History Film / DoctorStrange2016

* ImmortalityField: Dormammu's Dark Dimension is a PlaceBeyondTime. Therefore, he can promise eternal life, as time does not affect the residents. [[spoiler:The ''quality'' of said life, now, is very arguable, as the Zealots painfully discover at the end of the movie.]]
* ImmortalityImmorality: Living forever is treated as something very morally ambiguous. [[spoiler:In the only example shown to be effective upon humans (as opposed to [[Film/{{Thor}} gods]], [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy aliens]] or [[Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2 godlike aliens/alien gods]]), one needs to interact with the Dark Dimension, an evil sapient universe which intends to assimilate Earth and eventually all dimensions into it. The Ancient One does this on a small-scale, which seems harmless until Kaecilius catches wind of it and begins a murder spree in an attempt to have all of Earth consumed by the Dark Dimension]].

* InstantRunes: Sorcerers create glowing symbols in geometric patterns when they use magic, as a focusing mechanism for their spells. By default, they take on an amber hue, but channeling power from alternative sources can alter the color; spells involving the Dark Dimension turn red, while the Eye of Agamotto's energy imbues them with its characteristic shade of green.

* SeriousWorkComedicScene: This is a rather dramatic entry in the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', focused on the titular character Dr. Stephen Strange [[CareerEndingInjury having to retire from being an experienced neurosurgeon due to getting his hands severely damaged in a car crash]], and hitting a DespairEventHorizon once he realizes he may never get to return to his job. However, there are still some funny moments; for example, when he first meets Wong, Strange asks if Wong is like any number of artists with OnlyOneName (such as Music/{{Beyonce}}), while [[PopCulturalOsmosisFailure Wong acts as if he doesn't know what Strange is talking about]]. [[BrickJoke A later scene]] shows Wong listening to "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce as [[FunnyBackgroundEvent Strange secretly takes books from Wong's library in the background]].

Following the character's introduction in this movie, Doctor Strange would go on to become a major player in Phase 3 of the MCU, starting with [[SmallRoleBigImpact a small but significant]] [[TheCameo cameo]] in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', a major role in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', and a supporting role in ''Film/AvengersEndgame''. In Phase 4, he's also set to play a big part in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', while an episode of ''[[WesternAnimation/WhatIf2021 What If...?]]'' showcases a universe where the events of ''Doctor Strange'' play out somewhat differently. A sequel to Strange's debut film, titled ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', was released in 2022.

Following the character's introduction in this movie, Doctor Strange would go on to become a major player in Phase 3 of the MCU, starting with [[SmallRoleBigImpact a small but significant]] [[TheCameo cameo]] in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', a major role in ''Film/AvengersInfinityWar'', and a supporting role in ''Film/AvengersEndgame''. In Phase 4, he's also set to play a big part in ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'', while an episode of ''[[WesternAnimation/WhatIf2021 What If...?]]'' showcases a universe where the events of ''Doctor Strange'' play out somewhat differently.

A sequel, titled ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', was released in 2022.

A sequel, titled ''Film/DoctorStrangeInTheMultiverseOfMadness'', is set for release in 2022 with Creator/SamRaimi directing. Alongside most of the returning cast from the first movie, it will co-star Creator/ElizabethOlsen as [[Characters/MCUScarletWitch Wanda Maximoff]] / ComicBook/ScarletWitch, and feature the MCU debut of multiversal traveler ComicBook/AmericaChavez, played by Xochitl Gomez. This film will tie into ''Series/WandaVision'', ''Series/{{Loki|2021}}'', and '' Film/SpiderManNoWayHome''.

** Dorammus is called a "devourer of worlds" (which he was never called in the comics) and his color scheme is purple (rather than his usual red and orange), just like Galactus.

* AdultFear: the POVCam shot of Strange's hands held together with surgical pins is enough to give anybody nightmares -- much less the HardWorkMontage as he attempts to recover their use.

* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: Much like ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'' before it, this film departs from the political and sci-fi genres seen in most MCU films, instead telling a {{Fantasy}} LovecraftLite of magic and eldritch terror in modern day. With a beginning fitting into MedicalDrama.

** To ''Film/{{Thor}}''; ''Thor'' was about a deity traveling to Earth and learning the beautiful mundanity of humanity, while ''Doctor Strange'' is about a mortal man who travels to other dimensions and learns about powerful creatures. Thor himself is a mythological character who learns humanity from mortals while Strange is an ordinary mortal man who learns ''real'' [[RealityWarper magic]].

-->'''Christine:''' This is insane. [yeah] Where are you going? Can you tell me the truth?
'''Strange:''' Well, a powerful sorceror who gave himself over to an ancient entity can bend the very laws of physics tried very hard to kill me, but I left him chained up in Greenwich Village, and the quickest way back there is through a dimensional gateway I opened up in the mop closet.
'''Christine:''' Okay. Don't tell me. Fine.
'''Strange:''' [opens door to mop closet, revealing glow of mystical gateway, hops through] Really do have to go.

'''Character tropes go on to the [[Characters/DoctorStrange2016 Characters Sheet]].'''

** In real life, Strange's CareerEndingInjury would be a career ''altering'' one. He may no longer be able to perform surgery but -- even if he didn't insure his hands -- he would land easily as a consultant or at a medical school.

* NiceJobFixingItVillain: When they're looking at the Dark Dimension encroaching on Earth, Kaecilius calls it "a place beyond time". This is what makes Strange gamble that the Time Stone could be a potent enough weapon to defeat Dormammu, something he likely wouldn't have thought of if Kaecilius had kept his mouth shut.

** In real life, Strange's CareerEndingInjury would be a career ''altering'' one. He may no longer be able to perform surgery but - even if he didn't insure his hands - he would land easily as a consultant or at a medical school.

* GroundhogDayLoop: Strange traps Dormammu in a time loop, where Dormammu can kill Strange over and over but can't do anything ''else'' until he agrees to make a deal to get out of the situation.

-->'''Strange:''' What was in that tea? Psilocybin? LSD? \\