Get ready for a blockbuster plot twist that even M. Night Shyamalan wouldn’t see coming: Marvel and Star Wars have officially swapped release months! Yep, faster than you can say “May the Fourth be with you,” the two Disney powerhouses have done a full cinematic switcheroo.

For over a decade, Marvel’s biggest Avengers movies ruled the spring — especially May. Meanwhile, Star Wars had long claimed December as its own, delivering epic space sagas just in time for holiday moviegoers. But now? The Force is moving into May, while the Avengers are suiting up for some cozy Christmas-season action. It’s like Han Solo traded places with Iron Man — but somehow, it makes total sense.

Let’s rewind for a sec. Since Disney bought Lucasfilm back in 2012, both franchises have been under the same corporate umbrella, cranking out content like popcorn at a cineplex. And while they’ve rarely shared theater screens (thanks to carefully spaced release dates), their paths did cross once — and not in a good way.

Remember Solo: A Star Wars Story ? That one came out in May 2018… right when Avengers: Infinity War was stomping box office records into dust. Solo ended up being the lowest-grossing Star Wars flick ever — talk about bad timing! After that, Disney made sure Star Wars stayed far away from Marvel’s prime real estate.

But here’s where things get wild: In May 2025, Marvel dropped a surprise no one saw coming — Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars were both pushed from their usual May slots to December 2026 and 2027, respectively. Cue the dramatic music!

Suddenly, the door swung wide open for Star Wars to reclaim its beloved month of May. And guess what? They’re taking full advantage. The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to drop on May 22, 2026, followed by Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars: Starfighter in May 2027. That means Marvel’s next big Avengers showdowns will now hit theaters during the winter holidays — a move that feels as cozy as watching Die Hard on Christmas Eve.

So why the change-up? Turns out, it wasn’t a feud or a rivalry — just plain ol’ logistics. Avengers: Doomsday only started filming in May 2025, which made a May 2026 release totally unrealistic. By shifting to December, Marvel gave itself the breathing room it needed — and accidentally handed Star Wars back its birth month.

And let’s be real: Star Wars has always felt like a May kind of franchise. All six original Star Wars films released before Disney took over premiered in May. It’s basically the franchise’s birthday party month. But after Marvel locked down May with The Avengers in 2012, Star Wars had to play second fiddle — until now.

So what does this mean for fans? No more scheduling battles between our favorite superheroes and space rebels. Instead, we get a clean slate: Marvel in December, Star Wars in May. It’s a win-win situation — unless you’re planning your annual binge calendar and suddenly realize you might need a bigger couch (and a lot more snacks).

One thing’s for sure: the entertainment world just got flipped upside down — and we’re all here for the sequel.

Also read:

• Why Revenge of the Sith Still Rules the Galaxy 20 Years Later — According to John Boyega and a Whole Lot of Nostalgia
• 7 Sci-Fi Movies That Rewrote the Genre (And Probably Invented the Future Too)
• After Red Hulk’s MCU Debut, I’m Begging For Savage Hulk’s Return in Avengers: Doomsday