Doctor Strange

Brilliant but arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange sees his career collapse after a devastating accident upends his life. Desperate to regain his former reputation, he pursues every available remedy until he is drawn to a hidden enclave where magic eclipses conventional science. There he meets a stern mentor who trains him in spellwork, dimensional travel, and the fragile laws that govern reality. As Strange trains, he confronts a looming threat and a code of responsibility that tests his ego. The film mixes dazzling, mind bending visuals with a personal arc about humility, purpose, and choosing to protect rather than conquer.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, Doctor Strange adapts the Marvel Comics sorcerer created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The 2016 film joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with striking visuals and mind bending sequences.

It grossed about 677 million worldwide against a 165 million budget, marking a solid box office return for Marvel Studios and helping to broaden the MCU's mystical side.

One line and one piece of costume became iconic. "Dormammu, I've come to bargain" is widely quoted, and the Cloak of Levitation became a recognizable MCU visual staple. The film helped anchor magical realism in the shared universe and influenced later entries.

Critics praised the bold visuals and Cumberbatch's performance, while some noted a CGI heavy approach and uneven pacing. Themed around ego versus humility, discipline versus power, and the clash between science and mysticism, the film centers on responsibility and what it means to be a hero.