Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the
Multiverse of Madness
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySam Raimi
Written byMichael Waldron
Based onMarvel Comics
Produced byKevin Feige
Starring
CinematographyJohn Mathieson
Edited by
Music byDanny Elfman
Production
company
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release dates
  • May 2, 2022 (2022-05-02) (Dolby Theatre)
  • May 6, 2022 (2022-05-06) (United States)
Running time
126 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget
  • $414.9 million (gross)
  • $350.6 million (net)[2]
Box office$955.8 million[3][4]

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 American superhero film based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Doctor Strange. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the sequel to Doctor Strange (2016) and the 28th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Sam Raimi, written by Michael Waldron, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, alongside Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. In the film, Strange must protect America Chavez (Gomez), a teenager capable of traveling the multiverse, from the Scarlet Witch (Olsen).

Doctor Strange director and co-writer Scott Derrickson had plans for a sequel by October 2016. He signed to return as director in December 2018, when Cumberbatch was confirmed to return. The film's title was announced in July 2019 along with Olsen's involvement, while Jade Halley Bartlett was hired to write the film that October. Derrickson stepped down as director in January 2020, citing creative differences. Waldron and Raimi joined the following month and started over, adding elements of the horror genre that Raimi had worked with previously and making Wanda the villain of the film, continuing her story from the Disney+ miniseries WandaVision (2021). Filming began in November 2020 in London but was put on hold in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Production resumed by March 2021 and concluded in mid-April in Somerset. Shooting also occurred in Surrey and Los Angeles. With a production budget of $350.6 million, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is one of the most expensive films ever made.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premiered at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on May 2, 2022, and was released in the United States on May 6, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $955.8 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2022.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference BBFC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Reid, Caroline (May 11, 2024). "Disney Reveals 'Doctor Strange 2' Cost More To Make Than 'Avengers 2'". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved September 7, 2022.