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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Screen & Stage • Film

Black Widow

Black Widow is a 2021 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Black Widow is a 2021 Marvel Cinematic Universe film focused on Natasha Romanoff, a spy turned Avenger. It explores her past and ties up loose ends from her story.

What it is

Black Widow is the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, released in July 2021. Directed by Cate Shortland, it stars Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff, who confronts a dangerous conspiracy tied to her past as a spy. The film is a prequel to the events of Avengers: Endgame.

Why it matters

The film fills in Natasha Romanoff's backstory after her death in Avengers: Endgame, offering closure to her character arc. It also introduces Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, a new character who continues in the MCU. For Canadian audiences, the film was released in theatres in July 2021 and later became available on Disney+ in October 2021.

Key details

The cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, O.-T. Fagbenle, William Hurt, and Olga Kurylenko. The film premiered in theatres on July 9, 2021, and streamed on Disney+ starting October 6, 2021.

In short

  • Black Widow is the 24th MCU film, released July 2021.
  • Scarlett Johansson stars as Natasha Romanoff.
  • The film was released in theatres and later on Disney+ in Canada.
  • It introduces Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh.
Canadian angle

Black Widow was released in Canadian theatres in 2021 as part of the global Marvel Cinematic Universe rollout, and it later became available on Disney+ for Canadian subscribers where the service operates.

Quick questions

Who is Black Widow?
Black Widow is Natasha Romanoff, a Marvel Comics character portrayed in the 2021 film by Scarlett Johansson.
Who is in the Black Widow movie cast?
Key cast members include Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, O.-T. Fagbenle, William Hurt, and Olga Kurylenko.
What is the Black Widow release date?
The film was released in theatres on July 9, 2021, and on Disney+ in Canada on October 6, 2021.

Sources

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3480822/
    Supports: Film title, year, and plot premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3480822/fullcredits/
    Supports: Cast listing including Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Widow_(2021_film)
    Supports: Film identification, MCU placement, director, and starring cast.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_widow_2021/cast-and-crew
    Supports: Release date, cast, and synopsis.
  5. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_widow_2021
    Supports: Release date on Disney+ and cast information.
  6. Marvel.com — https://www.marvel.com/articles/movies/meet-the-cast-of-black-widow-film
    Supports: Marvel’s official cast announcement and MCU positioning.
  7. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48558234
    Supports: Structured identifiers and basic film metadata.