All The Upcoming Superhero Projects We’re Excited About in 2026

Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)

This is the most anticipated cinematic event of the year, marking the return of the Russo Brothers to the director’s chair. Even more shocking is the return of Robert Downey Jr., not as Iron Man, but as the formidable Victor von Doom. The film serves as the first half of a two-part finale for the Multiverse Saga, effectively replacing the previously titled The Kang Dynasty and positioning Doom as the ultimate threat to the multiverse.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)

Tom Holland returns for his fourth solo outing in a film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi). Picking up after the world forgets Peter Parker’s existence, the story is expected to deliver a grounded, “street-level” reset for the character. Rumors suggest Peter will struggle with anonymity in New York while facing a more personal threat, potentially leading to a team-up with other grounded heroes such as Daredevil or the Punisher.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (June 26, 2026)

The second feature film in James Gunn’s new DCU stars Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El. Based on the celebrated comic run by Tom King, the film is being described as a “hard sci-fi epic” rather than a traditional origin story. It follows a battle-hardened Supergirl who has spent her life watching her world die, offering a sharper and more cynical contrast to her hopeful cousin, Superman.

Clayface (September 11, 2026)

In a bold move for DC Studios, James Watkins is directing an R-rated “body horror” film centered on the shapeshifting villain Clayface. The story reportedly follows a man who, after a tragic encounter with gangsters, seeks help from a scientist, only to find his body transformed into malleable clay. This standalone, horror-centric project underscores James Gunn’s commitment to exploring different genres within the broader superhero landscape.

Daredevil: Born Again - Season 2 (March 4, 2026)

Following the massive success of its first season, Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock in early 2026. This second installment continues the gritty, TV-MA rated rivalry between Daredevil and Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio), who is now the Mayor of New York. The season is expected to go deeper into the "Devil of Hell's Kitchen" mythology while further integrating the character into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Lanterns (Late Summer 2026)

Described as a "True Detective-style" mystery on HBO and Max, this series stars Kyle Chandler as veteran Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as rookie John Stewart. The two Green Lanterns investigate a dark, terrestrial mystery that James Gunn has stated is foundational to the overarching DCU narrative. The show is expected to be high-budget and grounded, moving away from the "space cop" tropes of the past for a more visceral detective story.

Wonder Man (January 27, 2026)

This Disney+ series stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, an aspiring actor who gains superpowers. The show stands out for its “meta” premise, offering a satirical look at Hollywood within the MCU. Simon attempts to land a role in a superhero movie while grappling with real-life abilities and a chance encounter with Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), making it a comedic and self-aware addition to the franchise.

X-Men '97 - Season 2 (Spring 2026)

After the critically acclaimed first season, the revival of the classic 90s animated series returns. Following the devastating finale of Season 1, the team is scattered across time, with some members in Ancient Egypt meeting En Sabah Nur (Apocalypse). Fans are eagerly anticipating how the show will handle the "Age of Apocalypse" storylines and the continued political tension between humans and mutants.

VisionQuest (Late 2026)

Paul Bettany returns as the reborn "White Vision" in a series that concludes a trilogy starting with WandaVision and Agatha All Along. Showrunner Terry Matalas has compared the journey to Spock’s search for identity in Star Trek. The series will feature the return of James Spader as Ultron, exploring the "core dynamic" between the creator and his creation as Vision struggles to process his restored memories and emotions.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man - Season 2 (Late 2026)

This animated series continues to explore an alternate history where Peter Parker’s mentor was Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark. Season 2 will delve further into Peter’s sophomore year of high school, featuring a unique art style inspired by the original Steve Ditko comics. While separate from the MCU films, the show has been praised for its deep-cut Marvel cameos and its focus on Peter's early, awkward years.

The Punisher Special Presentation (2026)

Jon Bernthal returns as Frank Castle in a standalone Special Presentation on Disney+. Rumored to release shortly after his appearance in Daredevil: Born Again, this special will likely offer a violent, focused look at The Punisher’s solo war on crime. It follows the successful format of Werewolf by Night, providing a high-intensity, self-contained story that doesn't require a full-season commitment from the audience.

This multi-part animated film event adapts one of the most famous comic arcs in history: the breaking of the Bat. The story follows Bane as he frees the inmates of Arkham Asylum to exhaust Batman before confronting him personally. It is part of DC's dedicated animated movie line, known for high-fidelity adaptations of iconic "Elseworlds" and classic comic book storylines for a more mature audience.

Blue Beetle Animated Series (2026)

Building on the 2023 live-action film, Xolo Maridueña returns to voice Jaime Reyes in this new animated series. Set within the new DCU, the show will explore Jaime’s further training with the Scarab and his place among the world’s emerging heroes. It is intended to be a family-friendly entry that bridges the gap between the character's movie debut and his future appearances in live-action.

Nova (In Development for late 2026)

While still early in production, Kevin Feige has confirmed that a Nova series is targeting a release window by the end of 2026. The show is expected to focus on Richard Rider or Sam Alexander as they join the Nova Corps, the intergalactic police force previously seen in Guardians of the Galaxy. It marks a major expansion into the MCU’s cosmic side as it builds toward the events of Avengers: Doomsday.