In 2026, Marvel is planning to expand its universe with stories that explore different timelines and alternate realities. Upcoming movies and shows, starting with the Wonder Man series on Disney+, will introduce a variety of characters and worlds. By the end of the year, Marvel Studios aims to release close to a dozen new films and series.
A lot of the movies and shows planned for release in 2026 will take place in different worlds. Marvel Studios is even considering stories that jump between multiple universes, which opens up a huge range of possibilities. Here’s a look at all the Marvel universes fans can anticipate seeing in 2026, from the familiar main Marvel Cinematic Universe to unique worlds like the one Nicolas Cage portrays in Spider-Noir.
All 5 Marvel Universes To Be Explored in 2026
Alternate Spider-Verse Timeline (Spider-Noir)
Nicolas Cage is starring in a live-action series as Spider-Noir, a character first seen in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The series will premiere on May 27th and will focus solely on Spider-Noir’s adventures. Set in the 1930s, the show will largely take place in New York City.
The new trailer shows we’ll see different versions of characters like Sandman and Electro, alongside classic Spider-Man enemies. The story with Spider-Noir will actually continue the events from the movie Into the Spider-Verse, following on from Luke Cage’s Ben Reilly, who is now known as The Spider instead of Spider-Man or Spider-Noir.
This won’t happen in the same universe as the movie where Noir visited Miles Morales’ world. It’s a fresh setting, but with elements that will feel familiar.
MCU Timeline
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a self-contained world within the larger Marvel brand, and audiences have been enjoying its stories and characters since 2008. While the timeline was revisited in the 2026 film Wonder Man, it’s not the only project taking place within that universe.
Fans can also look forward to returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the ongoing second season of Daredevil: Born Again, the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie, the Punisher special on Disney+, VisionQuest, and Avengers: Doomsday.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe might start exploring alternate universes in future projects. For example, the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is rumored to include other Marvel universes, though it’s currently unclear which ones will actually appear in the movie.
The connection to the Fox X-Men universe has been confirmed through previews of Doomsday. Several characters from the previous Fox films will be appearing in the new movie.
X-Men ’97 Timeline
The new show, X-Men ’97, exists in its own separate timeline and isn’t part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. This means it takes place in a single universe, although there’s a surprising element to that.
Season 2 of X-Men ’97 will focus on a single universe, but will jump around to different time periods within it. The first season left the heroes scattered across time – some stayed in the present, others were sent to the distant past, and a few ended up in a bleak future.
Fans of X-Men ’97 are in for a treat, as the show will explore the history, current events, and potential future of the X-Men universe. The series will show how Professor X and Magneto first met a younger Apocalypse in the past. Meanwhile, viewers will see Jean Grey and Cyclops far in the future, where they’ve teamed up with Nathan Summers. Cable, Jubilee, and Sunspot continue their adventures in the present day.
Spidey and His Amazing Friends Timeline
Spidey and His Amazing Friends is a hugely popular Marvel show that continues to be a hit with viewers. When it first started, the show existed in its own separate world, not connected to any previous Marvel stories.
Recently, a new series called Iron Man and His Awesome Friends joined the existing timeline. In 2026, fans have already revisited the world of Spidey and His Amazing Friends with the release of new episodes in January, and episodes of Iron Man and His Awesome Friends have also become available this year.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Timeline
The second season of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is coming in 2026, giving fans a return to that world next year. Similar to X-Men ’97, this show exists in its own separate universe and isn’t tied to any other stories.
The Peter Parker in that show is different from the one we see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he’s unlike any other version of Spider-Man in other movies or series. This version of the story also features well-known Spider-Man characters such as Harry and Norman Osborn, and villains like Tombstone and Scorpion.
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2026-04-10 14:38