2022 has been an epic year for the MCU. Not only did we watch Doctor Strange work his magic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but we also gazed in awe as Thor avenged his enemies in Thor: Love and Thunder and witnessed the second-largest opening weekend in 2022 with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In fact, Wakanda Forever has been the eighth-best domestic opening weekend in MCU history and is estimated to have made up to $200 million in its opening weekend alone.

So, it seems like 2023 has some pretty big boots to fill. But you shouldn’t be worried; there are plenty of things to be looking forward to as we enter the new year!

There’s plenty of merch to collect

MCU merchandise is set to hit an all-time high in 2023 as more and more collectables like funko pops are added. Whether you’re a Spiderman, Black Panther or Thor fan, funko pop is giving it its all in the coming year, meaning there’s plenty of time to clear some space on your shelves for some new characters!

Phase 5 & 6 incoming

Wakanda Forever marked the end of Phase 4. Now, fans are looking forward to Phase 5 and 6 which have 15 new movies confirmed. That’s right, the Multiverse is reaching a crescendo with the end of Phase 6 scheduled in May 2026.

Three and a half years of cinematic magic await. But which films do Phase 5 and 6 entail?

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

The return of Ant-Man is kicking off Marvel’s movie schedule in 2023 whilst also marking the beginning of Phase 5. Fans will be excited to see Paul Rudd’s tiny superhero take on Jonathan Major’s Kang the Conqueror, a character who will feature prominently as the franchise moves forwards.

Expect these superheroes to grace your screens in the middle of February.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Hitting the big screen in May, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is supposedly the last of the series and which will take a much more subdued, emotional tone. The intergalactic adventure series might be known for its high drama and incredible special effects, but fans can expect an altogether different movie that heralds the end of an MCU era.

The last instalment will be in cinemas in May.

The Marvels

Last on the 2023 list is The Marvels. Headed by Brie Larson, the body-switching story will follow Laron’s Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani’s Kalama Khan and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau. The Captain Marvel sequel will have been hotly anticipated by fans for quite some time now after suffering a few delays. However, with a set release date in July, it’s destined to be the movie of the summer!