Marvel Studios is gearing up for a significant resurgence this year with two major releases aiming to steer the studio back on course after a challenging period. The first of these highly anticipated films is "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," scheduled to swing into action at the end of July. This movie marks Tom Holland's fourth solo outing as the web-slinger and features the return of MCU veteran Mark Ruffalo. Fans will also witness the big-screen Marvel debut of Jon Bernthal and "Stranger Things" star Sadie Sink.

Following "Spider-Man 4" by a few months is "Avengers: Doomsday," a massive cinematic event that was initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2024. This film takes the place of the previously canceled "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" and is set to bring a significant return for Marvel enthusiasts: Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role in the MCU, but this time as the feature villain, Doctor Doom.

"Avengers: Doomsday" has experienced a release date shift, moving from its original May slot to December 18, 2026. This delay, however, created an unexpected box office showdown. The film is now slated to open on the very same day as "Dune: Part Three," the highly anticipated sci-fi epic starring Timothée Chalamet and directed by Denis Villeneuve. While Marvel boasts a long history of unparalleled box office success, "Dune 3" has the potential to continue its predecessors' critical and commercial acclaim, potentially becoming the first film in its trilogy to cross the $1 billion mark globally.

A recent announcement from IMAX has sent shockwaves through the Marvel fanbase, further complicating the box office landscape. IMAX revealed its slate for the remainder of 2026 and early 2027, officially confirming that "Dune: Part Three" will be granted IMAX exclusivity in America. This means "Avengers: Doomsday" will only be available on select IMAX screens internationally, a significant blow for a tentpole event film typically relying on premium large formats for its opening weekend numbers.

The implications for "Avengers: Doomsday" are considerable. The lack of IMAX screens across America is expected to impact its domestic box office earnings. Despite this challenge, the film is still projected to be a massive commercial success, largely due to the eagerly awaited returns of Marvel icons such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth. However, "Dune: Part Three" will undoubtedly cut into its overall revenue. This unprecedented situation could also lead to further strategic decisions for "Avengers: Doomsday," including another potential delay or even an earlier release by a few weeks to secure some IMAX playtime before "Dune 3" monopolizes the format.

"Avengers: Doomsday" is helmed by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, with a script from Stephen McFeely, Michael Waldron, Jack Kirby, and Stan Lee. The confirmed cast features Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing. The film is being produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, and Kevin Feige, promising an action-packed, superhero sci-fi experience.