The MCU is in a tight spot afterThunderbolts*, despite its critical acclaim, has been subject to a disappointing box office result, and it could give a clue as to how the next 4MCUmovies will fare financially.Thunderbolts*has grossed $375 million worldwide at the time of writing, currently making itthe MCU’s fourth-lowest-grossing movie. The result is somewhat confusing to many, as the MCU’s latest movie has earned widespread acclaim from both audiences and critics alike. It now followsCaptain Americain grossing a less-than-expected amount at the worldwide box office.
This now casts a shadow of uncertainty aboutfuture MCU installments. There seems to be less enthusiasm for lesser-known characters like the New Avengers and the Marvels, which places a lot of pressure on more bankable characters like Spider-Man or Deadpool. With that in mind, it is possible to predict how the MCU’s next four movies - all of which promise to be profitable installments - might fare compared to one another.
4The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Releasing On Jun 11, 2025
The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill bethe final MCU movie of 2025, and will no doubt be expected to change Marvel Studios' fortunes following two movies that have collectively grossed less than $1 billion. Marvel boss Kevin Feige has stated that this is his most anticipated MCU movie, which is a sentiment shared by many Marvel Comics fans. The high status of Marvel’s First Family should play in Marvel’s favor, whilethe star-studded cast, headed up by Pedro Pascal, will help to broaden the movie’s appeal.
Nevertheless, working againstThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis the substandard quality ofprevious Fantastic Four adaptations. 2015’sFantastic Fourwas widely lambasted, with fans taking aim at its corruption of the source material, particularly with its depiction of Doctor Doom and the titular team’s workplace dynamic. From promotional material andtrailers forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,it appears that Marvel Studios is poised to rectify this with a largely comics-accurate depiction of the family.
3Avengers: Doomsday
Releasing On Aug 17, 2025
Avengers: DoomsdayreplacedAvengers: The Kang Dynastyas the penultimate Avengers movie of the Multiverse Saga. It caused a significant stir after being announced at San Diego Comic-Con, where Robert Downey Jr. was also revealed to be returning as the MCU’s Doctor Doom. The move to bring RDJ back into the MCU fold has stoked some controversy, with a cynical reading of the situation suggesting thatMarvel Studios has brought its most bankable character back to help change its fortunes in the wake of some disappointing box office results.
Nevertheless, the combined might of the MCU’s foremost superheroes should still carry significant appeal.
Still, even if this is the case,this move may yet yield results. Robert Downey Jr. has starred in five ofthe MCU’s ten highest-grossing movies, includingIron Man 3. His star power has only increased in the intervening years, after he earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role inOppenheimer. Robert Downey Jr. has additionally been heavily marketingAvengers: Doomsday, with his recent post about his on-set work essentials and comic book inspiration causing a stir.
All the MCU’s Avengers movieshave consistently banked $1 billion worldwide. This setsAvengers: Doomsdayin good stead to follow suit, though it is decidedly uncertain whether it can achieve the same heights asAvengers: Infinity War.This is largely thanks to the Multiverse Saga failing to land as well as the Infinity Saga, which could negatively impact the movie that is ostensibly poised to tie recent narrative threads together. Nevertheless, the combined might of the MCU’s foremost superheroes should still carry significant appeal.
2Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Releasing June 16, 2025
Spider-Man’s fourth solo movie will be the first MCU movie of 2026, releasing one year afterThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. Spider-Man boasts one ofthe most successful franchises in the MCU,which sets him in good standing to score another win withSpider-Man: Brand New Day. Furthermore, each of Spider-Man’s solo movies has earned more at the global box office than the last, culminating in the $1.9 billion-grossingSpider-Man: No Way Home. The combined star power of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland would have played a significant role in this success.
$1,921,206,586
$1,132,298,674
Spider-Man: Homecoming
$878,852,749
Without further story details orcasting decisions forSpider-Man: Brand New Daybeing revealed, it is unclear whether it will have the same allure as its predecessor. Nevertheless, with Spider-Man being so widely appealing, andSpider-Man: No Way Homebeing the highest-grossing movie of the Multiverse Saga,it is possible thatSpider-Man: Brand New Daywill be a more reliable movie thanAvengers: Doomsday. This is mostly thanks to the fact that Spider-Man’s standalone franchise is not as hampered by negative sentiments surrounding certain Multiverse Saga installments.
Spider-Man: No Way HomeandDeadpool & Wolverineare the only movies in the Multiverse Saga to gross over $1 billion.
Furthermore,Spider-Man: No Way Homeis fresher in the collective minds of audiences thanAvengers: Endgame. This could helpSpider-Man: Brand New Daygross even more thanAvengers: Doomsday,the first Avengers movie in nearly eight years.Spider-Man additionally has a broader appeal than the slightly more obscure stars ofAvengers: Doomsday,like the New Avengers and Sam Wilson.
1Avengers: Secret Wars
Releasing On June 23, 2025
Avengers: Secret Warssits in a similar place in the MCU’s release slate asAvengers: Endgame, the MCU’s highest-grossing movie and the second-highest-grossing movie of all time. While it is unclear whetherAvengers: Secret Warscould gross as much as the $2.7 billion grossed byAvengers: Endgame,it will nonetheless benefit greatly from the status of Avengers movies generally, which are among the MCU’s highest-grossing movies. LikeAvengers: Doomsday, it will also benefit from the combined star power of its titular heroes, likely including the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, the New Avengers, and possibly many variants.
ProvidedAvengers: Doomsdayfares well critically, this will additionally superchargeAvengers: Secret Wars' chances.Avengers: Secret Warsis expected to heralda new era for the MCU, offering spectacles on par, or even greater than,Avengers: Endgameas theMCU’s strongest superheroes battle God Emperor Doom on Battleworld. With that in mind,Avengers: Secret Warsstands the best chance at being the highest-grossing movie of the Multiverse Saga, benefiting from the fact thatAvengers: Doomsdaywill have been released just one year prior.
