Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment
With Avengers: Infinity War being released on April 27, it might seem like the perfect time to refresh your memory on the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. But spanning over 10 years and 18 movies, not to mention television shows, Netflix series, and various one-shots, that ends up being a lot to catch up on in one week. While there unfortunately isn’t a visual CliffsNotes version of the MCU available, although reading the Wikipedia summary for every film might be the next best thing, based on their history in the MCU and the information available from the trailers, these are the must-see Marvel films to catch up on before seeing Infinity War.
Iron Man (2008)
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
For the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you have to start where it all began. Iron Man kicked off the MCU in spectacular fashion and remains one of the best, if not the best, MCU films to date. Though there isn’t much lore to connect to Infinity War, Tony Stark is bound to have a significant presence in the movie, and seeing his journey from the beginning will be invaluable to understand what happens to him. Plus, watching the first movie of the MCU is practically required before watching one as significant as Infinity War is bound to be.
The Avengers (2012)
In the same way that Iron Man leads the way in the MCU, The Avengers is the first time we get to see all the superheroes come together and attempt to work as a team. Though they would come together again in Avengers: Age of Ultron, only to then be torn apart by in-fighting in Captain America: Civil War, there’s something almost sweet about the way they put aside their differences to take down Loki and the Chitauri. The movie closes out the MCU’s Phase One, and sets the stage for what’s to come, ultimately culminating in the events that will transpire in Infinity War.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment
Guardians of the Galaxy introduced us to a lot of elements that are going to be at the core of Infinity War. We are introduced to Thanos, the father of Gamora and Nebula, and shown just how horrible and evil he can be. Infinity Stones are also central to the story, and their history and power are introduced as well. In addition to being one of the best movies of the MCU and introducing us to a new set of characters who will surely see lots of screen time in Infinity War, the backstory and lore introduced in Guardians surely makes for essential viewing.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
While Age of Ultron is by far one of the weaker movies in the MCU, it introduces us to two characters who from the trailers seem like they might be central to the plot of Infinity War – Scarlet Witch and Vision. It also shows more of the team dynamic, including the cracks that are starting to form between Captain America and Iron Man. There will undoubtedly be connections between Age of Ultron and Infinity War, making it a must-watch before the premiere.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
So much happened in Captain America: Civil War that it almost seems like another Avengers movie instead of a Captain America solo film. The ideological rift between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers comes to a head in this movie, and it ends with the team completely fractured. How they all come back together in Infinity War will be interesting to see considering where they were at the end of Civil War. The film also introduces the audience to the character of Black Panther, who appears to have a significant role in Infinity War. Civil War seems like it might have the most significant tie in to Infinity War in terms of plot, and is probably the one MCU film above all others that should be watched (or re-watched) before seeing Infinity War.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Image Credit: Marvel Entertainment
Watching a Thor-centric film is definitely a requirement before seeing Infinity War, as the big three of him, Iron Man, and Captain America are sure to be at the core of the movie. Thor: Ragnarok is by far the best Thor movie, and the ending is sure to at least loosely connect with the events in Infinity War. Ragnarok ends with Thor and the people of Asgard on a ship flying towards Earth, but all the trailers show him without any Asgardians and teaming up with the Guardians of the Galaxy. The gap between the end of Ragnarok and how Thor ends up with the Guardians is bound to be significant to the events of Infinity War.
Black Panther (2018)
From the trailers, Black Panther and Wakanda are going to figure prominently in Infinity War, and it appears that a significant battle will be happening in the country with many of the Avengers coming together. Because of that, it’s important to make sure to catch Black Panther in theaters before Infinity War comes out. It is also one of the best and most significant films in the MCU to date, and deserves a watch regardless of its connection to Infinity War. As it appears that Infinity War will directly follow the events of Black Panther, a double feature might be in order before seeing Infinity War.
While no one knows exactly which MCU films will connect best to Avengers: Infinity War, based on trailers and promotional materials, these are probably the best guess. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is filled with strong movies – from Iron Man to Ant Man to Spider-Man: Homecoming to Black Panther and everything in between – that deserve to be re-watched regardless of their connection to Infinity War.
Which Marvel Cinematic Universe movies will you be re-watching before Infinity War comes out? Let us know in the comments!
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