Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar releases pushed back. Here's the new Disney movie calendar
Disney has revealed a comprehensive reshuffling of their entire release schedule for the coming years. While some changes were expected, such as the delays caused by the ongoing writers' strike, there were also unexpected surprises and a few disappointments.
Let's take a closer look at Disney's fresh schedule of slated releases and compare them with the previous dates.
Deadpool gets early release
Starting with the highly anticipated Deadpool 3, originally set to hit theatres on November 8, 2024, fans will be thrilled to learn that its release has been moved forward. The ‘merc with a mouth’ will now grace the big screen on May 3, 2024, just three days before the previous release date of Captain America: Brave New World. Unfortunately, the latter has been pushed back to July 26, 2024, making way for Deadpool's earlier arrival.
Marvel faces significant setbacks
As for Thunderbolts and Blade, both films have faced setbacks due to the writers' strike, resulting in delays. Thunderbolts, which was initially slated for release on July 26, 2024, will now premiere on December 20, 2024.
Similarly, Blade has been pushed back from September 6, 2024, to February 14, 2025. Consequently, the release of Fantastic Four, originally scheduled for February 14, 2025, has been shifted to May 2, 2025.
Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, originally planned for May 1, 2026, and May 7, 2027, respectively, have both been pushed back a year.
With Fantastic Four taking their original May 2nd spot, Avengers: Kang Dynasty will now grace the screens on May 1, 2027, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2028.
Avatar pushed back even further
In the realm of James Cameron's Avatar franchise, Avatar 3 has experienced a one-year delay, moving from December 20, 2024, to December 19, 2025.
- However, the most substantial setbacks are reserved for the sequels. Avatar 4, initially set for December 18, 2026, has been pushed back to December 21, 2029.
- This change, in turn, impacts the release of Avatar 5, moving it from December 22, 2028, to December 19, 2031.
New films get slates for release
- Shifting our attention to a few straightforward date announcements, we can anticipate the release of the Fede Alvarez Alien movie on August 16, 2024, courtesy of 20th Century Studios.
- Additionally, the Rami Malek thriller, The Amateur, is scheduled for November 8, 2024.
- Disney's live-action reimagining of Moana will hit the theaters on June 27, 2025, offering a fresh take on the beloved animated film.
Star Wars pulls through
Amidst these exciting updates, the Star Wars franchise brings some surprises from a galaxy far, far away.
- One previously scheduled Star Wars project intended for December 19, 2025, has been pushed back to May 22, 2026.
- However, Disney compensates for this delay by announcing another Star Wars movie, slated for release just months later, on December 18, 2026.
- Fans, who have eagerly awaited new Star Wars content since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker, can now anticipate not one but two Star Wars films in 2026.
- Moreover, Disney has confirmed a third Star Wars film set for December 17, 2027.
The untitled projects
In addition to these highly anticipated releases, Disney has reserved several dates for 'Untitled Disney' projects. These dates include September 6, 2024; March 21, 2025; July 25, 2025; August 8, 2025; and November 7, 2025. The specific details of these projects remain unknown.
The reason behind these changes in the release schedule can be attributed to the ongoing writers' strike, which has disrupted the production of many upcoming major films and television series. As the strike continues, its effects reverberate throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe and other Disney projects, causing delays and adjustments.
While it's always disheartening to hear about extended waiting periods for highly anticipated cinema, there is a silver lining. Despite the setbacks and disappointments, the announcement provides a substantial roadmap of what lies ahead, fuelling anticipation and giving franchise enthusiasts something to look forward to.
Once more, here is the full updated list of Disney’s upcoming projects:
- Deadpool 3 - May 3, 2024
- Captain America: Brave New World - July 26, 2024
- Fede Alvarez Alien movie - August 16, 2024
- Untitled Disney Project - September 6, 2024
- The Amateur - November 8, 2024
- Thunderbolts - December 20, 2024
- Blade - February 14, 2025
- Untitled Disney Project - March 21, 2025
- Fantastic Four - May 2, 2025
- Moana (live-action) - June 27, 2025
- Untitled Disney Project - July 25, 2025
- Untitled Disney Project - August 8, 2025
- Untitled Disney Project - November 7, 2025
- Avatar 3 - December 19, 2025
- Star Wars - May 22, 2026
- Star Wars - December 18, 2026
- Avengers: Kang Dynasty - May 1, 2027
- Star Wars - December 17, 2027
- Avengers: Secret Wars - May 7, 2028
- Avatar 4 - December 21, 2029
- Avatar 5 - December 19, 2031