Year: 2016
Runtime: 115 min
Language: English
Director: Scott Derrickson
After a crippling car accident, brilliant but arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange seeks healing, leading him on an unexpected journey into the world of the mystical arts. He discovers hidden dimensions and ancient magic in New York’s Greenwich Village, where he must confront his ego and master extraordinary powers. As he learns to wield mystical relics, Strange becomes a protector of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, facing unseen and dangerous threats.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Still thinking about how Doctor Strange (2016) ended? Here’s a full breakdown of the ending, key final moments, major twists, and the deeper meaning behind the film’s conclusion.
Doctor Strange’s journey in Multiverse of Madness concludes with him and his allies managing to prevent Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, from using the multiverse for her vengeance. Wanda destroys the Darkhold temple and eradicates the Darkhold across multiple realities, realizing the destructive power it holds in her pursuit of her children and personal revenge. Her decision to destroy the temple signifies her tragic attempt to sever herself from the chaos magic that had corrupted her, though she is presumed dead under the collapsed ruins—at least from the official MCU perspective, as no body is seen. However, her future remains uncertain due to her deep ties to chaos magic and the possibilities of alternate versions existing in multiverse stories.
Meanwhile, Doctor Strange, after using the Darkhold to possess a dead version of himself from another universe, develops the iconic Third Eye, a visual symbol of his growing confrontation with darker forces and the truth. The Third Eye, borrowed from the comic lore of the Eye of Agamotto, suggests that Strange has embraced a deeper, more mysterious power, which hints at potential future struggles but also signals his importance in upcoming MCU storylines, particularly in Avengers or multiverse-focused sagas.
At the film’s close, America Chavez chooses to stay on Earth-616 with Wong, staying at Kamar-Taj to learn to control her impressive multiversal powers. This decision underscores her integration into the MCU, leaving open the possibility of her future appearances, including a solo series or movie dedicated to her origins or her search for her missing parents in the multiverse.
The mid-credits scene reveals a pivotal moment—Doctor Strange is approached by Clea, an enigmatic sorceress from the Dark Dimension. She drags him into a new conflict involving incursions—catastrophic multiverse events where two realities collide—implying that Strange’s actions have caused ripples that threaten to unravel the multiverse completely. Clea’s appearance not only sets up Strange’s new role as a multiverse protector but also dives into the larger cosmic stakes, especially as Marvel gears up for Secret Wars, where Strange is expected to play a key part, possibly even helping to create or combat the destructive Battleworld.
As for Wanda, her presumed death in the rubble leaves her future ambiguous. Although she is believed to be gone, the nature of magic and multiverse storytelling leaves room for her return, possibly as a variant or in future projects. Her arc from hero to villain, and potentially back again, reflects the unpredictable nature of her character.
Doctor Strange’s future in the MCU looks to include more appearances, whether in Doctor Strange 3, team-up movies like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, or other multiverse-based stories. His journey is far from over, particularly as he navigates the complex and dangerous threats posed by incursions, the multiverse’s collapse, and new allies like Clea. The film ends with significant implications, both for Strange’s personal path and for the larger cosmic battles ahead in the MCU’s evolving saga.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57
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