Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe marks a bold new chapter for the franchise, spanning from 2021 to 2022 across seven feature films, eight Disney+ series, two television specials, and animated shorts. This is the first phase to include Marvel Studios' own television content, streaming exclusively on Disney+, and it kicks off the overarching narrative known as The Multiverse Saga. The phase was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing major schedule shifts and pushing back releases, yet it still managed to gross over $5.7 billion at the global box office.

Unlike previous phases, Phase Four expands the MCU into new genres and formats. Sam Raimi brought his horror sensibilities to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while Chloé Zhao infused Eternals with an arthouse epic scope. The phase also introduced a wave of fresh heroes, including Shang-Chi, the Eternals, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and She-Hulk, as well as fan-favorite additions like Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop. Meanwhile, legacy characters faced profound changes: Thor adopted a daughter, Spider-Man erased his identity from the world, and Shuri took up the Black Panther mantle after Chadwick Boseman's tragic passing.

Central to Phase Four is the theme of identity and legacy. Every major character grapples with who they are, what they've become, or what they will leave behind. The multiverse concept, seeded in Loki and exploded in No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness, becomes the connective tissue for the saga moving forward. While the phase received mixed critical responses—with Eternals and Thor: Love and Thunder drawing the most criticism—its ambitious storytelling and diverse lineup set the stage for the next wave of MCU films. [edit]

Phase Four begins with Black Widow, set between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Natasha Romanoff confronts her past as a spy when she reunites with her surrogate family—Yelena Belova, Alexei Shostakov, and Melina Vostokoff—to take down the Red Room, the covert program that trained her as an assassin. The film introduces Florence Pugh's Yelena, who becomes a recurring presence throughout the phase.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings introduces Simu Liu as Xu Shang-Chi, a man who left his father's criminal empire behind but is forced to confront his legacy when the Ten Rings organization resurfaces. The film explores Shang-Chi's relationship with his father Wenwu (Tony Leung), the true Mandarin, who seeks to reunite his family by breaching a mystical village called Ta Lo.

Eternals follows a group of immortal beings who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, guiding humanity's development. After the Blip, they must reunite to face the Deviants and confront their true purpose: preparing Earth for the Emergence of a new Celestial. The ensemble cast includes Gemma Chan as Sersi, Richard Madden as Ikaris, Angelina Jolie as Thena, and Kumail Nanjiani as Kingo.

Spider-Man: No Way Home picks up immediately after Far From Home, with Peter Parker's identity publicly revealed by Mysterio. Desperate to restore his secret identity, Peter asks Doctor Strange to cast a spell that goes catastrophically wrong, tearing open the multiverse and bringing villains from alternate realities—including Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro—into the MCU.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Stephen Strange as he protects America Chavez, a teenager capable of traveling between dimensions, from a threat that targets her power. Strange must navigate the multiverse's dangers while confronting the consequences of his choices, with the Scarlet Witch emerging as a formidable antagonist.

Thor: Love and Thunder finds Thor on a quest for inner peace after the events of Endgame, but his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks to exterminate all gods. Thor enlists Valkyrie, Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever deals with the aftermath of King T'Challa's death (reflecting Chadwick Boseman's real-life passing). Wakanda faces pressure from world powers seeking vibranium and a new threat from the underwater kingdom of Talokan, led by Namor. Shuri must forge her own path as she grapples with grief and her nation's future.

The phase also includes the Disney+ series WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki (Season 1), What If...? (Season 1), Hawkeye, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, along with the specials Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.[edit]