For Hollywood, it is truly the age of the superhero. From 2016 to 2020 there will be at least one superhero film from the two comic giants, Marvel and DC, each and every year. Most years there will be two films yearly from both companies, but a few years will see as many as three, for a total of six massive blockbusters starring comic book heroes.
That's a lot of superheroes, and with so many movies coming to the big screen so quickly, keeping track of what's coming out when just might require superpowers.
Thankfully, we're here to help, no Batsignal required. We've compiled a master list of each and every Marvel and DC movie in the works. That way you'll know exactly when to schedule your off days, and build your costume and pre-order tickets.
The age of the superhero has begun, so the least you can do is snag some good seats. Kicking things off is a comic book team-up/showdown that fans have dreamed about for years...
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (DC) - March 25, 2016
Director: Zack Snyder
This is DC's big one. For the first time ever, the publisher's three main heroes, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, will share the big screen. The trio is often referred to as "The Trinity", and if that makes this sound like a big deal, it is for a lot of fans. While Batman and Superman may begin the film as enemies, the two will eventually unite alongside Wonder Woman to stop the evil schemes of the maniacal Lex Luthor. This film is to be the basis of DC's cinematic universe and the building block of future films, including the Justice League.
Captain America: Civil War (Marvel) - May 6, 2016
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
The battle lines have been drawn, and the Marvel cinematic universe is going to war. Captain America's loyalty to his friend Bucky, now a wanted war criminal, and his disapproval of having superheroes answer directly to the government will put Steve Rogers and his allies in direct confrontation with his fellow heroes and friends.
Suicide Squad (DC) - August 5, 2016
Director: David Ayer
DC's ragtag team of villains turned government lackeys is perfect film material, and the stellar cast alone makes this one to keep an eye out for. Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and, of course, Jared Leto as the Joker headline this team of evil doers, and fans can expect plenty of cameos from other villains and heroes along the way.
Doctor Strange (Marvel) - November 4, 2016
Director: Scott Derrickson
The doctor will finally be in come November, and there is no other movie in Marvel's lineup that will likely come anywhere close to the weirdness that is certain to be Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch will play Stephen Strange, the world's top neurologist who loses his career after a near fatal car accident. On his road to recovery he will learn the mystic arts from the "Ancient One", which includes teleportation, spells and opening portals to other planes of existence. Expect this one to be one trippy ride.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Marvel) - May 5, 2017
Director: James Gunn
The first Guardians of the Galaxy performed so well that a sequel was quickly greenlit. While we don't know too many details about the film yet, Gunn has said the Guardians will encounter Peter Quill's father, and that the character will be different from his comic book counterpart.
Wonder Woman (DC) - June 23, 2017
Director: Patty Jenkins
After appearing in Batman v. Superman, Gal Gadot will once again become the Amazonian warrior for her standalone origin film. All signs seem to indicate this film taking place in the past, where Wonder Woman leaves her Amazonian sisters for the first time to venture out into the rest of the known world, where she will encounter her first love interest, Steve Trevor.
Spider-Man (Marvel) - July 28, 2017
Director: Jon Watts
When Marvel began to create its cinematic universe, one major superhero was missing: Spider-Man. Sony owned the rights to the character and had been making films starring the webslinger for years, but Spidey is now back in Marvel's own hands. That means he will be getting yet another reboot, this time focusing on Peter Parker in high school. Tom Holland will be playing the lead role. Fans won't have to wait until 2017 for the character to join his fellow heroes: he is set to appear in Captain America: Civil War in full year earlier.
Thor: Ragnarok (Marvel) - November 3, 2017
Director: Taika Waititi
Thor's third film will be bringing about none other than the Norse apocalypse, and you can bet Tom Hiddleston's Loki has something to do with it. Details about the film are scarce, but with subtitle like Ragnarok, expect some major events that will shake up the entire Marvel universe.
Justice League Part 1 (DC) - November 17, 2017
Director: Zack Snyder
This is the movie DC fans have been waiting for. Finally, all of DC's major heroes will team up to battle evil on the silver screen. Most of the team will be introduced prior in Batman v. Superman, but that doesn't change the fact that having all of them come together for the first time is certain to make for one of 2017's biggest cinematic moments.
Black Panther (Marvel) - February 16, 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
Yet another hero who will be introduced in Captain America: Civil War only to later get their own film, Black Panther will be a major player in the future Marvel universe. The superhero is the king of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda. Marvel says the film will be a "geopolitical action thriller" with a focus on what it means to be king.
The Flash (DC) - March 23, 2018
Director: Seth Grahame-Smith
CW's The Flash is one of the most popular superhero TV shows today, and in 2018 the character will finally get his own standalone film. We'll have already seen him previously in Justice League, with Ezra Miller playing the role of Barry Allen, but that shouldn't make this solo film any less exciting.
Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 (Marvel) - May 4, 2018
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
It has all been building to this. Thanos, the villainous mastermind teased in both the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, is done playing games. It will take all of the Avengers, and two movies, to bring him down. Expect this to be the movie event of the year.
Ant-Man and The Wasp (Marvel) - July 6, 2018
Director: Peyton Reed
Every since the first Ant-Man film was announced, more than a few thought it would be Marvel's first flop. The idea of a guy who can control ants and shrink didn't sound like much, but the film managed to exceed expectations and even went as far to introduce a new female hero. This sequel will build off the events of the first film and has the distinction for being the first Marvel film to feature a female hero's name in the title.
Aquaman (DC) - July 27, 2018
Director: James Wan
The now iconic image of Jason Mamoa as a truly intimidating Aquaman proves that Warner Bros. is taking the character very, very seriously, as we'll no doubt see when he appears in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League Part 1.
Untitled Batman Film (DC) - 2018
Director: Ben Affleck
We don't yet know what it will be about or even when it will release, but more Batman is coming. Affleck, who will make his debut as The Dark Knight in Batman v. Superman, will both direct, write and star in this film, with script help from DC's own Geoff Johns.
Shazam (DC) - April 5, 2019
Director: Unannounced
One of DC's two films for 2019 doesn't yet have a star, but it does have a main villain the form of Black Adam, played by none other than Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Captain Marvel (Marvel) - March 8, 2019
Director: Unannounced
Two years after DC will have given Wonder Woman her own film, Marvel will finally have a female superhero as the star of the show. The powerful Captain Marvel is just the kind of badass, strong-willed character to rival DC's Amazonian warrior, so expect this one to make waves. As Captain Marvel is a character from the cosmic side of the Marvel universe, she is likely to play a role in Infinity War as well.
Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 (Marvel) - May 3, 2019
Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo
The epic conclusion to the Infinity War saga will kick off the summer movie season, and expect some major ramifications. All of Marvel's cinematic universe films have been building to this finale, so it will be interesting to see what comes next.
Justice League Part 2 (DC) - June 14, 2019
Director: Zack Snyder
Roughly a month after Marvel's two-part finale, comic fans will be able to see the conclusion to DC's Justice League story. No plot details for either film have surfaced yet, but the real life battle between this film and the Avengers for box office supremacy will be entertaining in and of itself.
Inhumans (Marvel) - July 12, 2019
Director: Unannounced
Think of the Inhumans as kind of like mutants from space and you have an idea of what they are all about. No doubt they will come into play during the events of the Infinity War saga, with the Inhuman king Black Bolt set to be a major new player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Cyborg (DC) - April 23, 2020
Director: Unannounced
Cyborg, played by Ray Fisher, will actually first make his DCU appearance in Batman v. Superman. He will also be a member of the Justice League, but fans will have to wait until 2020 for the character to get his own film.
Untitled Marvel Film - May 1, 2020
Director: Unannounced
Your guess is as good as ours.
Green Lantern Corps (DC) - June 19, 2020
Director: Unannounced
DC's first attempt at a Green Lantern movie didn't go so great. With Green Lantern Corps., expect DC to focus more on the cosmic, space opera side the DC universe, rather than a new origin story for Hal Jordan (if Hal Jordan is in it at all).
Untitled Marvel Film - July 10, 2020
Director: Unannounced
Your guess is as good as ours.
Untitled Marvel Film - November 6, 2020
Director: Unannounced
Your guess is as good as ours.
So there you have it: all the Marvel and DC movies currently in the works. It's a whole lot to take in. Will moviegoers be burnt out on superhero films by the time all these are released? It could happen. After all, there will be 25 major superhero films in the next four years. It's hard to say whether the superhero's domination of the box office will continue, but the quality of each film and the stories they tell will likely be the major factor in whether or not audiences continue to flock to theaters to see superhero drama play out on the big screen.
