‘Avengers: Infinity War’ is the culmination of a decade and more than a dozen movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whether you’ve missed a few or you need a refresher, we’ll get you up to date so you’re ready to see the “Super Bowl of superhero films.”
USA TODAY
The Marvel cinematic universe is infinite.
Technically there have been 18 movies so far in the mega-comic book franchise, but sometimes it feels like there’s an infinite number of superhero flicks, especially with Avengers: Infinity War hitting theaters April 23.
There’s not quite enough time for you to re-watch all 18 movies before seeing Infinity War (unless you’re really, really dedicated), but you don’t need to watch them all to be up on Captain America, the Infinity Stones and Thanos.
Podcast: Revisiting the Marvel movies before ‘Avengers: Infinity War’
If you want to revisit where it all began: Iron Man
Robert Downey, Jr. in a scene from “Iron Man.” (Photo: ZADE ROSENTHAL)
You can thank this 2008 hit for all subsequent Marvel films. The original Iron Man was a perfect recipe for success: Robert Downey, Jr. made his big comeback with a pitch-perfect performance, director Jon Favreau meshed his nerdy sensibilities with a sleek action film. A quick tag after the credits with Samuel L. Jackson in an eye patch whet fans appetite for the team-up films Marvel has become known for. It’s hard to believe that the franchise started with this relatively down-to-earth installment and has taken us to the far reaches of the galaxy.
Rent or buy it on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you have never seen a Marvel movie, start with: The Avengers
The A-Team of Marvel heroes first got together in “The Avengers” in 2012. (Photo: MARVEL)
OK, say you somehow have missed the entire MCU (short for Marvel Cinematic Universe) over the past 10 years and you want to jump in right now, but you don’t want to watch them all. Start with the first time the Avengers assembled, in the 2012 film directed by Joss Whedon. It does a great job of introducing each hero – Iron Man (Downey), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) – and also introduces Thanos, the Infinity War big bad, in a post-credit scene.
Rent or buy it on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you would like someone to carefully explain this whole Infinity Stone thing: Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy are, from left, Zoe Saldana, Rocket Racoon, voiced by Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Groot, voiced by Vin Diesel and Dave Bautista. (Photo: AP)
Marvel filmmakers have been able to link all 18 of the films so far with a handful of powerful McGuffins called “Infinity Stones” that have cropped up in many of the movies. Guardians is all about keeping one of the stones, referred to as “the orb,” out of the hands of one of Thanos’ minions, Ronan (Lee Pace), and in one helpful scene the Collector (Benicio del Toro) explains what the heck the stones are. Plus, if you’re used to superheroes that look more like Iron Man and Captain America, it’s good to get acquainted with the weird galactic heroes that will be joining them in Infinity War.
Rent or buy it on Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Vudu or YouTube.
If you watch only one, make it: Captain America: Civil War
Chris Evans as Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in ‘Captain America: Civil War.’ (Photo: Marvel/Disney)
If you are strapped for time but want a refresher on where all the heroes are before Infinity War, Civil War will get that done in a little over two hours. It may have “Captain America” in the title, but Civil War is really an Avengers film, focused on an ideological conflict between Cap and Iron Man that puts many of our heroes on opposing teams. Besides a baller battle between 12 heroes in an airport, the movie introduces Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and the MCU’s version of Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and is the last time we see many of the heroes before Infinity War.
Stream it on Netflix.
If you can make it to a movie theater: Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman in a scene from “Black Panther.” (Photo: Marvel Studios/Disney via AP)
It’s much easier to re-watch these movies from the comfort of your own couch, but Black Panther is worth getting dressed for. The film, which is chronologically the last one before Infinity War, is a downright phenomenon that took over the box office this February and inspired its audience. It takes place in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, which will play a huge role in Infinity War – the trailer shows a battle where Cap, Black Panther and Black Widow lead Wakanda’s army.
Available to rent or buy digitally May 8.
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