The Marvel Cinematic Universe has spanned an incredible 21 movies over a decade, culminating in Avengers: Endgame. Revisiting those movies after the credits rolled was a forgone conclusion.
Experiencing some of the most iconic scenes from the earlier movies play out from different perspectives hit on our nostalgia in a way that we weren’t expecting. From returning to Stark tower immediately following Loki’s defeat during the Battle of New York, to Star-Lord’s ‘80s-fueled dance to the Power stone on Morag, Endgame became the perfect bookend to over a decade’s worth of Marvel movies.
But, while the fingerprints of the entire MCU were all over Endgame, there were certain movies we immediately wanted to re-watch to truly appreciate just how much all the events of the three-hour epic interconnected.
Warning: Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame ahead.
‘Iron Man’
The movie that kicked-off an entire universe.
There’s something oddly satisfying about returning to the very beginning of the MCU, but Iron Man is even more poignant now, considering the events of Endgame.
You get to experience the fledgling moments of Tony’s relationship with Pepper — including the scene where Pepper assists Tony with swapping out his defunct arc reactor, later presenting it back to him as proof that he has a heart — as well as his continued motivations to use Stark Industries for technological advances that will protect the Earth.
While Endgame did not specifically revisit Iron Man when the team traveled through time, it has some of the most touching nods back to it. Potentially even including a sound bite of the clanging armor at the end of the credits, which likely came from this movie.
Marvel certainly won’t forget where they came from, in terms of their sprawling movie universe, so this feels like a must-watch after Endgame.
‘Captain America: The First Avenger’
So many of Steve Rogers’ decisions across the entirety of Endgame, as well as some of his more emotional story beats, stem from his introduction in First Avenger.
Not only does his movie establish the lengths to which both Steve and Bucky will go for each other in their friendship, it also sets up everything from the “birthplace” of Captain America, to the now-iconic line “I can do this all day,” to the first real glimpse at the Tesseract and its devastating potential.
Oh, and — of course — it sets into motion the love story that would drive Steve to create an entirely new timeline with the future director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Margaret ‘Peggy’ Carter.
‘The Avengers’
As Endgame spent some extended time in 2012, and the Battle of New York, returning to the original Avengers movie feels a little like a no-brainer. It brought the original six together for the first time — though their initial connection was fraught — and gave them a purpose, a reason to fight.
Coming back to this moment, so many years later, it’s a revelation to see just how far these characters have developed. Not only on an individual basis, but also as a team.
But, really, it’s kind of just fun to watch with rapt fascination, imagining the future!Avengers attempting to avoid their counterparts as they try and swipe the Infinity stones.
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’
There are a lot of reasons to throw on Winter Soldier after Endgame — not least because it still stands up as one of the best entries into the MCU — but we’ll try and keep this as brief as possible.
Firstly, the elevator scene. The Endgame homage to that moment, as Steve calls for the elevator at Stark Tower, facing Rumlow and Sitwell, two of the familiar faces of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s betrayal, had audiences holding their breath, anticipating what he would do next. Though Steve used his knowledge of Hydra’s infiltration to walk back out without the ass-kicking, returning to that moment and watching it in its entire glory is still just as satisfying.
Equally, Winter Soldier establishes the deeper bond between Steve and Natasha, takes the pair back to the secret S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in New Jersey, introduces Sam “On Your Left” Wilson — future Captain America — and also reintroduces Bucky Barnes.
Winter Soldier is such a hugely influential movie on the entire MCU landscape, and Endgame only provides a deeper appreciation for it.
‘Thor: The Dark World’
We’ll keep this one brief, if only because this movie is still hugely divisive. But, when it comes to Thor’s arc in Endgame, and for certain events involving the Aether, it remains an important entry to return to.
Reminding ourselves of the complex and supportive relationship that Thor and Frigga shared, and how that impacted him in Endgame, having to return to the day that she died, is a must — and not only because this really isn’t a movie we’ve returned to much.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1’
The events of galaxy-bound 2014 — including the whereabouts of Thanos, Nebula and Gamora — proved to be vital to Endgame. This version of Thanos, ultimately, perished in the future at the snap of Tony’s fingers, thus creating a divergence in the timeline, but it is also an important movie to return to for one specific character alone: Gamora.
Guardians‘ Gamora, not having met Star-Lord, Rocket, Groot, or Drax, has hopped across to 2023, and is now in an unknown location, so re-familiarizing ourselves with her personality and motivations here will be essential for future movies.
That, and watching the scene on Morag where Star-Lord acquires the Power stone, imagining Rhodey and Nebula snarking in the background, makes it even more of a delight to watch.
‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’
Another “we’ll keep this brief” moment, but another movie that gains additional importance post-Endgame. Age of Ultron provides the essential context for Hawkeye’s entire arc in Endgame, as well as introduces Scarlet Witch and Vision — who will be returning in their own solo run for Disney+ — plus the Mind stone.
You can probably watch some of this on fast-forward, but it’s a good movie to come back to, if only for the eventual Endgame payoff. (Yeah, we didn’t ever think that we’d be recommending this either.)
‘Captain America: Civil War’
Civil War was referenced several times across Endgame’s three-hour runtime, most crucially in Scott Lang reminding Steve and Natasha of where they met, at the airport in Germany. But it also caused the fractures that are still a little raw in Steve and Tony’s relationship, as well as introduced Peter Parker as an important figure in Tony’s life.
It also explains why Captain America’s shield was just chilling out in Tony’s garage, waiting for Morgan to go sledding with it. Civil War, much in the same way as Winter Soldier did before it, set up the playing field for Endgame. From the smaller alliances and friendships, to the larger rifts that needed that little bit more time to heal.
‘Thor: Ragnarok’
With Valkyrie now set to rule over the surviving Asgardians, the title handed to her by Thor before he departs with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Ragnarok is a good movie to return to for understanding why Thor depends on and trusts her so deeply. It also serves as a reminder for how much devastation Thor suffered in the build-up to Endgame, but also the new friendships he gained in Korg and Meek, which provide limited comfort for him after Thanos’ death.
Oh, also a good reminder for why Mjolnir is no longer Thor’s weapon of choice. It doesn’t really get any easier to watch the scene where Hela destroys it, however.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’
The reason that Endgame happened at all. Watching Infinity War after the events of Endgame, knowing what comes next, makes it even more of a devastating and emotional gut-punch. Going in with the knowledge that Thor will struggle, deeply, with his failure to defeat Thanos, but also that the scenario that Doctor Strange set in motion — the one reality where they win — meant Tony Stark’s death…
Yeah. If you thought Infinity War was a lot before, it’s even more after seeing Endgame.
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’
Look, when it comes to understanding the science of Endgame, Ant-Man and the Wasp is essential viewing. It provides needed context on the Quantum realm, and how it operates, which in turn lends itself to the time-travel aspect of Endgame.
It also fleshes out Scott and Cassie’s relationship a little bit more, sees Hope and Scott’s dedication to each other grow, and gives the context to how Scott ended up trapped in the Quantum realm in the first place. (Which, okay, is still a mid-credits scene that can be viewed independently of the movie, but the science is still stupid-complicated taken out of context.)
‘Captain Marvel’
The most recent entry to the MCU, prior to Endgame, Captain Marvel serves as an introduction to Carol Danvers, her powers, and her allegiance to anyone other than Nick Fury, really. She doesn’t play the most pivotal of roles in Endgame, but her solo movie gives some much needed-context for her interactions with the other Avengers — as well as why she was able to take on Thanos and hold her own, right up until he has to remove the Power stone from the gauntlet to overpower her.
Plus, this is just a really fun, feel-good movie all around.