While a large selection of films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have made their place in blockbuster history, the success of Black Panther (2018) was something special. Not only did the film make enough money to enter the top ten highest-grossing superhero films of all time (not to mention achieving Marvel's first-ever Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards), Black Panther marked a significant cultural milestone for the MCU, being the first theatrical film from Marvel Studios to feature a black lead, a mostly black cast, and a black director. While making a fun superhero movie would have been more than enough to make the film a runaway success, writer/director Ryan Coogler took things a step further by incorporating themes of racial prejudice and how those with wealth and power should use those privileges to benefit others.
A sequel was practically a given, but Marvel fans everywhere were in for a complete shock with the news that beloved Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman had passed away. Boseman made not only a huge impact on the Marvel Universe and the acting world as a whole, but he also gave young children a hero and role model that they could see themselves in and relate to. Boseman's untimely passing understandably means that plans for his long career in the MCU were shaken, and it didn't take too long for questions regarding where King T'Challa and the Kingdom of Wakanda's story would go next.
Four years later, audiences returned to the nation of Wakanda with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), which serves as the conclusion to Marvel's Phase Four, the first of the fabled Multiverse Saga. Reintroducing old favorites from the original film like Shuri (Letitia Wright) and introducing iconic characters from the comics like Namor the Submariner (Tenoch Huerta), the latest chapter in the MCU story honors the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, giving Coogler, the rest of the cast and crew, and audiences everywhere a chance to bid a proper farewell to the prolific artist who impacted the lives of so many. While the film is a celebration of the past, Marvel has become more than well-known for looking into the future, as the film also reveals the next hero to take on T'Challa's mantle of the Black Panther.
Predictably, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever received widespread acclaim and was a huge hit at the box office. But in case you missed the chance to catch the film when it was first released, here's how you can watch the movie.
Editor's Note: This article was last updated on February 1.
When Did Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Premiere?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiered in theaters on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Still in Theaters?
Yes, it is. Despite the current golden age of streaming and the massive success of Marvel's various Disney+ exclusives, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released exclusively in theaters and is still playing in some. Though the film is no longer playing in 3D or IMAX and is only available in the standard format. You can visit Fandango to see the showtimes closest to you. But for those of you who prefer watching films from the comfort of your home, there's good news.
When and Where Will Black Panther: Wakanda Forever be Streaming?
Disney+, as expected, is the streaming home for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, just like for all Marvel releases. Starting today, February 1, 2023, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now streaming exclusively on Disney+.
If you don't have Disney+ yet, the service costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. If you also want access to Hulu and ESPN+ in addition to Disney+, there are some bundle options available. The Disney Bundle Duo Basic plan costs $9.99/month and includes Disney+ (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads). The Disney Bundle Trio Basic plan comes for $12.99/month and includes Disney+ (With Ads), Hulu (With Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads). And finally, the Disney Bundle Trio Premium plan, which costs $19.99/month, includes Disney+ (No Ads), Hulu (No Ads), and ESPN+ (With Ads)
The film is also to purchase on-demand on any of your preferred platforms including Google Play, iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Vudu.
Watch the Trailers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The first teaser for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which debuted earlier this year at Marvel's San Diego Comic-Con presentation, introduces a Wakanda that currently does not have a Black Panther, showing Shuri, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) mourning the loss of their brother, son, and partner respectively. The teaser also offers a brief glimpse into Namor and the Talocani, who are on the brink of beginning a war with Wakanda for control of the surface world.
The second trailer gives a much more in-depth look at some of the new characters like Namor as well as the first good glimpse of Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) also known as Iron Heart (who will be getting her own Disney+ series later next year). It also shows more footage of T'Challa's funeral, some epic action sequences between the Wakandans and the Talocani, and concludes with the first proper look at the new Black Panther.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Blu-ray and DVD Release Dates
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 7, 2023. If you're planning on adding this film to your physical collection, you'll be pleased to know the Blu-ray comes with plenty of bonus features. There's also a Walmart-exclusive 4K edition, which will be arriving on shelves on the same date, that comes with a limited edition enamel and exclusive box art. Marvel has also announced two Black Panther: Wakanda Forever limited-time Steelbooks that are also releasing on February 7, featuring art by Orlando Arocena and Dorothea Taylor. The Steelbooks are available for pre-order now on BestBuy.
What Is the Plot of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
Plot details, particularly ones in regard to how T'Challa and Boseman's passing will be handled and who will take on the Black Panther Cowl next, were kept under wraps ahead of the premiere and we're going to keep it that way in this article. Here's the film's the official synopsis:
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect the kingdom of Wakanda from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for their nation.
It's clear that after opening themselves up to trade and collaboration at the end of the first Black Panther film, some powers in the world are seeking to take advantage of the nation, particularly in regard to their ultra-powerful and valuable resource of Vibranium. The synopsis does leave out any mention of Namor as the main villain, so to find out how the Submariner enters a dangerous conflict with the powerful nation, you'll just have to watch the film.
Are the Black Panther's Previous Adventures Streaming on Disney+?
Yes! For all things Black Panther, and nearly all things Marvel in general, Disney+ is your one-stop-shop for everything involving Wakanda. Here you can find T'Challa's prior MCU storylines like Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and of course the original 2018 Black Panther film.