The Ultimate Marvel Watchlist Before Avengers: Doomsday — And How Each Entry Shapes the Saga
- Young Horn
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Marvel’s next massive chapter — Avengers: Doomsday Official Movie Page — is arriving December 18, 2026 as part of the MCU’s Phase Six, and it promises one of the biggest superhero team-ups in cinematic history.
With a star-studded roster — including original Avengers, newcomers like the Fantastic Four, and even legacy X-Men characters — this movie weaves together decades of storytelling.
So what should you watch before Doomsday hits theaters to truly understand the stakes, characters, and multiversal implications? Here’s your essential MCU viewing guide.
🎬 1. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Why it matters: This is the first MCU movie to dive deep into the multiverse, introducing concepts that are foundational to Doomsday’s storyline — especially timeline travel, alternate realities, and dangers of cross-dimensional incursions.
Recommended for: understanding multiverse mechanics and how Doctor Strange handles universe-hopping threats.
🧠 2. Loki (Disney+ — S1 & S2)
Why it matters: Loki’s journey explores the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and alternate timelines in depth. Since Doomsday involves heroes from different realities, this series explains how timelines branch and why variants matter.
Recommended for: context on TVA, Loki’s redemption arc, and multiverse theory.
🦸♂️ 3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Why it matters: Shang-Chi’s story not only introduces a major hero but also connects mystical elements and ancient artifacts to the MCU’s broader narrative. His role continues into Phase Six.
Recommended for: understanding how Shang-Chi connects to the MCU’s cosmic and mystical layers.
🦸♀️ 4. Thunderbolts (2025)
Why it matters: Officially part of Phase Six, Thunderbolts transitions into Doomsday’s era, giving insight into the New Avengers, shifting alliances, and how former enemies can become heroes.
Recommended for: background on characters whose roles will matter in Doomsday’s team dynamics.
🧪 5. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Why it matters: The Fantastic Four’s introduction to the MCU is crucial, as they play a central role in Doomsday. Their scientific mastery and family dynamic shape how Earth’s heroes unite.
Recommended for: understanding Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm before they hit the Avengers roster.
🕷️ 6. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
Why it matters: This new Spider-Man film expands the web-hero’s role beyond street-level stories, laying groundwork for his involvement alongside Earth’s mightiest heroes.
Recommended for: fresh context on Peter Parker’s arc heading into the multiversal crisis.
🧬 7. X-Men: Days of Future Past + Original X-Men Movies (Optional but Recommended)
Why it matters: Classic X-Men films help you appreciate the legacy of Charles Xavier, Magneto, Cyclops, and others. With original X-Men actors appearing in Doomsday, seeing their earlier stories adds emotional weight and continuity.
Recommended for: fans who want full appreciation of the X-Men legacy.
📺 8. Loki Season 1 & 2 (Disney+)
Already mentioned above, but if you want the full multiverse primer, watch both seasons — it’s storytelling that directly explains timeline fractures and variant politics.
📍 Why These Matter for Avengers: Doomsday
Multiverse understanding: Loki + Multiverse of Madness explain timeline chaos.
Character preparation: Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four set up new heroes and power structures.
Cross-Universe stakes: X-Men legacy enriches the emotional stakes when mutants collide with Avengers.
Street level to cosmic scale: Shang-Chi and Spider-Man showcase personal stories that elevate the ensemble fight.
🏆 Where Doomsday Fits in the MCU
Avengers: Doomsday is the third Phase Six project, setting up the sprawling multiverse war that will continue into Avengers: Secret Wars.
Expect more than just brawls — look for:
Doctor Doom’s multiversal threat
Crossovers between MCU Earth and other realities
Reunion of beloved heroes and mutants from all corners of Marvel lore
This is Marvel at its most ambitious yet — weaving threads from old stories while launching new ones.
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