The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a movie franchise that stands out for its remarkable and sustained success. Notably, this franchise has achieved such extraordinary triumph that it has given rise to a multitude of television series, which are available for streaming on Disney+. As of now, Marvel has laid out plans for Phase 5, kicking off with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Secret Invasion, and Loki Season 2.

To get a deeper understanding of the interconnected storylines in The Marvels movie, here’s a breakdown and brief description of each movie/series that unravels the complex web of narratives that contribute to the overall plot and character development of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), and Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani).

Captain Marvel (2019)

The Captain Marvel film provides the foundation for getting a better understanding of Carol Danvers starring Brie Larson and the younger Monica Rambeau. Moreover, the movie delves into the conflict between two alien races, the Kree and the Skrulls, and the repercussions it has on the events of The Marvels. Keep an eye out for Carol’s best friend, Maria Rambeau, as she plays an integral role in the storyline.

Avengers Endgame (2019)

We know it’s a tad challenging to watch Endgame to comprehend all the tragedy and chaos within the movie. However, hear me out, the “Blip” scene with the resurrection of all the victims of Thanos’ snap has its aftermath in The Marvels. The Blip occurred after the Time Heist, in which the Avengers took Infinity Stones from different timelines to assemble the Nano Gauntlet, which Bruce Banner used to restore half of the universe’s population. The “Blip” may not have a profound impact on The Marvels’ storyline, but it helps to understand the overall plotline in the MCU Phase 5.

WandaVision (2021)

This MCU TV series shows the development of Monica Rambeau, who was tasked to save the townsfolk of Westview from the Hex forged by Wanda Maximoff. Repeatedly crossing the barrier of the Hex has led to a remarkable transformation in Rambeau’s physiology, granting her extraordinary powers. Following the resolution of the Westview crisis, Rambeau receives an invitation from a Skrull, who reveals that Nick Fury wishes for her to join S.A.B.E.R.

Ms. Marvel (2022)

Another Disney+ series set in the MCU, Ms. Marvel a.k.a Kamala Khan shines bright in The Marvels movie. She’s funny, empathetic, and most of all, plays a major role, particularly in the pivotal moments leading up to the conclusion.

To understand Kamala’s origins, it is important to delve into her background. She is a unique mutant hybrid, stemming from her great-grandmother, Aisha, who hails from the Noor dimension and was married to a human. During Aisha’s last moment, Kamala travelled back in time where Aisha bestowed upon her the family’s precious heirloom, a mystical bangle. This mystical bangle will shape Kamala’s destiny in meeting Captain Marvel and how the chaos happens in The Marvel film.

Secret Invasion (2023)

The Secret Invasion TV series serves as a continuation of the Captain Marvel storyline. This particular series delves into the Skrulls’ grand scheme to conquer Earth. Their strategy involves infiltrating key government agencies and military bases by assuming the appearance of humans. While the Skrulls’ involvement in the movie The Marvels may not be directly connected to the characters, they do play a role, albeit a brief one.

Are you ready to watch The Marvels? If you’re still feeling unsure, check out our spoiler-free review here.

Marvel Studios’ The Marvel premieres in Malaysian cinemas on 9 November 2023.