Marvel's Epic 2026 Disney+ Slate: Every Major Show & Character Reveal!

Hold onto your repulsor rays, Marvel fans! New York Comic-Con just blew the lid off Marvel's upcoming Disney+ lineup for 2026, confirming a jam-packed year of streaming adventures that will more than make up for the big screen's quiet spell.

TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to Marvel's 2026 TV Takeover

• Marvel Studios is going all-in on Disney+ in 2026, with a stacked TV schedule bridging a theatrical hiatus.
• Fan-favorite series like Daredevil: Born Again and X-Men '97 are getting new seasons, alongside the animated Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
• New live-action shows Wonder Man and VisionQuest promise fresh stories and the return of some surprising, beloved characters.

Marvel's Strategic Shift to Disney+: Why 2026 is the Year of TV

If you've noticed a bit of a lull in Marvel's big-screen output lately, you're not wrong. Following some mixed results with recent theatrical releases, Marvel Studios has decided to take a breather, giving the cinematic universe a chance to regroup. This means we're looking at the longest theatrical gap since the pandemic, with a full year between Fantastic Four and Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July 2026.

But don't despair! While the movies are taking a pit stop, Marvel Television is hitting the gas, full throttle. New York Comic-Con was the place to be, where the studio dropped a ton of exciting updates for Disney+ that prove 2026 is going to be HUGE for small-screen superhero action.

Unpacking the Epic Lineup: What to Expect from Marvel TV in 2026

Get ready to mark your calendars! Marvel unveiled a seriously impressive slate of shows, blending returning favorites with brand-new stories. Here’s a rundown of everything we learned at NYCC:

Wonder Man Kicks Off the Year with Hollywood Hilarity

First up, we're diving into the glitzy (and sometimes chaotic) world of Hollywood with Wonder Man. This new eight-episode series stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a struggling actor who's trying to land the lead role in a superhero film about—you guessed it—Wonder Man. But in true Marvel fashion, his journey to playing a hero becomes his origin story as a real one!

Sir Ben Kingsley is back as the fan-favorite Trevor Slattery (remember him from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi?). The series is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and is set to bring a meta-comedy vibe, poking fun at the superhero industry itself. Talk about self-aware! It's premiering on Disney+ on January 27, 2026, so get ready to start your year with some laughs and capes.

"As an actor, there's so much that goes into it. There's vulnerability, there's ego, there's hopes and dreams, there's ambition, there's the lonely road. As Simon, I get to walk that fine line and experience all of that. I'm really excited to share Simon's journey towards achieving his dream."

— Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Simon Williams/Wonder Man)

Daredevil: Born Again Roars Back with a Vengeance (and Jessica Jones!)

This is one many of us have been waiting for! Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 is officially hitting Disney+ in March 2026 (with some reports suggesting March 4th!). Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock) himself showed up at NYCC, and the crowd went wild when Krysten Ritter joined him on stage, confirming her long-awaited return as Jessica Jones to the MCU!

The first trailer (shown exclusively to attendees) was a whirlwind! It teased Matt and Karen Page in a romantic domestic setting before Matt’s super-senses were overwhelmed by a sonic attack. Then we saw missing person posters for Matt, Kingpin's underground tunnels, and even a glimpse of Foggy Nelson (who some believed died in Season 1 – intriguing!). Wilson Fisk is now the Mayor of New York City and was seen pummeling someone in a boxing ring. Plus, Wilson Bethel's Bullseye was spotted enjoying a sundae (casual!), and we got more of Fisk and his wife Vanessa. Of course, Daredevil was shown in action, grinning as he tasered bad guys.

And if two seasons aren't enough, Marvel has already confirmed that Season 3 of Daredevil: Born Again is in development, with Dario Scardapane already planning out the story. Looks like the Devil of Hell's Kitchen isn't going anywhere anytime soon!

VisionQuest: White Vision's Emotional Journey with Familiar AI Faces

The trilogy that started with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along is getting its conclusion with VisionQuest, expected to arrive on Disney+ in Fall 2026. Paul Bettany is back as White Vision, last seen flying off with all of the original Vision's memories but none of the emotional connection. This series will explore his struggle to reconcile those memories with his current, emotionless state.

But that's not all! The early footage screened at NYCC (with Bettany and Marvel exec Brad Winderbaum) revealed some seriously cool returns:

• James D'Arcy reprises his role as Jarvis (from Agent Carter), now in human form.
• Human incarnations of Tony Stark's other AIs: F.R.I.D.A.Y. (Orla Brady) and E.D.I.T.H. (Emily Hampshire), plus D.U.M.-E (Henry Lewis) and U (Jonathan Sayer).
• The biggest shocker? James Spader is back as Ultron! But this time, he's in human form, sporting a bushy beard. Ultron reveals Vision's son, Tommy Maximoff (aka Speed), played by Ruaridh Mollica.

"What’s different about Vision right now is that Red Vision gave Vision all of his memories, including the memories from within the Hex. But White Vision is having real difficulty connecting to them. So he has the memories, but he doesn’t have the emotions and the feelings, and I think that’s what the journey is. White Vision’s journey during the show is about his attempt to connect to those memories and who he was… but with lasers!"

— Paul Bettany (White Vision)

Punisher Special Presentation: A Quick Hit for Frank Castle Fans

While details are sparse, fans of Frank Castle will be pleased to know that a Punisher Special Presentation is also on the docket for Early 2026. This "one-shot spinoff" is designed to expand his corner of the MCU without requiring a full-season commitment, aligning with Marvel's strategy of focused, impactful content. More news on this one is sure to come!

Deep Dive into the Animation Universe: X-Men '97 and Spider-Man Unleashed

Marvel's animated offerings have been absolutely smashing it, and 2026 is no exception. These shows are set in alternate timelines, giving them the freedom to tell incredible, self-contained stories without being "homework" for the main MCU narrative.

X-Men '97 Season 2 (and 3, 4, and 5?!)

The critically acclaimed revival, X-Men '97, is coming back for Season 2 in Summer 2026! And that's not all – a third season is officially in development, and Marvel Animation's Brad Winderbaum even hinted at discussions for Seasons 4 and 5! It seems we'll be spending a lot more time with our favorite mutants.

The NYCC-exclusive trailer for Season 2 promised more epicness after that wild Season 1 finale. It showed the evil mutant Apocalypse returning and the X-Men scattered across time (Cyclops and Jean Grey in 3960 A.D., Rogue, Beast, Nightcrawler, Charles, and Magneto in ancient Egypt 3000 B.C., encountering a young Apocalypse). Heroes like Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Jubilee, Nightcrawler, and more must find their way back to the 1990s. We even saw Wolverine teaming up with Lady Deathstrike and Sabretooth!

Season 1, which debuted in March 2024, perfectly picked up where the original 1990s animated series left off, earning rave reviews. Matthew Chauncey will be writing Season 3, taking over from Beau DeMayo, who completed work on Season 2 before his departure.

The stellar voice cast includes:

• Ray Chase as Cyclops
• Jennifer Hale as Jean Grey
• Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm
• Cal Dodd as Wolverine
• JP Karliak as Morph
• Lenore Zann as Rogue
• George Buza as Beast
• AJ LoCascio as Gambit (whose fate after Season 1 is a big question mark!)
• Holly Chou as Jubilee
• Isaac Robinson-Smith as Bishop
• Matthew Waterson as Magneto
• Adrian Hough as Nightcrawler

Get ready for more mutant mayhem!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2 Swings in with Venom and Daredevil

Another animated hit, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, is getting its second season in Fall 2026. This series, which explores Peter Parker's early days as Spider-Man, thrilled NYCC attendees with a trailer that promised some massive character introductions and returns:

• The Venom symbiote is making its debut! We saw a mysterious black goo that fans instantly recognized.
• Charlie Cox's Daredevil will appear in animated form, a super cool cross-over.
• Gwen Stacy will be introduced.
• Familiar faces like Norman and Harry Osborn, Doctor Octopus, Chameleon, and Scorpion are returning.
• Even Nico Minoru will show off her magical powers!

The first season of this Jeff Trammell-created series premiered in January 2025, and fans have been eager for more of this unique take on Spidey's early adventures.

Why All This Disney+ TV is a Smart Move for Marvel

At first glance, such a packed 2026 TV schedule might seem like a lot, especially with Marvel trying to avoid content fatigue. But a closer look reveals a really smart strategy.

Shows like Wonder Man and VisionQuest were already deep in production before Marvel adjusted its overall strategy. Releasing them now is about clearing the pipeline and delivering on projects already underway. The rest of the TV lineup perfectly fits Marvel's refined approach: fewer, but stronger shows that can become "yearly events" for Disney+ subscribers.

Daredevil: Born Again, with its confirmed third season, is a prime example of building a recurring franchise cornerstone. The Punisher special expands this universe with a focused, impactful story. And as for the animated shows? Their alternate timeline settings are genius. They offer fantastic stories and character development without demanding audiences keep up with complex MCU continuity, making them perfect for casual and hardcore fans alike. It's all about quality, character, and narrative freedom.

Beyond Disney+: A Glimpse at Marvel's 2026 Theatrical Releases

While this article is all about the streaming action, it's worth a quick mention that 2026 won't be entirely devoid of Marvel movies:

• Spider-Man: Brand New Day: Swing into theaters on July 31, 2026. Tom Holland returns as your friendly neighborhood hero, joined by Zendaya, Mark Ruffalo, Jacob Batalon, and more.
• Avengers: Doomsday: The next massive team-up event is set for December 18, 2026. Robert Downey Jr. is rumored to return as the main antagonist, Doctor Doom, alongside a star-studded cast including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Simu Liu, Sebastian Stan, Channing Tatum, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Florence Pugh.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marvel's 2026 Disney+ Schedule

Q1: When is the next Marvel movie coming out?

While the focus in early to mid-2026 is heavily on Disney+ shows, the next major Marvel theatrical release after Fantastic Four will be Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31, 2026, followed by Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026.

Q2: Where can I watch these new Marvel shows and seasons?

All the newly announced series and returning seasons – Wonder Man, Daredevil: Born Again Season 2, The Punisher Special, X-Men '97 Season 2, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Season 2, and VisionQuest – will be exclusively available to stream on Disney+.

Q3: What's the deal with Daredevil: Born Again Season 3 already being confirmed?

Marvel Studios is moving towards a model where popular shows become consistent, recurring parts of the Disney+ lineup. Confirming Season 3 early for Daredevil: Born Again establishes it as a major ongoing franchise, similar to how many successful shows outside of Marvel operate. It signifies confidence in the series and its importance to the MCU's future.

Q4: Are the animated shows like X-Men '97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man part of the main MCU timeline?

No, both X-Men '97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man are confirmed to take place in alternate timelines. This creative choice allows them to tell compelling, self-contained stories and explore character arcs without being constrained by the strict continuity of the primary live-action MCU storyline, making them enjoyable for all viewers.

Sources

• New York Comic-Con 2025 Panel Announcements
• ComicBook.com Article Updates
• Variety Article Updates
• OnTheRedCarpet.com Article Updates
• Nexus Point News Reports