Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — reviews, how to watch and everything we know about the Marvel movie

By Michael Balderston
last updated

The much anticipated Black Panther sequel is within sight

Letitia Wright in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Letitia Wright in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

While just about all Marvel movies are major, tentpole events, there is something different about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The original Black Panther was not only a box-office behemoth and the first superhero movie to earn an Oscar Best Picture nomination, it also was a true cultural phenomenon. All of that makes the Black Panther sequel that much more exciting.

With Marvel’s 2022 is already plenty stuffed with Moon Knight, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Ms. Marvel, Thor: Love and Thunder and more, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to be the proverbial cherry on top. But can it have the same success as the first movie?

Here is everything you need to know about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

How to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is playing exclusively in movie theaters. There is no word yet on when the Marvel movie is coming to digital or streaming, but when it does it is going to go to Disney Plus.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer

You can also read director Ryan Coogler's breakdown of the latest Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer with EW right here.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever plot

Here is the official synopsis from Marvel for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever:

"Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje, fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda."

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever reviews — what the critics are saying

The first wave of reviews are in for the Black Panther sequel. The general consensus agrees that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a solid follow up to the original. As of November 10, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is "Certified Fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes with 86% approval, while Metacritic has it rated at a 67 from all of its aggregated reviews.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever awards and nominations

After Black Panther became the first superhero movie nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, the awards fate of its sequel is an intriguing one. Here is a roundup of the major awards and nominations Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has received.

Golden Globes

  • Best Supporting Actress — Angela Bassett (nominee)
  • Best Song — "Lift Me Up" (nominee)

Critics Choice Awards

  • Best Supporting Actress — Angela Bassett (nominee)
  • Best Production Design (nominee)
  • Best Costume Design (nominee)
  • Best Hair and Makeup (nominee)
  • Best Visual Effects (nominee)
  • Best Song — "Lift Me Up" (nominee)

London Critics Circle Awards

  • Technical Achievement Award (nominee)

Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts Awards

  • Best Costume Designer (nominee)
  • Best Hair and Makeup (nominee)
  • Best Original Song — "Lift Me Up" (nominee)
  • Best Production Design (nominee)

Satellite Awards

  • Best Motion Picture — Drama (nominee)
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role — Angela Bassett (nominee)
  • Best Original Song — "Lift Me Up" (nominee)
  • Best Costume Design (nominee)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cast

Many of the original Black Panther cast are back for the sequel. This includes the previously mentioned Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira. Other familiar faces set to appear are Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda and Florence Kasumba as Ayo.

One cast member from the first Black Panther movie not returning is Daniel Kaluuya, as the actor confirmed in an interview for his movie Nope that scheduling conflicts did not allow him to return for the superhero franchise.

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Meanwhile, there are some exciting new members of the Black Panther cast, particularly Tenoch Huerta as the movie's antagonist, Namor, and Michaela Cole as Aneka. Huerta is probably best known for his role in Narcos: Mexico, while Cole is an award-winning actor and creator for the series I May Destroy You.

Dominique Thorne is also joining the cast as Riri Williams. The new character has a ig future in the MCU, as she will become Iron Heart and is getting her own Disney Plus series. Her future is teased in the trailer.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever poster

(Image credit: Marvel)

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailers

Watch the official trailers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever right here:

What is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever rated?

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has been given a PG-13 rating in the US and 12A in the UK for "sequences of strong violence, action and some language."

How long is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

Get comfortable, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has a runtime of two hours and 41 minutes.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director

Ryan Coogler, who directed the first Black Panther, is returning to the franchise to helm Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which he also wrote.

Coogler’s previous directing credits includes Fruitvale Station and Creed, but he has also been active as a producer. He was part of the producing team of the Oscar-nominated Judas and the Black Messiah, as well as Space Jam: A New Legacy and the upcoming movie Creed III. He’s also continuing to work with Marvel as a producer on the upcoming Disney Plus original series Ironheart and an untitled show that will be set around Wakanda.

Rihana's 'Lift Me Up' in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Rihana has her first new single in years with the original song "Lift Me Up" for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Take a listen to the song right here:

How will Black Panther: Wakanda Forever connect to the MCU?

Fully into Phase 4 of the MCU now, the pieces of how all of the new movies and Disney Plus original series will overlap and lead to the bigger goal of this new era of Marvel. While we don't know a lot about the plot, at Comic-Con, Marvel super producer Kevin Feiger said that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is going to be the final movie of Phase 4, which has been all about introducing new characters that are going to play an important role moving forward. This includes the new Black Panther and, as mentioned above, Riri William's Iron Heart.

MCU Films

Fans have been enjoying the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008, but just to keep things neat and tidy, here is a full list of all the MCU movies (we’re omitting the Disney Plus series) released so far and upcoming as part of Phase 4.

MCU Phase 1

MCU Phase 2

MCU Phase 3

MCU Phase 4

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever poster

(Image credit: Marvel)
Michael Balderston
Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.