(You are not supposed to finish it)

Have you barely watched Marvel since Endgame? Are you still interested in Avengers: Doomsday? Do you have a life and therefore no desire to watch 50 movies and shows before December?

This is the list for you.

Important disclaimer: This is ranked in descending order of importance, not release order. It is deliberately designed so that you can stop after any entry and still have watched the most valuable preparation your available time allowed.

I’ve kept the descriptions completely spoiler free

1. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

I’m assuming most people using this list already watched Endgame in 2019, so this should only be a refresher.

If you have never seen it, watch an Infinity Saga recap beforehand or use a separate watchlist designed to prepare you for Endgame itself.

Avengers: Endgame Encore arrives in theatres on September 25 with additional material connecting it to Doomsday. However, don’t delay your entire watch through waiting for it if the timing or theatrical availability doesn’t work for you. The regular version is still perfectly fine.

2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Completely self contained and set in an alternate universe. It requires essentially no previous MCU knowledge.

In fact, if you have never watched Marvel before, refuse to watch any recaps and can only watch one movie, I would choose this over Endgame.

3. Thunderbolts* (2025)

This takes place in the main MCU and features several characters from earlier post Endgame projects.

Technically, you could watch Black Widow and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier first, but that would go against the purpose of this list. Thunderbolts* gives you enough information to follow it by itself. If you want slightly more context without adding several hours, watch quick recaps of those two projects beforehand.

4. X-Men (2000)

This takes place in a separate universe from the MCU.

It is the most efficient single introduction to the original X-Men movie universe and several of the characters returning in Doomsday. It also works well enough as an isolated movie, so you don’t need to continue through all the sequels.

If you enjoy it and want to watch more, absolutely continue but that becomes optional viewing rather than bare minimum preparation.

5. Loki Seasons 1 and 2 (2021–2023)

This takes place within the MCU and explores the multiversal side of the current saga more thoroughly than any single movie.

The obvious problem is that it requires approximately 12 hours, so read the time saving note below before committing.

6. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

This takes place in the main MCU and continues Wakanda’s story after Endgame. It provides a large amount of relevant character and world-building context within one movie.

Time-saving note: Finishing Loki provides more valuable preparation overall. However, if you reach this point with only three hours remaining, watch Wakanda Forever instead of merely watching the first three hours of Loki. Loki is the better complete investment, while Wakanda Forever gives you more value within a single evening.

7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

A mostly self contained MCU movie that introduces its lead without requiring additional homework.

It ranks last because it primarily prepares you for one returning hero rather than an entire team, universe or major storyline but it is still the most worthwhile project remaining once everything above has been covered.

And that’s it

Yes, projects such as Brave New World, Thor: Love and Thunder, Multiverse of Madness, X2 and Deadpool & Wolverine could all provide additional context.

They are excluded because their useful information is either easily inferred, already covered by a more efficient entry, limited to individual supporting characters, dependent on unconfirmed theories or requires even more homework to appreciate fully.

This is the bare minimum, not every possible connection.

You are not expected to complete the list. Wherever you stop, you can enter Doomsday knowing that you used your available time as efficiently as possible.