The Christmas 2026 box office could be heading for a BIG showdown. Shah Rukh Khan’s King is locked for December 24, and now there is fresh trade chatter around Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday potentially shifting its India release date.
But there is an important catch. Nothing has been officially announced yet.
KING vs Avengers: Doomsday Clash Update
Speculation has started floating in trade circles that distributors want Marvel to move Avengers: Doomsday two days earlier in India, the UK and the Gulf.
The thinking is simple. A slightly earlier release could create more breathing room before King arrives on December 24. Distributors reportedly feel that if both big-ticket films land too close to each other, they could eat into each other’s business during the crucial Christmas period.
However, this is distributor wishful thinking at this stage, not a Marvel announcement.
Some Indian and US theatre listings have shown Thursday, December 17 shows for Avengers: Doomsday, which has only added fuel to the ongoing speculation.
Is Avengers: Doomsday Releasing On December 16?
This is where things get interesting.
There is trade talk in India about a possible December 16 release for Avengers: Doomsday, which would give the Marvel film additional breathing room before King hits cinemas on December 24.
But as of now, there is no official confirmation from Marvel or Disney India confirming a December 16 change.
So, until an official announcement arrives, December 18 should continue to be treated as the release date, while the December 16 or 17 chatter remains speculation.
KING vs Avengers: Doomsday Could Still Be A Semi-Clash
Even if Avengers: Doomsday moves ahead by a couple of days, the two films would still operate in the same Christmas corridor.
That makes this less of a direct clash and more of a semi-clash between two massive theatrical releases.
On one side, there is Shah Rukh Khan returning with King, which is already locked for December 24, 2026. On the other, Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday comes with the enormous global pull of the Avengers franchise.
For now, the key point is simple: King’s December 24 release is confirmed. Any change to Avengers: Doomsday’s date is still awaiting official confirmation.
Until Marvel or Disney India makes it official, the December 16 or 17 reports should be treated strictly as speculation.
