Disney releases 15-title list to prep audiences for Avengers: Doomsday

Disney has published a 15-title watchlist intended to guide viewers through the Marvel Cinematic Universe before the release of Avengers: Doomsday on December 18.

The studio released the list in September. It selects specific films and series from the 56 projects currently in the franchise. The goal is to help audiences follow the storylines leading up to the upcoming crossover event.

Ticket presales for the new film have already surpassed $50 million. This surge in sales indicates strong anticipation for the movie, which is described as the studio's most ambitious crossover since Avengers: Endgame.

David Alfonso, a self-identified hardcore Marvel fan, has drawn attention to the pre-release frenzy. His TikTok video, posted on August 3, 2026, has accumulated over 10.6 million views. The video features the caption, “POV: ‘Avengers Doomsday’ is in 4 months and 14 days but you’re only 1 movie in.”

Eduardo Arias, a media professor at the University of Miami and former executive at Paramount and Sony, noted that the curated list serves a dual function. He said it helps audiences follow a complex narrative while keeping fans engaged with the franchise prior to the theatrical release.

“There’s too much Marvel content now,” Arias said. “A curated list helps fans focus on the stories that are relevant and makes the commitment feel more manageable.” He added that understanding character arcs allows for a greater payoff during the film's major moments.

Ana Francois, a media management professor at the University of Miami and former director of TV distribution for MGM and Universal, viewed the list as a strategic marketing move. She stated, “I believe it’s more about marketing, but in entertainment industries, you cannot truly separate marketing efforts from storylines, they’re intertwined.”

Francois argued that the list provides an entry point for casual viewers. It also helps the studio address what fans often label as “Marvel fatigue” by offering a condensed roadmap rather than a requirement to watch every project.

The selected titles fall into three categories. The first group includes the original X-Men and X2: X-Men United films from 2000 and 2003, signaling the integration of mutant characters. The second group comprises multiverse-focused projects such as Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The final group consists of recent team-building stories, including Thunderbolts, Captain America: Brave New World, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Fantastic Four: First Steps. These films introduce characters expected to be central to the conflict with Doctor Doom. The list also retains foundational titles like Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame, along with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.