In 2026, the excitement surrounding Marvel and DC movies reaches new heights, as four blockbuster films are set to hit theaters. We’re here to rank these upcoming titles—Supergirl, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Clayface, and Avengers: Doomsday—from those we anticipate the least to those we can’t wait to see.
This year stands out as Marvel Studios aims to prioritize quality over sheer volume, while DC Studios embarks on establishing its new cinematic universe, known as the DCU. Amid ongoing discussions about "superhero fatigue," 2026 is sure to deliver another significant year for fans of the genre.
Marvel is particularly going all-in with two major releases: Spider-Man: Brand New Day—a collaboration with Sony Pictures—and Avengers: Doomsday, which marks the first part of the grand conclusion to the Multiverse Saga, with its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for 2027.
On the other hand, DC is making a splash with two lower-budget films, Supergirl and Clayface, both directed by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Each studio has taken bold steps, and all four projects bring unique elements that excite audiences for different reasons. Now, let’s delve into our ranking from least to most anticipated, and we encourage you to share your thoughts on how you would rank them in the comments below!
4. Clayface
Although it might sound a bit harsh, Clayface struggles to generate much enthusiasm. The involvement of director James Watkins, known for his work on Eden Lake, piques our interest, especially with the promise of an R-rating and elements of body horror. Still, one must wonder why DC Studios chose to tell this story out of all the possible narratives they could explore.
As of now, the role of Batman in the DCU remains uncast, and it seems unlikely he’ll make any surprise appearances in this film. While Clayface doesn’t necessarily require Batman’s presence to craft a captivating story or to succeed at the box office, we haven’t yet been given a compelling reason to invest in the backstory of this lesser-known villain.
The concept of a once-handsome actor transforming into a shapeshifting monster certainly adds a fresh twist to the superhero film landscape, especially during a time when the genre is facing challenges. However, this isn’t what fans initially expected; the project was originally Mike Flanagan's passion project, but after he delivered the first draft, the film appears to have been rushed into production to fill a gap left by Sgt. Rock's schedule.
3. Supergirl
The initial trailer for Supergirl has sparked some intrigue, yet it also highlights that this film isn't quite the adaptation of Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s acclaimed Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow that many fans were hoping for. While it contains some essential elements, it ultimately lacks enough to make it the exceptional sequel to Superman that we envisioned.
Gone is the comic's vibrant color palette; instead, we’re left with what resembles a few leftover sets from Guardians of the Galaxy. Even Krem of the Yellow Hills comes off as a wannabe Ravager. Nevertheless, we're not completely dismissing this film just yet. We’re eager to see how Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa portray Supergirl and Lobo, respectively, and we hold hope that the storytelling will resonate well, especially considering Craig Gillespie’s impressive direction in Cruella.
2. Avengers: Doomsday
The three teasers for Avengers: Doomsday have undoubtedly heightened our anticipation. While there’s some skepticism about Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Doctor Doom and potential overreliance on nostalgia, it seems the Russo Brothers have something special planned for this installment.
With the return of Steve Rogers, a serious take on Thor, and a faithful representation of the X-Men, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to feature an impressive ensemble cast and promises the kind of team-ups comic book enthusiasts have only dreamed about seeing realized on the big screen.
How the storyline transitions from Kang the Conqueror to Victor Von Doom remains a mystery, but we are optimistic that the Russo Brothers are the right fit to guide the MCU back on course as the Multiverse Saga approaches its conclusion. The extensive pre- and post-production timeline further assures us that ample time is being dedicated to crafting a polished narrative.
1. Spider-Man: Brand New Day
It has been far too long since we last saw Peter Parker swing across our screens, but we believe that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be well worth the wait. Under the direction of Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, this film promises to deliver a more grounded version of Spider-Man within the MCU.
We can expect Spidey to encounter various characters such as The Punisher, Scorpion, Tombstone, Boomerang, and even The Hand. To top it off, this is a Marvel Studios film, so The Hulk will also make an appearance!
The ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home left us with a cliffhanger, as the world no longer remembers who Peter Parker is. How this situation is addressed adds an intriguing layer to the plot of this new film. Coupled with the mysteries surrounding Sadie Sink's character, the connections to the broader MCU, and those tantalizing rumors about Symbiotes, we can hardly contain our excitement as we count down the days until its release.
