Every MCU Movie & Show To Watch Before Spider-Man: Brand New Day

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to swing back into theaters with Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the number of movies and shows to watch beforehand can vary somewhat. Now that the MCU is 37 movies deep, a question that comes with any new release is which other Marvel Studios projects one has to have watched to understand it.

Whether approaching this as a chance to rewatch the MCU or catch up on missed releases, how much "homework" a Marvel movie carries with it is often a tricky balance. On one hand, completionists could look to experience every MCU movie or show that any character from the new project has been in. Conversely, you can narrow that scope down to truly essential titles to shorten the list.

For Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the movie brings Tom Holland's Spider-Man back for his seventh appearance and will have him interact with key characters in Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Punisher (Jon Bernthal). Peter Parker's usual supporting cast members, MJ (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), are back, too, even if they don't remember who he is anymore, just like the rest of the world.

Below, all the MCU movies and shows to watch before Spider-Man: Brand New Day can be found. They are labeled as whether the stories are essential to understand the 38th MCU film, worth watching for complete understanding of specific characters, or good for additional background on the key players.

10 Spider-Man: Homecoming

Essential Spider-Man & MJ

As the first solo movie for Tom Holland's web-slinger, 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming is one that audiences must see before the hero's return. It establishes his place as New York's protector and shows Peter's earliest adventures as Spider-Man. The movie is also responsible for introducing MJ and Ned as Peter's closest companions. Mac Gargan aka Scorpion (Michael Mando) has a supporting villain role, too, ahead of his return in Brand New Day.

9 Spider-Man: Far From Home

Essential Spider-Man & MJ

The second entry in Spider-Man's MCU franchise, Spider-Man: Far From Home is another essential adventure for this version of Peter. It pushes his and MJ's relationship to new places as he encounters a powerful new villain in Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). While the illusionist won't be in Brand New Day, he did completely change Peter's life with his final plan. The fallout of his actions is still being felt.

8 Spider-Man: No Way Home

Essential Spider-Man & MJ

2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home was the last time Spider-Man appeared in the MCU before Brand New Day. He encounters villains and other Spider-Men from across the multiverse in a crowd-pleasing adventure. For as much as it is the end of a chapter in Peter's life, No Way Home's ending directly launches him into a new status quo, which really shapes the state he is in when the next film begins.

The MCU's Spider-Man trilogy is absolutely the most essential saga ahead of Brand New Day, but a complete understanding of Holland's wall-crawler will require adding some additional to your watch list.

7 Captain America: Civil War

Complete Spider-Man

Before he got a solo movie, Spider-Man made his MCU debut in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. He doesn't have a large role, only appearing for a few pivotal scenes, but they are still important. This is where the MCU links him and Iron Man together, forging a relationship that is instrumental to Peter's portrayal for years to come. You could even just watch Spider-Man's section if fitting the complete blockbuster in proves difficult.

6 Avengers: Infinity War

Complete Spider-Man, Essential Hulk

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be where Spider-Man and Hulk formally interact for the first time, but Avengers: Infinity War is the first MCU movie they both appeared in. It's an important movie for Peter, as he heads to space, gets the Iron Spider suit, and disappears in The Snap. Watching it will provide a complete understanding of Spider-Man's journey and add key context to events in his solo movies.

It's borderline essential for Spidey, but it is necessary ahead of Brand New Day because of Hulk. While his previous appearances shape the character overall, Infinity War is important for his recent journey that the Spider-Man film will continue. It's the last time Hulk was in the MCU without his Smart Hulk form, so it connects strongly to Savage Hulk's return in Brand New Day.

5 Avengers: Endgame

Complete Spider-Man, Essential Hulk

The final part of completing Spider-Man's MCU journey is Avengers: Endgame. Due to vanishing for five years, Peter isn't in the movie until the conclusion, making the bulk of this film inconsequential for his individual arc. However, Avengers: Endgame's ending is the catalyst for Far From Home in many ways, making the Phase 3 culminating feature a significant release for Spidey.

It's far more important overall for Hulk, though. This is where the Smart Hulk form debuts and launches a new era for the character. The injuries he sustains by the end wind up pushing his story forward in other projects, including where audiences will find Bruce initially in Brand New Day.

4 The Punisher: One Last Kill

Punisher Background

Marvel Studios gave audiences a deeper look into Frank Castle's life as a pseudo-prequel to Brand New Day months ago. The Disney+ Special Presentation, The Punisher: One Last Kill, draws Bernthal's anti-hero back into a violent lifestyle when he encounters a new villain.

The story is set before his MCU movie debut, and although One Last Kill doesn't include any direct setup to the new release, it's a strong portrayal of Punisher for anyone wanting to understand him better. And with a runtime of under one hour, it's easy enough to get through before.

3 She-Hulk: Attorney At Law

Hulk Background

The last Hulk appearance before Brand New Day came in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law season 1. The Disney+ show gave Bruce a supporting role, providing greater insight into how he became Smart Hulk, how he reverts to his human form, and teased his broader, off-screen adventures — such as having a kid, Skaar.

With nine roughly 30-minute episodes, She-Hulk can be binged in a day or two rather easily. Hulk is only episodes 1, 2, and 9, though, if you need or only want to witness his involvement. But the show also includes the Department of Damage Control throughout, which will also factor into Brand New Day's story.

For an all-encompassing understanding of Hulk's MCU journey, one will need to watch The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.

2 Daredevil: Born Again

Punisher & New York Background

Those with some extra time on their hands could find benefit in watching or rewatching Daredevil: Born Again season 1 and 2. Punisher has a role in the first season, giving those episodes some significance in shaping his present state in Brand New Day. Season 2 alludes to his whereabouts, too.

Born Again is also important for establishing the state of New York that Spider-Man will be operating in. Wilson Fisk's mayoral campaign and tenure are confirmed to factor into Brand New Day somewhat. Matt Murdock being unmasked as Daredevil could also come up, as Peter realizes his lawyer fought crime outside the courtroom.

For a complete idea of who Punisher is, you'll need to watch Daredevil, The Punisher, Daredevil: Born Again, and The Punisher: One Last Kill before his first movie appearance in years.

1 Thunderbolts*

Essential Yelena Belova

In a surprise, Kevin Feige confirmed that Yelena Belova will also appear in Brand New Day. It's unknown in what capacity Florence Pugh's assassin character will be included, but her inclusion makes Thunderbolts* a worthy addition to the pre-watch list. Beyond the possibility of The Void's attack on New York being addressed, the movie is a central part of Yelena's MCU story.

Anyone wanting to experience Yelena's life in full will need to add Black Widow and Hawkeye to the list. While both shape her character in different ways, Thunderbolts* is the one that will provide the best understanding of who she is, especially as it pertains to her current status in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.