Two very different blockbuster gambles are heading toward theaters in 2026, with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday and Amazon MGM’s Masters of the Universe each aiming for superhero dominance at different parts of the year, but each represents a crossroads for its respective brand.
Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a December 18 release, comes at a crucial time for Disney and Marvel. In the years following Avengers: Endgame (2019), the studio has struggled to maintain momentum, with several films and TV shows underperforming both critically and financially.
Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel recently released a series of brief promotional trailers for Doomsday, spotlighting Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the X-Men, Wakandans teaming up with the Fantastic Four, and the return of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).
However, those characters are just a fraction of the upcoming film’s extensive lineup. It also stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom, to name a few.
Watch the Thor teaser below:
Clearly, Doomsday isn’t just another Avengers movie—it’s a test of whether the franchise, and the modern superhero era as a whole, still commands the same cultural pull. And there’s also no denying that it’s relying heavily on nostalgia, much like another upcoming superhero movie, hence the return of so many familiar characters and their actors.
On the other end of the spectrum is Masters of the Universe, arriving June 5. The first full official trailer debuted online on January 22 after a nostalgia-heavy teaser the day before.
Masters of the Universe
Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee), the film stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam, a man raised on Earth who discovers his true identity and returns to Eternia wielding the Sword of Power, where he must battle the evil villain Skeletor (Jared Leto).
“In MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, Director Travis Knight brings the legendary franchise back to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure,” the official synopsis reads.
“After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.”
Which Film Will Perform Better?
Financially, Doomsday has history on its side. Marvel’s Avengers films, along with several other big-screen entries outside that series, remain box office juggernauts.
Masters of the Universe, however, is a riskier play. The He-Man brand is beloved but has been dormant in theaters since the 1987 film starring Dolph Lundgren. That said, the retro appeal on display could work in its favor (something the initial teaser heavily leans into), especially as audiences show signs of fatigue with interconnected superhero storytelling, whether it’s the Marvel Cinematic Universe or the DC Universe.
That’s where comparisons between Doomsday and Masters of the Universe will inevitably come into play. Both films center on godlike warriors tied to destiny, myth, and legacy. Thor (Hemsworth) and He-Man (Galitzine) occupy similar fantasy worlds, but their futures may signal something larger: whether audiences still want modern superheroes—or if retro action heroes are ready to reclaim the throne.
Masters of the Universe releases in theaters on June 5.
The film stars Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Adam Glenn/He-Man, Camila Mendes as Teela, Jared Leto as Keldor/Skeletor, Alison Brie as Professor Evil-Lyn, Idris Elba as Duncan/Man-At-Arms, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull, James Purefoy as King Randor, and Kristen Wiig as Roboto.
Will you be watching Masters of the Universe? Are you more excited about Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know in the comments down below!
I been a fan of chris hemsworth since he was in star trek remake with chris pine. So its obvious. Im watching the avengers dooms day.