Marvel Studios has further ignited fans’ curiosity regarding “Avengers: Doomsday” especially after the studio changed the title of the currently screening “Thunderbolts” to “The New Avengers”.
This title change serves as a spoiler, revealing that a new Avengers team will appear in “Avengers: Doomsday” (2026). The Avengers first made their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in “The Avengers” (2012).
While you wait for the film’s release, here is a list of Marvel movies you should watch before “Avengers: Doomsday”. Keep scrolling!
When Is the Avengers Doomsday Release Date?
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026, in the United States. The movie is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the filmmakers behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
The story will bring together heroes from different corners of the Marvel universe as they face an unprecedented threat. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the MCU in a new role as Victor von Doom, also known as Doctor Doom, rather than Tony Stark.
Marvel has confirmed that the film will unite characters from multiple universes, making previous multiverse-related movies especially important for viewers who want to understand the bigger picture.
Watch the Avengers Doomsday trailer here:
What to Watch Before Avengers: Doomsday
If you want to prepare for Avengers: Doomsday without watching every Marvel movie and series, start with these essential titles:
1. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Before watching the film “Avengers: Doomsday”, you need to understand how the multiverse chaos began. In the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” Peter Parker asks Doctor Strange for help in erasing his identity from everyone’s memory.
Because of that, a massive crack in reality emerges. If you watch this film, you’ll gain a better understanding of the multiverse concept through the meeting of three Spider-Men from different universes.
2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever follows the people of Wakanda as they grieve the loss of T’Challa. Meanwhile, Shuri is compelled to step into the leadership void by becoming the Black Panther.
The film introduces a new threat from beneath the sea: the nation of Talokan and its leader, Namor. The inter-nation conflict depicted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is highly likely to have an impact on the “Doomsday” era.
3. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
The next Marvel film that must be watched before the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Compared to the two preceding films, Ant-Man’s adventure here is far more serious.
You will witness the Quantum Realm, a place that turns out to be home to one of the variants of Kang the Conqueror. Through this film, you will begin to understand how reality can fracture. This could pose a major threat that the Avengers will have to face in Avengers: Doomsday.
4. Loki Seasons 1 & 2 (2021-2023)
The two seasons of Loki provide foundational knowledge regarding concepts like the multiverse, variants, and the Sacred Timeline, all of which are central to the MCU. Loki’s journey, evolving from a cunning trickster, takes a complete turn once he joins the TVA.
In the second season, you see Loki sacrifice himself to stabilize the branching paths of reality. This role of his will likely prove to be highly significant in Avengers: Doomsday.
5. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder is one of the Marvel films you should watch before Avengers: Doomsday. Why? The film introduces the concept of cosmic entities and Omnipotence City.
You will also be introduced to Gorr the God Butcher, a character who raises significant questions regarding power, a conflict that could potentially pave the way for an even larger confrontation.
6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The character Shang-Chi was only introduced to the MCU in 2021 via Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. However, this film contains crucial clues that set the stage for stories in future MCU installments, including *Avengers: Doomsday*.
The heirloom rings passed down to Shang-Chi possess mysterious powers and emit a signal reaching into other dimensions. You’ll need to watch this film to understand these ancient powers, which could very well reappear in the next Avengers movie.
7. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
For X-Men fans, the film Deadpool & Wolverine serves as both a nostalgic moment and a delightful surprise. The character of Deadpool is aware that he is in a movie and embarks on a journey across the multiverse.
Furthermore, the appearance of Hugh Jackman’s version of Wolverine marks the entry of mutant characters into the MCU. These mutants are set to be involved in Avengers: Doomsday.
8. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
The story of Doctor Strange in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has a major impact on the multiverse, a concept expected to play a significant role in Avengers: Doomsday*. So, be sure to watch this film as well.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange as he encounters various versions of himself. He faces an “incursion” , a collision between two realities, that threatens to destroy both.
9. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Have you seen Captain America: Brave New World? Sam Wilson takes on the mantle of Captain America. Beyond exploring his new role, the film delves into complex political dynamics and social issues between nations. Sam steps into action, embracing his new identity as Captain America. He faces a global threat sparked by the greed of Thaddeus Ross.
10. Thunderbolts (2025)
The final Marvel film you should watch before Avengers: Doomsday is “Thunderbolts”, essentially a “New Avengers” team. Unlike the Avengers, the Thunderbolts are a group of anti-heroes, each with a dark past. It’s worth getting to know them, as this group will likely play a significant role in the Avengers: Doomsday.
11. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Why you should watch it: It introduces the Fantastic Four, one of the most important groups in the upcoming crossover. The Fantastic Four are central to Marvel’s wider superhero mythology, and their inclusion in Avengers: Doomsday makes their introduction particularly important.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as they navigate their lives as a superhero family. The movie provides the background needed to understand the team’s personalities, abilities, and relationships before they encounter other major Marvel characters.
Cast of Avengers Doomsday: Who Is Returning?
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The confirmed Avengers: Doomsday cast features an extensive lineup of MCU veterans and characters from other Marvel film franchises. Some of the major confirmed cast members include:
- Robert Downey Jr. as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing
- Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
- Winston Duke as M’Baku
- Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- Patrick Stewart as Professor X
- James Marsden as Cyclops
- Channing Tatum as Gambit
The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, with Stephen McFeely writing the screenplay.
Do You Need to Watch the X-Men Movies Before Avengers: Doomsday?
Not necessarily, but watching a few of the original X-Men movies can make the upcoming crossover more exciting.
Marvel has confirmed the return of several actors associated with the original Fox-era X-Men franchise, including:
- Patrick Stewart as Professor X
- Ian McKellen as Magneto
- James Marsden as Cyclops
- Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
- Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
- Kelsey Grammer as Beast
To become familiar with these characters, consider watching:
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
These films introduce the relationships, conflicts, and histories of the original X-Men characters. They are optional background viewing rather than a mandatory prerequisite for understanding the main MCU storyline.