Marvel Studios Unveils Essential Viewing Guide Ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
JAKARTA – With the highly anticipated release of Avengers: Doomsday rapidly approaching on December 18, Marvel and Disney have provided fans with a curated list of 15 pivotal films and series from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) to re-watch or discover. This comprehensive guide aims to prepare audiences for the monumental cinematic event, spanning over two decades of Marvel storytelling.
The handpicked selection, drawing insights from Forbes and MovieWeb, remarkably includes two titles released even before the MCU officially launched with Iron Man in 2008. The list traverses the foundational Infinity Saga, delves into the intricate Multiverse Saga, and even incorporates recent and upcoming releases crucial for understanding the narrative landscape of Doomsday.
The Essential 15: A Deep Dive into Marvel’s Must-Watch Content
Here is the complete list of recommended titles:
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Loki (2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
- *Thunderbolts (2025)**
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Pre-MCU Era: The X-Men’s Enduring Legacy
The inclusion of the original X-Men (2000) and X2: X-Men United (2003) is particularly noteworthy. This selection is directly tied to the highly anticipated return of several original X-Men cast members in Avengers: Doomsday. Fans can look forward to seeing familiar faces such as Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, James Marsden as Cyclops, and Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, all of whom were central to these early mutant sagas. These films are considered essential not for their direct MCU continuity, but for reacquainting viewers with these iconic characters and their histories before they potentially merge with the larger Marvel universe.
The Infinity Saga: Foundation of the MCU
Following the X-Men groundwork, viewers are advised to embark on the MCU journey proper, beginning with Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). This film’s significance has been amplified by reports and trailers suggesting the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Doomsday. Adding further intrigue, trailers hint at Rogers and Peggy Carter having a child, a revelation that has sparked both excitement and debate among the fanbase.
Crucially, the two epic conclusions to the Infinity Saga, Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), are considered indispensable. These films are not only pivotal for understanding the grand scale of the MCU’s past but also contain foundational moments that directly lead into the multiverse narrative, such as Steve Rogers’ journey back in time and the tragic sacrifice of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to save the universe.
Loki: Unlocking the Multiverse
Among the Disney+ series, Loki (2021) stands alone as the sole inclusion in this pre- Doomsday watchlist, and for very good reason. Without revealing major spoilers, the series, starring Tom Hiddleston as the God of Mischief, follows the 2012 version of Loki after his escape with the Tesseract. His subsequent entanglement with the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and his adventures across two seasons provide an unparalleled introduction and deep understanding of the multiverse concept, a cornerstone of the upcoming Avengers film. An interesting point to remember is that Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a major character in Doomsday, currently believes his brother Loki to be dead.
The Multiverse Saga: Expanding the Cosmic Tapestry
Once viewers have grasped the intricacies of the multiverse through Loki, they can then dive into the eight essential films from the Multiverse Saga. This phase kicks off with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi is confirmed for an appearance in Doomsday, while No Way Home, despite its multiverse-heavy plot, does not guarantee Tom Holland’s Spider-Man’s presence. Other multiverse-centric films on the list, like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) and the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), similarly offer crucial narrative context without explicit character confirmations for Doomsday.
Later additions to the list, including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and Thunderbolts (2025), appear to be included more for character introductions than specific plot points, as characters from Wakanda, the New Avengers, and Captain America have all been featured in Doomsday trailers.
Finally, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) is arguably the most crucial recent project. Serving as the sole introduction to the Fantastic Four within the MCU, its post-credits scene notably features Doctor Doom himself, setting up a major antagonist for the future.
Notable Absences and Lingering Questions
While the 15 selected titles offer over 50 hours of content, certain omissions have sparked discussion. MovieWeb points out the absence of X-Men: Days of Future Past, a film that deeply explores time travel and alternate realities within the X-Men timeline.
Furthermore, the lack of any Iron Man movies on the list, despite the strong likelihood of Robert Downey Jr. reprising a variant of his role as Doctor Doom, raises eyebrows. This deliberate omission might be a strategic move by Marvel to sidestep questions about the uncanny resemblance between the Doomsday villain and the beloved hero, Tony Stark, whose death in Avengers: Endgame was seemingly permanent.
As the release date draws nearer, fans have a comprehensive, if lengthy, viewing list to immerse themselves in the rich and interconnected world of Marvel, preparing for what promises to be a monumental cinematic experience.
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