The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an ever-expanding film franchise that includes both movies and television series based on characters from Marvel comic books. At 27 movies and counting, the MCU shows no signs of slowing down. With six new movies scheduled to release between 2022 and 2023, and a whole slew of new TV shows in the works, it can be hard for even the most devoted fans to keep track of everything.
If you've watched a few Marvel movies, you may know that the MCU is divided into phases. Each phase includes a collection of loosely linked movies, generally with a few overarching plot points that connect them. Phase Three wrapped up in 2019, and we're currently in Marvel’s Phase Four, which kicked off in early 2021 with the TV series, . In addition to sequels featuring familiar superheroes such as and Thor, Phase Four introduces several new characters and a new overall story arc.
If you're feeling a little lost, never fear! This guide includes everything you need to know about Phase Four. Read on to learn about Marvel Phase Four release dates, upcoming shows and films in development, and more.
Marvel Phase Four Timeline & Lineup
Phase Four represents a new beginning for the MCU. It's the first phase to officially include TV series, starting in early 2021 with WandaVision. Phase Four will include all the feature films and television shows released between 2021 and 2023.
Who are the core characters of Marvel’s Phase Four?
Though a few of the major characters from , , and —namely and —will not feature in the Phase Four films, the phase does include many familiar faces. The films of Phase Four kicked off with Black Widow, the first solo film starring Natasha Romanoff, aka . Spider-Man, , Thor, , , and will all get feature films as well. There will also be another film.
New characters include Shang-Chi, a man forced to reckon with his own past when he gets caught up in the activities of a mysterious organization he thought he'd left behind. Phase Four will also introduce a whole new group of superheroes: a secret alien race known as the Eternals, who have been living in secret on Earth for thousands of years.
What is the central plot of Phase Four?
We're still in the early stages of Phase Four, so it's impossible to say exactly what the overarching themes and major plot will be. However, one concept of importance has already become clear: the multiverse. The multiverse was first introduced in the TV series After the events of a version of the character Loki created a whole new timeline. , and its various timelines, will feature prominently inand, of course, future seasons of . Phase Four will also include more intergalactic adventures, with a third Thor film as well as another installment in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga. Whatever epic conclusion Marvel Phase Four is building toward, will likely be involved.
