By Nadia Ranaputri
The Marvel Cinematic Universe could be an intimidating franchise for those who do not follow it as often as the fans. With eighteen films now and Avengers: Infinity War being the nineteenth film in the franchise, it's time to catch up on the MCU's previous installments. Watching all of the MCU's previous films would be splendid, but seeing that Infinity War is right around the corner, here are the ones that I think would do it in order to catch up to the events of Infinity War, especially for those who are new to the franchise or just confused by how the MCU timeline works and would like to catch up on what our heroes are up to leading up to Infinity War. So without further ado, here are six films I think would be an essential watch before you go in to Avengers: Infinity War.
1. The Avengers (2012)
This is obviously going to be on everyone's list of movies to watch before Infinity War, and there's a reason why it's there. The first Avengers film introduced us to the founding members of the Avengers, the original roster. This is the film where all our heroes come together for the first time, and it explores their dynamic as a team. Not only that, but it does introduce us to a much bigger threat that has been hinted at during this film and the others to come; all of which would lead to Infinity War, particularly our first look at Thanos and the much bigger threat from the cosmos.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
This had to be on it, of course it does, because we're introduced to yet another team of heroes who will appear and interact with the Avengers in Infinity War, so in some ways, it's definitely essential to get to know these guys before we see them in Infinity War. Guardians of the Galaxy is also the film that finally shares some exposition on what we know now as the Infinity Stones, especially with the use of power stone, one of the six infinity stones that Thanos is hellbent on getting.
3. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
This is perhaps an essential watch in more of a relationship development standpoint more than narrative. The sudden rift that causes the Avengers to seperate and the consequences of their actions had taken a toll of them, and in Infinity War, this is where they would perhaps rebuild to fight the bigger threat, and seeing Civil War would explain how the characters end up where they are once Infinity War begins.
4. Thor Ragnarok (2018)
Thor: Ragnarok isn't just a fun romp and a great watch, but its events are also very important to what will happen in Infinity War. The end of Thor: Ragnarok eventually leads to Infinity War, judging from the trailers and plot details, so it's only fair to see what happens here before you get confused about how Thor and his group, like Civil War; ended up where they are in Infinity War; especially with Thor and Loki's dynamic.
5. Black Panther (2018)
Wakanda plays a prominent role in Infinity War, serving as the battlefield for the fight against Thanos. It's also worth noting that you'll not only see T'Challa in Infinity War, but his companions from Black Panther in the likes of Shuri, Okoye, and M'Baku will be there too, so if you're not familiar yet with Wakanda, Black Panther is an essential watch.
6. Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange is essential for many reasons, one of which introduces us to not only Doctor Stephen Strange, but the time stone as well, and seeing that Strange is in possession of the time stone, Thanos and the Black Order (Ebony Maw in particular by the looks of the trailer) would ought to hunt it down and take it away from Strange. Also, worth noting that Doctor Strange is said to play a key role in Infinity War, so his solo film is key to seeing how his powers work as well as his role in the MCU.
Honorable Mention:
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
This one could be a little divisive, seeing as it does set up some events to come, though it isn't as prominent as the films mentioned above, it does give us an introduction to Scarlet Witch and The Vision as well as our first delve into the mind stone, another prominent feature of Infinity War and the reason why Thanos and the Black Order intend to hunt Vision down.
So there you have it, my list of essential MCU films to see before Avengers: Infinity War.
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| Image source: Forbes, Disney |
The Marvel Cinematic Universe could be an intimidating franchise for those who do not follow it as often as the fans. With eighteen films now and Avengers: Infinity War being the nineteenth film in the franchise, it's time to catch up on the MCU's previous installments. Watching all of the MCU's previous films would be splendid, but seeing that Infinity War is right around the corner, here are the ones that I think would do it in order to catch up to the events of Infinity War, especially for those who are new to the franchise or just confused by how the MCU timeline works and would like to catch up on what our heroes are up to leading up to Infinity War. So without further ado, here are six films I think would be an essential watch before you go in to Avengers: Infinity War.
1. The Avengers (2012)
 |
| Image source: screengeek.net |
This is obviously going to be on everyone's list of movies to watch before Infinity War, and there's a reason why it's there. The first Avengers film introduced us to the founding members of the Avengers, the original roster. This is the film where all our heroes come together for the first time, and it explores their dynamic as a team. Not only that, but it does introduce us to a much bigger threat that has been hinted at during this film and the others to come; all of which would lead to Infinity War, particularly our first look at Thanos and the much bigger threat from the cosmos.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
 |
| Image source: Fandango |
This had to be on it, of course it does, because we're introduced to yet another team of heroes who will appear and interact with the Avengers in Infinity War, so in some ways, it's definitely essential to get to know these guys before we see them in Infinity War. Guardians of the Galaxy is also the film that finally shares some exposition on what we know now as the Infinity Stones, especially with the use of power stone, one of the six infinity stones that Thanos is hellbent on getting.
3. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
 |
| Image source: Cosmic Booknews |
This is perhaps an essential watch in more of a relationship development standpoint more than narrative. The sudden rift that causes the Avengers to seperate and the consequences of their actions had taken a toll of them, and in Infinity War, this is where they would perhaps rebuild to fight the bigger threat, and seeing Civil War would explain how the characters end up where they are once Infinity War begins.
4. Thor Ragnarok (2018)
 |
| Image source: IMDB |
Thor: Ragnarok isn't just a fun romp and a great watch, but its events are also very important to what will happen in Infinity War. The end of Thor: Ragnarok eventually leads to Infinity War, judging from the trailers and plot details, so it's only fair to see what happens here before you get confused about how Thor and his group, like Civil War; ended up where they are in Infinity War; especially with Thor and Loki's dynamic.
5. Black Panther (2018)
 |
| Image source: Fandango |
Wakanda plays a prominent role in Infinity War, serving as the battlefield for the fight against Thanos. It's also worth noting that you'll not only see T'Challa in Infinity War, but his companions from Black Panther in the likes of Shuri, Okoye, and M'Baku will be there too, so if you're not familiar yet with Wakanda, Black Panther is an essential watch.
6. Doctor Strange (2016)
 |
| Image source: Fanpop |
Doctor Strange is essential for many reasons, one of which introduces us to not only Doctor Stephen Strange, but the time stone as well, and seeing that Strange is in possession of the time stone, Thanos and the Black Order (Ebony Maw in particular by the looks of the trailer) would ought to hunt it down and take it away from Strange. Also, worth noting that Doctor Strange is said to play a key role in Infinity War, so his solo film is key to seeing how his powers work as well as his role in the MCU.
Honorable Mention:
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
 |
| Image source: ScienceFiction.com |
This one could be a little divisive, seeing as it does set up some events to come, though it isn't as prominent as the films mentioned above, it does give us an introduction to Scarlet Witch and The Vision as well as our first delve into the mind stone, another prominent feature of Infinity War and the reason why Thanos and the Black Order intend to hunt Vision down.
So there you have it, my list of essential MCU films to see before Avengers: Infinity War.
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