Avengers Doomsday Loses IMAX Release to Dune: Part Three, A Stunning Sign of Marvel’s Decline

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Marvel Studios recently faced a significant setback with some very unfavorable publicity. Many believe this marks a turning point for the franchise, as the new film, Avengers Doomsday, will not be shown in IMAX theaters.

This announcement comes after it was confirmed that Dune: Part Three will be shown on the best, largest screens in theaters when it opens. For a studio like Marvel, which used to completely control the movie theater experience, this suggests they may have lost some of their influence.

Both movies are scheduled to premiere on December 18, 2026, a peak holiday season when studios usually release their biggest films. Recently, it was announced that Dune: Part Three will have exclusive access to IMAX screens in the U.S. during its opening weekend.

This means the next Avengers movie—which used to reliably dominate premium screens—will miss out on prime showing times in the US when it first comes out.

How Did Marvel End Up Here?

The situation didn’t happen overnight.

Originally, Avengers: Doomsday was scheduled to release on May 1, 2026, but the date was moved to December. However, Dune: Part Three had already secured that time slot. When it comes to IMAX deals, timing is crucial, and Marvel missed out.

Thanks to Denis Villeneuve’s new sci-fi film, everyone is now talking about the best way to experience it on the biggest screens as it opens in theaters.

While Doomsday will still be shown in IMAX theaters outside the US when it’s released, it might also be possible to get it into US IMAX theaters later on. However, it’s important to remember that a strong opening weekend is crucial for building excitement and shaping how the film is received.

And right now, Marvel isn’t winning that battle.

A Far Cry From the Infinity Saga Era

It used to be a given that any new Avengers movie would dominate IMAX theaters, easily pushing aside other films. At the peak of the Infinity Saga, Marvel didn’t need to ask for favorable terms – they simply set them, given their immense popularity and box office power.

This latest development tells a different story.

While excitement for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) isn’t as high as it once was, films directed by visionaries like Denis Villeneuve – such as the Dune series – have been consistently praised by critics and are proving popular with theaters offering enhanced viewing experiences.

Ultimately, IMAX is a company focused on profit. They choose projects they think will attract the most viewers to their theaters. The fact that Dune: Part Three got a special, exclusive release in the US shows how much faith the industry has in that film right now.

Not Necessarily a Box Office Death Blow — But Still a Problem

Just to be clear, losing IMAX theaters doesn’t necessarily mean Avengers: Doomsday will fail. Plenty of blockbuster movies have still been successful even without playing in a lot of premium formats.

The summer of 2023, dubbed “Barbenheimer,” clearly showed how two very different movies could both succeed. Even though Oppenheimer had most of the IMAX screens, Barbie still became the highest-grossing film of the year.

However, context matters.

Marvel’s cultural influence isn’t as strong as it was a few years back. Because people are already questioning its success, even small setbacks – like not having the first weekend in IMAX – feel more significant.

Perception shapes narratives, and right now the narrative is uncomfortable for Disney.

The Bigger Picture

This situation really shows how much more competition there is for prime movie theater space. It seems like Marvel doesn’t automatically get the best screens anymore – at least not right now.

It’s still uncertain if Avengers: Doomsday will be a box office success. The film is releasing during a long holiday season, but Marvel is a very popular and well-known brand globally.

Let’s be clear: if an Avengers movie isn’t chosen for the prime IMAX opening weekend – usually reserved for major blockbusters – people will definitely notice.

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2026-02-27 17:00