You Don't Really Need To See WandaVision Before Doctor Strange 2, But Is That A Good Thing? - /Film (2024)

BySarah Milner/May 6, 2022 11:00 am EST

Although Sam Raimi's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" continues directly from the events of the Disney+ series "WandaVision," the feature film is carefully constructed to work as an independent story — sort of.

Even as the Marvel Cinematic Universe becomes increasingly complex, with each movie being intertextually bound to those that came before (and those it is setting up), there are efforts made to ensure that each title works as a standalone entry. Still, with the "Doctor Strange" sequel being the 28th entry in the film franchise (not to mention the sixpreceding Disney+ series) there's a lot of existing history in this universe for the stories to deal with. No matter how much exposition is offered to help the audience keep up, the experience is dependent on one's knowledge of not just the Marvel Comics, but the MCU itself. Those who are all-in will just simply get more out of the movie.

"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is ostensibly a sequel to 2016's "Doctor Strange" — but let's be honest, it's really a sequel to everything in the MCU that culminated with "Avengers: Endgame." Within the first act, a character references The Blip and Thanos. What's surprising though, is how much this MCU movie is set up by "WandaVision," despite that being a Disney+ series rather than an MCU film.

From this point forward, there are massive SPOILERS for "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." Proceed with caution.

Does WandaVision even matter?

You Don't Really Need To See WandaVision Before Doctor Strange 2, But Is That A Good Thing? - /Film (5)

Marvel Studios

The MCU's willingness to make "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" work as its own story without viewers having seen "WandaVision" or even "Spider-Man: No Way Home" is, in a way, commendable; however, some real narrative issues arise as a result of this, especially regarding character development. This also obviously raises the question: if you don't need to have seen "WandaVision" to enjoy its conclusion in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," does the Disney+ show even matter? What about the rest of the Disney+ Marvel offerings — will they have anyreal consequence on the movie universe?

Putting aside the intertextual game of connecting various MCU plot threads and character appearances, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" does actually present a real narrative problem. Even though you don't need to have seen "WandaVision" to understand and appreciate the MCU movie, the movie's story is fundamentally the conclusion to the Disney+ show. In "WandaVision," Wanda gives birth to two twin boys; she essentially creates a new reality where she can live the suburban, nuclear family dream with her lover — who was killed by Thanos — Vision (hence the show's name). Tragically, none of it is "real," and the show ends with her righting the reality of Westview; however, the "WandaVision" post-credits scene shows her learning from a book called the Darkhold, and discovering her boys do exist — somewhere.

"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is constructed in such a way that you can understand the plot without any of this background information; however, the story is obviously richer for those who have seen "WandaVision." Everything that's happened to Wanda Maximoff since her last movie appearance — becoming the Scarlet Witch, getting her hands on the Darkhold, discovering her two boys — happens in "WandaVision." In order to compensate for that, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" makes her motivation overt and simple; unfortunately, it does so at the cost of her character arc. The Scarlet Witch is a pure villain in this movie, committing unimaginably cruel and selfish acts that contradict not only her growth in the "Avengers" movies, but also her sacrifice at the end of "WandaVision." The series ended with her giving up what she so desperately wanted because she knew it was the right thing to do; here, she's doing the complete opposite with no explanation given. She's become a completely different character.

The Marvel TV shows have limited impact on the greater MCU

You Don't Really Need To See WandaVision Before Doctor Strange 2, But Is That A Good Thing? - /Film (6)

Disney+

A lot had to happen offscreen for Wanda to get to the point where she not only has mastered the Darkhold, but is ethically so corrupt that she would send demons after a defenseless teenage girl with the intent of murdering her for her powers — let alone kill her former ally Stephen Strange, and heroes from other universes. And Wanda is steadfast in her plan — at no point does she seem hesitant to deliver the fatal blow or question if what's she's doing is right. While it was fun to see figures like "Captain Carter" — who was actually set up by "What If..." — getting to fight, Scarlet Witch tore through them pretty easily. Sure, the multiverse means viewers get to see the heroes die horribly without it affecting the MCU's future (although I'm not super sure why that's something people would WANT to see), and it's nice to see Scarlet Witch really embracing her powers; however, it doesn't quite feel earned, partially because of how "WandaVision" ends. This violence is visceral and up-close and horrific. Arguably, this movie completely undoes the TV show.

This creates a contradiction within the MCU: previously, having seen the entirety of Marvel Studios' offerings meant a better viewing experience, since there was more reward to be had by recognizing Easter eggs, cameos, and potential set-ups. In the case of "WandaVision," however, having seen it actually makes "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" feel out of sync. Yes, it provides context for what the Darkhold is and why Wanda suddenly wants children so bad, but the character ends in such a different place from where she is at the start of this movie that it feels abrupt and unsettling. Why spend so much time building up a redeemed character only to have her step into a purely antagonistic role in the franchise?

The way that Wanda's story is handled in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" heavily implies that the TV shows won't have much of an impact on the movie world. Clearly, the emphasis is still on the MCU's main storylines, which may be supplemented by the TV shows — but not in the ways that count. It's a shame that Wanda experienced so much personal growth during her time in Westview, only to devolve into a corrupt, completely irredeemable monster in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." Hopefully, the character journeys in the other Disney+ shows like "Loki" and "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" will have more relevance in the MCU.

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You Don't Really Need To See WandaVision Before Doctor Strange 2, But Is That A Good Thing? - /Film (2024)

FAQs

You Don't Really Need To See WandaVision Before Doctor Strange 2, But Is That A Good Thing? - /Film? ›

"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is constructed in such a way that you can understand the plot without any of this background information; however, the story is obviously richer for those who have seen "WandaVision." Everything that's happened to Wanda Maximoff since her last movie appearance — becoming ...

Is it necessary to watch WandaVision before Doctor Strange 2? ›

Marvel's first official canonical TV series definitely deserves a binge watch before "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." And that's because, one, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff is a prominent player in the new movie -- and, two, because "WandaVision" helps sets the stage for "Multiverse of Madness."

Is WandaVision important to Dr Strange? ›

WandaVision itself makes the connection; composer Michael Giacchino's Doctor Strange theme plays over the credits scene, and Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) says outright that Wanda's newfound power is going to put her higher on the magical totem pole than Strange himself. "The Scarlet Witch is not born, she is forged.

Should I watch WandaVision for Multiverse of Madness? ›

If you haven't caught up on the series, we'd highly recommend giving WandaVision a watch before heading out to see Multiverse of Madness as doing so will have to give you a better understanding of the events Wanda went through before we catch up with her in the film.

Was WandaVision supposed to come out after Dr Strange 2? ›

So important was WandaVision to Multiverse of Madness that the movie was originally intended to hit theaters just weeks after the finale. While production schedules forced things to rearrange, the show still has clear connections to the film.

Can I skip WandaVision? ›

Don't listen to the pleb fanboys, you can skip to Episode 4 and still understand the story, skipping episode 1 is fine. Ultimately if you enjoy the rest you can go back and watch it.

What episodes of What If do I need to watch before Doctor Strange 2? ›

“What If…?” (2021)

More specifically, viewers looking to familiarize themselves with the lore “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” draws on should watch (at the very least) the first and fourth episode of this animated multiversal series, “What If… Captain Carter Were the First Avenger?” and “What If…

Why did Wanda lose her accent? ›

The Russo brothers, who directed Infinity War and Endgame, once said that Wanda intentionally dropped the accent because she was training to be a spy and the accent would give her away.

Why did they ruin Scarlet Witch? ›

Doctor Strange 2 Robs Scarlet Witch of All Agency

Wanda was corrupted after she read it, like the Doctor Stranges of two universes, and in the end its spell was only broken when Scarlet Witch saw her children were terrified of her.

Why is Wanda so mad in Multiverse of Madness? ›

Compared to the threat of a Sinister Strange in the making, the Scarlet Witch was only grieving on her terms. Instead of helping her with grief, the sorcerer became an obstacle in her way, which fueled Wanda's rage and made her killing more ruthless than ever.

Who is the girl at the beginning of Multiverse of Madness? ›

Actress Xochitl Gomez made her MCU debut in Multiverse of Madness as the Marvel comics hero, America Chavez.

What should I watch after WandaVision? ›

Meanwhile, below you can find the Marvel TV shows in chronological viewing order:
  • Werewolf By Night (TBC)
  • Loki (after Endgame, but outside of the main timeline – read more on Loki's timeline)
  • WandaVision (2023)
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2023)
  • Hawkeye (2024)
  • Moon Knight (2025)
  • She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2025)

What happened to Wanda after Multiverse of Madness? ›

When she realized the errors of her ways, Wanda decided to do what she could, and so sacrificed herself by destroying Mount Wundagore. She forced the hallowed mountain on which the Darkhold was created to crumble around her.

What did Wanda say to herself in Doctor Strange? ›

After her Earth-838 self tells her “Know that they'll be loved,” the Scarlet Witch says that no one will use the power of the Darkhold again.

Why is Wanda so strong in Doctor Strange 2? ›

While Captain Marvel received her powers after being exposed to an Infinity Stone, WandaVision reveals that Wanda's exposure to the Mind Stone amplified powers she was unaware she had already possessed.

What did Wanda say to Scarlet Witch in Dr Strange? ›

After all the destruction the Scarlet Witch caused, Earth-838's Wanda ends her tirade with a single line; "Know that they'll be loved."

How necessary is WandaVision? ›

You have to watch WandaVision to understand why Wanda is on a killing spree. Oops, spoilers. The series explains it well and you can get more insight into her powers. It's basically the foundation leading into Doctor Strange 2.

Is WandaVision worth it? ›

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany are the highlights of the series, they make a very good couple with their characters. WandaVision is a series that begins as a fun comedy and then offers the dose of special effects that are never lacking in Marvel installments. My rating for this series is 8/10.

Is WandaVision over forever? ›

No, It's definitely a limited series,” Olsen said.

What to prepare before watching Dr Strange 2? ›

seems like it's going to be relevant to Marvel's new movie.
  1. Avengers: Age of Ultron.
  2. Captain America: Civil War.
  3. Avengers: Infinity War.
  4. Avengers: Endgame.
  5. “What If... Zombies?!”
  6. WandaVision.
Jun 22, 2022

Can you watch Dr Strange 2 without watching Marvel? ›

The good news is, despite Multiverse of Madness being a sprawling adventure, you won't need to rewatch the entire MCU before Doctor Strange 2.

Is there anything I need to know before watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? ›

Watching WandaVision and No Way Home is highly recommended before watching Multiverse of Madness, especially the former. The MCU doesn't focus much on Maximoff before the series, so if you want to understand her, then it's a good idea to give that show a watch.

Did Wanda Maximoff lose her accent? ›

It's no wonder that as soon as she creates the false Westview, her Sokovian accent is replaced with an American one. Her sitcom plots take place in the US, and so even though she acknowledges that she's from Europe in the first episode, her character is thoroughly American.

Is vision and Jarvis the same? ›

J.A.R.V.I.S. is an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, who later controls his Iron Man and Hulkbuster armor for him. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, after being partially destroyed by Ultron, J.A.R.V.I.S. is given physical form as Vision, physically portrayed by Bettany.

What language does Wanda speak? ›

Wanda (also, known as Ichiwanda, Iciwanda, Kiwanda, Vanda, Wandia) is a Bantu language of Tanzania. It is considered a vulnerable language with less than 43,000 native speakers worldwide. At least half of Wanda people speak limited Swahili, one of the official languages of Tanzania.

Why was Dr Strange 2 bad? ›

First and foremost, the directing was clumsy and campy, and did not serve the content in the slightest. Sam Raimi, known for the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films and assorted zombie flicks, managed to make Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness look more like a cheesy, artsy independent film.

Is Wanda more powerful than Thor? ›

Wanda was still a formidable adversary, capable of tipping the scales in favor of Ultron (James Spader) or the Avengers, depending on who she was helping. Still, without her Chaos Magic from Marvel Comics, Wanda was not more powerful than Thor or Hulk.

Was Scarlet Witch meant to destroy the world? ›

“The Scarlet Witch is not born; she is forged. She has no coven or need for incantation. Her power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme. It is her destiny to destroy the world.

Who was lady at end of Dr Strange 2? ›

In a post credits scene, Strange is once again walking happily through the West Village, clearly over his third eye incident, when a woman approaches him. It's none other than Charlize Theron, playing Clea, the daughter of Dormammu, the big, fiery villain from the first Doctor Strange movie.

Why didn t Wanda care about Vision in Multiverse of Madness? ›

Wanda was only interested in getting her kids back, but they were never with Vision, who likely would have been their father as he was in WandaVision. Olsen also revealed to Collider that the decision was made for her character to only seek out a universe where it was just her and her kids.

Why is Scarlet Witch so powerful? ›

The source of Wanda's unnatural abilities stem from a two-fold base; unparalleled mastery of actual magic and an innate power to warp reality. Due to exposure to mystic energies and forces at an early age, Wanda may reshape reality to various extremes.

What is Doctor Strange third eye? ›

Doctor Strange's third eye (the Eye of Agamotto) in the comics, according to Bustle, represents wisdom of the sorcerer Agamotto and his Vishanti. The Eye allows him to see the true intentions of his enemies and break down all magical illusions.

Who is the LGBTQ character in Doctor Strange multiverse? ›

In the film the character Chavez is a teenager from another planet who has the ability to move between dimensions by punching open gateways. The film also acknowledges that Chavez is gay, as in the comics.

Who is the purple lady at the end of Doctor Strange? ›

Clea appears in a mid-credits scene of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, portrayed by Charlize Theron. Following the events of the film, she approaches Dr.

Who is the strongest Avenger? ›

Thor. The title of Strongest and Most Powerful Avenger belongs to none other than the god of thunder. He was once the King of Asgard before passing the crown to Valkyrie.

Will Wanda return after Multiverse of Madness? ›

MCU Phase 4 finally gave Wanda Maximoff her due, kicking off the Multiverse Saga with WandaVision. Her story progressed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she was deemed dead at the end of the film, but it has always been an accepted fact that it's only a matter of time before she re-emerges.

Will Deadpool be in the MCU? ›

Ryan Reynolds and his titular role are in good hands as Deadpool 3 is slated to make its MCU debut on May 3, 2024. In addition to teaming up with Marvel Studios, Reynolds is set to reunite with Shawn Levy who's helming the film. Oh, and who else is getting in on the action? Hugh Jackman, of course.

Who can beat Wanda after Multiverse of Madness? ›

Wanda Mastered Her Powers After Clashing with Thanos

Before Multiverse of Madness, she was strong but not that powerful. That's why the Infinity Stones-powered Thanos could withstand Wanda's attack in Wakanda and then defeat her and destroy Vision.

Who is the most powerful Marvel character? ›

Hercules / Zeus

In fact, he is considered by many authorities to be the physically strongest character Marvel has ever created. According to legend, he replaced Atlas in holding the sky on his shoulders.

Is Scarlet Witch the most powerful Avenger? ›

The MCU's Infinity Saga introduced a huge cast of superheroes with a wide array of abilities. We rated the strength of each Avenger on a scale of 1 to 10, using evidence from the 23 movies. Scarlet Witch was ranked the strongest. Captain Marvel and Thor rounded out the top three.

What happened to 838 Wanda? ›

Wanda Maximoff lived with her sons, Billy Maximoff and Tommy Maximoff when her body was possessed via dreamwalking through the Darkhold by her Earth-199999 counterpart; who used it to infiltrate the Illuminati and kill all of their members. After Wanda's body was released she returned home.

Why did Wanda look at the camera in Doctor Strange? ›

Why does Wanda look into the camera? The reason is simple: She's aware that we're watching. It's what happened in WandaVision when she knew people like Darcy were monitoring her, and I'm sure in this case, the message is that she knows that those looking for her are keeping tabs on what she's doing.

Did Wanda turn evil in Doctor Strange? ›

She then played a significant role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as the film's villain, effectively turning against the values of a hero. Those familiar with her know her story is plagued with trauma, and all she ever truly wanted was an idyllic life with the people she loved.

Can Wanda defeat Thor? ›

Thor is great at close-range combat, too, which is one of Wanda's weak points. Captain Marvel and Captain Carter were able to get in a few blows before succumbing to the Scarlet Witch, and that is because they got close enough to her to do it.

Who is the weakest Avenger? ›

Hawkeye/Clint Barton

Although he is an extremely skilled marksman, Clint Barton is often considered to be the weakest member of the team seeing as he's just a regular guy with a bow and arrow. That certainly means that Hawkeye one of the weakest Avengers.

What did good Wanda say to bad Wanda? ›

At the end of Multiverse of Madness, when 838-Wanda approaches the Scarlet Witch, she tells her, "Know that they'll be loved." At this, the witch gives up on her quest and seems to accept the fact that she won't have the family she's always wanted.

Did Wanda know she was the Scarlet Witch? ›

Before WandaVision, Wanda did not realize she was a witch. She assumed her powers came from the mind stone when she and her brother were test subjects for Hydra. Once Wanda fully embraces her identity as The Scarlet Witch, she finally begins to understand the infinite amount of power with which she is embued.

Why did Wanda call Strange a hypocrite? ›

Wanda aptly counters that his perception of her is hypocritical as Strange is constantly breaking the rules and bending morality without much reason. Wanda points out that Strange gave up the Time Stone, which allowed Thanos to win, and he faced no consequences, while Wanda lost the love of her life.

Do I need to watch series before Multiverse of Madness? ›

The first two sections are what you should watch if you hope to pick up on all the important story beats of Doctor Strange's latest adventure. They're probably not necessary for understanding the story, but watching these six movies, two series, and two episodes will help quite a bit.

What movies should you watch before Dr Strange? ›

List of Movies To Watch Before Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
  • Doctor Strange 2016.
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home.
  • Avengers: Infinity War.
  • Avengers: Endgame.
  • Fantastic Four movies.
  • X-Men movies.
May 5, 2022

Is it necessary to watch WandaVision series? ›

Even though you don't need to have seen "WandaVision" to understand and appreciate the MCU movie, the movie's story is fundamentally the conclusion to the Disney+ show.

Is WandaVision a must watch? ›

You have to watch WandaVision to understand why Wanda is on a killing spree. Oops, spoilers. The series explains it well and you can get more insight into her powers. It's basically the foundation leading into Doctor Strange 2.

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