Doomsday Prep• 7 min read

What to Watch Before Avengers: Doomsday (May 2026)

The ultimate preparation roadmap for Avengers 5. Understand why Robert Downey Jr. is playing Doctor Doom, which Disney+ series matter, and how Fantastic Four leads into the film.

01Why Robert Downey Jr. is Playing Doctor Doom

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel stunned the world by revealing that Robert Downey Jr. is returning not as Tony Stark, but as Victor Von Doom. Directed by the Russo Brothers, this is a deliberate creative decision to contrast the ultimate savior of the Infinity Saga with the ultimate autocrat of the Multiverse Saga.

Victor Von Doom is Marvel's premier comic book supervillain. He is the brilliant sovereign monarch of Latveria, mastering science on par with Reed Richards and sorcery second only to Doctor Strange.

02The 5 Essential Projects Before Doomsday

To be fully prepared for Avengers: Doomsday, you only need to complete these five critical milestones:

Recommended Sequence in This Guide

Loki (Seasons 1 & 2) – Shows who is holding the Multiverse together (God of Stories).

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Explains what Incursions are and why universes collide.

Deadpool & Wolverine – Explains Anchor Beings and connects Fox legacy mutants to the MCU.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Introduces Reed Richards before crossing directly into Doomsday.

Captain America: Brave New World & Thunderbolts* – Establishes Earth's remaining frontline defenders.