Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Guide For Beginners (Phase Three)

With Black Widow coming out half a year from now, rather than last week, it feels like a good time to end our guide as we arrive on the last (until the next one) and longest phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phase Three (movies from 2016 to 2019). Though this marks the end of an era for the MCU, there are still some movies here that you should check out if you want to get started. To know how this works and to see which movies you should watch from Phase One, click here. And if you want to see which movies you should watch from Phase Two, click here. Now let’s go!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016)

Should you watch it?: Absolutely! Though it’s not without its funny moments, this was the most serious MCU movie. Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. give some amazing an emotional performances, as Captain America and Iron Man’s rivalry goes to the limit. The rest of the Avengers appear, whcih makes for some of the best action sequences in the MCU, which is saying a lot.

Is it important to the universe?: Very important. The Avengers as a team go through a major change, Captain America and Iron Man have some of their best character development yet, and two major heroes get introduced.

How many movies should you watch prior?: This is one where you really need to catch up on some movies. In this case these include Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Age of Ultron. You can also watch Ant-Man to learn more about Scott Lang/Ant-man, who appears in the movie.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One in the mid-credits scene, which is important, and one post-credits scene, which is a funny gag.

DOCTOR STRANGE (2016)

Should you watch it?: Yes. If you’re into magic and sorcerers, definitely give this one a try. And if you’ve seen Iron Man, it’s basically that but with sorcerers. In that respect it does things a little to similarly to Iron Man and other origin movies but it’s very creative in other aspects, especially the final battle.

Is it important to the universe?: Yes. Doctor Strange is a very important hero to the universe and this is his origin story. It also introduces one of the Infinity Stones, objects that are important to the overall story of the MCU.

How many movies should you watch prior?: None.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One mid-credits scene, which is just a clip from Thor: Ragnarok, and one post-credits scene, which is important.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (2017)

Should you watch it?: It’s complicated. A lot of people consider this one of the best MCU movies ever while others consider it to be a disappointment. I’m on the latter half. I feel like this movie is kind of a mess, with way too many jokes, plotlines and action scenes being thrown out to see what sticks. But it does up the weirdness factor and further develops the characters, probably why it has its fair share of fans. I think if you loved the first one, you’ll like this one fine.

Is it important to the universe?: A little bit. It does explore Star-Lord’s parentage, introduces a new guardian named Mantis and it gives a more in-depth look at Gamora’s relationship with her sister Nebula. All of these details end up being somewhat important to the overall universe, but not too important.

How many movies should you watch prior?: Guardians of the Galaxy, of course.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: This a unique case where there’s 4 mid-credits scenes and one post-credits scene. 2 are important and three are funny gags.

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (2017)

Should you watch it?: Yes! Tom Holland is the perfect Peter Parker/Spider-man. While the character is faithful, the Spidey’s supporting cast is very different from the comics, cartoons and other movies, but it’s mostly for the better. And lastly, Michael keaton as Adrian Toomes makes for an excellent villain.

Is it important to the universe?: Not really. It expands upon Peter and Tony Stark’s friendship and that’s about it in terms of importance to the overall universe.

How many movies should you watch prior?: If i had to say, i’d recommend The Avengers and Captain America: Civil War, but the movie does a good job at recapping those events.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One mid-credits scene, which is important, and a post-credits scene, which is a funny gag.

THOR: RAGNAROK (2017)

Should you watch it?: Yes! It differentiates itself from the Thor movies by going for a style more akin to Guardians of the Galaxy, which coupled with the improvisational humor, Taika Waititi’s unique brand of comedy and the exciting action sequences makes for a very funny and entertaining movie.

Is it important to the universe?: Very important. It explores the whereabouts of Thor and Hulk between Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War, it introduces new characters, it shows major changes that happen to Thor home of Asgard, as well as Thor himself, and it directly ties in to Avengers: Infinity War.

How many movies should you watch prior?: All of the movies starring Thor, which include Thor, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One mid-credits scene, which is important, and one post-credits scene, which is a funny gag.

BLACK PANTHER (2018)

Should you watch it?: Yes! Chadwick Boseman keeps up the work as T-ChallaBlack Panther and the new characters introduced are all great and most of them are pretty funny. But the real stand-out here is Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger. He has such a commanding presence, which makes for one of the best comic book movie villains. We also get to explore the fictional country of Wakanda, which is nothing short of jaw-dropping. It explores some important political and racial themes and it’s very empowering for people of color, to the point where black people that weren’t into superhero movies loved this one. It’s not without its flaws, particularly the third act with its lackluster CGI, and I also wish it went a little deeper with its political themes, because that’s something that the comics did really well. But overall, a solid watch.

Is it important to the universe?: Only a little. Black Panther, the new characters and Wakanda in general play an important, but not too important, part in the last two Avengers movies.

How many movies should you watch prior?: You could watch Captain America: Civil War, since that’s Black Panther’s debut, but the movie does a good job at recapping those events.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: A mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene, both important.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018)

Should you watch it?: Absolutely! This the movie all the others where building up. Many heroes come together for the first time, the stakes have never been higher, and the battles are epic. This is definitely one of the darkest, most emotional movies of the MCU, but it still balances it out with the typical MCU humor. Thanos is one of the best movie villains ever, and this is basically his movie. If you’ve enjoyed your time with the MCU up to this point, definitely give it a watch.

Is it important to the universe?: Absolutely! Though it still has a concrete beginning and end, this is basically part 1 of the grand finale of these three phases of the MCU. Thanos is the main villain of these three phases and we finally get to see what he’s capable of after being teased in many other movies. The final Infinity Stone is introduced, and the Stones in general finally play their big part. Many of the heroes meet others for the first time as previously mentioned.

How many movies should you watch prior?: This movie, more than any other, requires you to be familiar with the bulk of the the MCU, which means you should every movie previously listed as important. This includes Iron Man, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-man, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange and Thor: Ragnarok.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One post-credits scene, and it’s important.

 

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (2018)

Should you watch it?: Though nothing special, I think it’s a fun time. It ditches the heist element of the previous Ant-Man movie but makes up for it a little bit by being sort of a chase comedy, with different parties going after the same thing, and on that regard in can be very funny. The action scenes still utilize the shrinking and growing powers of Ant-man creatively and Hope finally takes on the mantle of The Wasp, and she as a good as you’d expect.

Is it important to the universe?: Yes. It explains Ant-Man’s whereabouts during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, Hope takes on the mantle of The Wasp and we get to know more about the Quantum Realm, which will play an important role in Avengers: Endgame.

How many movies should you watch prior?: Definitely watch Ant-Man. You could also watch Captain America: Civil War, but the movie does a good enough job at recapping the events of those movies.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One mid-credits scene, and it’s important.

CAPTAIN MARVEL (2019)

Should you watch it?: Not really. It’s the only MCU movie that doesn’t seem to have its own identity, its own unique flavor, so it just feels like any other superhero movie. The story and Brie Larson’s performance, while not too bad, lack emotional investment. But where the movie really falls short is the villains, which are some of the worst of the MCU so far, and the numerous changes they make to the lore of the MCU, which take away more than they add. The worst case of this is a twist that happens at the end, which is more infuriating than the one from Iron Man 3. It does have some good elements like Samuel L. Jackson as a younger Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as Talos, but overall it’s one of the MCU’s worst.

Is it important to the universe?: Not really, as of now at least. Its only purpose or importance so far was to introduce Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel and how she got her powers.

How many movies should you watch prior?: None.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: One mid-credits scene, which is important, and one post-credits scene, which is a funny gag.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME (2019)

Should you watch it?: Absolutely! This the movie that entire MCU had built up to at this point and the result is an epic and satisfying finale, at least when it comes to these three phases as there’s more to come in the future. A lot of the characters, especially Iron Man and Captain America, get near perfect conclusion to their character arcs. Being essentially part 2 to Avengers: Infinity War, it brings the high stakes and emotional moments from that movie and elevates them to an even higher level. It’s just a really really good movie, with some of the best performances and action scenes of the entire MCU.

Is it important to the universe?: It is the single most important movie of the whole MCU.

How many movies should you watch prior?: Avengers: Infinity War, obviously, as well as every movie that I said to watch before Avengers: Infinity War and finally Ant-Man and the Wasp.

How many mid or post-credits scenes?: None

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (2019)

Should you watch it?: Yes. Though it’s not as good as Spider-Man: Homecoming, a lot of the elements that worked from the movie still work really well on this one. One improvement however is the action sequences, which are both exciting and unique. The big stand-out is Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio, but of course Jake Gyllenhaal is good.

Is it important to the universe?: It does shed light on the state of things after the events of Avengers: Endgame. But beyond that, it’s hard to tell since this is the last movie of the MCU that we’ve gotten so far.

How many movies should you watch prior?: Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

And that’s it for this guide into the MCU for beginners. I hope this was helpful and I hope you stay tuned for more editorials. And for the latest news on MCU movies and movies in general be sure to follow The Cinema Spot (@TheCinemaSpot) and me (@Miguel42Coelho) on Twitter. Thank you for reading and stay safe!