The 30-second summary: Before Avengers: Doomsday, four Disney+ series became essential viewing for understanding the direction the MCU has taken: WandaVision (Wanda Maximoff's grief and the birth of Scarlet Witch), Loki (the Multiverse and the Sacred Timeline), Hawkeye (the handoff between Clint Barton and Kate Bishop), and Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Sam Wilson becomes the new Captain America). In this guide, we rank these series, explain why to watch them and in what order, with merch ideas for each hero.
Since the end of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU is no longer limited to films. Marvel Studios built its entire Phase 4 around Disney+ series that dig deeper into secondary Avengers characters and lay the groundwork for the Multiverse, the central theme of the saga going forward. The result: it's hard today to follow Avengers: Doomsday without having seen at least WandaVision and Loki.
This guide reviews the four most important Avengers-related series, ranks them by narrative impact, and suggests the ideal viewing order to catch up before the next film. Along the way, we also point out some fun merch for fans of Wanda, Loki, and Clint Barton.
Why Disney+ series became essential to the MCU
Before 2021, Marvel TV shows (Daredevil, Jessica Jones on Netflix, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) stayed on the fringes of film continuity. With the launch of Disney+, Kevin Feige changed strategy: the series are now 100% canon and sometimes essential to understanding a film. That's the case with Loki, which introduces the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and officially opens up the Multiverse, a concept that later becomes central to the MCU timeline.
Here's a comparison table of the four series most closely tied to the Avengers, to place each one:
| Series | Year | Episodes | Central character | Importance for the Avengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WandaVision | 2021 | 9 | Wanda Maximoff / Vision | Birth of Scarlet Witch |
| Falcon and the Winter Soldier | 2021 | 6 | Sam Wilson / Bucky Barnes | Sam becomes Captain America |
| Loki | 2021-2023 | 12 (2 seasons) | Loki Laufeyson | Opens the Multiverse, the TVA |
| Hawkeye | 2021 | 6 | Clint Barton / Kate Bishop | Torch passed to Kate Bishop |
1. WandaVision: Wanda's grief and the birth of Scarlet Witch
Released in January 2021, WandaVision made a huge impression by opening with a black-and-white sitcom pastiche before revealing a much darker truth: Wanda Maximoff, devastated by Vision's death in Avengers: Infinity War, has unknowingly created a bubble of alternate reality, Westview, to relive a normal life as a couple.
Why watch it
WandaVision is the series that officially turns Wanda into Scarlet Witch, one of the MCU's most powerful entities thanks to Chaos Magic and the Darkhold. Without this series, her transition into a cosmic threat in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness doesn't make sense. You'll also find Scarlet Witch's full story, between chaos and distorted reality, in our dedicated article.
The series also explores Vision, artificially recreated by Wanda before facing his S.W.O.R.D.-built "White Vision" counterpart — an arc we cover in detail in our article on Vision, the AI who became an Avenger.
Featured product
Avengers Enamel Pin - Scarlet Witch
A little nod to Wanda Maximoff to pin on a bag or jacket, perfect for WandaVision fans.
€13.90
View productFor fans who want to go further, our Scarlet Witch products collection brings together figures, keychains, and accessories inspired by the series, including a particularly popular Multiverse of Madness Funko Pop keychain.
2. Loki: the God of Mischief and the opening of the Multiverse
Loki follows the variant of the god of mischief captured right after the time heist in Avengers: Endgame. Recruited (forcibly) by the TVA, an organization tasked with protecting the Sacred Timeline, Loki discovers the existence of other variants of himself and, more importantly, the truth about how the Multiverse works.
A pivotal series for the rest of the MCU
It's impossible to understand why the Multiverse became the central threat of Phases 5 and 6 without having seen Loki. The series literally lays the groundwork later used in Doctor Strange 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and Avengers: Doomsday. You'll find the character's full story in our dedicated article on Loki, god of mischief, along with a broader look at Loki's evolution, between villain and hero.
For those who want to dig even deeper into the Multiverse, our article The Marvel Multiverse Explained Simply covers every concept (Sacred Timeline, variants, Nexus, incursions) with examples pulled directly from the series.
Featured product
Loki Tapestry - Nexus Portrait
Wall decor directly inspired by the series' TVA aesthetic, surrounded by symbols tied to the Nexus.
From €26.90
View productDiscover the full world of the series in our Loki products collection, with figures, tapestries, and collector pins.
3. Hawkeye: Clint Barton passes the torch to Kate Bishop
Released in late 2021, Hawkeye is a lighter-toned six-episode miniseries, almost a New York Christmas movie. It follows Clint Barton, haunted by his past as Ronin during the Snap, forced to team up with Kate Bishop, a young archer who's always admired him.
Why it's an underrated series
Hawkeye is often seen as "minor" compared to Loki or WandaVision, but it's essential to understanding the character's arc, covered in detail in our article on Hawkeye, the Avengers' best marksman. The series also introduces Kate Bishop as his eventual successor, a torch-passing pattern echoed in Falcon and the Winter Soldier with Sam Wilson.
Another draw: Hawkeye develops Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanoff's sister, a character who becomes increasingly important as the MCU continues — a useful reminder of Natasha Romanoff's story and legacy.
Featured product
Hawkeye Cushion Cover - Watercolor Archery
Clint Barton immortalized mid-draw, in a watercolor style that adds a decorative touch without being over the top.
€67.90
View productLooking for something more low-key? The Avengers Blue Arrow Symbol Ring features the bow-and-arrow iconography, available in our Hawkeye products collection.
4. Falcon and the Winter Soldier: who's worthy of the shield?
This series, the very first of Phase 4, follows Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes after Steve Rogers hands the Captain America shield to Sam at the end of Endgame. Sam initially hesitates to accept it, before the government names a highly controversial new official Captain America, John Walker.
Its importance for the Avengers' future
The series ends on a major turning point: Sam Wilson officially becomes the new Captain America, a choice explored in depth in our article Falcon: From Sam Wilson to the New Captain America. We also follow Bucky's path to redemption, covered in Winter Soldier: The Tormented Past of Bucky Barnes.
It's a key series for understanding the political tensions surrounding super heroes in the MCU, a theme inherited from Captain America: Civil War that resurfaces in the 6 Phases of the MCU Explained.
Want a souvenir of Bucky Barnes? The Funko Pop Winter Soldier Full Mask Figure #44 is one of the most popular items in our Winter Soldier products collection. For Falcon fans, head to our Falcon products collection.
Our ranking of the 4 series
Here's our ranking, based on narrative impact on the Avengers and each series' overall quality:
| Rank | Series | Why this ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loki | Direct, lasting impact on the entire Multiverse mythology |
| 2 | WandaVision | Formal originality and a major character transformation |
| 3 | Falcon and the Winter Soldier | Strong political stakes, the passing of the shield |
| 4 | Hawkeye | A great series, but less pivotal for the rest of the MCU |
This ranking remains subjective: many fans put WandaVision first for its narrative boldness, while others consider Hawkeye the most fun to watch as a family over the holidays.
What order to watch them in before Avengers: Doomsday
If you want to catch up before the next film comes out, here's the recommended chronological order, consistent with the MCU chronological order guide:
- 1. Falcon and the Winter Soldier — set a few weeks after Endgame
- 2. WandaVision — runs in parallel, a few weeks later
- 3. Loki — right after Endgame's climax (the 2012 Loki timeline)
- 4. Hawkeye — set during the holiday season, after WandaVision
To place these series within the saga as a whole, our Infinity Stones guide and our article on the Avengers' first meeting let you start back at the beginning if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I absolutely need to watch these series before Avengers: Doomsday?
Not strictly, but it's strongly recommended for Loki and WandaVision, which lay the groundwork for the Multiverse used in the film. Hawkeye and Falcon and the Winter Soldier are more optional but enrich your understanding of the characters.
Which series should I watch first if I'm short on time?
Loki remains the most strategic choice: its two seasons (12 episodes) alone explain most of the Multiverse, the central theme of MCU Phases 5 and 6.
Are there other Disney+ series tied to the Avengers?
Yes, including Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, and Agatha All Along (a direct WandaVision spin-off), but the four series in this guide remain the most directly connected to the Avengers team.
Are these series suitable for kids?
WandaVision and Loki tackle fairly mature themes (grief, psychological manipulation). Hawkeye is more family-friendly and suitable from age 10-12, as is Falcon and the Winter Soldier with parental guidance for some action scenes.
Where can I find merchandise from these series?
The store offers collections dedicated to each character: Scarlet Witch, Loki, Hawkeye, Vision, Falcon, and Winter Soldier, with figures, textiles, and decor items directly inspired by the series.
Go further into the Avengers universe
- Scarlet Witch: Chaos and Distorted Reality
- Loki: God of Mischief, Fans' Favorite Anti-Hero
- The Marvel Multiverse Explained Simply
- All the Avengers Heroes: Complete Character Guide
- Avengers Posters, to decorate your room in your favorite series' colors
The bottom line
WandaVision, Loki, Hawkeye, and Falcon and the Winter Soldier are no longer just spin-off series: they're an integral part of Avengers continuity and are actively setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday. If you can only watch one before the film comes out, go with Loki for the Multiverse; if you have more time, all four are well worth it. To keep the experience going, check out our Scarlet Witch products, Loki products, and Hawkeye products collections, which bring together the best merchandise inspired by these iconic series.