Nosotros are now 21 films deep into the Curiosity Cinematic Universe, and the 22nd flick— Avengers: Endgame —is the culmination of everything that's come before. That's a mighty exciting prospect to longtime fans of the MCU, but likewise a daunting one to people who mayhap haven't seen every Marvel Studios motion picture thus far. What to watch before Endgame is a hot push button question. While the completionists would argue it's essential to have seen all 21 films before heading into Avengers: Endgame, not everybody has that kind of time, and to be honest, at that place are a scattering of MCU movies that are adequately inessential. Beyond that, while at that place are some Marvel movies that are utterly delightful—similar Thor: Ragnarok and Iron Human being 3 —they don't seem to have much begetting on the plot of Endgame, and thus could be skipped if need-be.

So given the enormity of Endgame, we thought it might be helpful to put together a list of what to scout before Endgame in lodge to empathize simply what exactly is going on in the Avengers sequel. Once again, ideally 1 would simply watch all 21 Marvel movies, but for those who just want to be able to savor Avengers 4 without being confused, the beneath list is a "blank necessities" rundown. Behold, the 11 Marvel movies y'all need to run into before Avengers: Endgame.

Atomic number 26 Human (2008)

ironman 1
Image via Marvel Studios

2008'southward Iron Man is where this all began, and it provides the foundation for everything that came afterwards. While in that location's likely non much that will exist revisited plot-wise from the Jon Favreau-directed film, it fully establishes the MCU's "lead" Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and sets up the rules and tone of this universe that all subsequent films would follow. There's also the possibility that there will be a nod or two to this film in Endgame given that the Avengers sequel is being billed as a "culmination." And if Tony Stark does indeed seize with teeth the dust? Expect a callback to the film that started it all.

Is It Streaming?: Yeah, on Disney+.

Captain America: The Offset Avenger (2011)

captain america the first avenger
Image via Curiosity Studios

If Tony Stark is the "pb" of the MCU, then Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is the co-lead. So it'due south probably best to experience the origin story of Helm America in the World War Two-set up Helm America: The Start Avenger . Most people seem to remember Steve Rogers will die in Endgame, so experiencing the hero's origin story volition simply make that get out more impactful. Plus, from a plot point of view, The First Avenger is where the Tesseract is a major plot point. This shiny box-like object has been the cardinal MacGuffin of the MCU thus far, playing a major role in The Avengers , Avengers: Infinity War , and Captain Curiosity , and then information technology stands to reason it could prove important when Endgame rolls around.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers

So if we're skipping Thor and Iron Man two , then 2012'southward Marvel'due south The Avengers serves equally your perfect introduction to the rest of the principal MCU heroes to become you primed and ready for what'southward to come. Thor, Hulk, Blackness Widow, Nick Fury, and Agent Coulson all come into focus in The Avengers, and the film also depicts the kickoff time the titular team had to assemble to salve the Earth. And, once more, the Tesseract plays a primal function.

Is Information technology Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

captain america the winter soldier
Epitome via Marvel Studios

Every bit fourth dimension has worn on, Captain America: The Wintertime Soldier has had less bearing on the plot of the MCU, merely at the fourth dimension of its release it was pretty major. It reveals that S.H.I.E.50.D.—the government agency that oversaw all of the Avengers' movements—has been compromised since World State of war Ii and may or may non have been doing evil deeds around the globe. But on a character level, The Winter Soldier furthers the development of Steve Rogers and offers more than shading to Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow—two of the cadre members of The Avengers.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Image via Marvel Studios

Yep, really. The less said about how this much-maligned sequel plays a part in Endgame the better, but if you haven't seen this 1 in a while or steered clear due to its reputation, it wouldn't hurt to give Thor: The Dark World a spin. Hey, despite its issues, it still has a really fun third act gear up piece!

Is It Streaming?: Yeah, on Disney+.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

guardians of the galaxy
Image via Marvel Studios

2014'southward Guardians of the Milky way was groundbreaking in many ways, and I don't think we understood at the time but how significant the moving picture would be to the future of the MCU. Information technology introduced the cosmic side of the Marvel universe in a major way, revealing the diverse planets and alien beings who are fighting for skilful (or bad) at the same time that our heroes are protecting this niggling ol' planet nosotros telephone call Globe. We as well see in Infinity War that Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the adopted daughter of Thanos (Josh Brolin), plays a major role in the endgame of the MCU, and Guardians of the Galaxy lays down the necessary emotional stakes to make the bear on of Infinity War that much stronger.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

avengers age of ultron
Image via Marvel Studios

Joss Whedon's 2015 sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron is 1 of the more than divisive entries in the MCU, merely if we're talking near homework prep for Avengers four, information technology'southward a fairly necessary installment. Non only does it further the character development of our cadre squad, but information technology fleshes out Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner is a big mode, introduces the supremely powerful Vision (Paul Bettany), and brings Elizabeth Olsen's Scarlet Witch into the fold. The Ultron of it all you can have or leave, but from a pure character perspective, Age of Ultron is pretty crucial.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Captain America: Civil State of war (2016)

Civil War Falcon, And-Man, Hawkeye, Scarlet Witch, Captain America, Winter Soldier at airport

Then we skipped both Atomic number 26 Man sequels but are including all the Helm America movies. That's considering the Avengers films give Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark a great bargain of screentime so yous already become a strong sense of his graphic symbol through those, and the Captain America sequels have been used to farther the plot of the MCU in major means. 2016's Captain America: Civil War sets up the emotional stakes leading into the final two Avengers films, equally information technology explains why the Avengers team broke apart and allows you lot to empathise how hard information technology's going to exist for the core team to reconcile in Endgame. This movie likewise introduces Ant-Homo (Paul Rudd), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) into the mix since nosotros're skipping those individual films as non-essential from a plot perspective.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Avengers: Infinity War Captain America, Bucky Barnes, Black Widow, Okoyo and Black Panther running

Obviously. This is basically Part one to Endgame'southward Function 2, so you really can't skip this one.

Is It Streaming?: Aye, on Disney+.

Helm Marvel (2019)

Captain-Marvel
Image Via Marvel Studios

The most recent MCU motion picture, Captain Marvel proved to exist far more essential to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe than some may have expected. The film is set in the 90s, just it serves as a bang-up showcase for Nick Fury while also unveiling the origin story for the nearly powerful character in the entire MCU: Brie Larson's Carol Danvers. Information technology'southward pretty clear that she's going to be the missing piece that'southward key to undoing Thanos' destruction from Infinity War, and then experiencing Helm Marvel will give you a better understanding of what Carol's all about, what her powers are, and where she's been all this time.

Is Information technology Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

Extra Credit: Ant-Homo and the Wasp (2018)

ant-man-and-the-wasp-social
Image via Marvel

Okay and so this one is kind of "actress credit" given that we aren't sure it'll pay off, only information technology might. The theory goes that in Avengers: Endgame, considering of the suits seen in the trailer, the heroes will venture to the Breakthrough Realm in order to disengage Thanos's snap. Ant-Man and the Wasp is a very slight movie (information technology's fun, but quite unsubstantial in relation to the rest of the MCU), just information technology does deal pretty a chip with the specifics of the Breakthrough Realm and even shows characters venturing in at that place to rescue Janet van Dyne. Then if the aforementioned theory is correct, this one will give you a meliorate understanding of that whole quantum business concern. If that theory is bogus, this one volition requite you Paul Rudd as Giant-Man stomping through San Francisco.

Is It Streaming?: Yes, on Disney+.

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