Marvel’s multiverse saga is finally heading toward its biggest collision yet. Avengers: Doomsday is set to bring together heroes from different corners of the Marvel universe as they face one of the most dangerous villains in Marvel history: Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.

Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, the filmmakers behind Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, as part of Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel has also confirmed that the film will lead into Avengers: Secret Wars, which is scheduled for December 17, 2027.

But with the MCU now spanning multiple universes, timelines and generations of superheroes, figuring out what to watch before Doomsday can feel like a mission of its own.

Thankfully, Marvel has already highlighted a collection of movies and Disney+ series that can help fans catch up before the next Avengers movie arrives.

Why You Should Rewatch These Marvel Movies Before Avengers: Doomsday

Avengers: Doomsday isn't simply another Avengers team-up. The movie is positioned at the intersection of several major MCU storylines: the Avengers, the multiverse, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four and the newly established New Avengers.

Marvel has confirmed that the Fantastic Four from Earth-828 will play a major role in the film, with Pedro Pascal returning as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing.

That Earth-828 connection is particularly important because The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduced the team in a retro-futuristic universe inspired by the 1960s. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has also described First Steps as directly leading into Avengers: Doomsday, making it one of the most important movies to watch before the upcoming crossover.

At the same time, the film will bring the X-Men into the larger MCU picture. Marvel has officially teased the return of the X-Men, Thor and Steve Rogers, making Doomsday a potentially massive reunion of characters and franchises that have been building toward this moment for years.

The New Avengers Are Also Part of the Equation

Another major piece of the puzzle is Thunderbolts*, which ultimately positioned its unconventional group of heroes as the New Avengers.

The film follows Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker as they are thrown together for a dangerous mission orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. What begins as a dysfunctional collection of damaged heroes eventually evolves into something much bigger.

The cast includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, David Harbour as Red Guardian and Lewis Pullman as Bob/Sentry.

Since Doomsday follows the events of Thunderbolts* and brings the New Avengers into the larger conflict, skipping that movie would mean missing an important piece of the MCU's current status quo.

What About Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom?

There is also one huge reason Avengers: Doomsday has become such a major talking point: Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, but not as Tony Stark.

Marvel has officially confirmed Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, marking a dramatic change from his iconic role as Iron Man.

It is important to clear up one detail from some earlier reports: Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom was not revealed in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Instead, First Steps introduced the Fantastic Four and their Earth-828 reality, while Marvel separately confirmed Downey Jr.'s casting as Doom for Doomsday.

That distinction makes the situation even more intriguing. The Fantastic Four now have a direct connection to the multiversal story, while Downey Jr. is stepping into the role of one of Marvel Comics' most formidable villains.

And if the title Avengers: Doomsday wasn't already enough of a hint, Marvel's decision to put Doctor Doom at the center of the film tells you just how important he is going to be.

The Avengers: Doomsday Watchlist

So, what exactly should you watch before heading into Avengers: Doomsday?

Marvel's recommended lineup includes 15 movies and Disney+ shows spanning the original X-Men era, the Infinity Saga and the MCU's multiverse storyline.

Here is the complete watchlist.

1. X-Men

The original X-Men is an important starting point for understanding the cinematic history of Marvel's mutants.

Released in 2000, the film introduced audiences to characters such as Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey and Cyclops. It also laid the foundation for the X-Men film universe that Marvel is now bringing back into the wider MCU.

With Marvel officially teasing the return of the X-Men in Avengers: Doomsday, revisiting the movie that started the modern X-Men film franchise makes plenty of sense.

 

 

2. X2

If X-Men introduces the mutant world, X2 expands it considerably.

The sequel deepens the relationships between Professor X's students, Magneto and the wider human world while giving several of the original X-Men more room to shine.

Considering how important the original X-Men characters appear to be to Doomsday, X2 is an especially worthwhile rewatch.

 

 

3. Captain America: The First Avenger

Before revisiting the Avengers themselves, it is worth going back to where Steve Rogers' journey began.

Captain America: The First Avenger introduces Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, Peggy Carter and the Tesseract while establishing the historical roots of one of the MCU's most important heroes.

It also becomes particularly relevant now that Marvel has officially teased the return of Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday.

 

 

4. The Avengers

This is the movie that truly established the Avengers as a team on the big screen.

Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye are brought together by Nick Fury to stop Loki and his alien invasion of Earth.

Beyond being one of the MCU's defining films, The Avengers is useful preparation for Doomsday because it shows what the original Avengers team looked like before the MCU expanded into the sprawling multiverse it is today.

 

 

5. Avengers: Infinity War

If you're going to revisit only a few Avengers movies before Doomsday, Infinity War absolutely deserves a place near the top.

The film brought together heroes from across the MCU to confront Thanos as he attempted to collect all six Infinity Stones and reshape reality itself.

It also established the Russo Brothers' ability to handle enormous Marvel crossover events, making it an especially useful companion to Doomsday.

 

 

6. Avengers: Endgame

Of course, no Doomsday preparation list would be complete without Avengers: Endgame.

The movie concluded the Infinity Saga and fundamentally changed the MCU. Tony Stark's story reached its emotional conclusion, Steve Rogers' journey took a major turn, and the Avengers were left in a very different position.

That history matters even more now that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU in an entirely different role.

 

7. Loki

If you're trying to understand the MCU's multiverse, Loki is one of the most important shows on the list.

The Disney+ series takes Loki into a completely different corner of Marvel's mythology, exploring alternate timelines, variants and the increasingly complicated nature of reality.

Because Doomsday is expected to deal heavily with different worlds and realities colliding, Loki provides valuable context for understanding how the MCU's multiverse operates.

 

 

8. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

At first glance, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings might seem like an unusual addition to a Doomsday watchlist.

However, the film introduces Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings while also establishing connections to the wider MCU.

It is another example of how Marvel has been planting characters and mythology across seemingly separate stories before bringing them together later.

 

 

9. Spider-Man: No Way Home

Few MCU movies are as directly relevant to the concept of a multiverse as Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Tom Holland's Spider-Man finds himself dealing with characters from other Spider-Man universes, creating one of the MCU's biggest live-action multiversal crossovers.

The film demonstrated just how dramatically Marvel could bring separate cinematic universes together, making it an essential watch for anyone trying to understand the multiversal direction of Doomsday.

 

 

10. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is important for understanding the current state of Wakanda and its heroes.

The movie follows Shuri as she deals with the death of T'Challa while Wakanda faces a new threat from Namor and Talokan.

Its inclusion also helps establish where Wakanda and characters such as Shuri stand within the wider MCU heading into the next major crossover.

 

 

11. Captain America: Brave New World

The MCU's Captain America mantle has changed hands, and Captain America: Brave New World is an important stop on the road to Doomsday.

The film continues Sam Wilson's journey as Captain America while expanding the political and superhero landscape of the post-Endgame MCU.

It is particularly useful for understanding the newer generation of heroes who are now operating in a world very different from the one Steve Rogers originally protected.

 

 

12. Deadpool & Wolverine

This might be the most obvious bridge between the old X-Men universe and Marvel's current multiverse story.

Deadpool & Wolverine brought Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool together with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and embraced Marvel's long history of alternate realities, legacy characters and different superhero franchises.

Marvel itself has described the film as having "scratched the surface" of bringing the old X-Men characters into the MCU, with Doomsday going considerably further.

If you're particularly interested in the return of the X-Men, this is one movie you should definitely not skip.

 

 

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

The title says almost everything you need to know.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness dives headfirst into alternate universes, variants and the dangers that come with crossing between realities.

It also establishes just how unpredictable multiversal travel can become when powerful characters interfere with the fabric of reality.

For anyone trying to understand why a movie like Avengers: Doomsday can bring characters from completely different universes together, this is essential viewing.

 

 

14. Thunderbolts*

The former Thunderbolts are now the New Avengers, making this one of the most directly relevant movies on the entire list.

The film follows a group of antiheroes and morally complicated characters who initially have very little reason to trust one another. Their mission forces them to confront both their individual pasts and the possibility that they could become something greater as a team.

That makes Thunderbolts* particularly important before Doomsday, because the MCU is no longer simply relying on the original Avengers lineup.

A new generation has stepped into the spotlight.

 

 

15. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Finally, there is The Fantastic Four: First Steps — arguably one of the most important entries on the entire watchlist.

The movie introduces Marvel's First Family in Earth-828, a retro-futuristic universe inspired by the 1960s. Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm are established as the heroes of this alternate reality before crossing into the larger MCU story.

Marvel has confirmed that the Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday, with the characters set to interact with the Avengers and X-Men.

Kevin Feige has also described First Steps as directly leading into Doomsday, making this the ideal movie to watch immediately before the new Avengers film.

And there is another reason this movie matters: it establishes the alternate universe from which Marvel's First Family originates, giving audiences a much better understanding of why a multiversal conflict could bring them into the same story as characters from Earth-616 and the original X-Men universe.

The Best Order to Watch Before Avengers: Doomsday

If you don't want to watch all 15 entries in release order, a more story-focused approach would be to prioritize them according to the major threads leading into Doomsday.

For the original Avengers story, watch:

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
2. The Avengers
3. Avengers: Infinity War
4. Avengers: Endgame

For the multiverse storyline, watch:

1. Loki
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
3. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
4. Deadpool & Wolverine

For the new generation of heroes, watch:

1. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
2. Captain America: Brave New World
3. Thunderbolts*

And for the X-Men and Fantastic Four connection, watch:

1. X-Men
2. X2
3. Deadpool & Wolverine
4. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Ideally, though, watching all 15 gives you the fullest picture of how Marvel has arrived at this point.

Why Avengers: Doomsday Could Be One of Marvel's Biggest Crossovers Yet

What makes Avengers: Doomsday particularly fascinating is that Marvel isn't simply assembling one superhero team.

The movie is bringing together different generations, franchises and universes.

You have the Avengers and the New Avengers from the MCU's Earth-616, the Fantastic Four from Earth-828 and the returning X-Men from Marvel's previous cinematic universe. Marvel has already confirmed the X-Men's return, while Feige has spoken about the excitement of putting the Fantastic Four, Avengers and X-Men together in the same story.

That makes the film feel less like a traditional sequel and more like a collision between different eras of Marvel's cinematic history.

And sitting at the center of that collision is Doctor Doom.

Marvel's official page currently lists Avengers: Doomsday for December 18, 2026, with Joe and Anthony Russo directing and Robert Downey Jr. among the confirmed cast. The same page also teases the return of the X-Men, Thor and Steve Rogers.

Final Thoughts

After years of building separate characters, franchises and universes, Marvel is finally bringing many of those pieces into the same story.

From the original X-Men movies and the first Avengers team to Loki, No Way Home, Deadpool & Wolverine, the New Avengers and the Fantastic Four, the road to Avengers: Doomsday stretches across more than two decades of Marvel storytelling.

You don't necessarily need to watch every MCU project ever made to understand the movie. But if you want to appreciate why the return of the X-Men matters, why the Fantastic Four are coming from another universe, why the New Avengers are now part of the equation and why Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is such a massive deal, this 15-title watchlist is the best place to start.

With Avengers: Doomsday arriving on December 18, 2026, there is still time to revisit the stories that brought Marvel's heroes to this point. And considering that Avengers: Secret Wars is already scheduled to follow in December 2027, Doomsday could be only the beginning of Marvel's next massive multiversal chapter.

 

Avengers: Doomsday FAQs

1. What should I watch before Avengers: Doomsday?

Before Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel and Disney+ recommend 15 movies and shows: X-Men, X2, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Brave New World, Deadpool & Wolverine, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

2. How many movies and shows should I watch before Avengers: Doomsday?

Marvel's official Doomsday preparation list contains 15 titles: 14 movies and one Disney+ series, Loki. The selection covers the original X-Men movies, the Infinity Saga, the MCU's multiverse stories, the New Avengers and the Fantastic Four.

3. What is the correct Avengers: Doomsday watch order?

If you want to follow Marvel's recommended Doomsday preparation list, watch the 15 titles in this order: X-Men, X2, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Brave New World, Deadpool & Wolverine, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

4. Do I need to watch the X-Men movies before Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes, if you want additional context for the returning X-Men characters. Marvel's official watchlist specifically includes X-Men and X2, making the original mutant movies part of its recommended preparation for Doomsday.

5. Why are X-Men and X2 on the Avengers: Doomsday watchlist?

X-Men and X2 establish the original cinematic X-Men universe and introduce many of the characters and relationships that make the returning mutant cast significant. Their inclusion is especially notable because Avengers: Doomsday brings the X-Men into the same major crossover as the Avengers and Fantastic Four.

6. Is Deadpool & Wolverine important before Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most useful movies to watch before Avengers: Doomsday because it explores Marvel's multiverse and connects characters from the previous X-Men film universe with the broader Marvel Studios story. It also makes the return of legacy Marvel characters easier to understand.

7. Do I need to watch Loki before Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. Loki is the only Disney+ series included in Marvel's official 15-title Doomsday watchlist. The series explores alternate timelines, variants and the wider mechanics of the MCU's multiverse, making it particularly useful preparation for a movie built around multiple realities.

8. Is Spider-Man: No Way Home connected to Avengers: Doomsday?

Spider-Man: No Way Home is included in Marvel's official Doomsday watchlist because of its major exploration of alternate universes and variants. The movie demonstrates how characters from different realities can interact within the MCU's increasingly interconnected multiverse.

9. Is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness important before Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is part of Marvel's official Doomsday watchlist and provides important context for alternate realities, incursions and the dangers associated with traveling between universes.

10. Do I need to watch Thunderbolts* before Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. Thunderbolts* is particularly important because the film establishes the group that becomes known as the New Avengers. Watching it helps explain where this newer superhero team stands before the events of Avengers: Doomsday.

11. Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps important before Avengers: Doomsday?

Absolutely. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is one of the most important movies to watch before Avengers: Doomsday. It introduces the Fantastic Four and their alternate universe, establishing the version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm who are heading into the next Avengers crossover.

12. Are the Fantastic Four in Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. The Fantastic Four are among the major groups connected to Avengers: Doomsday. Their introduction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps provides important context for their role in the upcoming multiversal conflict.

13. Is Robert Downey Jr. playing Iron Man or Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday?

Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU as Doctor Doom, not Tony Stark/Iron Man. His casting represents a major departure from his previous MCU role and places one of Marvel Comics' most formidable villains at the center of Avengers: Doomsday.

14. Who is the main villain in Avengers: Doomsday?

The central threat of Avengers: Doomsday is Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. The character's involvement is one of the biggest reasons the film has become such a major event for the MCU and its multiverse storyline.

15. Is Avengers: Doomsday part of the MCU?

Yes. Avengers: Doomsday is a Marvel Studios film and part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's ongoing multiverse storyline. It brings together characters and teams from different corners of Marvel's cinematic history.

16. When is Avengers: Doomsday releasing?

Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to release in theaters on December 18, 2026.

17. Is Avengers: Doomsday connected to Avengers: Secret Wars?

Yes. Avengers: Doomsday is the major Avengers film immediately preceding Avengers: Secret Wars, which is currently scheduled for 2027. The two films form the next major chapter of Marvel's multiverse saga.

18. Do I need to watch every Marvel movie before Avengers: Doomsday?

No. You do not need to watch the entire MCU to prepare for Avengers: Doomsday. Marvel's official 15-title watchlist provides a much more focused route through the movies and series it considers important for the upcoming crossover.

19. What is the shortest watchlist for Avengers: Doomsday?

If you are short on time, prioritize Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Deadpool & Wolverine, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Adding X-Men and X2 gives you more background for the returning X-Men characters.

20. Why should I watch Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame before Doomsday?

Infinity War and Endgame establish the original Avengers' biggest battle, the consequences of the Infinity Saga and the major changes that reshaped the MCU afterward. They also provide essential emotional and historical context for the Avengers as the franchise enters another enormous crossover.

21. Will Avengers: Doomsday feature the X-Men?

Yes. Marvel has positioned the X-Men as one of the major groups involved in Avengers: Doomsday, making the return of the original cinematic mutants one of the film's biggest attractions.

22. Will the Avengers and Fantastic Four appear together in Avengers: Doomsday?

Yes. Avengers: Doomsday is designed as a major crossover bringing together heroes from different Marvel universes, including the Avengers and Fantastic Four alongside the returning X-Men.

23. Is Avengers: Doomsday a multiverse movie?

Yes. The movie is part of the MCU's multiverse storyline and brings together characters from different cinematic universes and continuities. This is why films such as Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Deadpool & Wolverine are particularly useful before watching it.

24. What Marvel movies are essential for understanding Avengers: Doomsday?

The most important titles from Marvel's official preparation list include The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Loki, Deadpool & Wolverine, Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps. X-Men and X2 are also valuable if you want more context for the returning X-Men characters.

25. Can I watch Avengers: Doomsday without seeing the previous Marvel movies?

You can, but watching at least the major recommended titles will give you significantly more context. Because the film draws on the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, New Avengers and Marvel's multiverse storyline, catching up beforehand should make the returning characters and their relationships much easier to follow.

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