Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 2022

Movie · 126 min · English · May 2, 2022

Fantasy action Fantasy adventure Superhero

Directed by Sam RaimiWritten by Michael Waldron

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez

A 2022 American superhero film based on Marvel Comics, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features the character Doctor Strange and is produced by Marvel Studios with distribution handled by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It serves as the follow-up to Doctor Strange from 2016 and stands as the 28th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie was directed by Sam Raimi, written by Michael Waldron, and stars Benedict Cumberbatch portraying Stephen Strange, joined by Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. Within the story, Strange is tasked with defending America Chavez (Gomez), a young individual who can traverse different realities, from the Scarlet Witch (Olsen).

Scott Derrickson, who directed and co-wrote Doctor Strange, had intentions for a sequel by October 2016. He committed to returning as director in December 2018 once Cumberbatch confirmed his return. The film’s title was revealed in July 2019 together with Olsen's participation, while Jade Halley Bartlett was brought on to script the project that October. Derrickson exited as director in January 2020, citing creative disagreements. Waldron and Raimi took over shortly after, beginning anew and incorporating horror elements that Raimi had previously explored, transforming Wanda into the main antagonist of the film, continuing her narrative from the Disney+ series WandaVision (2021). Principal photography commenced in November 2020 in London but halted in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Production restarted by March 2021 and wrapped up in mid-April in Somerset. Additional filming took place in Surrey and Los Angeles. With a production cost of $350.6 million, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ranks among the most expensive movies ever produced.

The film made its debut at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on May 2, 2022, before opening nationwide in the United States on May 6 as part of Phase Four of the MCU. Critics responded positively to the movie, and it earned $955.8 million globally, becoming the fourth-best-grossing film of 2022.