Insights from 2024 Marvel Movies & Shows on the Future of the Franchise

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Echo, X-Men ’97, Deadpool & Wolverine, Agatha All Along, and What If…? season 3

As Marvel gears up for its 2024 lineup, fans can look forward to a series of exciting MCU productions that will shape the future of the franchise. Initially poised for a 2024 release, several titles including Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, Blade, Daredevil: Born Again, and Ironheart have been confirmed for the 2025 slate. These delays largely stem from a reduction in Marvel Studios’ output early in 2024 and the need for additional production time on various projects. Despite a slower pace, the MCU experienced a successful year in 2024 compared to previous years.

The year kicked off with the Marvel Spotlight series Echo and the animated revival X-Men ’97, which captured the attention of a dedicated fanbase and set high expectations for future long-form storytelling. However, it was Deadpool & Wolverine that stole the show, grossing over $1.338 billion globally, making it a standout hit of the year. While this film’s ambitious scale remained unmatched, titles like Agatha All Along and What If…? season 3 also embraced the MCU’s flair for blockbuster action and introduced several new characters to the lineup.

The MCU’s Disney+ Shows Could Be Just As Successful As The Movies

Marvel Studios’ MCU Shows: A Powerhouse of Storytelling

The debut of Marvel’s Disney+ series in 2021 set a high benchmark, with WandaVision and Loki establishing themselves as essential components of the Multiverse Saga while also becoming fan favorites. Although shows like Hawkeye, Moon Knight, and Ms. Marvel made a mark, others such as She-Hulk: Attorney At Law and Secret Invasion stirred mixed reactions. Nevertheless, 2024 reaffirmed the strength of Marvel’s offerings on smaller screens, as X-Men ’97 and Agatha All Along showcased some of the franchise’s most significant moments.

2025 MCU Disney+ Series	Release Date
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man	January 29, 2025
Daredevil: Born Again	March 4, 2025
Ironheart	June 24, 2025
Eyes of Wakanda	August 6, 2025
Marvel Zombies	October 3, 2025
Wonder Man	December 25, 2025

X-Men ’97 illustrated its gripping storytelling in April when episode 5 delivered a surprising climax reminiscent of Avengers: Infinity War’s shocking turns. The engaging narrative kept viewers invested throughout the season, culminating in a climactic showdown in episode 10 featuring cameos from iconic heroes like Spider-Man and the Avengers. Meanwhile, Agatha All Along captivated audiences with its well-rounded cast and pivotal plot tenets including Wiccan and Death’s introductions alongside significant twists like Agatha Harkness’ demise.

The X-Men: A Critical Asset for Marvel’s Future

Mutants: Front and Center in the MCU’s Next Phase

Throughout the Multiverse Saga, Marvel Studios has increasingly woven mutants into the MCU narrative, often referenced subtly through the X-Gene and various cameos. In 2024, this trend culminated with Deadpool & Wolverine, marking the franchise’s first official mutant-centric film. It not only embraced Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine as key players in the MCU but also integrated other mutants such as X-23 and Gambit. Despite the end of Fox’s X-Men, their characters remain highly profitable assets.

The success of animated mutants is equally promising. X-Men ’97 exceeded initial expectations, proving that a revival of beloved series can establish a new facet within the MCU without the constraints of direct continuity ties. This animated series has reignited interest in other classic 1990s shows, suggesting a viable direction for further MUTANT productions.

The Diverse Scale and Scope of MCU Projects

Varied Expectations: Not Every MCU Title Needs to Be a Blockbuster

Deadpool gives Echo a Thumbs up in the MCU's 2024 projects — Custom image by Nicolas Ayala

The financial performance of superhero projects isn’t merely dictated by their budget versus box office returns, as demonstrated by films like The Marvels and Joker: Folie à Deux, both of which struggled to recoup their costs. In contrast, Deadpool & Wolverine justified its $200 million budget with a multiversal plot and a star-studded cast, quickly earning a remarkable $1.338 billion.

Other titles, such as Captain Marvel and Joker achieved significant financial success with more modest budgets. Echo, in juxtaposition, sought to carve its niche within the MCU, focusing on Maya Lopez and Wilson Fisk while only loosely connecting to broader story arcs.

Agatha All Along, though requiring a larger financial commitment, avoided overindulgence in special effects or massive climactic confrontations. Both Echo and Agatha All Along were able to achieve their goals with a focus on strong narratives and performances that appropriately matched their respective scopes.

The Importance of Time: Building Anticipation for Major MCU Releases

Marvel’s Strategic Delays: A Recipe for Success

Sam Wilson in Captain America Brave New World and Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine — Custom Image by Kai Young

The pandemic significantly affected the theatrical landscape, leading to a continuous challenge in attaining blockbuster success. While Marvel achieved significant milestones in the billion-dollar club with four films in 2018 and 2019, only two films have reached this mark since then. Nostalgia played a pivotal role in the success of both Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine. The absence of competition in 2024 contributed to Deadpool & Wolverine’s dominance at the box office.

While Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts compete for attention in the upcoming slate, all remaining Phase 5 and Phase 6 projects benefit from extended production timelines. This strategic delay has allowed ample time for reshoots, refining scripts, and enhancing visual effects, which could help avoid issues seen in past phases.

The Creative Freedom in Marvel’s Storytelling Approach

As we approach 2025, much remains uncertain regarding Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars; however, these upcoming films are expected to redefine elements of the Multiverse Saga’s narrative. Notably, the 2024 projects strategically focused less on setting the stage for these future Avengers films. Shows like Echo and X-Men ’97 opted for self-contained storytelling, while Agatha All Along firmly stayed within its unique narrative realm. Even with multiversal themes, Deadpool & Wolverine kept its references to the main timeline minimal.

With an eye toward the future, the next MCU films and the six series planned for 2026 appear to prioritize independent narratives, a notable shift from previous phases that heavily integrated multiversal connections. This fresh approach reflects the MCU’s evolving storytelling landscape and suggests that Marvel is positioned to move in an exciting new direction.

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