The number of movies being released by theMCUandDCUnext year, in 2026, is the same, but it’s still probably lower than you might think. This contrasts withprevious years for the MCUand the DC Universe’s predecessor, the DCEU. At the height of each franchise, they were releasing an average of three movies each per year in addition to the litany of shows airing on platforms like Disney+ and Max.
The sheer scale of output may have contributed to a wave of superhero fatigue that now sees the MCU struggling under the weight of its moreunderwhelming installments within the Multiverse Saga. This also puts pressure onthe DCU’s debut movie,Superman, to succeed when it releases on July 11. With that pressure extending to 2026’s releases, it could be a particularly important year for both the MCU and DCU.
The MCU & DC Universe Both Have 2 Movies Coming Out In 2026
Both Franchises Are Taking Different Levels Of Risk
The MCU and DCU boast just two movies apiecefor 2026. This specific output is more in line with MCU Phase 2, where two movies per year were the norm between 2013 and 2017, before MCU Phase 3 standardized the structure of three movies per year, starting with 2017’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,Spider-Man: Homecoming, andThor: Ragnarok. Conversely, the DCU’s two-movie output will be its largest to date, asSupermanis the only movie due to be released this year in 2025, getting the ball rolling on the DCU with one of its most bankable figures.
Avengers: Doomsday
June 06, 2025
The DCU is then wasting no time in taking a couple of riskswith its movies in 2026. While Supergirl arguably boasts more star power than Clayface, she has only ever appeared in one solo live-action movie, 1984’sSupergirl, which bombed critically and financially. Clayface, meanwhile, is one of Batman’s more minor villains, yet will be the third character to receive a solomovie in the DCUin what will reportedly be a horror.
Tom Rhys Harries was recently confirmed to be starring in the DCU’sClayface.
The MCU, meanwhile, is relying on much safer bets. After a year’s reprieve (the longest gap between MCU movies since the global pandemic),Spider-Man: Brand New Daywill be the first movie of 2026, undoubtedly intended to continue the dizzying success of the MCU’s Spider-Man by becoming theMCU’s next billion-dollar movie. Marvel will then no doubt intend forAvengers: Doomsdayto follow suit, though whether it will match up to the record-breaking $2.7 billion ofAvengers: Endgameremains to be seen.
Why The MCU & DC Universe Have The Same Number Of 2026 Movie Releases
Both Franchise Are Gearing Up For Modest Outputs
Both the MCU and DCU are on different trajectories, yet have wound up releasing the same number of movies in a single year nonetheless. For the DCU, DC Studios' co-CEOsJames Gunn and Peter Safran clarified that the goal is to roll out two live-action and one animated movie per year, meaning 2026 is ramping up to that frequency (and may still include an animated movie to honor it completely). The MCU, meanwhile, has been pivoting to a “quality over quantity” ethos that sees it rein in its overall output.
Whether this means the MCU will continue with this output frequency is so far uncertain. There are severalconfirmed projects within the MCU, such asBlade, which has been stuck in development hell for a frustrating amount of time.Marvel Studios' recent reluctance to telegraph its release slate also means it is now difficult to predict how each year will look, with 2027, for instance, only having one confirmed movie on Marvel’s release slate in the form ofAvengers: Secret Wars. Likewise, the DCU hasn’t yet confirmed any live-action movies for 2027 and beyond.
The MCU & DC Universe’s Upcoming Movies Suggest An Interesting Focus For Both Franchises
TV Shows Are Taking Center Stage
While a year-long gap between both DCU and MCU releases might be difficult to stomach for some fans (including myself),we can at least find solace in the fact that cinematic releases will be significantly bolstered by TV shows. If DC Studios intends to stick to its output target, this could mean that 2026 will also feature two live-action shows and two animated shows, withLanternscurrently looking like a likely candidate for the 2026 slot.Creature Commandosseason 2might also be a part of the line-up as the show was renewed shortly after season 1 aired in 2024.
As for animation, the second seasons of both X-Men ‘97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man are expected for 2026, meaning it could be a big year for TV shows in the MCU.
The MCU is looking even more focused on shows than ever before.Vision Questis among the most important of these with an expected 2026 release date, whileDaredevil: Born Againseason 2is expected for March 2026 alongside a Punisher special feature that will both presumably deal with the fallout of Wilson Fisk’s subjugation of New York and its vigilantes. As for animation, the second seasons of bothX-Men ‘97andYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Manare expected for 2026, meaning it could be a big year for TV shows in theMCU.
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.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
