Massive MCU Events Blocked from IMAX: What Really Happened?
In 2026, the cinematic landscape is set for two colossal Marvel milestones: Spider-Man: Brand New Day—Tom Holland’s anticipated return as Peter Parker, and Avengers: Doomsday, the start of a new Avengers era with Robert Downey Jr. back in the fold. Each film is a box office juggernaut in the making, continuing legacies that have already shattered records globally. Yet, in an unexpected twist for fans and insiders alike, neither blockbuster will launch on IMAX screens in the United States, with both instead limited to select international markets.
The IMAX Dilemma: Why These Superhero Giants Missed Out
IMAX, renowned for its towering screens and ground-shaking sound, is the gold standard for movie experiences. But in recent years, there’s been a tectonic shift. What sets IMAX exclusivity apart is not just screen space—but also camera tech. Most movies shown on IMAX aren’t entirely shot with IMAX cameras, partly because traditional IMAX equipment has been unwieldy and noisy for filmmakers.
When a studio takes the leap and films exclusive sequences—or entire features—with IMAX-certified technology, they unlock priority for those massive screens, often at the expense of other high-profile releases. A recent example was with Oppenheimer, which received three weeks of IMAX exclusivity for pioneering new IMAX camera technology and because of director Christopher Nolan’s close relationship with the format. Despite industry skepticism, that gamble paid off nearly a billion dollars worldwide—proving the risk was worth it.
The Real Reason Marvel Misses Out
This year, it’s not superheroes but prestige directors who rule IMAX schedules. Spider-Man: Brand New Day premieres just two weeks after Nolan’s next epic, The Odyssey, which is the first major Hollywood feature shot entirely on new, quieter IMAX cameras. This leap in production earned The Odyssey a wall-to-wall IMAX window, leaving Spider-Man on the sidelines, regardless of Marvel’s blockbuster status.
Meanwhile, Avengers: Doomsday is slated for a simultaneous release with Dune: Part Three. Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi saga, already synonymous with cinematic spectacle, comes with the coveted ‘Filmed for IMAX’ badge. Even without new-generation cameras, Dune clinched the exclusive IMAX debut, which bumped Marvel’s Avengers off the lineup—at least domestically.
Behind the Scheduling Warfare
IMAX’s decision wasn’t without precedence. In 2023, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning suffered a similar fate, losing its IMAX screens thanks to Oppenheimer’s exclusivity—despite Tom Cruise’s direct lobbying. It’s a clear message: in the IMAX era, technological innovation and directorial partnerships sometimes outweigh commercial muscle.
The result? Sony and Marvel are forced to launch their tentpoles without the pull of the biggest screens—the very draw for spoiler-sensitive fans eager for opening weekend bragging rights. This won’t cripple their box office, but it will likely take a bite out of those crucial early days. For the die-hard Marvel audience who crave the absolute premium format, it’s a rare disappointment—but one that underscores a new pecking order in blockbuster filmmaking.
What’s Next for Marvel on the Giant Screen?
Marvel fans can take heart: Avengers: Secret Wars already has its IMAX window reserved for 2027, uncontested by rival releases—hinting that the relationship between blockbuster franchises and IMAX is far from over. In the meantime, both Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday are still set to be visual marvels, just not in the format many hoped for.
Full Cast & Creative Line-Up
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day is helmed by Destin Daniel Cretton with Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker, joined by Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, and Mark Ruffalo in key roles. The story carries forward the character’s arc while promising a new set of battles and a dramatic time jump.
- Avengers: Doomsday, produced by Anthony and Joe Russo, kicks off Phase 6 of the MCU with a star-studded cast including Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Robert Downey Jr. as a formidable Victor von Doom emerges to threaten the Avengers—old and new.
Buckle up for a year where Marvel’s biggest heroes will take over cinemas worldwide—just not from the most epic seats in the house.
