What Movies to Watch Before Captain Marvel

What do you need to watch before the Captain Marvel movie? Ever since the end credits of Avengers: Infinity War, many people were asking who is Captain Marvel? Is she the one who will save the day? Apparently Nick Fury thought so since he called her. 2019 is a big year for Marvel fans with Avengers 4 and Captain Marvel being released. If you’re looking to catch up, here are the Marvel movies to watch before Captain Marvel.

Who is Captain Marvel?

At the end of of Avengers: Infinity War, you can see Captain Marvel’s symbol in the end credits. Captain Marvel’s real name is Carol Danvers and is also known as Ms. Marvel, Captain Danvers and Warbird. So why did Nick Fury decide to call her when it looked like half the world was dying?

I’m not a comic book reader, I follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), so it’s always interesting to see what version of characters will appear in Marvel movies. Once you watch Captain Marvel and the end credits, you’ll understand the significance of the above picture.

Carol Danvers was an officer and pilot in the United States Air Force and a friend of Mar-Vell. Mar-Vell is a Kree which you may recognize the Kree from Guardians of the Galaxy. Ronan the Accuser was Kree. Also, if you watch Agents of SHIELD, the last season showed a lot of Kree and helps you understand more about them.

During a freak explosion, Danvers’ DNA is fused with Mar-Vell’s, giving her superhuman powers. Some of her powers include superhuman strength, endurance, flight, the ability to shoot blasts of energy from her fingertips, and a sense to see things coming. With these powers, she fights for good as Captain Marvel!

Marvel Movies to Watch Before Captain Marvel

If you’re coming in with a basic knowledge of Marvel, then this is the short list of Marvel movies to watch before Captain Marvel. However, if you’re going all in and want to watch ALL the MCU movies, then check out the complete Marvel movies list in order to watch before Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame.

The Avengers

You want to watch The Avengers before Captain Marvel, because it will give you background on Nick Fury and Phil Coulson. They both appear in Captain Marvel! In The Avengers, Nicky Fury is the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division), and you’ll see how he recruits and forms The Avengers.

Guardians of the Galaxy

You’ll definitely want to see Guardians of the Galaxy before you watch Captain Marvel, because you’ll find a lot of characters not found in The Avengers, and you’re introduced to Ronan the Accuser and Korath who are part of the alien race, Kree. The Kree are thought to play large roles in Captain Marvel as the Superforce.

The question of the Super Force and good versus evil comes into play, because the film art and trailer make them seem good while we know that Korath and Ronan the Accuser are villains.

We’re hoping to get an explanation in Captain Marvel as to why Ronan turned rogue in Guardians of the Galaxy. Plus in Guardians, there’s another Infinity Stone.

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange plays a large role in Avengers: Infinity War, which is next on the list. I recommend Doctor Strange to get acquainted with his character and the introduction to time travel and manipulation. You’ll also get a glimpse of the Quantum Realm.

Avengers: Infinity War

One, it’s just a must-watch Marvel Movie. Two, at the end of the film, you’ll understand how Captain Marvel came into the picture, and why she’s needed. Is Captain Marvel the one to defeat Thanos?

Ant-Man and the Wasp

This is the last Marvel film to be released in theaters before Captain Marvel. Ant-Man and the Wasp focuses on saving Hope’s mother who is stuck in the Quantum Realm. In Ant-Man, many questions about the Quantum Realm were posed. Janet (Hope’s mother) seems to have picked up powers and enhancements from being in the Quantum Realm, which may be an answer to defeating Thanos.

You’ll also get an end credit scene which poses more questions ( and possible answers). Never skip the credits after a Marvel movie. Never.

What Should You Watch Before Seeing Captain Marvel?

If you’re on the short track, then watch those 5 Marvel movies before Captain Marvel. That should give you the basics and enough to kind of understand what’s going.

Edited to add: So now that I’ve seen Captain Marvel, if you really want a short list, then I say you would be fine watching The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Avengers: Infinity War. If you want to throw in another, then I suggest Captain America: The First Avenger. I don’t think you really need to watch Doctor Strange or Ant-Man and the Wasp.

They did an excellent job with Carol Danvers’s origin story, and it all makes sense, especially if you’ve seen some of the list. I imagined I’d be more confused since I originally knew very little about her, but all will be revealed!

I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll explain why I chose those 3 after some time has passed since Captain Marvel was released in theaters.

If you want to delve more into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then start your Marvel movie marathon! The Marvel Universe is all intertwined, so the more you watch, the more pieces you’ll fit together.

Carol Danvers is definitely the female hero I’ve been waiting for.

If you want to know if Captain Marvel is ok for your kids to watch then check out my ‘Is Captain Marvel kid friendly‘ non-spoiler review!

CAPTAIN MARVEL is in theaters now!