Marvel films UK release dates: Black Panther and Avengers among six to reach UK before US

Guardians of the Galaxy two is another movie that will hit UK cinemas first

The Avengers films will reach UK cinemas ahead of the US (Marvel)

Marvel fans in the UK have been given an exciting surprise – many of the upcoming Phase 3 films will be released early here, from Guardians of the Galaxy 2 to Doctor Strange.

The Disney-owned studio will bring some Marvel movies to UK audiences around a week before they open in North America - a welcome change from having to wait for big blockbusters to cross the pond.

Recent films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers have been released up to two weeks early in the UK and now, we can look forward to seeing the likes of Black Panther and Inhumans sooner too.

Rentrak confirmed the UK release dates for Marvel's nine Phase 3 movies on Twitter earlier this week and UK movie-goers will see six of them first.

Two will be released on the same day in both countries: Thor: Ragnorak and Captain Marvel, featuring the first female superhero lead.

Marvel made their huge Phase 3 announcement late last month, announcing a mixture of sequels and new titles based on the comic books.

Kevin Fiege, Marvel Studios chief, said that the new slate of films is "about bringing new characters to the screen" and defended Marvel’s decision not to focus on more well-known characters such as Black Widow and Hulk.

New movie Black Panther will centre on a black lead character for the first time.

The first ten Marvel films, which began in 2008 with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, have made over $7 billion at the global box office.

Marvel UK release dates

Captain America: Civil War – 29 April 2016

Doctor Strange – 28 October 2016

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 – 28 April 2017

Thor: Ragnorak – 28 July 2017

Black Panther – 27 October 2017

Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – 27 April 2018

Captain Marvel – July 2018

Inhumans – 26 October 2018

Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – 26 April 2019