TheMarvel Cinematic Universe’s 2028 movie slate could feature some massive projects with fan-favorite heroes and newcomers to the franchise. Recently,Marvel delayedAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. The announcement also revealed furtherchanges to the MCU’s 2026 and 2027 slates, losing a February 2026 date and swapping July 07, 2025, and June 04, 2025, MCU movies for untitled Disney entries.
However, even though those years saw the loss of three Marvel films, the MCU continues to have three untitled movies set to be released in 2028.That year currently has February 18, May 5, and November 10 slotted for untitled MCU movies. Marvel Studios has yet to comment on which heroes could lead thoseupcoming MCU films, but with the loss of 2026 and 2027 MCU films, it seems like a few options become more likely. Stars from some of thebest movies in the MCUcould return for Marvel’s secret 2028 movies, which could be:
10Black Panther 3
Possible Release Date: July 09, 2025
The Black Panther franchise has released two of the MCU’s most successful movies. 2018’sBlack Pantherpassed the $1 billion mark and stands to this day asthe only Marvel Studios film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. As for 2022’sBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, the film grossed $859.2 million worldwide.
Based on the franchise’s success and the MCU’s track record with trilogies,Black Panther 3is likely to be one of Marvel’s secret 2028 movies. The project received updates recently, withDenzel Washington joining the MCUin a mystery role andBlack Panther 3being officially in development. Shuri’s MCU tenure will continue.
9X-Men
Possible Release Date: June 30, 2025
Another confirmed MCU movie in development isMarvel Studios' X-Men reboot. According to reports,The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakeswriter Michael Lesslie is writing the MCU’s X-Men movie. Recently, it was said thatMarvel was circlingThunderbolts*director Jake Schreier to take the helm of the X-Men movie.
Avengers: Doomsdayset photos show the X-Men’s X-Mansion damagedafter a battle with Sentinels, teasing the team’s role in the MCU movie.
WithFox’s X-Men appearing at least inAvengers: Doomsday, if not both upcoming Avengers movies, the MCU is testing the waters with the mutants interacting with the wider universe. The X-Men movie makes sense to happen right afterAvengers: Secret Wars, debuting the new version of the classic mutants and showing how the franchise is threading fresh ground.
8Deadpool And X-Men Team-Up
BesidesAvengers: Doomsdayand the MCU’s planned X-Men reboot, there is another film involving the mutants in development at Marvel. Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds is reportedly writinga team-up movie that would unite Wade Wilson with three or four X-Men characters. The actor does not want to lead another Deadpool movie, but play a supporting role going forward.
Deadpool is perfect to introduce some of the MCU’s new X-Men, getting the audience acquainted with them through a fan-favorite hero.
WithDeadpool & Wolverinebecoming the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, I think that an idea by Reynolds should have a lot of sway at Marvel. As such, the project could easily be fast-tracked for a 2028 release. Deadpool is perfect to introduce some of the MCU’s new X-Men, getting the audience acquainted with them through a fan-favorite hero.
7Doctor Strange 3
Possible Release Date: July 10, 2025
WhileDoctor Strange 3has yet to be officially announced by Marvel Studios, the movie seems to be in the works. That is becauseBenedict Cumberbatch teasedDoctor Strange 3was happeningin January, saying, “Who do you want to write and direct the next one?“Doctor Strange is key to the Multiverse Saga.
As such, it would make sense for him to lead his trilogy finale after the character’s role in the next two Avengers movies.Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessgrossed $955.8 million, nearly breaking the coveted $1 billion mark. Cumberbatch’sDoctor Strange 3is a logical project for the MCU’s 2028 slate.
6Scarlet Witch
One of the main factors that helpedDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessat the box office was Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch. WhileWanda Maximoff is currently dead in the MCU, her return has been teased in multiple MCU projects, withAgatha All Alongleaving many such teases.
There are comic book stories thattie the Scarlet Witch to Doctor Doom, which the MCU’s new Avengers movies could explore to bring her back. AfterWandaVisionand theDoctor Strangesequel, the Scarlet Witch has proven herself as a fan favorite, and with solo movie rumors floating around, Marvel could very well be ready to explore that route.
5Thunderbolts* 2
Thunderbolts*’s box office might not be what Marvel hoped for the film. However, the MCU movie has been received positively by both critics and fans. Marvel is so happy with the film’s story and cast that director Jake Schreier is reportedly being eyed for the MCU’s X-Men reboot. As such,Thunderbolts*2 happening is possible.
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The team would have a few years as the MCU’s New Avengers by that point, appearing inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars. That could boost the sequel’s box office in comparison toThunderbolts*. With fan favorites like Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, The New Avengers could have a bigger role in the MCU after the Multiverse Saga.
4Blade
Mahershala Ali’s Blade movie is in what Hollywood labels development hell. The project was announced in 2019, losing multiple directors and actors, as well as changing its plot over the years.Marvel Studios has since removedBladefrom the MCU’s release schedule, delaying the film indefinitely. IfBladeis to happen with Ali in the role, then 2028 could be the year.
This would allow the Multiverse Saga to end beforeBladeis released. The character is better for a standalone project or a movie that leads to a bigger exploration of the MCU’s supernatural side. I don’t think the Multiverse Saga could serve that story right, and releasing in 2028 would be the earliest the MCU could do it.
3Shang-Chi 2
The Shang-Chi franchise could become more important to the MCU in the next few years.Simu Liu will return as the hero for at leastAvengers: Doomsday, withShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsdirector Destin Daniel Cretton in charge of Tom Holland’sSpider-Man: Brand New Day.
The duo could reunite in 2028, as the year makes the most sense for aShang-Chisequel. While the project has not received a release date,Simu Liu confirmed that Marvel plans to makeShang-Chi 2. As such,the film could spin out of the Avengers events, perhaps including more heroes to team up with Shang-Chi.
2The Fantastic Four 2
Marvel Studios is now turning its focus primarily to sequels and big events. That is Disney’s mandate to turn the studio around after recent divisive releases in the Multiverse Saga. As such, having only a 3-year gap betweenThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsand a sequel would make a lot of sense.
The Fantastic Four will play a key role in the next two Avengers movies. Based on the anticipation for the team’s MCU debut andAvengers: Doomsday&Secret Wars, the heroes could very well be among the MCU’s most popular going into 2028. That means a Fantastic Four sequel being released then could have a strong chance of earning over $1 billion.
1Captain America 5
Finally, Anthony Mackie’s second Captain America movie could be one of the MCU’s secret 2028 movies. WhileCaptain America: Brave New Worldwas not a box office hit,the hero will have two Avengers movies with a prominent role under his belt by then. That, and a story that focuses more on Sam without Hulk elements, could help the sequel.
Captain America is one of the MCU’s most important heroes. As such, Sam Wilson, as the new version of the hero in the franchise, needs to have a constant presence. If therumors thatAvengers: Secret Warswill reboot the MCUare accurate, it would even allow the franchise to include a new actor as Steve Rogers alongside Mackie’s Sam Wilson, which would make it an unmissableMCUevent.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
