Preparing for the Arrival of Doctor Doom
Avengers: Doomsday reaches theaters on December 18, 2026. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this film marks a massive crossover event for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as part of Phase 6. Fans expect the story to pull characters from across various timelines and realities to face the threat of Doctor Doom. Marvel recently shared an official list of fifteen movies and shows that viewers should watch to track the narrative threads currently converging on this release.
The roster includes titles that define the current state of the MCU. Viewers will find familiar stories like Avengers: Endgame alongside more recent additions such as Deadpool & Wolverine and the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World. Disney has structured this list to bridge the gaps between the original Avengers era and the new arrivals, including the X-Men and the Fantastic Four from Earth-828.
Understanding the Narrative Landscape
Robert Downey Jr. returns to the franchise, this time taking on the role of the primary antagonist, Doctor Doom. Audiences caught an early look at his presence in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn. That film, combined with the events detailed in Thunderbolts*, sets the stage for the conflict in Doomsday. The studio aims for a collision of heroes, bringing together teams from Black Panther, the New Avengers, and the X-Men.
Tracking these characters requires a look back at foundational stories. Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers remain essential viewing for the core history of the superhero teams. However, recent projects like Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness play a larger role in explaining the current reality of the multiverse. Each of these stories serves as a building block for the December finale.
A Complete List of Required Viewing
To prepare for the December premiere, Marvel suggests that fans view the following titles: 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.
Watching these entries offers a specific view of the current state of Earth-616 and other neighboring dimensions. The inclusion of the X-Men and the Fantastic Four suggests that the scope of this film extends beyond previous team-ups. The studio continues to lean into its deep catalog to manage audience expectations and provide necessary context for the scale of this new cinematic conflict. With the release date approaching, the studio expects this viewing guide to clarify the connections between these distinct narrative lines.