Marvel Zombies Confirms It’s Not Canon to the MCU’s Sacred Timeline
Is Marvel Zombies Part of the MCU Canon?
Marvel Studios’ Marvel Zombies has officially joined the list of projects that are not part of the MCU’s Sacred Timeline. The animated Disney+ series may include familiar faces like Yelena Belova and Kamala Khan, voiced by their original actors Florence Pugh and Iman Vellani, but its events do not impact the main MCU storyline.
The four-episode series continues the What If…? Season 1 “Zombies” episode and follows a group of heroes facing zombified versions of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. While the show exists within the Marvel Multiverse, its universe has not interacted with Earth-616, meaning it remains separate from MCU canon.
Why Isn’t Marvel Zombies Canon?
Marvel Zombies takes place in a parallel universe, connected to the broader Multiverse introduced in Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While technically linked through multiversal theory, this reality is distinct from the Sacred Timeline that defines the main MCU events.
This approach gives Marvel more creative freedom to explore darker or experimental stories without affecting continuity.
Every Marvel Studios Project Outside MCU Canon:
What If…?
The anthology series What If…? explores alternate versions of familiar characters across multiple universes. From Captain Carter to Kahhori, none of these stories occur in the main MCU timeline. Though The Watcher serves as a connecting figure across animated projects, each episode stands on its own.
X-Men ’97
X-Men ’97 continues the beloved 1990s animated series and has no direct ties to the MCU. While fans may see similar characters in future live-action projects, this show belongs to its own universe.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
This animated series tells a new origin story for Peter Parker that’s not Tom Holland’s version. Some characters may cross into MCU films later, such as Tombstone, rumored to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but this series exists independently.
Bonus: I Am Groot
Unlike the others, I Am Groot sits in a gray area. James Gunn once said its canon status is unclear, though its design mirrors Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. If considered canon, it would connect all Marvel’s animated projects more tightly to the MCU.
