Marvel fans have a little homework to do before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters.
Marvel Studios isn’t jumping straight into its next big Avengers movie. Instead, it has been carefully planting clues, characters, and multiverse rules across several movies and Disney+ shows.
Avengers: Doomsday, set to release on December 18, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most complex and high-stakes MCU films yet, and going in unprepared could mean missing some crucial details.
This isn’t just another team-up film. Doomsday will bring together different universes, new heroes, returning legends, and a powerful new villain, Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr.
To understand what’s at stake truly, Marvel fans need to know how the multiverse works, who’s protecting it, and who’s trying to control it.
That’s why Marvel itself has pointed fans toward six essential movies and TV shows that directly lead into Avengers: Doomsday.
These stories lay the foundation for the coming conflict, explain key character arcs, and reveal how close the MCU already is to complete multiversal collapse.
Think of this list as your official Marvel watch guide before Doomsday arrives because when the Avengers assemble again, every timeline, alliance, and decision will matter.
1. Loki (Season 1 & Season 2)
Why it’s the most important: Multiverse rules, timelines, and the true balance of reality
Out of all the MCU projects, Loki is arguably the single most vital chapter leading into Avengers: Doomsday.
What starts as a time-travel series quickly evolves into the backbone of the entire Multiverse Saga.
The Multiverse Context
Loki introduces the Time Variance Authority (TVA) — an organization that monitors and controls branching timelines. Through the TVA, viewers finally learn how:
- Multiple universes exist
- Timelines split and collapse
- One choice can create chaos across reality
These rules directly shape how Doomsday will unfold.
The God of Stories
By the end of Season 2, Loki undergoes his most powerful transformation yet. He becomes the “God of Stories”, sitting on a throne at the End of Time, physically holding together the multiverse’s timelines to prevent them from collapsing.
This moment changes Loki from a trickster god into a cosmic protector of reality itself.
Doomsday Connection
- Tom Hiddleston is confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday
- Fan theories strongly suggest that Doctor Doom may attempt to steal or override Loki’s power
- If Doom gains control of the timelines, he could reshape reality entirely
Skipping Loki means missing the core mechanics behind Doomsday.
2. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Why it matters: Global power shifts, new rulers, and rising alliances
While Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is deeply emotional, it also plays a critical role in establishing the new global and cosmic hierarchy of the MCU.
The New Black Panther
The film explores Shuri’s journey as she steps into the mantle of Black Panther following the death of King T’Challa. Her evolution from scientist to leader shapes Wakanda’s future role in global conflicts.
New Power Players
The movie introduces:
- Namor
- The underwater kingdom of Talokan
Both are confirmed to play major roles in Avengers: Doomsday, bringing new political tension and raw power into the mix.
Doomsday Connection
Recent Doomsday teasers reveal:
- Shuri and M’Baku form a key alliance
- Collaboration with members of the Fantastic Four
Wakanda’s technology, leadership, and alliances will be essential when Doom threatens reality itself.
3. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Why it matters: Ancient power, mysterious signals, and future Avengers’ strength
Shang-Chi represents the rise of a new generation of heroes who will be on the front lines against Doctor Doom.
The Mystery of the Ten Rings
The post-credits scene reveals something crucial:
- The Ten Rings are sending a signal
- The destination is unknown
- The power source does not match any known technology or magic
This strongly hints at a cosmic or multiversal origin, likely tied to the threats emerging in Doomsday.
Doomsday Connection
- Simu Liu is confirmed to return as Shang-Chi
- His combat skills and ancient weaponry are considered top-tier power assets
- The Ten Rings may be one of the few tools capable of harming Doom
Shang-Chi may become one of the Avengers’ most valuable fighters.
4. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Why it matters: Leadership, politics, and rebuilding the Avengers
Released in 2025, Captain America: Brave New World sets up the grounded, human side of the next Avengers era.
The New Leader
Sam Wilson fully embraces his role as Captain America, stepping into a world filled with political instability and rising global threats.
President Thaddeus Ross tasks Sam with one massive responsibility:
- Rebuilding the Avengers
This film shows that the next Avengers team won’t form naturally; it must be carefully constructed in a divided world.
Doomsday Connection
- Establishes Sam Wilson as the leader heading into Doomsday
- Sets the emotional and strategic foundation of the Avengers
- Explains how the team comes together before Doom’s arrival
Every war needs a leader. This movie shows who that will be.
5. Thunderbolts* (2025)
Why it matters: Anti-heroes, government control, and first response chaos
Released in early 2025, Thunderbolts introduces a government-approved alternative to the Avengers, and it’s far darker.
A Different Kind of Team
The Thunderbolts include:
- Yelena Belova
- Bucky Barnes
- U.S. Agent
- The incredibly powerful Sentry
These are not traditional heroes. They’re flawed, dangerous, and unpredictable.
Doomsday Connection
- Yelena and Bucky are confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday
- The post-credits scene suggests the Thunderbolts may be Earth’s first response when Doctor Doom emerges
- Raises tension between government forces and the Avengers
When Doom strikes, chaos won’t wait for permission.
6. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Why it’s the most important: Doctor Doom begins here
Widely considered the single most important movie leading into Avengers: Doomsday, The Fantastic Four: First Steps changes the MCU forever.
A New Universe
The film introduces Marvel’s First Family:
- Reed Richards
- Sue Storm
- Johnny Storm
- Ben Grimm
They exist in a retro-futuristic alternate 1960s universe, immediately tying them to multiversal storytelling.
Doomsday Connection
In Marvel Comics, Doctor Doom is the arch-nemesis of the Fantastic Four, especially Reed Richards.
A reported post-credits scene shows:
- Doctor Doom kidnaps Franklin Richards
- Franklin is the son of Reed and Sue, and one of the most powerful beings in Marvel lore
This act reportedly directly ignites the events of Avengers: Doomsday.
Missing this movie would mean missing Doom’s true motivation.
Final Thoughts: Why These Six Projects Matter
Avengers: Doomsday isn’t just another crossover — it’s the mix of:
- Multiversal chaos
- New heroes rising
- Governments losing control
- A villain capable of rewriting reality
These six movies and TV shows provide the essential roadmap to understanding everything that’s coming.
If you want Doomsday to hit harder emotionally and narratively, start with these.
Because when Doctor Doom arrives, the multiverse won’t survive unprepared.