10 years Marvel has rocked the silver screens with its ever increasing superhero films with interconnected stories. Given how many (18), it seems AMC has decided to go ahead and list a 31 hour marathon. While that is cool, let’s be honest, not all of us have the time for that nor patience. Some of us fans could consider this to be a great idea, but what if time is of the essence? What if you don’t like some of them? Have no fear! I have come up a solution and explanation as to which movies you do and do not need to watch by condensing the watch to what is important to help be better prepared as well. The purpose of this list is to get to the meat and potatoes to what is important in Infinity War and what mattered prior to that movie.
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Captain America: The First Avenger
This was debatable, due to the fact this is more of an origin tale of Captain America, rather than an interconnected film, however most of that doesn’t happen till the last 20 minutes of the film. So why is this important? Well for starters this marks the first appearance of the Space Stone, not to mention an intro to Nick Fury and even Bucky Barnes who both play bigger roles in later films. This was the 2nd to last Phase 1 film, but also the most important compared to the other films. (I understand I left out Thor and I will explain at the end of this list) so while this could be skipped, I do advise maybe you should give it a shot.
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The Avengers
While this is the climax of Phase 1 with all the movies leading to this point, a lot is missed out mainly due to origin stories. However, this is another film that deals with the Space Stone from the villain Loki. This is an important watch due to this being the first time The Avengers ever joined together as a team. Their first interaction with one of the infinity stones, not to mention Thanos appearing in the film in one of the after credits scenes. While Hawkeye, Black Widow & Nick Fury had separate appearances in other films, this is a good start to them since a lot of exposition is spoken here regarding their pasts and a lot of great character moments that strengthen who they are. This is a must see in the line-up.
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Captain America The Winter Soldier
This is very important as well, since this marks the fall of SHIELD, the rise of Winter Soldier who was once Bucky Barnes, and also more time with Black Widow and Nick Fury who all have arcs in the film. While this does not have any infinity stone present, this is important since a lot of characters really go through a lot in this film and future films. Nick Fury example at the end goes into hiding, this explains why he does not appear in other films as well. Not to say he won’t pop up in Infinity War, but you may never know. Also, name drops like Dr. Strange, SHIELD disbanding and the universe changed entirely. This is a good movie that does put a ripple effect on the MCU in some regards.
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Guardians of the Galaxy
This is important in a lot of ways. First of all, all of them appear in GOTG, not to mention the Power Stone makes an appearance along with the history of the Infinity Stones told by the Collector. This also shows Thanos again making a deal with Ronan but we all know how that turns out. This while a great film, does hold a lot of info that could be needed for Infinity War. Where it came from, the purpose and an intro to the cosmic side of Marvel. Important indeed and a must watch.
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Thor The Dark World
I am well aware Thor TDW should be third….but in this particular way, I choose this to be after because there really is no big effect from Avengers to here that needs to be put in order, nothing on Earth directly effects this, and also gives good explanation as to why SHIELD would not help out in London. This is also where the we see the Reality Stone being used, not to mention more character development between Loki & Thor. While you could get lost not knowing who Jane is and her need to see Thor, Jane is not really important to the MCU as Black Widow or Nick Fury. Finding out more about her could be explored in Thor if you’d like, but again you do not need to know. This also shows the “death” of Loki who we later see has taken Odins throne in secret. So yeah, despite that it isn’t “good” or maybe seen as the worst.
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Avengers Age of Ultron
A sequel to Avengers, this again opens up to add more characters, especially Quicksilver & Scarlet Witch who appeared in the TWS after credits scene along with Baron Von Strucker (then again he has a small role so……) but this pretty much has a big effect on the MCU for the next film on this list. So much happens, Sokovia under siege, the team pretty much falling apart and Captain America appointed the leader of the Avengers as well. While not as good as Avengers, a lot in this film does result in exploring character development more than someone knows. Hulk disappears, so does Thor, Stark goes onto do his own thing. A lot changes at the end due to Ultron. Did I forget to mention the Mind Stone makes an appearance and so does Vision? Major changes are in this where you should not miss at all.
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Captain America Civil War
This honestly feels like an Avengers sequel at times, which makes it more and more important but the main thing is the Sokovia Accords. If the Avengers isn’t changed by the end of Age of Ultron, Civil War no doubt puts that change in full gear. Where to begin with this? Well, this puts the whole team at odds, Stark appears as a hero/villain, almost all the Avengers sans Hulk & Thor appear having a major battle in Berlin. Winter Soldier returns, Spider-Man introduced! Black Panther introduced as well. Ant-Man while not introduced here, this is a nice intro for him without watching Ant-Man. It goes on. However this is the one where by the end of the film, you don’t know where this will go. This by the far most important one to watch and changes a lot. While no infinity stone appears, this does have a big major impact on the MCU than Winter Soldier or any past MCU has made.
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Doctor Strange
This is another standard origin film, however it is chosen because of the Infinity Stone in the film which is the Time Stone. While a good film, most of it is dealt with what the story is going through. The time stone is used as a weapon against Dormammu but other than that, that is the only reason why you should view it, not to mention both Wong & Doctor Strange seem to play a part in Infinity War which is why you should see and know this movie right off the bat.
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Thor: Ragnarok
This is the last film to directly tie to Infinity War, while a great film this puts a lot that needs to be known. First, you find out what happened to Hulk at the end of Age of Ultron, you also find out what happened to Thor & hell even Loki appearing. This also marks the destruction of Asgard, Thor losing his eye, Bruce’s struggle with the Hulk. While mainly a comedy action film, this does hold a lot info that could be questioned from past films. Not to mention that mid credits scene showing a large ship hovering over Thors. So yes, this is a watch. Hell even the nod to the Infinity Gauntlet is pretty cool too.
After that, you are pretty much ready for Infinity Way. Now for the ones ommitted...
Iron Man
Iron Man 2
Iron Man 3
Thor
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Ant-Man
Black Panther
Incredible Hulk
Spider-Man Homecoming
While not saying these films are bad, they feel a lot like optional. Sure they need to be watched in some ways like Iron Man 3 when Tony gets his arc reactor of his chest, and Ant-Man because he appears in Civil War, it honestly doesn’t really MATTER, to the main story at hand with the stones, Thanos and the fallout between the Avengers. The point of the list is to compress it down to what is important rather than knowing character moments. Those films mentioned in the list above are optional and only if you are in the mood for more fill in the blanks. The films that I mentioned that NEED to be watched are very much in tuned with how this all accumulated.
The point is to be kept up on what Infinity War will have. While you could argue Black Panther being “important”, it kind of really isn’t other than the exploration of Wakanda, however you could ignore it and see Wakanda in Infinity War and it wouldn’t matter. Nothing in Black Panther really adds to Infinity War other than the after credits scene. Awesome movie, but as far as what the whole is, Black Panther could be skipped if you’re planning to binge.
That’s about it. Again, this list is only relevant for those who really do not have the chance to watch all or just don't feel like watching all of them. I have seen all of them numerous times, and the list I have picked is what is important to the main story and what people need to know if they don’t have patience for 18 movies straight. This is the real meat and potatoes of the entire MCU, and if you want more of these characters, as I said there is the optional list I posted that don’t really count, but can watch.
HAPPY BINGING!