As I sit here and procrastinate writing this article, I think of all the times I put off watching or reading things that would grow into being a part of who I am today. It took me 10 years to fall in love with Harry Potter, which then blossomed into a lifetime obsession with anything even remotely related to the wizarding world, as well as a love for reading itself. It also took me around the same time to watch my first superhero movie, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Homecoming; followed by Thor: Ragnarok, which then resulted in my dad sitting me down every other night and showing me each and every movie of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in chronological order. Now, I have seen just about every single MCU or otherwise Marvel movie that is available on Disney+, with the exception of a few, which will not be named because I already have a bounty on my head for my crimes on media. Along with the additional evidence of my ability to absolutely sweep the floor during Marvel trivia, I can wholeheartedly call myself a hardcore, die-hard fan of all things Marvel. That being said, I felt a great (yet unnecessary) obligation to provide my input on the hype surrounding Marvel’s most anticipated and arguably significant project since 2019, Avengers: Doomsday.
I would like to preface this by saying all my knowledge of the Fantastic Four lore is purely based on the MCU’s latest Fantastic Four: The First Steps (2025), as well as Fantastic Four (2015). Ten years apart, and they could not be more different; both in quality and consumability. For those possibly not familiar with the infamous Doctor Doom, allow me to paint a somewhat educated picture. Victor von Doom, a child prodigy fueled by the grief of his late mother, spent his childhood honing the skills of science and magic. After a face-altering incident that Doom blames on his nemesis, Richard Reed—future Mr. Fantastic—he aimlessly roams the world before being taken in by a tribe of Tibetan monks, who help him forge his iconic suit of armor and iron mask. Doom then turns his attention to the ruling and betterment of humanity, which he intends to enforce with his now literal iron fist.
With the generational lineup of cinema this year and incredible blockbusters being released practically every month, Doomsday is easily one of, if not the most anticipated film of 2026. Every Marvel fan has been counting down the days of its premiere like it’s a prison sentence. However, in the days leading up to its release, I can’t help but feel a sense of dread. That’s not to say I do not have multiple reminders in my calendar, because I have most definitely taken it upon myself to make sure every member of my family is alerted when we’re less than 7 days away. I’m simply worried that the release date is starting to feel less like a day that some people have been waiting years for and more like a due date for a significantly grade-impacting project. A deadline to catch up with everything that’s happened since the last major team-up movie, Avengers: Endgame, or, for some, everything that’s happened throughout the entire MCU. There are over 30 movies and 18 shows that at least somewhat influence or impact the story that is set to grace the big screens on December 18. Over 550 hours of backstories, character development, and sacrifice have all (for the most part) led to the battle of the century.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been dying for an excuse to execute a Marvel rewatch, and there isn’t a single one better than the preparation for Avengers: Doomsday. Reliving every emotional moment and hysterical laugh that has woven its way into my heart is the opposite of a chore. I am overjoyed to witness such a monumental milestone in a franchise I hold so near and dear to my heart. I, personally, am simply trying my best to keep up with everything occurring in this vast multiverse, while also not centering my life around a release date. No matter how much I love Marvel, I cannot spend my days rewatching movie after movie and episode after episode. At the end of the day, whether I watched that one end-credit scene or noticed that 2-second Easter egg, the little girl inside me will be equally thrilled to see this movie either way. Therefore, I shall bide my time, doing schoolwork, focusing on priorities, and perhaps watching a Marvel movie or two in my spare time while I wait for December 18 to arrive. When the big day comes, I sincerely hope to leave that cinema with a full heart, an empty popcorn bucket, and tears streaming down my face.
(Side note: I do not care what they say, the Scarlet Witch is alive and most DEFINITELY making an appearance. She is a beloved and crucial character who I refuse to believe died in such an unbelievable send-off. We did not see a body; therefore, she is not dead. I will be inconsolable if this is not true, so it had better be.)