Marvel's 2018 film Deadpool 2, starring Ryan Reynolds, has become one of the ten most-streamed movies in the United States on HBO Max, thanks to a special, limited-time licensing deal between the platform, Disney and 20th Century Studios. The renewed interest comes as fans prepare for a busy year of Marvel Cinematic Universe releases in 2026, following a widely acknowledged disappointing 2025 for the franchise.

The article notes that 2025 saw underwhelming box-office performances from Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps and, most notably, the poorly received Captain America: Brave New World. Looking ahead, Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrives on 31 July 2026, while Avengers: Doomsday — billed as the biggest Marvel event since Endgame — is set for 18 December, boasting a huge cast including Robert Downey Jr., controversially returning as the villain Doctor Doom. Deadpool 2's supporting cast is highlighted too, featuring Josh Brolin as Cable, Morena Baccarin as Vanessa and Zazie Beetz as Domino.