Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Four

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Four features all the Marvel Studios productions released from 2021 through 2022. It is the first phase in the franchise to include television series, alongside television specials marketed as "Marvel Studios Special Presentations", with Marvel Studios developing several event series for the streaming service Disney+ in addition to the feature films that it was already set to produce. Animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. Phase Four began with the series WandaVision, which premiered in January 2021, while the first theatrical film in this phase is Black Widow, which was released in July 2021 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The phase concluded with the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022. The release schedule of Phase Four was changed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Feige produced every film and executive produced every series and special in this phase, alongside producers Jonathan Schwartz for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Nate Moore for Eternals and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Amy Pascal for Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Brad Winderbaum for Thor: Love and Thunder.

The films of the phase include Black Widow, with Scarlett Johansson returning as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow; Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu; the ensemble Eternals; and the sequels Spider-Man: No Way Home from Sony Pictures Releasing, with Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, with Benedict Cumberbatch returning as Dr. Stephen Strange, Thor: Love and Thunder, with Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with Letitia Wright returning as Shuri / Black Panther. The seven films of the phase grossed over $5.7 billion at the global box office.

The Disney+ television series of the phase include WandaVision, with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in the title roles; The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan in the title roles; the first season of Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston; the first season of the animated What If...?, narrated by Jeffrey Wright; Hawkeye, starring Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld; Moon Knight, starring Oscar Isaac; Ms. Marvel, starring Iman Vellani; and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, starring Tatiana Maslany. The Special Presentation television specials Werewolf by Night, starring Gael García Bernal, and the ensemble The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, as well as the first season of the I Am Groot shorts starring Vin Diesel, are also included in this phase. Benedict Wong appeared the most in the phase, being featured in five projects: three films and two television series. Phase Four, along with Phase Five and Phase Six, constitutes "The Multiverse Saga".