What movie(s) must I watch to prepare for Avengers Campus?

[wishing4PA]

I remember, before my DD's first trip to WDW, when she was only 4 1/2, making sure to show her quite a lot of Disney movies so she'd be familiar with most of the main characters there. I know you can go to Disney World without knowing any of them, but I felt it would enhance her enjoyment of the place.

Now, we currently have park reservations at DCA for 3 days in August, and of course we are hoping to get into Avengers Campus. DD loved the Spiderman movie, the one with Miles Morales, so we wound up getting that one and I watched it once. I also got sucked into Wanda Vision by the kitchy first couple of episodes. And I think I watched one Superman movie in my life. Other than that, I don't know superheroes much at all. I tend to get bored with "battles" no matter the genre, and it always seemed to me the plot to every superhero movie or comic is just (1) have evil villain who threatens to destroy Earth or the solar system or the universe and (2) have some person with one amazing "super" ability who nearly gets killed by the villain but ends up destroying or imprisoning said villain before going back to secret regular person incognito life.

So what movies are "essential" for me to watch to enhance my enjoyment of DCA? I'm hoping it's a short list, but I don't want to completely miss anything major.

 

[kristensideaoffun]

The kind of super hero movies you are thinking of that tend to share that plot line are more of DC character movies (like Superman, a character you won’t find at DCA because he is not a Marvel character). The Marvel Avengers super hero movies tend to follow different story lines. Yes, there is usually a villain and a battle, but most of the heroes don’t live incognito lives. The world (universe) knows who they are. And for the Avengers movies, the plot line spans across four movies. In addition, much of the plots for the individual character movies thread into the Avengers movies.

But if you’re not that into super hero movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes I and II and Antman would be great movies to watch. They are pretty much anti-hero heroes and my daughter (and I) think they are hilarious. And I’d say you should watch the first Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland, since the ride is based off this movie/that character.

 

[dieumeye]

Buckle up. The land is based around Marvel comics characters in a series of movies that take place in what’s called the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a series of 23+ films released over the past 10-15 years that tell a huge overarching story of individual characters’ origins and intertwined plots.

For the most part, each character has their own “origin” movie where you learn about that individual character. Plus, there are also movies (the “Avengers” series) where all these individuals team up.

You don’t need to watch every film, but it’s hard to just pick a couple because they all feed into each other in a chronological way.

If I had to pick just a few, I’d say...

Iron Man (2008)*
Captain America (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)*
Ant-Man (2015)*
Captain America Civil War (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)*
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Black Panther (2017)
Spider-Man Homecoming (2017)*
Avengers Infinity War (2018)
Avengers End Game (2019)

And already that list is probably much longer than you’d like and skips a lot of good movies!

* these 5 starred movies introduce the characters that have an attraction or dining location in the land. The entire land is set on an old Tony Stark (Iron Man) property. The two ride attractions are based on Spider Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. Pym Foods dining location is based on Ant Man characters. Doctor Strange has a show/meet & greet area.

 

[wishing4PA]

Buckle up.

Yikes!
There goes my June and July free time!
Thank you. I guess that narrows it down a bit?

 

[wishing4PA]

The kind of super hero movies you are thinking of that tend to share that plot line are more of DC character movies (like Superman, a character you won’t find at DCA because he is not a Marvel character). The Marvel Avengers super hero movies tend to follow different story lines. Yes, there is usually a villain and a battle, but most of the heroes don’t live incognito lives. The world (universe) knows who they are. And for the Avengers movies, the plot line spans across four movies. In addition, much of the plots for the individual character movies thread into the Avengers movies.

But if you’re not that into super hero movies, Guardians of the Galaxy Volumes I and II and Antman would be great movies to watch. They are pretty much anti-hero heroes and my daughter (and I) think they are hilarious. And I’d say you should watch the first Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland, since the ride is based off this movie/that character.

I had noticed that Superman wasn't in any of the DCA ads. Makes sense lol.
Interesting that the MCA heroes aren't incognito! I just assumed... as one shouldn't. Or rather extrapolated from the little bit I did know such as Superman -- oh yes, I forgot about the old Batman series when I was a kid... so between the two, that's probably where I got the incognito idea.
It looks like you and the poster after you (which I read first) both agree on Antman and Guardians, so I'll have to at least watch those.
Thanks for your response.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I have to agree that most of the movies are special effects battles and I have fallen asleep watching almost every one of them. Guardians of the Galaxy and Antman were more interesting. I'd almost classify Antman is something else entirely because it held my attention.

You can use Google to see how to watch the movies in order because many of the characters show up in multiple movies and it's nice to have the background relationships down.

 

[Iceman93]

You've gotten some great advice here, but I just want to point out that you could watch NONE of the movies and still have a great time. Try to imagine visiting Galaxy's Edge having never seen a Star Wars movie. Sure, you might not know why there are people walking around in white plastic armor suits and why so many people have little swords that light up, but the land itself would still be enjoyable. "Marvel Land" is even more universal than that--everyone understands superheroes, good vs. evil, etc. You may not catch all the inside jokes and easter eggs, but that shouldn't detract from the fun.

 

[wishing4PA]

You've gotten some great advice here, but I just want to point out that you could watch NONE of the movies and still have a great time. Try to imagine visiting Galaxy's Edge having never seen a Star Wars movie. Sure, you might not know why there are people walking around in white plastic armor suits and why so many people have little swords that light up, but the land itself would still be enjoyable. "Marvel Land" is even more universal than that--everyone understands superheroes, good vs. evil, etc. You may not catch all the inside jokes and easter eggs, but that shouldn't detract from the fun.

That's a good point. I did see several of the SW movies, but I only remember the first one to any extent. For those of us around when it came out, it was quite the phenomenon, but to me it was a good story on its own, but I just never got interested much in the others. Yet I still want to visit GE.
It might help a bit that I know Chewy and R2D2 and (kind of) BB-8. I think if I watch just a few of those suggested movies I'll enjoy Avengers Campus a lot more in the same way.
And when I said to DD that I might want to watch some of the movies, she replied "we can do a marathon". So ... well, I'll see how it goes.

 

[Winnowill]

Heck, I actively DISLIKE the Star Wars movies (still have never seen Return of the Jedi), and I'm still looking forward to seeing Galaxy's Edge for the first time next month.

 

[midnight star]

You've gotten some great advice here, but I just want to point out that you could watch NONE of the movies and still have a great time. Try to imagine visiting Galaxy's Edge having never seen a Star Wars movie. Sure, you might not know why there are people walking around in white plastic armor suits and why so many people have little swords that light up, but the land itself would still be enjoyable. "Marvel Land" is even more universal than that--everyone understands superheroes, good vs. evil, etc. You may not catch all the inside jokes and easter eggs, but that shouldn't detract from the fun.

I was someone who never saw one Star Wars movie and was in love with SWGE. Disney is really good at designing stuff to catch everyone’s attention.

 

[YoDisney]

U mean you didn't go on the 23 film binge during shelter in place to prep for this?

 

[Tattylou]

My family has been watching the Marvel movies in timeline order- I’m enjoying them way more than I expected and love how it all intertwines and connects from movie to movie!!

 

[edhmom]

My MIL is coming with us in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure she's watched any of the Marvel movies (gasp!). We are going to encourage her to watch:
Guardians of the Galaxy
Ant Man
Black Panther
Spiderman
Dr. Strange

 

[mouschievous]

I don't like superhero movies for the same reason as you - I find the battles boring. I have enjoyed several of the Marvel movies (and I play games on my phone when the battles get to be too much ) If you have Disney+, they have the movies in release order, and I think chronological order too.

As a non-superhero liking person, I LOVED Iron Man, Captain America and Ant Man. We haven't gotten to Ant Man and the Wasp yet, but I think I will like that one as well. I didn't love Dr Strange to start with, but the longer the movie went on the more I enjoyed it. I didn't care for Guardians so much, but I did really like the second Guardians, go figure. I also like the first Spiderman, with Tom Holland.

Personally, I thought Black Panther was boring (sorry!), and I don't love the Thor movies. Also, Disney+ doesn't have Hulk, but I've heard it's really bad anyway. We didn't watch it and never felt like we missed out on anything.

 

[wishing4PA]

Personally, I thought Black Panther was boring (sorry!), and I don't love the Thor movies. Also, Disney+ doesn't have Hulk, but I've heard it's really bad anyway. We didn't watch it and never felt like we missed out on anything.

I'm disappointed to read that about Black Panther, b/c based on a few articles and all the media buzz, I'd thought it might be one of the good ones. I'll probably give it a chance anyhow, but if I end up being bored by it, at least I'll know I have a kindred soul out there!
We haven't started our mini-marathon yet, b/c DD has been wrapped up in end-of-year stuff (like exams.)
Again, I appreciate everyone's comments and help.

 

[Winnowill]

I'm disappointed to read that about Black Panther, b/c based on a few articles and all the media buzz, I'd thought it might be one of the good ones. I'll probably give it a chance anyhow, but if I end up being bored by it, at least I'll know I have a kindred soul out there!
We haven't started our mini-marathon yet, b/c DD has been wrapped up in end-of-year stuff (like exams.)
Again, I appreciate everyone's comments and help.

I agree with @mouschievous re: Black Panther. It seemed to go on FOREVER, and every time it seemed it was almost over it launched a new story arc. But it is important to the main story, so I'd give it a go, anyway.

 

[Matrixleos]

When I said to DD that I might want to watch some of the movies, she replied "we can do a marathon". So ... well, I'll see how it goes.

Just wanted to check in and see how your marathon of the MCU movies is going? Lot's of great advice here. I think minimum if you watched Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, Black Panther and both Avengers Infinity War and Avengers End Game, that will get you all caught up on all the characters that will appear while you visit Avengers Campus.

 

[wishing4PA]

Just wanted to check in and see how your marathon of the MCU movies is going? Lot's of great advice here. I think minimum if you watched Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, Black Panther and both Avengers Infinity War and Avengers End Game, that will get you all caught up on all the characters that will appear while you visit Avengers Campus.

Well, we're not quite there yet. The "marathon" got delayed by end of school tests, etc., and now has devolved into us watching one movie on whatever evening DD didn't have something going on of more pressing interest to her.
So far I've watched:
Iron Man (2008)*
Captain America (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
and Captain America and the Winter Soldier, b/c it was July 4th and another Captain America movie just seemed the thing to do. I like the Captain America character and story a lot, and I'm warming up quite a bit to Natasha, too, so overall I enjoyed that movie, though I could have cut out about 15 minutes of battling during which I started getting bored/antsy.
Next up (and going back to dieumeye's list above) is Guardians of the Galaxy.
Overall I'm liking these films a lot more than I expected to!

 

[kbelle8995]

Actually I love Black Panther due to the strong female characters that are in the Movie. I love Captain America the first Avenger due the the WWII backdrop as it an era I researched and studied. I also will admit I Thor Ragnorak it makes me Laugh really alot. The director makes fun of superhero genre but it affectionate about it at the same time.

I would give Black Panther a shot. I love Batman but DC is so dark lately I prefer Marvel for the Humor. I also enjoyed the Ant-man movies but I love Paul Rudd so take that into consideration. I especially Love Civil War.

On Disney Plus they also have a program where you get the gist of the characters but don't have to sit throught the whole movie. It's only for the characters that they have programs on Disney + so it's Wanda, Loki, Sam Wilson and anyone who is part of the programs