Avengers Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the biggest movies of 2026. Fans have been excited for over a year now. The buzz started early. Trailers broke records fast. Expectations went sky high.
But there is a twist. When the movie hits theaters, it may not be available on IMAX screens right away. Reports suggest IMAX screens will be booked by another major film. Dune Messiah is set to release on the same day. It will reportedly get full IMAX access for 3 weeks. That means Avengers Doomsday could miss IMAX until January 8, 2027.
This came as a surprise. Earlier reports had listed Doomsday among IMAX releases for 2026. No exclusivity was mentioned back then. Now things look different. The situation reminds many fans of 2023. That year, Oppenheimer dominated IMAX screens. Barbie released the same day but skipped the format.
Avengers Doomsday is the fifth Avengers movie. It is also part of Phase 6 of the MCU. Over 31 actors are already confirmed. The story brings together Avengers, X Men, Fantastic Four, and more. The villain is Victor von Doom. He is played by Robert Downey Jr. The film releases on December 18.
Missing IMAX may raise some concerns. Avengers movies usually launch in IMAX. Marvel has a strong history with the format. Still, fans have other premium options. Dolby Cinema offers rich colors and powerful sound. The experience is still immersive. The screen may be smaller, but the impact remains big.
As for box office fears, they may be overstated. Doomsday is expected to dominate ticket sales. It could be the biggest movie of the year. Possibly even the biggest of the decade so far. The numbers already say a lot. Four trailers crossed 1 billion views in just one month. This happened despite leaks.
The Avengers franchise has earned over $7.7 billion worldwide so far. That legacy matters. While Doomsday may not reach Endgame or Infinity War levels, it is still set up for massive success. A huge cast and strong fan loyalty give it a solid edge. Even without IMAX at launch, Avengers Doomsday looks unstoppable.
