Official ‘Doomsday’ Watchlist: The Essential Movies You MUST See First
Your Complete Guide to Getting Ready for Avengers: Doomsday
Tickets are on sale! The next big Marvel team-up movie, Avengers: Doomsday, is coming to theaters on December 18, 2026. To make sure you understand every reference, cameo, and plot twist, Disney has released an official "homework list" of movies and shows to watch first.
Don’t worry—we’ve organized everything below in simple terms so you can start your marathon with confidence.
Disney’s Official "Pre-Doomsday" Watchlist
Disney didn’t just pick random movies. This list tells the specific story threads that will matter in Doomsday. There are 9 MCU movies, 1 Disney+ series, and 2 classic non-MCU films on the syllabus.
The MCU Movies (In Chronological Order)
Watch these to follow the main timeline:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – The origin of the first Avenger and the Tesseract.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – The first showdown with Thanos; introduces the stakes of the Multiverse.
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – Introduces new heroes and mysterious artifacts.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – Crucial: Cracks open the Multiverse wide open.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) – Explores the rules (and dangers) of jumping between realities.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – Sets up the new status quo for Wakanda and introduces key characters.
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) – A Multiverse-hopping adventure that brings Fox’s X-Men universe into the fold.
- Captain America: Brave New World (2025) – Sam Wilson’s first solo flight as Cap; sets up the current political landscape.
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) – Marvel’s First Family finally arrives in the MCU.
The Disney+ Series
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – Essential for understanding Sam Wilson becoming Captain America and the government’s role in superhero affairs.
The "Non-MCU" Curveballs (Very Important!)
IMPORTANT POINT: For the first time ever, Disney is officially telling you to watch movies made by a different studio (Fox) because Doomsday is merging those universes.
- X-Men (2000) – The movie that started the modern superhero boom. Introduces Professor X, Magneto, Wolverine, and Rogue.
- X2: X-Men United (2003) – Widely considered one of the best superhero sequels ever. Deepens the mutant vs. human conflict.
The Massive Avengers: Doomsday Cast
This isn’t just an Avengers movie; it’s a reunion of epic proportions. The confirmed cast list reads like a "Who’s Who" of Marvel history:
- Robert Downey Jr. (Returning, but as Doctor Doom, not Iron Man!)
- Chris Evans (Captain America)
- Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
- Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic)
- Paul Rudd (Ant-Man)
- Anthony Mackie (Captain America / Falcon)
- Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)
- Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm / Invisible Woman)
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm / The Thing)
- Wyatt Russell (John Walker / U.S. Agent)
- Channing Tatum (Gambit)
- Simu Liu (Shang-Chi)
- Ian McKellen (Magneto – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- Patrick Stewart (Professor X – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- James Marsden (Cyclops – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- Kelsey Grammer (Beast – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- Rebecca Romijn (Mystique – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler – from the Fox X-Men films!)
- Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
- Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter / Captain Carter)
- Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier)
- David Harbour (Red Guardian)
- Letitia Wright (Shuri)
- Lewis Pullman (Sentry)
- Kathryn Newton (Cassie Lang)
- Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres / Falcon)
- Winston Duke (M’Baku)
- Hannah John-Kamen (Ghost)
- Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm / Human Torch)
- …and more!
WHY THIS MATTERS: The inclusion of Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Rebecca Romijn, and Alan Cumming confirms that the Fox X-Men movie universe is fully merging with the MCU. This is why the 2000 X-Men movies are on the watchlist!
When & Where?
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release Date | December 18, 2026 |
| Tickets | On sale NOW (via Fandango/theater apps) |
| Timeline Placement | Set in 2028 (roughly 14 months after Thunderbolts* and after Spider-Man: Brand New Day) |
Where Does Doomsday Fit in the MCU Timeline?
Marvel’s official timeline (viewable on Disney+) places Avengers: Doomsday near the very end of the current chronological order.
Think of it like this:
- The Infinity Saga ends (Endgame).
- The Multiverse Saga happens (Shang-Chi through Brave New World / Fantastic Four).
- The "Mutant Saga" / Doomsday Era begins (Thunderbolts*, Spider-Man: Brand New Day).
- AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY (Late 2028).
Summary: Your Action Plan
- Buy Tickets: Secure your seat for Dec 18, 2026.
- Start the Marathon: You have ~1.5 years. Pace yourself!
- Priority Watch: If time is tight, focus on Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and the two X-Men (2000/2003) films. These set up the Multiverse and Mutant plotlines directly.
- Subscribe to Disney+: Almost everything on the list streams there (except the 2000 X-Men films, which may be on Hulu/Disney+ Star or digital rental).
- *Watch Thunderbolts* and Spider-Man: Brand New Day*:* These are the immediate prequels releasing before Doomsday*.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Do I really have to watch the old 2000 X-Men movies?
Yes. This is the first time Marvel Studios has declared non-MCU films as "required viewing." Since actors like Ian McKellen (Magneto) and Patrick Stewart (Professor X) are reprising their specific roles from those movies, their history matters.
2. Is Robert Downey Jr. playing Iron Man again?
No. In a massive twist, RDJ is playing the villain Doctor Doom. This is a completely different character from Tony Stark.
3. What are the "Multiverse Saga" and "Infinity Saga"?
- Infinity Saga (2008–2019): The first 23 movies (Iron Man to Endgame/Spider-Man: Far From Home) focused on the Infinity Stones and Thanos.
- Multiverse Saga (2021–Present): The current phase (WandaVision onward) focused on alternate realities, Kang the Conqueror (now replaced by Doom), and the collision of different universes.
4. Where can I watch the 2000 X-Men and X2?
They are not on the main Disney+ hub in all regions. Check Hulu (in the US, via the Disney+ bundle), Disney+ Star (internationally), or digital storefronts (Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu) to rent/buy.
5. Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps out yet?
Not yet. It releases in theaters July 25, 2025. You must see it before Doomsday because it introduces the Fantastic Four (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn) who are confirmed for the Doomsday cast.
Final Thought: Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be the biggest crossover event in movie history—combining the MCU, the Fox X-Men universe, and the Fantastic Four. Happy watching!