Every Marvel Movie You Need to Watch Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is putting out its most ambitious crossover yet. Avengers: Doomsday is bringing together heroes, villains, and even entire universes. Do not fret if you’ve skipped a few Marvel projects over the past few years; this essential watchlist will help you catch up.

Key Takeaways

• There are 12 MCU movies and Disney+ series to watch before Avengers: Doomsday.
• The watchlist spans 2019’s Avengers: Endgame through 2025’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, covering major events in the MCU leading up to the new film.
• Several returning heroes will be playing significant roles in the upcoming blockbuster.

1. Avengers: Endgame

Every road to Avengers: Doomsday begins with Avengers: Endgame. The film concluded the Infinity Saga by defeating Thanos. However, it also unintentionally opened the door to Marvel’s next era through time travel and branching timelines.

The film also had the emotional farewell to Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. More importantly, the Time Heist created ripple effects that ultimately led to the Multiverse becoming unstable. This makes this film the most crucial starting point before Doctor Doom steps into the ring.

2. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

This Disney+ series follows Sam Wilson as he wrestles with carrying Captain America’s shield. He does so while battling the Flag Smashers alongside Bucky Barnes. It also introduces John Walker and Joaquin Torres.

This series offers good insight into Captain America’s standing in a world in flux.

3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

This one is a step away from traditional superhero origin stories. Shang-Chi takes breathtaking martial arts and blends into it a sense of mystical mythology.

The film stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. Shang-Chi’s mysterious Ten Rings remain one of the MCU’s biggest unanswered questions. Their unknown origin continues to create all sorts of fan theories. Before his long-awaited return in Avengers: Doomsday, this one is a must to catch up to.

4. Loki

For anyone who has ever wondered how alternate realities and branching timelines actually work, Loki has all the answers.

It begins with Loki’s escape during Endgame. The series explores the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and introduces the rules governing every timeline in existence. The plot goes across two seasons; Loki transforms from Marvel’s greatest trickster into the guardian that is holding the Multiverse together.

5. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Peter Parker accidentally tears open reality, bringing iconic villains and multiple Spider-Men together for one unforgettable crossover. Seeing Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield share the screen proved that Marvel could successfully connect completely different cinematic universes.

This is what laid the groundwork for the Multiversal conflicts that audiences will now be subject to.

6. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange journeys through alternate realities alongside America Chavez as he faces the Scarlet Witch. The movie introduces the terrifying concept of Incursions. These are catastrophic events where universes collide and then destroy each other.

Doctor Doom has Multiversal ambitions, and Incursions may end up becoming a significant threat in Avengers: Doomsday.

7. Thor: Love and Thunder

Opinions on this film are still somewhat of a schism between fans. Regardless, Thor: Love and Thunder introduces a development fans need to keep in mind when watching the upcoming instalment.

In this film, Thor reunites with Jane Foster and battles Gorr the God Butcher. The film concludes with him ultimately becoming the guardian of Love, who is a young girl with extraordinary potential. This emotional ending could influence his role in Marvel’s next crossover.

8. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

After the heartbreaking loss of King T’Challa, Shuri steps onto the pedestal as Wakanda’s new protector.

Audiences get to meet Namor and the underwater kingdom of Talokan. Instead of things ending in total war, both civilisations arrive at a fragile peace. This peace could prove invaluable when larger Multiversal threats crop up. Wakanda and Talokan may become allies in the battles ahead.

9. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Kang the Conqueror was positioned as the Multiverse Saga’s central threat before Doctor Doom.

The Quantum Realm adventure is where fans get to witness Kang’s incredible power and hints at countless alternate versions of the villain. Marvel’s future may have shifted toward Doctor Doom, but the film’s exploration of time and alternate realities still plays an important role in making sense of the bigger picture.

10. Deadpool & Wolverine

This is where Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool officially stepped into the MCU alongside Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. The story celebrates Marvel’s pre-MCU film history through hilarious cameos and surprising returns.

Marvel has remained secretive about future appearances. However, this film gives convincing suggestions that Deadpool could have a meaningful part to play going forward.

11. Thunderbolts

Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and other morally complicated characters are forced to work together after surviving a deadly mission.

The film also introduces Sentry. Sentry is arguably one of Marvel’s most powerful characters. By the end of the film, the Thunderbolts band together as the MCU’s newest superhero team.

12. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Marvel skips another origin story and instead drops viewers into an already-established Fantastic Four universe.

Pedro Pascal takes on the lead as Reed Richards. His team faces Galactus while navigating impossible sacrifices that threaten their world. However, the biggest surprise comes near the end, when Doctor Doom makes his long-awaited MCU appearance. That moment serves as the clearest bridge toward Avengers: Doomsday.

Final Thoughts

The MCU has spent years subtly assembling the pieces for one spectacular showdown. To make sense of Avengers: Doomsday, fans and audience members need to check these titles off their list to maximise their viewing experience.

The Multiverse Saga doesn’t have a straightforward path like the Infinity Saga. Every project on this is thus a meaningful contribution to the project, and they explain all the events and theories that lead up to Avengers: Doomsday.

FAQs

1. Which movie should I watch first before Avengers: Doomsday?

Start with Avengers: Endgame.

2. Is Loki important for Avengers: Doomsday?

Loki explains the Multiverse and the TVA.

3. Do I need to watch every Marvel project?

These essential titles cover the major storylines leading into the film.

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