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Las Vegas, NV – CinemaCon 2026 wrapped up its final day on Thursday, April 16, with one of the most exciting studio presentations in recent memory. Disney closed the show in spectacular fashion, delivering major footage and announcements that have fans buzzing about the upcoming theatrical slate for late 2026 and beyond. From Robert Downey Jr.’s shocking return as Doctor Doom to the first big-screen Star Wars adventure in years, Day 4 delivered plenty of headline-worthy moments.
As someone who has followed these franchises for years, I was glued to the live updates and reactions pouring in from the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Here’s my breakdown of the biggest takeaways from the most anticipated day of CinemaCon.
Avengers: Doomsday Steals the Spotlight
The undeniable highlight of the night was Marvel Studios’ presentation for Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on December 18, 2026.
Robert Downey Jr. made a dramatic onstage appearance to thunderous applause. After his iconic run as Iron Man, Downey is returning to the MCU — this time as Victor von Doom (Doctor Doom). Attendees described the first full trailer as epic and chaotic, featuring a scarred and masked Downey in full Doom armor. Reports mention portentous monologues from Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, major X-Men appearances (including Cyclops, Gambit, and Mystique), and a surprise glimpse of Chris Evans, seemingly reprising his role as Steve Rogers/Captain America in some capacity.
The Russo Brothers are directing, and the film is clearly setting the stage for the massive Avengers: Secret Wars to follow. The trailer reportedly showcases multiverse-level spectacle, with heroes and villains crossing paths in ways longtime MCU fans have been dreaming about.
For many of us who grew up with the MCU, seeing Downey back in the franchise — even as a villain — feels like a full-circle moment. The energy in the room was electric, and social media exploded the moment details started leaking.
The Mandalorian and Grogu: Star Wars Returns to Theaters
Jon Favreau brought the house down with an extended look at The Mandalorian & Grogu, the first theatrical Star Wars movie since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. The film is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend 2026.
Favreau screened nearly 20 minutes of opening footage, which many are comparing to the snowy Hoth battle in The Empire Strikes Back. It features Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and a now-walking, Force-using Grogu facing off against Imperial remnants, including AT-AT walkers. The sequence is described as action-packed, emotional, and true to the tone of the beloved Disney+ series while feeling cinematic in scale.
This marks a major return to the big screen for the Star Wars franchise, and early reactions suggest it could be the bridge many fans have wanted between the Mandalorian series and the larger saga.
Johnny Depp Makes a Surprise Appearance
Paramount Pictures also had a strong showing. The biggest surprise came when Johnny Depp appeared onstage to present footage from his new project, Ebenezer, a dark, ghostly reimagining of A Christmas Carol in which he stars as Ebenezer Scrooge.
The footage was described as atmospheric and visually striking, leaning into a supernatural horror-tinged take on the classic tale. Depp’s involvement has generated massive interest, marking one of his most high-profile studio roles in recent years.
Other Major Highlights from Day 4
Toy Story 5: Pixar showed extended footage revealing more about the story, including the surprising revelation that even toys can experience “aging” issues (Woody dealing with hair loss jokes landed well).
Live-action Moana: New looks confirmed the film’s visual ambition and musical energy.
Top Gun 3: Paramount officially confirmed the sequel with Tom Cruise returning as Maverick.
Additional teases included new footage from other big titles and updates on franchises like Avatar and beyond.
Credit: Marvel Entertainment/YouTube
Why This Matters for Movie Theaters and Fans
CinemaCon is where studios woo theater owners, and Disney’s presentation was clearly designed to reassure exhibitors that 2026 will be packed with event cinema. With The Mandalorian & Grogu launching the summer season and Avengers: Doomsday closing out the year, Disney is betting heavily on theatrical experiences.
For fans like me, these presentations are exciting but also bittersweet — we get incredible descriptions and reactions while having to wait for official trailers to drop online. Based on the early buzz, both Doomsday and The Mandalorian & Grogu look like they have the potential to be massive box office events.
What’s Next?
Expect official trailers and teaser clips to start appearing in the coming weeks as studios roll out their marketing campaigns. Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious MCU films ever, while The Mandalorian & Grogu could finally bring the beloved characters to the big screen in a way that feels fresh.
CinemaCon 2026 will be remembered as the event that officially kicked off the hype train for one of the biggest movie years in recent memory.
What are you most excited about — Doctor Doom, Baby Yoda on the big screen, or Johnny Depp’s new project? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. I’ll be following all the reactions and will update this story as more details and official footage emerge.
