Disney's 'Avengers: Doomsday' Watchlist Sparks Debate Over Missing MCU Films
Critics argue the official Disney Plus guide omits key titles necessary for understanding the Multiverse saga.
Disney Plus has launched an official curated watchlist to prepare audiences for the upcoming tentpole film 'Avengers: Doomsday'. The guide, designed to streamline the massive Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for viewers, has instead drawn scrutiny from critics and fans who claim essential narrative threads have been left out.
The official list, titled 'Countdown to Avengers: Doomsday,' consists of 15 titles, including 14 films and one series. The selection features foundational entries such as 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'The Avengers,' alongside Multiverse-centric projects like 'Loki,' 'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' and 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.' It also includes 'Avengers: Infinity War,' 'Avengers: Endgame,' 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,' and 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.' Recent and upcoming titles such as 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' 'Captain America: Brave New World,' 'Thunderbolts*,' and 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' are also present.
The Narrative Gaps
Despite the breadth of the list, critics and fans have pointed out glaring omissions that may leave general audiences underprepared. Observers note that 'The Marvels' is a notable absence from the curated selection. Furthermore, 'Captain America: Civil War'—a pivotal film that fractured the Avengers and established deep character conflicts—is missing from the official guide.
These omissions are particularly contentious given that 'Avengers: Doomsday' is expected to lean heavily into the Multiverse and potentially integrate the X-Men. While the list includes 'X-Men' and 'X2,' the absence of other related entries has led some critics to argue that the guide fails to provide a complete roadmap of the character arcs and world-building required for the new film.
Why the Curation Matters
For a franchise as sprawling as the MCU, official watchlists serve as more than just suggestions; they act as a signal to the audience about which plot points the studio considers relevant. By excluding specific films, Disney may be inadvertently creating a gap in narrative preparation for casual viewers, or conversely, signaling that certain previous plot threads will not be central to the 'Doomsday' storyline.
As the MCU moves toward this major milestone featuring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the tension between a streamlined viewing experience and comprehensive storytelling remains a point of contention. The debate highlights the difficulty of onboarding new fans into a multiverse where the boundaries of "essential" viewing are constantly shifting.
What to Watch
Industry observers are now monitoring whether Disney will update the 'Countdown' list as the release date approaches. It remains to be seen if the omitted films will be addressed through dialogue within the movie itself or if the studio will maintain a lean approach to the prerequisite viewing experience.