Marvel unveals essential viewings ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Marvel unveals essential viewings ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
These 14 movies and 1 TV show will get you caught up on everything you need to know before Dec. 18.
One of the major complaints about the Marvel Cinematic Universe — beyond its diminishing returns in terms of quality in recent years — has been that it is just so massive that if you haven’t been along for the ride since the beginning, then it is almost impossible to catch up without devoting your entire life to the endeavor.
Fortunately, during this past weekend's D23 fan convention, the studio confirmed its official essential viewing list for its latest mega-team-up film, “Avengers: Doomsday,” giving fans a roadmap through over two and a half decades of Marvel movies and television. Even though the 14-movie and one TV show watchlist will take you 39 hours and 38 minutes to stream in its entirety, since “Doomsday” won’t hit theaters until Friday, Dec. 18, you should have plenty of time to watch it all at least once.
So, whether you are planning a full rewatch of every Marvel title, or just trying to remember what an incursion is and who all of the major players are, Marvel has officially assigned you your “Doomsday” homework. Here’s everything you need to watch — and why each title matters.
What you need to watch before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
‘X-Men’ | 2000
Nearly a decade before the MCU existed, the Fox X-Men movies revitalized interest in big-screen comic book adaptations. While we have seen some of the characters from these now-iconic films appear in Marvel movies in recent years, “Doomsday” will be our first opportunity to truly see the X-Men back in full form.
It has already been announced that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen will return as Charles Xavier and Magneto, respectively. They will be joined by James Marsden (Cyclops), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), and Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), with Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) heavily anticipated to return.
X-Men
Two mutants, Rogue and Wolverine, come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.
‘X2’ | 2003
By including the first two X-Men movies in the essential viewing list, Marvel is telling viewers how important their presence will be as heroes from across the multiverse come together in order to fight back against Doctor Doom. The one major X-Men name that has not been attached to the new film — beyond vague internet hopes — is Famke Janssen, who played Jean Grey. The character, either in her normal form or as the Phoenix, would be a more than worthy combatant for Doom. So either she has been completely nerfed out of the storyline in order to give Doctor Doom a shot, or she will be a surprise addition to the superhero lineup at some point.
X2
Professor Charles Xavier and his team of genetically gifted superheroes face a rising tide of anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker. Storm, Wolverine and Jean Grey must join Magneto and Mystique to unhinge Stryker’s scheme to exterminate all mutants.
‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ | 2011
Following his heroic turn in “Endgame,” before returning to the past and his true love, Peggy Carter, Chris Evans is set to return to the MCU as Steve Rogers in “Doomsday.” This film sets up their relationship, as Evans and Hayley Atwell will appear in the movie. However, without the uniform and shield, it is believed that Evans will be playing the Nomad version of Rogers, or perhaps even the evil Captain Hydra.
It is also unclear if we will get just the Agent Carter version of Peggy in the film, or if we will see a version of the Captain Carter that appeared alongside Stewart’s Professor X in “Multiverse of Madness,” but more on that later.
Captain America: The First Avenger
During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who’s transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.
‘The Avengers’ | 2012
Obviously, the first Avengers film is essential to any MCU story, but especially for a film that will reunite so many of the original team, in one form or another. This movie will set up the relationship between Steve Rogers and Thor, which was heavily centered in the first trailer for the film. It also leads us on the journey to fully understand Tony Stark’s impact on this universe, and how important his sacrifice was.
So, when Robert Downey Jr. appears as Doctor Doom, audiences will fully appreciate how confusing and painful that will be for the heroes who knew him and defended Earth-616 alongside him.
The Avengers
When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ | 2018
“Infinity War” and “Endgame” are inarguably the most powerful 1-2 punch in superhero cinema history. The Russo Brothers were able to create back-to-back films that not only delivered on a decade’s worth of storytelling, but also surprised audiences with a cathartic and bittersweet ending to a unique chapter in movie history.
This pair of films will be essential for viewers to understand the emotional weight of these characters reuniting to deal with another cataclysmic threat. It will also help establish the rules of Marvel’s time travel dynamics, and the legacy of Tony Stark’s sacrifice.
Avengers: Infinity War
As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ | 2019
As part of the lead-up to “Doomsday,” the Russos are adding seven minutes of footage to “Endgame,” and re-releasing it in theaters under the title “Avengers: Endgame Encore” on Friday, Sept. 25. This footage is intended to be a bridge from the end of that film into “Doomsday,” but, as of yet, no one really knows how that will work.
Some fans are concerned that it will retcon — and therefore undermine — the story that they have loved since 2019. However, it does appear that it will be worthwhile heading to the movie theaters to check it out for MCU diehards, because the film will include an original introduction before the movie, the aforementioned additional footage, and a special mid- and/or post-credits scene available only with Infinity Vision and IMAX releases.
Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.
‘Loki’ | 2021
The only Marvel television show on the list, both seasons of “Loki” will be invaluable in understanding the fractured nature of the MCU’s multiversal timelines, who the TVA is and what their responsibilities are, and the utterly disastrous implications of out-of-control incursions.
We know that Tom Hiddleston’s God of Mischief turned God of Stories will be in “Doomsday,” but it has also been rumored that his variant Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino) could appear as one of Doctor Doom’s Latverian Witches.
Loki
After stealing the Tesseract during the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” an alternate version of Loki is brought to the mysterious Time Variance Authority, a bureaucratic organization that exists outside of time and space and monitors the timeline. They give Loki a choice: face being erased from existence due to being a “time variant” or help fix the timeline and stop a greater threat.
‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ | 2021
While many fans are still waiting for the announcement of “Shang-Chi 2,” the first film not only introduces audiences to Simu Liu’s character, but also the ancient artifacts known as the Ten Rings that are rumored to play a huge role in battling Doctor Doom. This is the first film on the list post-“Endgame” and it begins the somewhat rocky journey of Marvel’s next generation of heroes.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ | 2021
While Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is not expected to be in “Doomsday,” that doesn’t mean we won’t get a friendly neighborhood web-slinger in the film. Many are speculating that the ruins of New York City that are seen in the latest trailer belong to the universe that is home to Tobey Maguire’s Peter-2.
While you can always go back and watch his trilogy of Spider-Man films, “No Way Home,” will give you the backstory not only on Maguire’s version of the character, but also on how dangerous the multiversal displacement can be. It’s also just a massively enjoyable film, so there’s no bad time to watch it.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
When Spider-Man’s secret identity is revealed, Peter Parker asks Doctor Strange to help him regain his anonymity with a magic spell. But when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man faces a battle against a rogue’s gallery from his past. As the emotional toll grows, Peter must face the most difficult choice of his life.
The film is a delight for anyone who’s followed the Spider-saga since its cinematic beginnings. Be sure to watch the original “Spider-Man” series with Tobey Maguire and the “Amazing Spider-Man” series with Andrew Garfield to fully appreciate this crowd-pleaser.
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ | 2022
Following Chadwick Boseman’s death, this film establishes Letitia Wright’s Shuri as the new Black Panther. We know that she will carry the mantle into “Doomsday,” and will undoubtedly be the one leading the use of vibranium and Wakanda’s advanced technology to combat Doctor Doom.
This movie also introduces Namor — technically Marvel Comics’ first mutant — and his underwater kingdom of Talokan. Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta Mejía, is also set to appear in “Doomsday.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ | 2025
With Steve Rogers officially gone, Sam Wilson fully steps into his new role as Captain America in this film. The movie also introduces Adamantium into the MCU, even though it had long been established in the X-Men movies. Along with The Rings and vibranium, this powerful element could also play a part in the fight against Doom.
Captain America: Brave New World
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ | 2024
There are tons of reasons to include this movie in the essential viewings list, but first, we have to assume that — coupled with Ryan Reynolds’ appearance at San Diego Comic-Con and Jackman’s video at D23 — that some versions of Deadpool and Wolverine will appear in “Doomsday.”
Beyond that, the movie explores what happens as timelines decay, how the TVA handles problems across the multiverse, and establishes how characters can move between the various Marvel film franchises. There have also been a lot of rumors about Wade and Logan doing some pretty harrowing (albeit comic-accurate) universe-destroying work for the TVA in “Doomsday.”
Deadpool & Wolverine
A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ | 2022
This is where the MCU first introduces the idea of incursions, the existential threat that results when multiple universes collide. While neither Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), nor Clea (Charlize Theron) — who was introduced in the post-credits scene — have been confirmed for the film, many believe that they will be a part of Doom’s team looking to save the universe from the multiversal threat.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
The film also stars Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo), Benedict Wong (Wong), Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez), Michael Stuhlbarg (Nicodemus West), and Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer).
Director Sam Raimi returns to the superhero genre for the first time since the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films.
‘Thunderbolts*’ | 2025
According to the official MCU timeline, this film takes place just over one year before “Doomsday,” and we already know that this new, gritty version of the Avengers will play a major part in fighting Doctor Doom. While the plot of the film itself likely won’t provide much insight into what happens in “Doomsday,” becoming familiar with the rag-tag team, led by Florence Pugh’s Yelena, will be important moving forward.
Thunderbolts*
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ | 2025
While Doctor Doom is being positioned as the big bad in the latest Avengers movie, he is, at his core, a Fantastic Four villain. While he did not appear in the MCU’s first film about Marvel’s first family, from the latest trailer, we know that he is not only known to the Fantastic Four, but at one point was their friend.
In the post-credits scene, we get our first glimpse of (who we can only assume is) Doom, interacting with young Franklin Richards. We know that the entire Fantastic Four is on hand in “Doomsday” to fight their old friend, so this movie will be invaluable to understanding their part of this new super-team.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps
Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer.