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Bob Iger’s Disney+ Plan Seemingly Off the Table Following Major Streaming Announcement

Bob Iger smiling with the Disney Plus logo behind him with tons of Disney classic films.
Credit: Inside the Magic

Earlier this year, Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, made headlines by announcing plans to scale back on Marvel Cinematic Universe content. After years of rapid growth, both on the big screen and Disney+, the franchise appeared to be showing signs of fatigue. Iger’s approach seemed to target quality over quantity, an idea welcomed by fans wary of MCU overload. However, recent developments suggest Disney’s plans to throttle the Marvel machine may not be unfolding as swiftly as anticipated.

A promotional image displaying the Disney+ logo surrounded by posters of various TV shows and movies, including "Grey's Anatomy," "Por Things," "Wish," "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour," "Shogun," and others.

Credit: Disney+

Marvel Studios took the television landscape by storm with WandaVision‘s debut in January 2021. This groundbreaking series marked a new era, extending the MCU from theaters into the hearts and homes of millions. Since then, the franchise’s TV output has skyrocketed, delivering a steady stream of fan-favorite characters and new plotlines across shows like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and more. But the onslaught of Marvel TV content eventually sparked backlash, with audiences becoming less enthused about the sheer volume and inconsistent quality.

Acknowledging the feedback, Iger revealed in May 2024 that Marvel would reduce the number of TV series and films released annually. “We’re slowly going to decrease volume and go to probably about two TV series a year instead of what had become four,” Iger explained during the company’s quarterly earnings call. “And we’re working hard on what that path is.” Notably, he emphasized that these changes would roll out gradually, acknowledging the current slate’s lingering impact on Disney’s release strategy.

Bob Iger with Disney cast members

Credit: Disney Parks

Yet, Marvel’s film and television schedules seem to tell a different story. While Spider-Man 4 was recently slotted for July 2026, Disney and Marvel Studios have set three MCU film releases per year for 2025 through 2028, mimicking the 2023 release rhythm of February, May, and November.

The Disney+ side of the Marvel equation also contradicts the original aim to slow down. Although Iger hinted at reducing the number of Marvel shows to two per year, 2026 is now poised to see six Marvel series hitting Disney+ screens. This spike might feel unexpected, especially as 2023 brought only three major MCU series—Secret Invasion, Loki Season 2, and What If…? Season 2. This year, fans are treated to a slight increase, with four series, including Echo, X-Men ’97, Agatha All Along, and What If…? Season 3, debuting on December 22.

Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness

Credit: Marvel Studios

One explanation for this surge lies in pre-existing plans. Most of the 2025 content was already in production when Iger’s strategy took shape, suggesting that tapering might not occur until the later part of the decade. If Iger’s direction takes hold, 2025 could be the last year we see such a full lineup of Disney+ Marvel content.

In 2025, Marvel Studios is set to introduce three new live-action series and three animated Marvel projects. Kicking off the year, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (formerly Spider-Man: Freshman Year) will premiere in January, followed by Eyes of Wakanda and Marvel Zombies in August and October, respectively. The highly-anticipated return of Charlie Cox’s Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again arrives in March, with Ironheart premiering in June and Wonder Man rounding out the year in December.

Matt Murdock aka Daredevil for Marvel

Credit: Marvel Studios

Complementing the small-screen offerings, Marvel will also bring three films to theaters in 2025. Captain America: Brave New World will be released in February, followed by Thunderbolts, which will wrap up Phase Five in May. Then, Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps will usher in Phase Six in July.

As for 2026, with Blade officially shelved and Predator: Badlands from director Dan Trachtenberg taking over its November slot, Marvel fans can look forward to a yet-to-be-named February film and the Russo brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday—the fifth entry in the blockbuster Avengers saga—expected to hit screens in May. According to Joe Russo, one-half of the acclaimed sibling directing duo, both Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars (set for a 2027 release) will deliver a “really explosive” experience.

Spider-Man and MJ

Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures

The Spider-Man franchise also got a thrilling update. Tom Holland will reprise his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man 4, which is slated to start filming next year and hit theaters on July 24, 2026.

While the MCU’s future output looks as packed as ever, this transitional phase might represent Marvel’s long-term pivot towards a more streamlined release model. Only time will tell if these steps can effectively balance quality and fan engagement across both film and streaming.

So, what do you think about the MCU’s full-throttle approach? Six new Marvel series are slated to premiere on Disney+ next year, a promising lineup but perhaps a crowded one.

Do you see this as a creative surge or just content overload? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

About Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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