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Marvel 2025: Must-Watch Movies Shaping the Next Phase of the MCU

After a break, the MCU is back and bigger than ever. What’s in store for our heroes?

Anthony Mackie taking over the role of Captain America. Credit : Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios 2020
Anthony Mackie taking over the role of Captain America. Credit : Chuck Zlotnick / Marvel Studios 2020

2025 is shaping up to be a wild ride for Marvel fans. With new heroes stepping up, major villains causing chaos, and the Multiverse Saga reaching new heights, the next wave of MCU films is set to redefine superhero storytelling. Whether you’ve been a fan since Iron Man or just hopped on board with Loki, this lineup has something for everyone. Let’s break it down!

What’s Coming to the Big Screen

Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025)

Anthony Mackie as Captain America. Credit: Disney+/Marvel Studios

Sam Wilson’s first solo outing as Captain America is finally here! Expect high-stakes action, political intrigue, and major MCU shake-ups. This film is rumored to dive deep into the power struggles within the U.S. government, with the return of some major figures from past Marvel films.

Now officially carrying the shield, Sam faces a world that still doubts his place as Captain America. Meanwhile, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, now the U.S. President, is rumored to undergo a drastic transformation into Red Hulk. With The Leader making his villainous return, Joaquín Torres stepping up as the new Falcon, and Betty Ross rejoining the MCU after years away, the film promises to reshape the franchise in unexpected ways.

Thunderbolts* (May 2, 2025)

Florence Pugh and David Harbour as Yelena Belova and Red Guardian. Credit: Disney+/Marvel Studios

Thunderbolts* leads the way as the first of two team-based MCU films arriving in 2025. Marvel’s anti-hero squad is assembling for a high-stakes mission led by the always-scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This film is set to explore morally grey heroes and question whether redemption is possible.

Bucky Barnes takes charge, bringing together a team of misfits that includes Yelena Belova, John Walker, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Taskmaster. With their questionable pasts and conflicting agendas, the dynamics within the team will be just as intense as the threats they face. And what’s with the mysterious asterisk in the title? No one knows yet, but we’re intrigued.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)

The Fantastic Four set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired. Credit: Disney+/Marvel Studios

Marvel’s First Family is finally getting their MCU debut! With a rumored 1960s setting and some multiverse connections, this film could completely change the landscape of the franchise.

With Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, the casting alone has generated enormous buzz. They won’t be alone—Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal offers a new take on Silver Surfer, while Ralph Ineson’s Galactus looms as a cosmic threat that could redefine the MCU’s future. Fans are eager to see how these beloved characters integrate into the ever-expanding Marvel universe.

Blade (TBD)

Blade’s movie poster. Credit: Disney+/Marvel Studios

Marvel’s vampire hunter has faced a rocky road behind the scenes, but the hype is real. With Mahershala Ali taking on the legendary role, we’re expecting a dark, stylish, and action-packed thriller that expands the supernatural side of the MCU.

Supernatural elements are creeping further into the MCU, and Blade’s confrontation with sinister forces—potentially including Mia Goth’s rumored villain, Lilith—could set the stage for an entirely new side of Marvel storytelling. There’s even speculation that Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman, aka the Black Knight, may play a role, deepening the film’s connections to Eternals.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (TBD)

Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Credit: Sony Pictures Animation

After the massive cliffhanger in Across the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales is in serious trouble. Can he escape his Prowler variant? Can Gwen and the team save him? And what’s up with Spider-Man 2099? This film has the potential to break even more multiversal barriers, and possibly even introduce a live-action crossover.

Trapped in an alternate reality where his own variant is the Prowler, he must find a way to escape before it’s too late. Meanwhile, Gwen Stacy is rallying her team—including Peter B. Parker, Spider-Punk, and Spider-Man India—to track him down. With Spider-Man 2099 still hunting Miles, the stakes have never been higher. This film promises to push animation boundaries even further while delivering an emotional conclusion to the trilogy.

What’s Next: Beyond 2025

Avengers: Doomsday’s movie poster. Credit: Disney+/Marvel Studios

Marvel’s long game is still unfolding, but these movies hint at what’s coming next :

  • Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026) – The next big Avengers event that will shake the MCU.
  • Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027) – The biggest multiverse event yet, with possible returns of past Marvel heroes.
  • Shang-Chi 2Simu Liu has hinted that the sequel will likely arrive after Avengers: Doomsday, meaning a late 2026 release is probable. Director Destin Daniel Cretton may return after stepping away from Avengers 5.
  • Spider-Man 4Tom Holland teased in June 2023 that the story is “looking pretty good” with “some stuff going on” that excites him. Zendaya is expected to return, but as of now, the movie lacks a director, writer, or confirmed release date. Since Sony distributes Spider-Man films, it won’t be part of Disney’s officially announced schedule.
  • X-Men Reboot – Following Deadpool & Wolverine‘s huge success, fans know the X-Men are on their way to the MCU. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes writer Michael Lesslie is set to pen the script, though no further updates have been revealed.

The Road Ahead for Marvel Fans

2025 is going to be a massive year for Marvel, with legacy characters stepping up, new teams forming, and the multiverse continuing to shake things up. Whether you’re here for the classic superhero action, the weird and wild cosmic threats, or the dark and gritty supernatural elements, Marvel’s got something for you. Buckle up—this next phase is about to be epic! With so many exciting storylines coming together, it’s clear that the future of the MCU is bigger and bolder than ever before.

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I was born and raised in Toulouse, France. I moved to the USA in 2021 and I'm currently in my senior year at Ohio University, studying Journalism. I'm also a D1 student athlete, swimmer, on the Women's Swimming and Diving team.

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