The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Entertainment • Film

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron.

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

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron. It is a Marvel Studios production in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch.

Plot

The film follows Doctor Strange as he navigates the multiverse to protect America Chavez and confront threats involving alternate realities. The story includes variants of Doctor Strange and centers on conflict involving Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch.

Production

Marvel Studios produced the film, with Sam Raimi directing and Michael Waldron writing the screenplay. Kevin Feige served as producer.

Cast

The principal cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez.

Release

The film opened in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes and is rated PG-13.

Key facts

  • The film is the sequel to Doctor Strange (2016) and a Marvel Cinematic Universe entry.
  • Doctor Strange protects America Chavez, a teenager who can travel across the multiverse.
  • The Scarlet Witch is a central character and major adversary in the story.
  • The film features alternate-universe versions of Doctor Strange and explores the MCU multiverse.
  • It was released in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022, and later streamed on Disney+.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was released in Canada as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe theatrical rollout, and it is of interest to Canadian audiences as a major Hollywood release from Disney and Marvel Studios.

Frequently asked questions

What is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?
It is a 2022 Marvel Studios superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron.
Who stars in the film?
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Doctor Strange, with Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Xochitl Gomez also appearing.
Who directed the movie?
Sam Raimi directed the film.
When was it released?
It was released in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2022.
What is the film about?
The film follows Doctor Strange as he protects America Chavez and deals with multiverse-related threats and alternate versions of himself.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Strange_in_the_Multiverse_of_Madness
    Supports: Director, writer, principal cast, and basic premise.
  2. Marvel Studios — https://www.marvel.com/movies/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness
    Supports: Official movie page with director, cast, release date, and synopsis.
  3. Disney — https://movies.disney.com/doctor-strange-in-the-multiverse-of-madness
    Supports: Runtime, release date, rating, genre, director, and cast.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9419884/
    Supports: Story description, director, and release-year identification.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/doctor_strange_in_the_multiverse_of_madness
    Supports: Genre, rating, runtime, release date, and credits.
  6. Disney News — https://news.disney.com/doctor-strange-multiverse-of-madness
    Supports: Sequel status, cast, plot setup, and MCU context.