What to watch before Doomsday

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18, 2026. Not every Marvel title matters equally for it. Here is how much each one feeds the film, with the reasons and the lists that get you ready fastest.

Estimate: Doomsday is not out yet, so weights rest on announcements and cast.

Mark what you have watched and see your readiness →

The titles that matter most

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Critical10.4%
Why (minor spoilers)
Its mid-credits scene shows Doom's interest in Franklin and ends with "The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday".
Avengers: Endgame Critical10.4%
Why (minor spoilers)
Closes the Infinity Saga and sets where the original heroes stand.
Loki · Season 2 Critical10.4%
Why (minor spoilers)
Loki ends up holding the timelines together.
Thunderbolts* Critical6.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Doomsday is set 14 months after it, and its end-credits scene was shot by the Russo brothers.
Deadpool & Wolverine Critical6.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Brings Fox-era characters into the MCU through the TVA. Channing Tatum's Gambit is confirmed for Doomsday.
Avengers: Endgame Encore Critical6.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
The Russo brothers call it required viewing for Doomsday: its new scenes lead straight into the film.
Captain America: Brave New World Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Sam Wilson's first film as Captain America. Anthony Mackie is confirmed for Doomsday.
Thor: Love and Thunder Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Where Thor was last seen. Chris Hemsworth is confirmed for Doomsday.
Captain America: The First Avenger Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Steve and Peggy's story begins here. Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell are both confirmed for Doomsday.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Where Scott Lang was last seen. Paul Rudd is confirmed for Doomsday.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Introduces incursions: universes colliding.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Strong3.7%
Why (minor spoilers)
Shang-Chi is confirmed for Doomsday.

Ways to get ready

New Here

I have never watched any of it.

9 titles · ~26 h · reaches 57% from scratch

Speedrun

Seen some of it? Close the gaps the fastest way.

8 titles · ~24 h · reaches 57% from scratch

Where Were We?

Stopped after Endgame? Pick up from there.

21 titles · ~56 h · reaches 81% from scratch

Countdown 15

The 15 titles Disney+ suggests, in its order. Source: the Disney+ “Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday” collection.

21 titles · ~56 h · reaches 76% from scratch

Mutant Route

Side quest: the story of the Fox X-Men cast.

7 titles · ~14 h · reaches 15% from scratch

X-Men
X2
X-Men: The Last Stand
X-Men: First Class (optional)
X-Men: Days of Future Past
Logan
The Marvels Only the mid-credits scene matters here.
Deadpool & Wolverine

The Saga

Every MCU film, plus Loki and Falcon & Winter Soldier.

41 titles · ~99 h · reaches 93% from scratch

Completionist

Everything on the map.

48 titles · ~114 h · reaches 100% from scratch

By phase

Phase 16 titles · 6%
Phase 26 titles · 1%
Phase 311 titles · 15%
Phase 49 titles · 22%
Phase 57 titles · 33%
Phase 63 titles · 18%
Fox X-Men6 titles · 7%

Sagas

Infinity Saga2008–2019
Multiverse Saga2021–2027