The Endless Universe of Marvel

Avid Marvel fans know that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is so vast that Marvel needed to divide it into cohesive phases. As of now, we know there are six phases. The first three of these, affectionately called the Infinity Saga, were comprised of 23 films. The plotline follows the backstory and creation of The Avengers and the quest for the powerful Infinity Stones. The saga concluded with a bang in “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019. The wrap-up of those adventures left Marvel fans hungry for more and wondering, “What’s next?” 

Welcome to Phase 4 

Phase 4 began with “Black Widow,” released in 2021. It also includes the recently released “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” streaming on Disney+ and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” currently in theaters. Phase 4 will conclude with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” premiering on Nov. 11. 

To help appease the seemingly insatiable appetite of fans for MCU, Disney+ also dished out a slate of Phase 4 TV shows to alleviate the withdrawal from big theatrical releases (and to give people more options for binging during the pandemic).  

The quirky TV series, “WandaVision,” started things off in 2021, followed by “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki,” the animated “What If …,” “Hawkeye,” “Moon Knight,” the most recent “Ms. Marvel” and the soon-to-be-released “She Hulk: Attorney at Law.” The Phase 4 TV offerings will culminate with “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” this December. 

SDCC Marvel Phase 5 Reveal 

San Diego Comic-Con is like pure nirvana for Marvel nerds, and one critical update from the weekend was Marvel’s reveal of Phase 5 and “The Multiverse Saga.” 
“Guardians of the Galaxy” fans who cannot wait until the holiday special can gather around the television for “I Am Groot,” a collection of five original shorts featuring the lovable tree sprout. The shorts introduce new characters and Baby Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel, who voices Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. "I Am Groot" launches exclusively on Disney+ Aug. 10, with all five shorts available for viewing. Groot has already garnered licensing deals and once the show airs, more are sure to follow. 

If you’re thinking there is an astounding number of MCU movies and shows out there, you’re not wrong. According to Gizmodo, approximately 12 new MCU films are in production or awaiting release. In addition, there are at least 16 new Marvel TV shows set to stream on Disney+. But what everyone really wants to know is when. 

Kevin Fiege, president, Marvel Studio, confirmed the 12 new Phase 5 MCU movies and shows. Fiege revealed that Phase 5 will kick off in 2023 with “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” opening Feb. 17. 
Studios never set release dates in stone, but as of now, the dates for other Phase 5 MCU movies and TV shows announced by Fiege and their (tentative release dates) include: 

More Waiting in the Wings 

If Phase 5’s lineup is still not enough to satisfy fans’ need for MCU, Marvel Studios also announced plans for Phase 6. So far, entries for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 6 include: 

You can be sure that all these movies and shows will produce plenty of licensed products. Marvel toys are always big sellers. Hasbro and Funko announced a new look for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” toys, and Target is selling a variety of new and exclusive Funko Marvel Selects collectibles.