Avengers: Doomsday is almost here, and Marvel fans everywhere are preparing for one of the biggest crossover events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026, bringing together Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and other major Marvel characters.
But you do not need to rewatch every MCU movie to enjoy it. The smartest approach is to focus on the films and shows that explain the multiverse, Doctor Doom, Wanda and Vision, the X-Men, and the newer teams entering the story.
This guide covers the movies to watch before Avengers Doomsday, along with the series that have become increasingly important—especially WandaVision, Agatha All Along, and VisionQuest.
Why preparation matters
Avengers: Doomsday is not just another Avengers movie. It follows years of multiverse storytelling, alternate realities, legacy characters, and major changes to the MCU timeline. Marvel has also released an official 15-title watchlist designed to prepare viewers for the film.
The main things to understand before watching are simple:
- The Avengers’ history after Endgame
- How the multiverse works
- Who Doctor Doom is and why he matters
- The return of X-Men characters
- Wanda Maximoff’s story
- Vision’s return and current role
- The Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts
If you watch the right projects, Doomsday will feel like a major payoff rather than a confusing collection of cameos.
Start with the Avengers essentials
Captain America: The First Avenger
Start with Captain America: The First Avenger if you want to understand Steve Rogers, the Avengers’ foundation, and the emotional weight behind the original team. It is also useful because Steve’s story remains central to the MCU’s larger history.
The Avengers
The Avengers is essential because it introduces the original team dynamic. You see how Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye come together for the first time. This movie helps you understand why the Avengers matter beyond individual superhero films.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War is one of the most important MCU movies ever made. Thanos’s victory changes the entire universe, wipes out half of all life, and leaves the surviving heroes broken and desperate.
If you watch only a few MCU films before Doomsday, this should be one of them.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame completes the Infinity Saga and shows the consequences of Thanos’s Snap. It also introduces time travel, alternate timelines, and the idea that changing one moment can create new branches of reality.
Those ideas matter greatly for Avengers: Doomsday, because the multiverse is now a major part of Marvel’s storytelling.
Watch Loki before Doomsday
Loki: Seasons 1 and 2
Loki is arguably the most important MCU series to watch before Avengers: Doomsday. It explains the Sacred Timeline, the Time Variance Authority, branching timelines, He Who Remains, and the multiverse.
Without Loki, many multiverse-related moments in recent Marvel projects can feel confusing. With it, you understand why timelines matter, why variants exist, and why the MCU can bring back characters from different universes.
Both seasons are worth watching. Season 2, in particular, gives Loki one of the most powerful character arcs in the MCU and establishes the rules that make crossover stories possible.
The Wanda and Vision trilogy
This is where the watchlist has changed. VisionQuest has become a major addition because its finale directly connects to Avengers: Doomsday.
WandaVision
WandaVision is essential viewing if you care about Wanda Maximoff, Vision, Scarlet Witch, or the emotional fallout after Avengers: Endgame. The series explains how Wanda creates a new reality in Westview and how Vision returns in a new form.
It also introduces the idea that Wanda’s powers are connected to magic, grief, and reality manipulation. That background matters if Scarlet Witch returns in Doomsday.
Agatha All Along
Agatha All Along continues the magical side of the MCU and builds on the world introduced in WandaVision. It is helpful for understanding the larger supernatural storyline and the characters connected to Wanda’s story.
It is not as essential as WandaVision, but it makes the Wanda-Vision storyline feel more complete.
VisionQuest
VisionQuest follows White Vision after the events of WandaVision. Vision is trying to understand who he is now that he has returned without the full memories of his former life.
The series becomes especially important because its final post-credits scene directly ties into Avengers: Doomsday. It appears to set up Wanda Maximoff’s return and connects Doctor Doom to the Scarlet Witch storyline.
So yes, VisionQuest should be on your list. Watch it after WandaVision and Agatha All Along for the best experience.
Multiverse movies to prioritize
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is one of the clearest movies for understanding the MCU multiverse. It shows alternate universes, variants, dangerous magic, and the consequences of traveling between realities.
It is also important for Wanda’s arc. After WandaVision, Wanda becomes the Scarlet Witch, and this film shows how far her grief and power can take her.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man: No Way Home proves that the MCU can bring characters from previous Spider-Man franchises into the same story. It is a major multiverse movie and helps explain why legacy characters can return.
It is also simply one of the most enjoyable MCU films to rewatch before a huge ensemble movie.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool & Wolverine is important because it directly deals with alternate timelines, variants, and characters from the former Fox Marvel universe. It also helps bridge the gap between the old X-Men movies and the MCU.
If you plan to watch X-Men and X2, watch Deadpool & Wolverine afterward. It will make the connection feel much clearer.
The X-Men movies
Marvel’s official Doomsday watchlist includes X-Men and X2: X-Men United. These films introduce Professor X, Magneto, Cyclops, Mystique, Beast, and Nightcrawler—characters associated with the mutant side of the upcoming crossover.
X-Men
X-Men is the best starting point for the mutant storyline. It introduces the conflict between Professor Xavier and Magneto, two characters whose relationship may matter in Doomsday.
X2: X-Men United
X2 deepens the X-Men story and gives more context to Wolverine, Magneto, and Professor X. You do not need to watch every Fox X-Men movie, but these first two films are the most useful.
New teams entering Doomsday
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings introduces Shang-Chi, the Ten Rings, and a powerful magical artifact that may become important in the larger MCU. It is a fun, action-heavy movie and a good addition to the watchlist.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever matters because it continues the story of Wakanda after T’Challa’s death. It also introduces Namor and the underwater kingdom of Talokan, both of which could be important in future MCU conflicts.
Thunderbolts
Thunderbolts introduces a darker, more complicated team of antiheroes and former villains. The group includes characters such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, John Walker, Red Guardian, Ghost, and Bob/Sentry.
This movie is important because the Thunderbolts may play a major role in Doomsday. It is one of the newer MCU films that fans should not skip.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family into the MCU. Since the Fantastic Four are closely connected to Doctor Doom in Marvel Comics, this film is especially relevant before Doomsday
Even if you are unfamiliar with the team, watching this movie will help you understand Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm before they enter the Avengers’ biggest crisis.
Also Read: The Fantastic Four 2025: Who Should Watch Marvel’s Retro-Futuristic Comeback & Who Should Skip It?
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World follows Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. It is important because it shows the current state of the MCU after Endgame and introduces political and global conflicts that may carry into the Avengers’ next chapter.
It is not the most essential movie on this list, but it is worth watching if you want to understand the modern Avengers landscape.
The best watch order
If you want the best story flow, watch these in this order:
- X-Men
- X2: X-Men United
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- The Avengers
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Loki — Seasons 1 and 2
- WandaVision
- Agatha All Along
- VisionQuest
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- Deadpool & Wolverine
- Captain America: Brave New World
- Thunderbolts
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
This order gives you the Avengers’ history first, then explains the multiverse, then builds toward Wanda, Vision, the X-Men, and the newest teams.
Short watchlist for busy fans
If you do not have time for every movie and series, prioritize these:
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Loki
- WandaVision
- VisionQuest
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Deadpool & Wolverine
- Thunderbolts
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
This shorter list covers the biggest story pieces: Thanos, the multiverse, Wanda and Vision, Doctor Doom, the X-Men connection, and the current MCU teams.
Final thoughts
You do not need to watch every Marvel project before Avengers: Doomsday. But watching the right ones will make the film far more exciting.
Focus on Infinity War, Endgame, Loki, WandaVision, VisionQuest, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Deadpool & Wolverine, Thunderbolts, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Add X-Men and X2 if you want to understand the mutant side of the story.
Avengers: Doomsday releases in theaters on December 18, 2026, and with the right preparation, you will be ready for every multiverse twist, returning hero, and major Marvel moment.