What to watch before Infinity War and Endgame: spoiler-free order
Films to watch before Infinity War and Endgame: a short ordered list, the complete route and optional context, with links to each film page and no spoilers.
What to watch first: choose your route
If you are starting from scratch, the complete release order provides more context. If you already know the heroes and want a shorter preparation, this is our editorial selection. It does not explain every reference.
Before Infinity War: the short route
- The Avengers
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Captain America: Civil War
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Thor: Ragnarok
Then continue with Avengers: Infinity War.
The journey to Endgame
Keep this order for the credits too. Ant-Man provides more context for Scott before Ant-Man and the Wasp.
To go further: Doctor Strange introduces the mystic arts, and Black Panther develops Wakanda. Add them before Infinity War if you want to know those characters better.
The complete route: follow the 22 films from Iron Man to Endgame in release order. For the team's gatherings, see the Avengers guide; for Wakanda, see the Black Panther saga.
The option with the most context
If this is your first time and you want to know the characters from their origins, follow release order through to Avengers: Endgame. It is the most complete option within our film list: you do not have to decide in advance which connections interest you.
If you have less time, the following selection is an editorial shortcut. It does not replace every individual story or promise to explain every reference.
A short route before Infinity War
Follow The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Thor: Ragnarok, in that order. This is the same selection summarised at the beginning: it combines Avengers gatherings with the Guardians' introduction and Thor's situation.
Doctor Strange and Black Panther add context for other characters and settings. You can include them before the major crossover while respecting their release positions. Their film pages offer earlier viewing recommendations if you decide to explore each lead further.
The journey leading to Endgame
Keep Avengers: Infinity War before Avengers: Endgame: they are two connected parts of this journey. Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel were released between them. Following that sequence lets you understand their contributions without bringing forward the credits' revelations.
How to avoid spoilers while preparing
Read our synopses and earlier viewing recommendations before searching for plot summaries. If you only need the team's gatherings, open the Avengers guide. For additional scenes, check the post-credits section on each film page: it says when they appear without describing what happens.
What the shortcut leaves out
The short route does not fully develop Tony, Steve or Thor from their origins. If a relationship interests you, open the relevant saga and add its earlier films before the crossover. It also does not replace the first Ant-Man film for getting to know Scott before Ant-Man and the Wasp.
If you want to watch only two films, keep Infinity War followed by Endgame, but expect many relationships to have already been established. For a first experience with Marvel, phase 1 offers a more gradual introduction.