and Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) are writing the screenplay.
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Shazam
Release Date: April 5, 2019
Director: TBD
Cast: Dwayne Johnson
What We Know So Far: Making his superhero movie debut, Dwayne Johnson opted to take on the role of the villainous Black Adam in this DC comics adaptation.
Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2
Release Date: May 3, 2019
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
Cast: TBD
What We Know So Far: The conclusion to the epic Infinity War storyline will close out Marvel’s ambitious Phase Three with a bang.
Untitled DC Film
Release Date: November 1, 2019
Director: TBA
Cast: TBA
What We Know So Far: Nothing at all, but it’s possible that this is either a new release date for an existing DC film or a sequel to Suicide Squad or Batman v Superman. Warner Bros. and Zack Snyder are keen on having Ben Affleck direct and star in a Batman standalone, and with Affleck having reportedly penned a script, that seems like an inevitability at this point. But which will come first, Suicide Squad 2 or Batman?
Cyborg
Release Date: April 3, 2020
Director: TBD
Cast: Ray Fisher
What We Know So Far: Fisher will first be introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and then will play a role in the two Justice League films.
Green Lantern Corps.
Release Date: June 19, 2020
Director: TBD
Cast: TBD
What We Know So Far: This will be a reboot of the Warner Bros. franchise so Ryan Reynolds is not expected to reprise his role—plus he’s also busy being Deadpool for Marvel. Green Lantern is rumored to make his first appearance at the end of either Justice League Part One or Justice League Part Two when he warns the team that Darkseid is on his way to bring destruction to Earth. But the title of the reboot suggests this will be a team-up film featuring two Green Lanterns. Tyrese Gibson has been openly campaigning for one of the roles.
Gambit
Release Date: TBD
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Channing Tatum
What We Know So Far: Tatum has been keen on playing the X-Men mutant for a while now, and 20th Century Fox finally pulled the trigger on a standalone movie for the fan-favorite Cajun. Production had initially been slated to begin Fall 2015, but when it was pushed back to early 2016, director Rupert Wyatt abruptly dropped out due to personal reasons. Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) is set to direct, and while producer Simon Kinberg told us the film will be a heist picture and a “sexy thriller”, the film was pulled from its October 2016 release date and is now listed as TBD.
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Inhumans
Release Date: TBD
Director: TBD
Cast: TBD
What We Know So Far: Another comic property that will push the reach of the Marvel Cinematic Universe further outward, Inhumans will introduce dozens of new characters to the MCU. In the comics, they are a race of superhumans whose origins lie in the war between the alien Skrull and Kree races. The existence of Inhumans has been first introduced on ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.