Top 10 Upcoming Superhero Movies of 2021 and 2022

Release Date: March 25, 2022 [U.S.]
Doctor Strange was ultimately written out of the “WandaVision” finale, but Scarlet Witch will work alongside the Sorcerer Supreme in “The Multiverse of Madness.” Jett Klyne and Julian Hilliard also reportedly appeared on the film’s set as Tommy and Billy, respectively. In addition to “WandaVision,” this “Doctor Strange” sequel connects to “Loki” and Spidey’s next outing. The film will undoubtedly be an integral puzzle piece in the MCU, but it has the potential to be a unique standalone outing as well. We all know director Sam Raimi for the original “Spider-Man” and “Evil Dead” trilogies. With the lesser-known “Darkman,” though, Raimi bridged the gap between superheroes and horror. If Raimi can achieve a similar effect here, this may be the strangest MCU movie yet.

Release Date: May 6, 2022 [U.S.]
Although “Ragnarok” was the third “Thor” movie, it was arguably the first to hit it out of the park. Having tapped into something so inventive and fun, director Taika Waititi couldn’t stop there. Waititi returns for “Love and Thunder” along with Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. This sequel won’t ignore the first two “Thor” films, though, as Natalie Portman will have a far more significant role as Jane Foster. Although some would argue that Jane has been underwritten and utilized in the past, her evolution into the Mighty Thor should open up an assortment of new possibilities. Throw in the Guardians of the Galaxy, Lady Sif, Grandmaster, Christian Bale as Zeus, Matt Damon, and how can you go wrong?

Release Date: November 4, 2022 [U.S.]
While the Snyder Cut helped flesh out Barry Allen’s backstory, the Flash is long overdue for a solo DCEU outing. Multiple directors have come and gone from the project, but it seems the studio has finally found the right fit with Andy Muschietti of the “It” movies. Borrowing from the “Flashpoint” storyline, the film will likely shake up the DCEU, as well as the DC Multiverse, in unprecedented ways. For starters, Ben Affleck won’t be the only Dark Knight to pop up. For the first time since 1992, Michael Keaton is reprising his role from Tim Burton’s “Batman” movies. And yes, they’re pretending Kilmer and Clooney never happened.

Release Date: July 8, 2022 [U.S.]
Many wondered if the “Black Panther” sequel should move forward with the untimely and tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. In 2021, director Ryan Coogler stated that Boseman “wouldn’t have wanted us to stop.” Coogler and everyone else involved is striving to produce a film that honors Boseman’s memory and legacy. Instead of recasting T’Challa or digitally recreating Boseman, the film will see Shuri take on a larger role with several other cast members returning as well. Beyond that, very little has been revealed about the project except for its poignant title: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The title reveal got Marvel fans everywhere choked up and we sense audiences are going to need more tissues once the film makes its debut.

Release Date: September 3, 2021 [U.S.]
“Shang-Chi” delivers two things that we’ve waited years to see in the MCU: An Asian lead hero and the real Mandarin. In addition to relative newcomers like Simu Liu as the titular Master of Kung-Fu, the cast includes seasoned stars like Awkwafina and Tony Leung. Speaking of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” actors, the “Shang-Chi” trailer sends off similar vibes with its mix of martial arts and fantastical elements. It looks different from anything the MCU has ever tackled before, but that signature Marvel charm is still present. Just as “Black Panther” was a cultural milestone, “Shang-Chi” may be another step for representation in Hollywood.

Release Date: November 5, 2021 [U.S.]
Fresh off winning the Best Picture and Director Oscars for “Nomadland,” Chloé Zhao ventures into new territory with “Eternals.” Where her previous film cost $5 million, the budget for “Eternals” is 40x that. While Zhao has worked with prominent performers like Frances McDormand and David Strathairn, she’s primarily known for casting untrained actors. With “Eternals,” she’s enlisted an all-star ensemble including Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, and a long list of others. As different as this may be for Zhao, the early footage for “Eternals” has a western aesthetic akin to “Nomadland,” “The Rider,” and “Songs My Brothers Taught Me.” Although we can anticipate more effects and action, “Eternals” still seems like a Chloé Zhao movie at its core, which is definitely promising.

Release Date: July 9, 2021 [U.S.]
It feels like we’ve been waiting eons for this movie to come out, and not just because of the numerous delays. Fans have been imploring Marvel to give Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow a movie since her debut in 2010. The demand to see Black Widow fly solo only intensified with her scene-stealing work in subsequent releases, especially “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.” After more than a decade of providing backup, Natasha Romanoff is finally getting the spotlight. While not exactly an origin story, the film will see Natasha revisit her past and family. Time will only tell if this is Natasha’s farewell from the MCU, but we can reportedly expect to see more of Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova in “Hawkeye.”

Release Date: August 6, 2021 [U.S.]
Although James Gunn’s firing from “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” was controversial, things have worked out better than anyone could’ve expected. Not only did Gunn work things out with Disney in the end, but his time off from Marvel opened the door for him to direct “The Suicide Squad.” Gunn has cherrypicked the few redeeming aspects from 2016’s “Suicide Squad,” namely Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. From there, he’s rebuilt everything from the ground up with a 1970s war aesthetic, a bonkers sense of humor, and a colorful cast of comic book characters you probably haven’t heard of, but you won’t forget them after this. Any movie with Idris Elba, John Cena, and a talking shark voiced by Sylvester Stallone is doing something right. Hand!

Release Date: March 4, 2022 [U.S.]
Originally conceived for Ben Affleck’s Batman, this film has since severed its ties to the DCEU. Although we were initially skeptical about yet another incarnation of Batman, our confidence has grown with each new announcement. Robert Pattinson is dawning the cape and cowl as a younger Batman in a story that returns to his detective roots. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable as the Penguin while Zoë Kravitz will play Catwoman for the second time - the first being “The Lego Batman Movie.” While that sounds like the same lineup as “Batman Returns,” the main villain is Paul Dano’s Riddler. Let’s just say he’s not doing a Jim Carrey impression. Will Matt Reeves etch out his place among Burton and Nolan as one of the best “Batman” directors?

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” September 24, 2021 [U.S.]
We Still Think “Natural Born Carnage” Would’ve Been a Better Title

“Black Adam,” July 29, 2022 [U.S.]
Why Has It Taken The Rock This Long to Play a Comic Book Character?

“Aquaman 2,” December 16, 2022 [U.S.]
Ironically, This Could Come Out the Same Day as a Certain James Cameron Sequel

“The Marvels,” November 11, 2022 [U.S.]
Carol Danvers Won’t Be the Only Marvelous One... Monica Rambeau, Anyone?

“Morbius,” January 28, 2022 [U.S.]
Jared Leto as The Living Vampire? Yeah, Sounds About Right...

Release Date: December 17, 2021 [U.S.]
Between this and the “Into the Spider-Verse” sequel, we feel kind of spoiled. Alfred Molina is strapping the tentacles back on as Doc Ock and Jamie Foxx is getting recharged as Electro, but is “Spider-Man: No Way Home” really the crossover event we’re expecting? Tom Holland has denied rumors that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield are coming back. Garfield also claimed he wasn’t involved, but added “never say never.” Although we probably shouldn’t jump to any conclusions, bear in mind that Marvel can be quite protective of its secrets. Whatever they have in store for us, we’re just grateful that this sequel is happening at all after Disney and Sony’s financial dispute. After that bombshell in “Far From Home,” this story needs a proper continuation.