The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has evolved into a storytelling giant over the years, due to successes of past films such as Iron Man and The Avengers. Typically, Marvel Studios  releases around two to four films, and after the record-breaking success of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, 2020 was set to be an exciting year for Marvel fans. Unfortunately, all of the projects slated for release this year have been pushed back by the coronavirus pandemic. Here are each of Marvel’s top projects that are expected to hit theaters and streaming services next year.  

The first major release slated for January 15, 2021, is the Disney+ show WandaVision. It is the first of two big Marvel shows set to be released next year. WandaVision follows the lives of Wanda Maximoff, (a.k.a Scarlet Witch) and Vision, a superbot designed by Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Bruce Banner (The Hulk). The synopsis is that the pair live their lives having to deal with being superpowered, but then discover that everything is not as it seems. This description could mean any number of things for the plot of the show, but one Marvel executive has said that it will take a sitcom-esque approach, at least in the early goings. 

The next project with a tentative date set is the next film, Black Widow. Black Widow, who will be reprised by actor Scarlett Johannsen, is the first of the original Avengers (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, and Hawkeye) to be getting a solo film. The film will take place in between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Black Widow will follow the ex Russian spy as she goes on the run from world governments and reunites with her long lost family. This movie is very highly anticipated and expected to be one of the top-earning movies at the box office next year. 

Another highly anticipated release is The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the second Disney+ show set to drop next year. Set after the ending of Avengers: Endgame, Falcon and the Winter Soldier follows Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as Wilson takes up the mantle of Captain America and Barnes continues his life post Winter Soldier phase. Falcon and the Winter Soldier is reportedly similar in style to films such as Mission: Impossible and Marvel’s own Captain America: The Winter Soldier. While no specific release date has been mentioned, Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes) has said that the show was “two or three weeks away from being done” before the pandemic hit. 

The last set of films that will hit theaters in 2021 are Shang-Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings, The Eternals, and Spiderman 3. Shang-Chi is slated for July 9th, The Eternals pushed back until November 5th, and Spiderman 3 capping the action-packed year on December 17th. 

 Regardless of the horrendous year that was 2020, there is still hope at Marvel Studios to get these projects and more done in 2021 and beyond.