Avengers: Doomsday’s Ultimate Viewing Guide: Every MCU Movie & Show You Need To Watch

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The new movie, Avengers: Doomsday, is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. This makes now a good time to revisit the shows and films that will lead up to what’s expected to be the MCU’s biggest team-up yet. While the Multiverse Saga hasn’t fully satisfied some fans, the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday seems to be generating excitement and potentially bringing audiences back to the cinema.

The directors behind the huge hits Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the Russo Brothers, are back working with Marvel. Robert Downey Jr. is taking on the role of Doctor Doom, while Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth will reprise their iconic characters, Captain America and Thor, giving fans plenty to look forward to.

Like all Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, this one is closely connected to the larger story. It will build on events from the current Multiverse Saga and also reference moments from the end of the Infinity Saga.

Avengers: Doomsday Is A Sequel To Avengers: Endgame

As a huge Marvel fan, I’m really excited about Avengers: Doomsday! The Russo Brothers have hinted it’ll actually continue the story from Avengers: Endgame, which is fantastic. It doesn’t mean they’re ignoring everything that’s happened in the Multiverse Saga, but Doomsday will definitely have strong ties back to the original Infinity Saga and what we saw in Endgame. It’s going to be cool to see those connections!

To fully appreciate the latest Marvel film, it’s a good idea to rewatch Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, as they essentially tell one continuous story. Plus, Marvel is bringing Avengers: Endgame back to cinemas with added scenes that introduce the events leading up to Avengers: Doomsday.

To fully understand Avengers: Doomsday, these are the essential movies you should watch. While rewatching Endgame on Disney+ or in theaters is a great starting point, there are also other films and shows from the Multiverse Saga that will give you a more complete understanding of the story to come.

Thunderbolts* & The Fantastic Four: First Steps Brings New Superhero Teams To The Front Lines

Currently, the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie is planned to feature battles between different hero groups, like the original X-Men team from the Fox universe against a new Avengers team. Plus, we’ve already met some important new teams in the Multiverse Saga, including The New Avengers and The Fantastic Four.

If you’re looking to get acquainted with these characters, Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are great movies released in 2025. They tell the origin stories of each team and set them up for a future clash that will connect to Avengers: Doomsday. Both films also include a scene after the credits that directly leads into the next Avengers movie.

Therefore, these films are essential viewing before seeing Avengers: Doomsday in theaters, as they provide important context and background.

Loki Season 1 & 2 Leads Directly Into The Multiverse Ending

When it comes to TV shows that feel essential viewing before the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie, Loki stands alone. Starring Tom Hiddleston, the series follows a different version of the Loki character as he evolves from a playful, self-centered god into a strong protector of the Multiverse, gaining the ability to move beyond time and space.

Loki and Doctor Doom are destined to clash in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with Tom Hiddleston returning for Avengers: Doomsday, a massive showdown between these two powerful characters – who both influence the fate of the Multiverse – seems inevitable.

Originally, the first season of Loki was designed to properly introduce the character Kang the Conqueror. However, with Johnathan Majors no longer involved in the MCU and Robert Downey Jr. returning as the primary villain for the Multiverse Saga, Loki season 2 now sets up the future of the MCU in a very promising way.

This show is a standout in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and truly one of the best explorations of the multiverse we’ve seen. It not only sets up future storylines, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable to revisit simply for its brilliant take on and handling of the multiverse throughout this entire saga.

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, Thor: Love & Thunder, & Captain America: Brave New World Add Important Context

Everything we’ve discussed so far is helpful to watch, but the following titles are a little less essential. They do provide background on characters who appear in Avengers: Doomsday and explain what happened after the Snap, but it’s unclear exactly how much these stories will impact the main plot of Doomsday.

TV Show/Film To Rewatch (In Order Of Release)
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Endgame
Loki (Season 1 + 2)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Thor: Love & Thunder
Captain America: Brave New World
Thunderbolts*
The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Simu Liu made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, playing the talented martial artist Shang-Chi, who wields mystical objects. He’s set to reappear in Avengers: Doomsday, but despite a popular introduction in the recent MCU Saga, the character hasn’t been featured in a live-action film or series since 2021.

Then there’s Thor: Love and Thunder, the fourth movie starring Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and the second directed by Taika Waititi for Marvel. While the film feels a bit chaotic at times, it introduces a new family element that seems likely to play a role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

In Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson fully embraces his role as the new Captain America. The movie revisits themes from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier but in a shorter, more focused story, and it also sets the stage for a new version of the Avengers.

These projects have the strongest connections to the upcoming movie, Avengers: Doomsday. Watching them will give you the best understanding and enjoyment when you see the film in December.

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2026-05-03 13:11