Top 10 Most Anticipated Marvel Blockbusters of 2022

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Guardians of the Galaxy, a team of superheroes from Marvel Comics. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the movie follows the Guardians on a mission to protect the universe and one of their own. Both Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, received incredible fanfare, with many considering them among Marvel's funniest and most emotionally rich films ever made.

From humble beginnings as a beloved comic fan turned character on Parks & Recreation, Chris Pratt’s portrayal of Star-Lord has evolved from playful banter to one of the most tragic figures in the entire MCU. The first Guardians film became a surprise critical and commercial hit in 2014, grossing over $770 million worldwide. The second film, released in 2017, was an even bigger success, grossing over $860 million globally, although it wasn’t as warmly received by critics.

Secret Invasion is a comic book storyline that spans across an 8-issue limited series and several tie-in books published by Marvel Comics between April and December 2008. The story focuses on a long-running invasion of Earth by the Skrulls, an alien race who secretly replaced many Marvel superheroes with impostors over the course of several years, leading up to the public invasion. The six-episode series will premiere on Disney+ in 2023, with the first trailer offering a sneak peek at the A-list cast involved.

This is expected to be the first Disney+ series in Phase Five of the MCU, with other 2023 series including Echo, Loki, Ironheart, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos. Based on the 2008 Marvel comic, Secret Invasion follows a group of shape-shifting Skrulls who have infiltrated Earth over the years, secretly posing as some of the planet's mightiest heroes. In the series, former SHIELD director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) returns to confront the threat, last seen aboard a space station alongside Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) of the Kree. While the plot in Captain Marvel revealed that the Skrulls were refugees fleeing from war-torn areas, it seems that some rogue Skrulls are returning to sow chaos.

The Marvels is an upcoming American superhero film based on Marvel Comics, featuring characters Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it serves as a sequel to Captain Marvel (2019), the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel (2022), and is the 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the movie, Danvers, Khan, and Rambeau begin to swap places every time they use their powers, forcing them to team up.

In January 2020, Marvel reportedly hired WandaVision writer Megan McDonnell to begin working on the Captain Marvel sequel. Brie Larson will reprise her role as Carol Danvers. The Marvels will continue ideas introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy and Eternals. Brie Larson returns as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, joined by Teyonah Parris, who first appeared as the grown-up Monica Rambeau in WandaVision, and Iman Vellani, who will appear as Ms. Marvel in her upcoming Disney+ series.

Echo is an upcoming American TV series created by Marion Dayre for the Disney+ streaming service, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is set to be the 10th TV show in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), produced by Marvel Studios, and shares continuity with other MCU films. It serves as a spin-off from the Hawkeye (2021) series, focusing on Maya Lopez as she returns to her hometown, confronts her past, reconnects with her Native American roots, and embraces her family and community.

Echo continues after the events of Hawkeye, detailing Maya's journey toward heroism as she distances herself from Wilson Fisk after her father's death, leaving the Tracksuit Mafia behind. The casting of Jacobs as the new character Julie suggests Maya will have at least one ally as she begins a new life, free from her dark past. The return of McClarnon as William Lopez hints at flashbacks to Maya's past, as Hawkeye confirmed that Clint Barton killed William years ago when he posed as Ronin during the events of Infinity War and Endgame.

After the secrets of the TVA were uncovered and He Who Remains was recklessly defeated at the end of Loki season 1, the possibilities for Loki season 2 are wide open. By killing the Kang variant, Sylvie fractured the timeline and ushered in the next phase of the MCU, paving the way for multiversal films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Loki kicked off The Multiverse Saga with What If...?, exploring some of the wildest variants, while Spider-Man: No Way Home introduced alternate universe variants crossing over multiple franchises, and Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch dove into the darkest depths of the multiverse.

Loki season 2 has been partially confirmed to take place in the 1970s. At the D23 Expo in 2022, Kevin Feige and the cast revealed that the second season will pick up exactly where season 1 left off, with Loki returning to a different version of TVA where Agent Mobius and Hunter B-15 no longer recognize him. Season 2 will likely see Hiddleston's character navigating personal puzzles, though there is also a possibility that the trickster will show compassion and attempt to warn others about an impending multiversal war. Loki season 2 might feature the usual anti-hero balancing the pain of his fractured relationship with Sylvie while trying to undo what he's sought throughout the MCU: total chaos.

Blade first appeared in Marvel's Tomb of Dracula #10 in 1973, created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan. Quickly becoming a fan favorite, Blade is a vampire hunter who targets both vampires and other dark supernatural entities. He made his big-screen debut in 1998, played by Wesley Snipes. The new Blade film was officially announced in July 2019 at San Diego Comic-Con, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirming that Mahershala Ali, a multiple-time Oscar winner, would star in the role.

The original Blade trilogy, starring Wesley Snipes, became hugely popular, even though it didn't always resonate with critics. These films brought Marvel's vampire anti-hero into the spotlight, at a time when the MCU wasn't even on the radar. They also spawned a short-lived television series. While the MCU is a vast universe full of sci-fi, mysticism, cosmic entities, and street-level crime, it has lacked real monsters. Rising from the pages of Marvel Comics' The Tomb of Dracula, Blade will surely lead us into a darker corner of the MCU, where creatures of the night come to life.

Ironheart centers around Riri Williams, an exceptional young Black inventor who designs a high-tech suit of armor inspired by Iron Man's. While details about the series are still limited, Riri’s comic debut introduces her as a 15-year-old from Chicago who wins an engineering scholarship to MIT. With Tony Stark’s official backing, she becomes the superhero Ironheart. As she navigates the world of superheroes, Riri builds her own suit using materials she acquires at school. The show will also explore her relationship with Shuri, which ties into the upcoming Black Panther sequel.

The MCU’s Ironheart series will likely deviate from the comics due to Tony Stark's death. However, the original Marvel story provides a solid foundation for intriguing subplots, especially regarding AI. For example, in the comics, Riri temporarily steps into Tony Stark's role when he falls into a coma after fighting Captain Marvel in Civil War II, using his AI to become a more powerful superhero. While plot details for the Disney+ series are scarce, Marvel has hinted that Riri will create “the most advanced suit since Iron Man, Tony Stark.” Based on the comics, it’s expected that Riri will have a lab at MIT where she will develop AI technology named NATALIE, a tribute to her late best friend.

Werewolf by Night is a special Disney+ Halloween feature from the MCU, based on the comic series of the same name. It follows two fictional werewolves introduced in Marvel Comics, known as 'The Werewolf by Night.' The story unfolds at the funeral of a famous monster hunter, where his colleagues gather to pay their respects—and compete for control of his legendary Bloodstone, a powerful artifact used to hunt monsters. Among the attendees are Jack (Gael Garcia Bernal), a mysterious figure, and Elsa (Laura Donnelly), the estranged daughter of the deceased. They must survive a perilous night in the family’s spooky, maze-like mausoleum.

While Werewolf by Night is bloodier than typical Marvel fare, it doesn’t cross into full-on horror territory. The series builds tension with an eerie atmosphere, employing old-school lighting techniques that capture the essence of classic horror films. Alongside Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Werewolf by Night marks one of Marvel’s first ventures into the darker corners of its cinematic universe. This bold exploration of the horror genre is no small feat, but Werewolf by Night makes it look easy.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Black Panther was not only a cultural phenomenon but also one of the best Marvel films in recent years. It earned 14 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture (the first superhero film to ever receive such an honor), and won six awards. This rare combination of critical acclaim and fan love made it one of the standout films of the decade. Given its success, a sequel seemed inevitable. However, the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 paused those plans. Instead of recasting his role, the production team chose to honor Boseman’s legacy and incorporate his death into the storyline of the new film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) must fight to protect their homeland from global powers after the death of King T'Challa. As the people of Wakanda seek to navigate the next chapter in their history, the heroes join forces with characters like WarDog and Everett Ross to forge a new path for the kingdom. The film introduces Tenoch Huerta as Namor, the king of a mysterious underwater nation, and also stars Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, Dominique Thorne, and Alex Livaneli.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is an upcoming superhero film from Marvel, based on characters from Marvel Comics, featuring Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Hope Pym/Wasp. The duo, along with Hope's parents Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, embark on a new adventure that takes them deep into the Quantum Realm, where they encounter bizarre new creatures and face challenges that push them to their limits.

From the teaser shown at SDCC 2022, we get a glimpse into the story of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Scott Lang, now a world-renowned hero, is enjoying his newfound fame. However, his joy is short-lived as his daughter Cassie, now recast from Emma Fuhrmann, begins following in her father's criminal footsteps. Drawn into his world, Cassie soon finds herself trapped in the Quantum Realm with Scott, the Wasp, and the entire Pym-Van Dyne family. As they chase down Kang, it’s confirmed by director Peyton at SDCC 2022 that MODOK and other familiar faces, including Hope, Hank, and Janet, will return in this thrilling adventure.