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Which Marvel films and series to watch before Deadpool and Wolverine

Published

5 months ago

June 18, 2024

Marvel fans are in for a treat this summer, as Deadpool and Wolverine will hit cinemas on 26 July 2024. The trailers promise plenty of violence, raunchy humor, and multiversal action, making it one of the most anticipated movies of this year.

If you’re not a Marvel fan but are considering heading to the cinema for Deadpool 3 anyway, you may worry that you’ll have difficulty understanding what’s going on. At this point, the MCU is a massive franchise, and it can certainly be confusing. Luckily, it’s never too late to hop on that train.

Shawn Levy, the director of Deadpool and Wolverine, said that the film is accessible for newbies, so you can enjoy it even if you don’t know much about the MCU. However, if you know the backstories and lore of the main characters, you’ll certainly enjoy it even more.

This is a guide for all the key films and TV shows you should watch before heading to the cinema. If you want to learn more about the new MCU movie, check out our round-up on Deadpool and Wolverine.

Marvel Studios

Which MCU movies and shows should I watch to understand Deadpool and Wolverine?

Here are the basic productions that introduce the characters of Wolverine and Deadpool:

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

This film covers the backstory of Wolverine, aka Logan. It also introduces Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool – however, in a very cringy, laughable way.

Deadpool (2016)

The film serves as a reboot of the Deadpool plot from X-Men Origins. It reintroduces the mercenary Wade Wilson and tells the story of his mutation and path to revenge.

Deadpool 2 (2018)

This covers another of Deadpool’s adventures, involving his girlfriend Vanessa, Domino, Cable, and a few other friends and foes.

Loki season 1 (2021)

The series introduces Time Variance Authority (TVA), the special agency that will play a major role in Deadpool and Wolverine. It also explains the concept of the multiverse, which is extremely important to the MCU. Pay special attention to the episode Journey Into Mystery, where The Void appears.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

As a result of a spell cast by Doctor Strange, characters from alternate realities appear in Spider-Man’s world. Watching the movie will help you understand the concept of magical portals and any references to Spider-Man that may appear in Deadpool and Wolverine (we can only hope).

How to watch all the Wolverine films in chronological order

If you want to learn the whole story of Wolverine, here’s the list of all movies in which he appears, in chronological order:

X-Men: First Class (2011)

A young Magneto and Charles Xavier try to recruit Wolverine for the first time. He appears in the movie only briefly, but the film is a good starting point if you want to dive into the X-Men universe.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

This film covers Logan’s backstory. The tale starts in the 1800s, but its key part concerns Wolverine’s present-day adventures.

X-Men (2000)

Wolverine joins Professor Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and becomes a member of the X-Men.

X2: X-Men United (2003)

Logan must fight a certain person from his past who wants to erase all mutants.

Marvel Studios

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Jean Grey frees her dark alternate personality, Phoenix, and Wolverine is involved in curbing her destructive powers.

The Wolverine (2013)

This film covers Logan’s adventures in Japan, where he has to protect the granddaughter of his old friend.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Wolverine travels from the post-apocalyptic future to the ’70s and changes a timeline. The film won’t be connected to Deadpool and Wolverine, but watching it could be a lot of fun.

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

In the altered timeline, the first mutant reawakens and tries to destroy the world. Wolverine appears here as the violent Weapon X. It’s very unlikely that Deadpool and Wolverine will refer to this story.

Logan: Wolverine (2017)

The standalone movie is completely separate from earlier Wolverine films, but it’s considered one of the best comic book adaptations ever made. It’s set at an unspecified time in the future, with Wolverine as an old, tired man, haunted by guilt.