Sam Raimi pits Marvel's Sorcerer against several versions of himself in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, airing on TF1 Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 9:10 p.m.. Released in France on May 4, 2022, the film picks up the story of Stephen Strange after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Strange encounters America Chavez, a teenage girl who can open portals between universes, and seeks out Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen reprise their roles, while Xochitl Gomez plays America. Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rachel McAdams are also in the cast.
The presence of multiple Stranges has pushed Benedict Cumberbatch to focus on differences in behavior rather than a complete redefinition of the character. At the film’s press conference, he spoke about the pleasure of “changing the look, … the attitude or mannerisms or the character’s abilities and showing the same person, but while being different.” Elizabeth Olsen, for her part, underscored Wanda’s continued journey: “I hope that in this film people will see this ongoing acceptance of who she is.”
Our take on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a striking, surprising feature, both in form and content, and, in our view, the bold wager Marvel Studios set when it tapped Chloe Zhao to helm Eternals — to deliver a movie that feels more carefully crafted in its presentation.
The gamble pays off: Strange’s new adventures emerge as a cinematic jewel in their construction. Sam Raimi delivers a horror-tinged mood without becoming a horror film per se, using the language of the genre—cinematography, score and more—in smart, surprising ways.
Zombie movies, slasher vibes—everything is fair game, delighting genre fans. But fear not for the faint of heart: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness isn’t scarier for its own sake; in fact, it will even charm viewers who usually steer clear of horror, with only a few gore-filled moments.
We also appreciate the restrained fan service, leaning more on cameos than on character turns, without derailing the film’s focus on story and storytelling. For comics fans, the movie delivers a Stephen Strange closer to the pages, with a small nod to the heart of the multiverse you’ll uncover as you watch.
As for the cast, Benedict Cumberbatch shines, evolving the character and adding real depth. Elizabeth Olsen commands the screen and steals the show, elevating the performance after her standout work in WandaVision. Xochitl Gomez injects welcome freshness, and Benedict Wong provides solid grounding to the ensemble.
In short, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is an excellent superhero film, a true little gem that stakes a fresh, ambitious claim for cinema. A superhero movie that stands out for its structure and storytelling, sure to please Marvel fans of every long-form chapter.
To go further, also discover our picks for the films, series and shows to watch on TV this week, our guide to new releases across all platforms, and today’s selection: What to watch today in streaming.
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