This week’s season finale of Ironheart officially marked the end of the MCU’s phase 5, and let’s just say… it didn’t deliver the victory lap fans expected. Unlike the tightly woven storytelling and emotional payoffs of the Infinity Saga, this phase felt more like a rollercoaster ride, with some thrilling highs, forgettable pit stops, and plenty of head-scratching moments.
A Rocky Start: Quantumania and the Fall of Kang
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) kicked things off by introducing Kang the Conqueror as the new big bad of the Multiverse Saga—or at least it tried to.
Although Marvel hyped Kang as their next Thanos-level threat, Scott Lang and the Ant-Fam defeated him unceremoniously in his first full appearance. Fans weren’t sold on this take and criticized both the confusing quantum storytelling and the decision to undercut Kang’s threat so early.
Secret Invasion: A Misfire in Every Way
Secret Invasion (2023) followed, marking the low point of the phase—and arguably the entire MCU. Intended as a gritty, paranoid spy thriller, the series faced overwhelming negative reactions. Killing off fan-favorite Maria Hill in the first episode didn’t help, but the real outrage came from baffling retcons.
Revealing James “Rhodey” Rhodes as a Skrull dating back to Captain America: Civil War (2016) felt like a cheap twist that rewrote emotional moments, including his final scenes with Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Nick Fury’s storyline also felt out of character and underwhelming, making Secret Invasion one of the MCU’s most disappointing entries.
Bright Spots
Thankfully, not everything in Phase 5 disappointed. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) delivered big, with James Gunn wrapping up the beloved trilogy with heart, humor, and a surprisingly emotional story centered on Rocket. Critics and fans hailed it as one of Marvel’s best films in years.
Loki Season 2 (2023) also stood out, salvaging the multiversal narrative after controversy around Kang actor Jonathan Majors. With a gripping finale and bittersweet conclusion to Loki’s arc, the series reminded fans what Marvel can achieve when focusing on character-driven storytelling.
The biggest surprise came with Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), finally delivering on years of fan anticipation. This multiversal romp officially brought Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool into the MCU and gave audiences the long-awaited team-up with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
Packed with meta-humor, brutal action, and emotional beats that honored Fox’s legacy while embracing the MCU’s expanding multiverse, the film struck a chord with fans and critics alike. Beyond laughs and cameos, Deadpool & Wolverine successfully balanced fan service with meaningful storytelling—something many Phase 5 projects struggled to achieve.
Disney+ Delivers
TV projects like Agatha All Along (2024) and Daredevil: Born Again (2025) also stood out. Fans rejoiced as Kathryn Hahn returned in a spooky, witchy continuation of WandaVision (2021). Born Again brought back Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and officially reintroduced Marvel’s Netflix characters into the main MCU timeline—a win for longtime fans who’d campaigned for their return since the Netflix cancellations.
Animation in Phase 5: Exploring New Frontiers with What If…? and Spider-Man
Phase 5 expanded Marvel’s animated offerings with bold storytelling that pushed the MCU’s multiverse and tone boundaries.
What If…? Season 3 (2024) continued delighting fans with its anthology format, presenting alternate realities and “what could have been” scenarios starring familiar characters in unfamiliar roles. The season leaned into darker, more complex stories than previous seasons, exploring the fallout from key events gone wrong. While the animation style stayed consistent, the writing took more risks—some episodes resonated deeply, others felt less impactful.
Meanwhile, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2024) offered a fresh animated take on the beloved web-slinger, targeting younger audiences while still engaging longtime fans. The series balanced lighthearted humor with action-packed adventures, showcasing Peter Parker juggling everyday life alongside supervillain battles. Its vibrant animation and faithful characterization earned praise and helped broaden Spider-Man’s reach without clashing with the live-action films.
Solid, but Not Spectacular
Some projects weren’t outright bad but failed to leave a lasting impression. Echo (2024) introduced more Native American representation and gave Kingpin a compelling storyline that set him on a path to become New York City’s mayor.
Ironheart (2024) expanded Tony Stark’s legacy and introduced the idea of blending technology with magic, setting up future storylines involving Doctor Doom.
The Marvels (2023) delivered fun cosmic action, especially with Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan teaming up. Although the movie didn’t make huge waves at the box office, it teased the arrival of the X-Men from Fox’s universe, setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday.
Captain America: Brave New World (2025) marked Sam Wilson’s first solo outing as Cap—a major milestone that unfortunately felt more like setup than a triumphant new chapter. The film underwent multiple rewrites and reshoots after early test screenings pushed Marvel to restructure key plot points and add more action-heavy sequences featuring Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross/Red Hulk.
While the movie offered moments of solid political intrigue and thoughtful commentary on the legacy of Captain America, its underwhelming villain (The Leader) and tonal inconsistencies left many fans feeling let down.
The Unexpected Hit: Thunderbolts (or New Avengers?)
The biggest surprise of Phase 5? Thunderbolts (2025). What could have felt like a glorified team-up of B-tier characters instead became a gripping, character-focused ensemble film. Audiences loved seeing Yelena, Red Guardian, and U.S. Agent take the spotlight in a story that felt grounded, emotionally resonant, and refreshingly different.
But Not Everything Crossed the Finish Line
Blade, announced back in 2019, languished in development purgatory for years. Despite multiple script rewrites and casting shakeups, Marvel quietly shelved the project in 2025—a huge letdown for fans eager to see Mahershala Ali in the iconic role.
Off-Screen Turmoil: Kang, Court Cases, and a Pivot to Doom
One of Phase 5’s most disruptive elements played out off screen. Jonathan Majors, cast as Kang the Conqueror and positioned as the MCU’s next major villain, faced arrest in early 2023 on domestic violence charges. As legal troubles and allegations mounted, Marvel scrambled to respond.
Majors had already appeared as Kang in Loki and Quantumania, and Marvel planned Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Initially, the studio took a wait-and-see approach. But after Majors’ conviction in December 2023, Marvel cut ties with him. The fallout forced them to abruptly rewrite long-term storylines and drop the planned Kang arc in favor of Doctor Doom.
Though Marvel kept some Kang scenes—especially in Loki Season 2—they began shifting focus quietly. This upheaval left Phase 5 feeling disjointed and directionless at times. The Majors controversy exposed the risks of leaning heavily on a single character or actor to anchor an entire franchise.
Looking Forward: Phase 6 and the MCU’s Future
Looking ahead, Phase 6 promises a return to form. Fans eagerly await Fantastic Four (2026), which finally brings Marvel’s first family into the cinematic universe. Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) aim to deliver multiverse-spanning, universe-colliding action that could even top Endgame and Infinity War.
Other upcoming projects include Wonder Man (2025), Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), and Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, among others yet to be announced.
Phase 5 didn’t represent Marvel’s most confident step forward, but it offered valuable lessons. It exposed the dangers of overextension, inconsistent tone, and poor planning—but also reminded fans of the magic that happens when character, emotion, and storytelling align.
If Marvel harnesses that energy moving forward, the next saga might live up to its name and finally be as fantastic as fans hope.
Which upcoming Marvel project excites you the most? What do you hope Marvel changes to recapture the magic? Share your thoughts below!
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