Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — 3 Marvel movies and shows to watch first

Angela Bassett as Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
(Image credit: Annette Brown)

Ready to go watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Not so fast: I've got three Marvel movies and shows you should watch first. But, dear reader, don't worry. Just as I did with my Black Panther: Wakanda Forever review, this story is completely spoiler-free. That said, I get a little opaque — for your own good. 

The big thing you should do, which I did, is watch the first Black Panther. It's on Disney Plus, as you might have guessed (or known), like every Marvel movie that doesn't have "Spider-Man" or "The Incredible Hulk" in the title. 

This is a great way to re-familiarize yourself with the cast of characters in Wakanda, and everyone's favorite CIA agent: Everett Kenneth Ross (Martin Freeman). If you haven't seen the movie in a while, you'll get two perks in one viewing: enjoying one of the best MCU movies and reminding yourself how central grief is to the Black Panther story. 

Going into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, many will have Chadwick Boseman's tragic passing lingering in heads and hearts. But watching the first Black Panther again will remind you that death preceded that film as well, with King T'Chaka dying in Helmut Zemo's attack on the United Nations in Captain America: Civil War.

The former Wakandan king's death even plays a large role in that film. Vengeance for his death consumes others, and drives wedges between the Wakandan rulers. Also, rewatching Black Panther before you see Wakanda Forever may be an easy way to enter the sequel in a more emotional state, with Boseman's brilliance fresh in your mind.

Without spoiling anything from Wakanda Forever, I can say that you'll be happy you have some familiarity with the original when you watch the sequel. This isn't just about callbacks — it's about having an understanding about why people have the emotional baggage they do.

Watch Black Panther on Disney Plus

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gives Marvel completists a reward

If you've watched all of the MCU movies and shows, I think you'll probably be in good shape. That said, there are two I want to call out for ties that I frankly refuse to explain. And, unfortunately, neither is entirely beloved.

While watching Wakanda Forever, I was happy that I'd seen The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Black Widow. I don't champion either project, but thoroughness in consuming all of the MCU continues to pay off.

And that reward is a bit subtle — but it made my eyes widen as my brain started to calculate all the permutations. If you have to pick just one, I think Falcon and The Winter Soldier is the more important of the two.

If you ignore those two, and feel extra out of the loop? Don't blame me.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on Friday (Nov. 11, 2022).

TOPICS
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Read more
Anthony Mackie in "Captain America: Brave New World"
5 Marvel movies and shows you need to watch before 'Captain America: Brave New World'
The Avengers: Endgame poster shows many of the heroes you'll see when you watch the marvel movies in order
How to watch the Marvel movies in order
Anthony Mackie in "Captain America: Brave New World"
'Captain America: Brave New World' first reactions — here's what people are saying about Anthony Mackie as Cap, Harrison Ford's Red Hulk and more
Marvel's "Avengers: Doomsday" announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2024.
Every upcoming Marvel movie and TV show coming to the MCU
Captain America: Brave New World
5 biggest movies you need to watch in theaters in February 2025
'What If...? season 3' written in space
How to watch 'What If...?' season 3 online — stream the Marvel anthology series from anywhere today
Latest in Movies
Michael Fassbender in "Black Bag" (2025).
I watched 'Black Bag' and it's one of the best spy thrillers in years
Robert Pattinson in "Mickey 17" movie (2025)
‘Mickey 17’ is an unforgettable sci-fi fever dream — and Robert Pattinson steals the show
(L-R) Mark Eydelshteyn as Vanya and Mikey Madison as Anora "Ani" Mikheeva in "Anora"
Anora might win the Oscar for Best Picture and it shouldn't — here's why
Cover of Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey in "Better Man"
One of the most overlooked movies of 2025 so far is now streaming — and it deserves a second chance
Tom Cruise in the "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" trailer
Every movie trailer and teaser revealed during Super Bowl 2025 — ‘Thunderbolts,’ ‘Mission: Impossible’ and more
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps"
Marvel drops first trailer for new ‘Fantastic Four’ movie — and it might just revive my excitement for the MCU
Latest in Opinion
A close up image of the Apple Wallet app
iOS 18.4 adds a new way to track your spending — but I think Apple can go even further
A person plugging a coaxial cable into the wall
I finally added internet to my kitchen and all it took was my old cable TV wiring — here’s how
Apple Intelligence on an iPhone screen
Apple analysts sound alarm on Siri delay — here’s why
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
iOS 18 logo show on iPhone.
My favorite iOS 18.4 feature is ambient music — here's how to activate it
The Creator poster
Prime Video is about to lose one of my favorite sci-fi movies of the past 5 years — stream it before it’s too late