8 Must-Watch MCU Titles Before Ironheart Hits Disney+!

In preparation for the debut of the series “Ironheart“, Marvel Studios has suggested eight TV shows and films that Marvel Universe enthusiasts should watch ahead of time. Starring Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, “Ironheart” chronicles a brilliant young inventor taking over from Robert Downey Jr.’s character Tony Stark and creating her own armored superhero suit. Since Riri has not been prominently featured in many Marvel projects yet, it’s essential for fans to revisit these important titles to fully immerse themselves in the world of “Ironheart“.

As a dedicated cinephile eagerly anticipating the premiere of “Ironheart”, I’ve been intrigued by Disney+’s recommended viewing list in preparation for its release. This collection includes some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most pivotal journeys, showcasing characters from the enigmatic Doctor Strange to the regal Black Panther.

Fans noticed the latest addition on Disney+’s official Ironheart landing page, where they list potential titles for all their projects, usually displayed beneath where new episodes become available.

Generally speaking, these selections are carefully chosen (particularly for significant productions such as Ironheart), often because they have a storyline or thematic link, or else because they appear to be an intriguing follow-up that a fan of the given project might enjoy watching.

On June 24th, Tuesday, you can find Ironheart streaming on Disney+. This new series will be unique as it’s divided into two sets of three episodes each, making it the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series to follow this release pattern. The main character, Ironheart, is portrayed by Dominique Thorne, while Anthony Ramos takes on the role of the antagonist Hood, Shea Couleé plays Slug, and Alden Ehrenreich acts as Joe McGillicuddy in the show.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d describe it like this: In my hometown of Chicago, I find myself entangled in an extraordinary conflict between magic and technology, after encountering The Hood. As a prodigious inventor, I’m challenged to merge science and sorcery to vanquish this fresh adversary, all while crafting something truly legendary.

Every MCU Movie and TV Show To Watch Before Ironheart 

Iron Man

Without a doubt, the Ironheart should definitely include the entire trilogy of Iron Man movies on their watchlist. The first Iron Man film from 2008 marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing viewers to Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark – a billionaire inventor who, after a near-death experience, chooses to abandon his arms manufacturing business and transform into the iconic superhero, Iron Man.

In the original “Iron Man” film, there’s an intriguing link to the character Ironheart. A key plot point from the 2008 movie is set to reappear in the upcoming series, with speculation that the son of Obadiah Stane, the antagonist from that first Marvel Cinematic Universe film, could be involved in the thrilling narrative.

Iron Man 2

In much the same vein as how Tony Stark left his mark in Iron Man 2, you could say that Ironheart and the journey of Riri Williams bear a striking resemblance to those events. The 2010 Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel found Tony Stark grappling with adversaries who sought to undermine his newly esteemed reputation – namely, the formidable Whiplash and Justin Hammer.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there’s no known interaction between Riri Williams and Tony Stark. However, Stark’s impact is evident in Riri’s story as the young superhero strives to create something comparable to what the celebrated inventor-turned-Avenger achieved.

Iron Man 3

In 2013, Iron Man 3 concluded the Iron Man trilogy. Although it shares the Tony-to-Riri connection found in other films within this franchise, it also presents a fresh kind of adversary for Tony Stark’s tech-focused hero: Ben Kingsley portrays The Mandarin.

Instead of Kingley truly being the person he claimed, there are hints suggesting a potential link, which opens up possibilities for Tony Stark encountering different characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond his known tech-genius personas.

Doctor Strange

In a tech versus magic conflict, Ironheart is supported by Iron Man’s technological abilities, while Doctor Strange stands for magic. The 2016 movie introduced viewers to the magical side of the Marvel universe, centering around Benedict Cumberbatch’s character, Stephen Strange, who transforms into his enchanted persona, Doctor Strange.

The initial “Strange” film features a noticeable link to “Ironheart” through their primary adversaries. In the comics, the villain known as The Hood obtains his powers from the cosmic entity, Dormammu – an adversary of Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

In the sequel titled “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness“, we find Stephen Strange’s story continuing after the events of “Avengers: Endgame“. Here, Strange encounters Scarlet Witch who is grieving, and there are indications that her attempts to rescue her two sons could inadvertently be causing a rift in multiple universes.

In all likelihood, the connection between “Doctor Strange 2” and “Ironheart” stems from their shared emphasis on magic. This is suggested as Riri Williams appears set to employ magical elements in enhancing her Iron Man-esque armor in the upcoming series.

Black Panther

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, any journey to Ironheart passes through Wakanda. Given this connection, it is logical that both of Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther movies were included in Marvel Studios’ recommended viewing list for their upcoming streaming series.

In the initial Black Panther movie, Riri Williams wasn’t present, but it paved the way for her introduction in the subsequent film by establishing significant characters such as Letitia Wright’s Shuri and the fictional African nation of Wakanda.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

The movie “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” aimed to accomplish several tasks within Marvel Studios’ line of superhero stories. It was designed to serve as a heartfelt homage to the late Chadwick Boseman (the star of the initial “Black Panther” film), determine who would assume the Black Panther mantle next, and introduce Dominique Thorne’s character, Riri Williams.

The movie excelled in all its key areas, with Thorne’s teen protagonist being recruited as Letitia Wright’s Shuri embarked on a quest to find Riri following the revelation that she had created a device capable of detecting Talokan for the CIA. Riri Williams then became part of the storyline, adopting the Ironheart identity and donning a custom-made suit designed by the Wakandans.

What If…?

In a different Marvel Universe, apart from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Riri Williams made her other appearance. This was during the third season of Marvel Studios’ animated series, “What If…?” It was Episode 5 of that season where she took the lead role. In this alternate reality, Quentin Beck (known as Mysterio) had seized control of Stark Industries and built a lethal army of self-governing robots.

In the context of Ironheart, the multiverse tale may not reappear in a significant fashion due to existing outside the current MCU timeline; however, it provided fans with an early glimpse into Riri Williams’ penchant for crime-fighting, well before her Disney+ series made its debut.

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2025-06-19 02:39