Carrie and Jess Save the Universe!

The multiverse is a setting within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Based on the setting of the same name from the Marvel Comics, it is a collection of infinitely many alternate realities and dimensions. First explored in the film Doctor Strange (2016), it is revisited in the film Avengers: Endgame (2019) before playing a key role in Phases Four, Five, and Six of the MCU, which constitute "The Multiverse Saga". The MCU's multiverse centers on a universe sometimes referred to as the "Sacred Timeline", which also describes a bundle of closely aligned, infinite timelines that do not lead to the emergence of a Kang variant. Initially, branched timelines were generally "pruned" by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), until Sylvie kills the TVA's leader, "He Who Remains", allowing the multiverse to be freed and new branched timelines to fully form. Following this, the TVA, under new management, instead nurtures and observes these new universes. Some of those universes are considered separate from the "Sacred Timeline" but are still monitored by the TVA, such as Earth-10005. Many alternate versions of existing MCU and non-MCU Marvel characters have been introduced via the multiverse, most notably those of Loki, Kang the Conqueror, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Deadpool, and Wolverine. The main reality depicted in the MCU is designated Earth-616 beginning with the film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), despite its original designation as Earth-199999 by Marvel Comics and outside media. The multiverse has received a mixed response from critics, with praise for its visuals and nostalgic appeal but criticism of its excessive reliance on fan service. Characters from non-MCU Marvel films are featured in the films Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), which has generated speculation and discussion among viewers and commentators.