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Marvel Has Assigned 42 Hours of Homework Before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Marvel and Disney+ have released an official "Countdown to Doomsday" viewing list of 15 films and series, plus a companion podcast, to help fans prepare for the upcoming "Avengers: Doomsday" film. The move is designed to refresh viewers on key origin stories, team-ups and multiversal plot threads ahead of the December release, while also serving Disney's commercial interest in driving subscriptions and engagement on its streaming service.
Working through the full list would take roughly 42 hours, or under three hours a week if spread out before the film's debut. The selections include two X-Men films that predate the MCU, likely included because actors such as Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are rumoured to appear in the new film, while 2023's "The Marvels" was notably excluded. Every title is available on Disney+, with most also available to rent or buy through other platforms.
In short
- Marvel and Disney+ issued a 42-hour, 15-title watchlist before "Avengers: Doomsday"
- List includes pre-MCU X-Men films, hinting at rumoured cast returns
- "The Marvels" (2023) was left off the official list
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The list offers fans a convenient refresher on characters and storylines that may matter in a sprawling film, making the build-up more accessible to viewers who want to follow its connections. A schedule of under three hours a week could make the 42 hours manageable, and curating familiar films and series may help Disney+ sustain interest in the franchise.
The case against
A 42-hour watchlist risks making enjoyment of a single film feel like an obligation, especially for viewers who cannot or do not want to revisit so much material. Because every title is on Disney+, the guide also serves Disney’s commercial interests, while omissions such as The Marvels may leave the selection feeling incomplete or shaped by promotional priorities.
Explained simply
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a series of connected superhero films and television shows made by Marvel Studios, with characters and events often carrying over from one story to another. Disney owns Marvel and runs Disney+, where many of these films and shows are available.
Avengers films bring together heroes such as Iron Man, Thor and Captain America to face threats that affect the wider universe. Some recent Marvel stories have involved parallel worlds and versions of familiar characters, so earlier films and series can provide context for new team-ups.
The X-Men began in films made before Marvel Studios built its connected universe. Their possible connection to the new Avengers story has drawn attention to those older films, while the choice of what to watch also highlights Disney’s interest in keeping viewers engaged with its streaming service.
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