Must-Watch MCU Movies & Shows Before Loki Season 2 - You Won't Want to Miss!

Summary

Loki's MCU journey has transformed him from a jealous brother in 2011's

Thor

to a selfless hero with the goal of protecting the multiverse in 2023's

Loki

season 2.

a significant way. He has learned from his past and is now more cunning and determined than ever. As he navigates through the chaos caused by the Council of Kangs, the new Loki proves to be a formidable force.

Loki

season 1 and continues to do so as he reunites with Sylvie to prevent the multiverse from collapsing in

Loki

season 2.

In Loki season 2, the God of Mischief, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, continues his journey in the MCU. With six movies, one show, and a significant post-credits appearance, Loki's character has undergone significant development. From a jealous brother to a formidable villain and ultimately a selfless hero, every action and choice he has made throughout his extensive lifespan informs his motivations in the upcoming season. Driven by guilt, Loki is determined to protect the entire multiverse from a much greater threat.

Despite faking his death multiple times, the existence of the multiverse has allowed Loki to outlive some of the Avengers, including Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow. In season 1, Loki was given another chance to prove his worth after the death of the original Loki. Now, he is one step closer to confronting the Council of Kangs, the primary adversaries of the Multiverse Saga. Before reuniting with Mobius M. Mobius and Sylvie, a brief recap of Loki's journey throughout the MCU over the years could be beneficial.

8 Thor

Thor's introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Kenneth Branagh's 2011 film not only establishes the majestic realm of Asgard but also delves into the ancient history and mythology of the Nine Realms. In a parallel to Norse myths and Marvel Comics, Thor reveals that the MCU's Loki is actually of Ice Giant descent, having been abandoned by his father Laufey in a temple on Jotunheim. However, Odin, the ruler of Asgard, saves Loki and raises him as his own son, concealing his true lineage. It is only after a millennium that Loki discovers the truth, harboring a deep resentment within him. This resentment drives him to sabotage Thor's coronation and unleash the formidable Destroyer automaton upon Asgard. While Thor manages to thwart Loki's plans, the deceitful demigod escapes Asgard by throwing himself off the Bifrost bridge, hurtling into the vastness of outer space.

7 The Avengers

Following the events of Thor, Loki is recruited by Thanos and dispatched to Earth with the mission of retrieving the Tesseract. Driven by both vengeance and the influence of the Mind Stone, Loki initiates an invasion with the assistance of the Chitauri. However, the Avengers unite for the first time and successfully defeat Loki. Thor then returns his brother to Asgard where he can face trial in his own realm. The Avengers movie holds great significance in Loki's journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it not only develops his dynamics with the Avengers but also serves as the launching point for Loki's future travels across the multiverse in seasons 1 and 2 of the Loki series.

6 Thor: The Dark World

While Thor: The Dark World has often been criticized as one of the weakest installments in the MCU's Infinity Saga, it features some of Loki's most compelling character developments. In the midst of the assault on Asgard by Malekith and his Dark Elves, Thor finds himself compelled to seek Loki's assistance, despite the latter's recent arrest. Surprisingly, Loki appears to have turned over a new leaf and selflessly sacrifices himself in order to vanquish Malekith's ally, Kurse. However, this act of apparent redemption is merely an illusion, as Loki manages to survive the conflicts of Thor: The Dark World and exploits the chaos between Asgardians and Dark Elves to overthrow Odin and assume his identity. While Loki's intricate scheme goes off without a hitch, it sets in motion a devastating chain of events that may be deemed one of the most catastrophic in the entire MCU.

5 Thor: Ragnarok

It doesn't take long for Thor to realize that Loki is impersonating Odin. However, his confrontation comes too late as the Asgardian brothers reunite with Odin during his final moments. The absence of Odin allows Hela, Thor and Loki's sister, to return and seize control of Asgard. She ruthlessly destroys Thor's hammer and takes over the realm. By chance, Loki and Thor find themselves in the realm of the Grandmaster, where they gather a team consisting of Hulk, Valkyrie, and Korg in an attempt to save Asgard. Sadly, their efforts fail and Hela, aided by the demon Surtur, annihilates Asgard. Despite having stolen the powerful Tesseract from Asgard, Loki harbors genuine intentions of assisting Thor in rebuilding Asgard on Earth. However, their plans are abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Thanos, cutting short Loki's brave endeavor.

4 Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War's opening sequence establishes an intense and heartbreaking narrative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Thanos arrives. The formidable Mad Titan ruthlessly eliminates Heimdall and numerous Asgardians, brutally defeats Hulk, and captures Thor. Thanos then demands the Tesseract from Loki, who courageously makes a final effort to rectify his past mistakes and confronts Thanos. Tragically, Thanos ends Loki's life by snapping his neck, ensuring his demise. Avengers: Infinity War solidifies the definitive death of the original Loki, a fate that remains absolute and unalterable, impervious to the powers of the Infinity Stones or any other means.

3 Avengers: Endgame

Loki is given another opportunity to become a hero following his demise, thanks to the Avengers' intricate time-travel endeavors in Avengers: Endgame. While attempting to retrieve the Infinity Stones from various moments in the past, the Avengers encounter a minor setback resulting in the 2012 version of Loki seizing hold of the Tesseract. Although the Avengers ultimately succeed in safeguarding the integrity of the MCU's timeline by returning the Infinity Stones to their rightful places in history, 2012 Loki manages to evade capture, absconding with the Tesseract. Subsequently, the Time Variance Authority intervenes, erasing him from the timeline and transporting him to the TVA's headquarters, situated beyond the reaches of time and space.

2 Loki Season 1

The new variant of Loki has not experienced the same events as the original Loki, but the TVA catches him up. Watching his own death in Avengers: Infinity War and seeing the pain he caused, Loki is motivated to abandon his villainous persona and explore the consequences of a mischievous life. However, being outside of time and space, Loki can only follow the TVA's instructions. As he forms a friendship with TVA agent Mobius M. Mobius, Loki begins to question the true nature of the TVA's main threat, his female counterpart Sylvie, and realizes that she may not be as evil as they claim.

Together, Loki and Sylvie uncover the hidden truth about the TVA: all agents have had their memories wiped and have been manipulated into believing that serving the TVA is their sole purpose. Their investigation leads them to the Void, a place where pruned Loki variants reside. With the help of other Loki variants, they are able to defeat the terrifying creature known as Alioth and gain access to the Citadel at the End of Time. There, they meet the enigmatic creator of the TVA, a being called He Who Remains.

The first season of Loki concludes with a dark turn of events, as Sylvie kills He Who Remains and sends Loki back to the TVA headquarters. Despite their victory, it becomes clear that the multiverse is already in chaos and their efforts may have been in vain.

1 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania, a new character named Kang the Conqueror, who is the most powerful and ruthless variant of Kang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is introduced. Kang poses a threat to the organized multiverse envisioned by the Council of Kangs, as mentioned by He Who Remains in Loki season 1. Despite being trapped in the Quantum Realm, Ant-Man and his family find themselves in a position where they must overthrow Kang's rule. They seemingly succeed in killing him using his own multiversal engine. However, Ant-Man remains skeptical about Kang's demise, and the mid-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania suggests that the Council of Kangs recognizes Kang's apparent death as a signal to reveal themselves to the multiverse.

Furthermore, the post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania directly sets up Loki season 2 by introducing another variant of Kang named Victor Timely. Victor appears to be working on manipulating time during the late 19th or early 20th century. Loki persuades Mobius to assist him in investigating this matter, leading to the confirmation that Kang's variants already exist at various points in the timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From this point onward, Loki is determined to reunite with Sylvie and embark on a quest to prevent the multiverse from falling apart in Loki season 2.