Second Run: Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Good day CrewMembers and welcome to our updated Pre-Viewing checklist for Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness!

This feature goes further in-depth than our “Opening Night" posts to give you a deeper foundation for viewing. Please note, due to the nature of these features; SPOILERS are inherent. Please understand that we are going to believe that you want to be completely prepared for this movie. While we will try not to spoil things by “name,” things are about to be spoiled. If you'd rather just stick to the safety of the "Opening Night" post, you can jump to it by clicking here.

After seeing Spider-Man: No Way Home, I was very unsure about how I was going to write the "Opening Night" feature for Multiverse of Madness. It seemed like MARVEL could and would pull from any previous program featuring their characters. When I sat down to write, the feature worked itself out a bit easier. Obviously, after seeing the movie, it's even easier still to write this one.

The movie does show us different versions of characters from the current established Marvel Cinematic Universe, which are referred to as Variants in the "Loki" Disney+ show. When we say "Variant" in this article, that's what we're referring to as well.

The 3 main established players are still Dr. Strange, Wong, and Wanda so not much has changed in our recommendations regarding what movies to watch for them. It might sound crazy, but we actually dropped Spider-Man: No Way Home from "required" to "recommended". I do think it's more beneficial to this movie/story than Thor: Ragnorak, but given the nature of No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness we believe there's enough separation between the two to change levels.

Strange: Dr. Strange (2016) -> Thor: Ragnorak (2017) -> Avengers Infinity War -> Avengers Endgame -> Spider-Man No Way Home ->"What If..." Episode 4

Wong: Avengers Infinity War -> Avengers Endgame -> Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) -> Spider-Man No Way Home

Wanda: Avengers Age of Ultron -> Captain America Civil War -> Avengers Infinity War -> Avengers Endgame -> "WandaVision" (2021)

We now know for certain which Variants show up, so we can narrow down some recommendations too. These are to offer some context and don't necessarily connect directly to this story or the specific Variants in this movie. There are infinite Multiverses and therefore infinite possible versions of each character, so while these give context into possible variations and help add a foundation, we wouldn't say these are required either. They do make things more fun and interesting though!

Variant Context: X-Men (2000) -> Fantastic Four (2005) -> "Inhumans" (2017) -> Captain Marvel (2019) -> "What If...?" (2021) Episode 1

In the "Opening Night" feature, we had "Loki" listed on extra curricular, but here we dropped it altogether. The type of Variants that show deals with are looked at differently than in Multiverse of Madness. That show deals more with timelines than it does with concurrent Multiversal existence. The two are related, but the angles are quite different between the programs.

Now let's update the checklist!

Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Second Run Checklist

X-Men (2000)* gives context to a Variant

Fantastic Four (2004)* gives context to a Variant

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Dr. Strange (2016)

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)* adds some fun to Dr Strange's character, but not much to his arc. It does expand on the after-credit scene from Dr Strange (2016)

"Inhumans" (2017)* gives context to a Variant

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Captain Marvel (2019)* gives context to a Variant

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

WandaVision (Disney+ Series 2021)

Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)* adds some fun to Wong's character, but not much to his story arc

What if... (Disney+ Series 2021)

Episode 1* gives context to a Variant

Episode 4* offers a look at a Dr Strange variant. There is mention of a Variant looking for the same kind of outcome this Strange was, but going about in a different way. It might offer a bit more insight, but isn't really required.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)* actually factors in less than we were allowed to believe. It does help give context to a conversation and explores Dr. Strange's story, but it really doesn't jump completely from recommended to required.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

*Recommended Viewing

Let us know if you enjoyed your trip to the Multiverse!

~Until then, enjoy the show!