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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Black Widow

Black Widow is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Black Widow is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow. Directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Marvel Studios, it stars Scarlett Johansson in the title role alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, and others. The film is the 24th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was released in theatres in July 2021, with streaming availability on Disney+ following shortly after.

Plot and premise

Black Widow follows Natasha Romanoff as she confronts a dangerous conspiracy tied to her past and the darker parts of her history as a spy.

Cast

The principal cast includes Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff, Ray Winstone, O.-T. Fagbenle, William Hurt, and Olga Kurylenko.

Release

The film premiered in theatres on July 9, 2021, and later became available on Disney+ on October 6, 2021, according to release information listed by Rotten Tomatoes.

Place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Black Widow is the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is focused on Natasha Romanoff, a character introduced in earlier Marvel films and played by Scarlett Johansson across multiple appearances.

Key facts

  • Black Widow is a 2021 Marvel Cinematic Universe film centered on Natasha Romanoff.
  • Scarlett Johansson stars as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow.
  • The film also stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz as Melina Vostokoff.
  • It was released in theatres on July 9, 2021, and on Disney+ on October 6, 2021.
  • The film is positioned as the 24th film in the MCU.
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Canadian context

Black Widow was released in Canadian theatres in 2021 as part of the global Marvel Cinematic Universe rollout, and it later became available on Disney+ for Canadian subscribers where the service operates.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Black Widow?
Black Widow is Natasha Romanoff, a Marvel Comics character portrayed in the 2021 film by Scarlett Johansson.
Who is Black Widow Natasha Romanoff?
Natasha Romanoff is the civilian and spy identity of Black Widow, the film’s central character.
Who is in the Black Widow movie cast?
Key cast members include Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, O.-T. Fagbenle, William Hurt, and Olga Kurylenko.
What is the Black Widow release date?
Black Widow was released in theatres on July 9, 2021.
Did Black Widow die?
In the MCU timeline, Natasha Romanoff dies in Avengers: Endgame; Black Widow is a later film focused on her past before those events.
Was Black Widow on Disney Plus?
Yes. Release listings indicate the film streamed on Disney+ beginning October 6, 2021.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3480822/
    Supports: Film title, year, and plot premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3480822/fullcredits/
    Supports: Cast listing including Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Widow_(2021_film)
    Supports: Film identification, MCU placement, director, and starring cast.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_widow_2021/cast-and-crew
    Supports: Release date, cast, and synopsis.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_widow_2021
    Supports: Release date on Disney+ and cast information.
  6. Marvel.com — https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/meet-the-cast-of-black-widow-film
    Supports: Marvel’s official cast announcement and MCU positioning.
  7. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48558234
    Supports: Structured identifiers and basic film metadata.