Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and its interconnected, episodic storytelling used to feel like a novelty — but after more than 15 years, that innovation has long outstayed its welcome. Gone are the days when one could revisit the entire MCU before the premiere of a new film. With dozens of films and shows to consume, keeping track of the timeline now feels a lot like doing homework. There’s almost too much to remember at this point, and that’s especially true when it comes to the projects that serve as sequels to multiple Marvel storylines, like the upcoming Thunderbolts.
For the most part, Marvel’s done a fine job of bringing audiences up to speed without the need for a deep dive into the catalog. But there may be a few things completionists will want to revisit before meeting the MCU’s latest superhero team. Here are four essential things to check out before the anti-Avengers make their MCU debut.
