Everything You Need To Watch Before Avengers Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday will try to be the biggest Marvel project yet, and whether or not it succeeds in that front, you’ll need to be ready to watch the movie. It’s ok to not recognize every single easter egg and gag, but at the very least you need to know who’s who during the film.
Marvel did release an official watchlist, but it strangely has unnecessary films while missing crucial ones. The movies we’ve listed here are far more comprehensive to help you understand Doomsday, and why they are movies you should watch at all.
X-Men (Saga)
The original Fox X-Men films introduce several mutants returning in Doomsday, including Professor X, Magneto, Cyclops, Mystique, Beast, and Nightcrawler. At minimum, watch X-Men and X2 to understand the characters and their relationships.
Avengers: Endgame
The conclusion of the Infinity Saga permanently changes the Avengers. Tony Stark sacrifices himself, Steve Rogers retires after returning the Infinity Stones, and the remaining heroes face an uncertain future. Consider watching the Encore version as well, as the last film right before Doomsday.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Doctor Strange’s spell accidentally opens the door to the multiverse, bringing together three cinematic Spider-Men and villains from their respective realities. More importantly, Peter Parker is forgotten by the world, shifting how the other Avengers might see him.
Loki, Seasons 1 and 2
Loki explores the mechanics of the multiverse through the Time Variance Authority, alternate timelines, and the mysterious He Who Remains. Its second season is both incredibly important and likely retconned, at least as far as Kang is concerned.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi discovers his family’s history and inherits the powerful Ten Rings from his father. The film’s post-credits scene reveals that the artifacts emit an unidentified signal, leaving their mysterious origins unresolved.
WandaVision
Following the events of Endgame, Wanda Maximoff creates an artificial reality around the town of Westview, eventually becoming the Scarlet Witch. The series also introduces White Vision, whose reconstructed memories leave his identity and future uncertain.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Strange encounters alternate realities while protecting America Chavez, a teenager capable of travelling between universes. The film expands the idea of the multiverse while also giving a (temporary?) end to Wanda Maximoff.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Following T’Challa’s death, Shuri takes up the mantle of Black Panther and faces a conflict with Namor, ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talokan. Both Shuri and Namor return in Doomsday, alongside other members of their respective worlds.
The Marvels
Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan discover that their powers become entangled, forcing them to work together. Its post-credits scene is especially important, since Monica becomes stranded in the X-Men’s universe.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool enters the multiverse and teams up with an alternate-universe Wolverine, encountering several characters from Fox’s Marvel films along the way. The movie also brings back Gambit, played by Channing Tatum, who returns in Doomsday.
Agatha All Along
This WandaVision spin-off follows Agatha Harkness as she attempts to regain her magical abilities by travelling the Witches’ Road. It also develops Billy Maximoff’s story, revealing his connection to Wanda’s family and setting up his future.
Captain America: Brave New World
Sam Wilson faces an international crisis after becoming the new Captain America, while President Thaddeus Ross transforms into the Red Hulk. The film further establishes Sam’s position as a leading superhero following Steve Rogers’ retirement.
Thunderbolts*
A group of morally complicated operatives, including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and U.S. Agent, are manipulated into confronting a powerful new threat. The ending reveals that they become the New Avengers, and connects them to the Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Set in a retro-futuristic alternate universe, the film introduces Marvel’s First Family: Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Its post-credits scene also introduces Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., establishing a connection to the upcoming conflict.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Peter Parker continues life as Spider-Man in a world that has forgotten his identity, dealing with isolation and new threats. The film also brings back familiar MCU characters and serves as the final MCU movie released before Doomsday.
VisionQuest
The final installment of the trilogy begun by WandaVision and continued in Agatha All Along follows White Vision as he confronts questions about his identity and memories. James Spader also returns as Ultron, making the series relevant to the Avengers’ history.