The third movie about Deadpool will premiere in cinemas on 25 July 2024 in the UK and the following day in the US, so it’s time to ensure you’re keeping up with the films based on the Marvel comic books.
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
Marvel Studios
Marvel Studios
Which movies and shows should I watch to understand Deadpool and Wolverine?
Deadpool and Wolverine have so far only appeared in movies about mutants created by 20th Century Fox, which holds rights to the X-Men series.
For a long time, Disney, which owned the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), couldn’t introduce mutated heroes into its stories. It changed in 2019, when 20th Century Fox and Disney Studios made a deal that brought mutants to the MCU – they were introduced in Ms. Marvel and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Deadpool and Wolverine will once again combine heroes from two cinematic universes.
Here are the films and series from both franchises you should watch before Deadpool and Wolverine:
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
Marvel Studios
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.
20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
How to watch the Marvel content before Deadpool and Wolverine
UK
In the UK, all X-Men movies as well as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Loki, are available on Disney+.
This means that you can easily stream all the productions that appear in our guide.
The basic, ad-supported Disney+ subscription costs £4.99 per month. You can also choose an ad-free subscription for £7.99 per month.
US
In the US, things are more complicated.
All MCU movies and series (including Spider-Man: No Way Home and Loki) can be watched on Disney+.
On the service you will also find some of the X-Men films, but not all of them.
From our list, you can catch these films on Disney+: X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Wolverine, X-Men: Apocalypse, Logan, Deadpool, Deadpool 2.
On Hulu you can find X-Men: First Class.
You can sign up to Disney+ for $7.99 per month for an ad-supported subscription. The ad-free tier costs $10.99 per month. You can also choose an ad-supported Disney+ and Hulu bundle for $9.99 per month.
On Max you can stream X-Men: Days of Future Past. You can choose a basic plan with ads for $9.99 per month, or buy an ad-free subscription for $16.99 per month.
