Avengers: Endgame Encore, a 2026 re-release of the 2019 juggernaut from Marvel Studios that served as the climax to the Infinity Saga of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), is absolutely worth seeing in theaters. It’s worth another trip to the big screen, not because of its marketable added content that plays into Avengers: Doomsday (2026) though that is icing on the cake, but because it’s a stark reminder of what the MCU can do when it is firing on all cylinders and building on what has come before. It is not uncommon for big movies to a get a theatrical re-release, typically on big milestone anniversaries or when another film in the franchise is on the way, so I won’t entertain any online hate that the ‘Encore’ presentation is just a cash grab and not worthwhile when you can simply watch it in the comfort of your own home. Of course, in this business the goal is to make money, but re-releases aren’t planned unless there is perceived demand for it and clearly this is one of the most popular and profitable films of all time. In fact, it appears to be dominating the box office in its opening weekend according to Deadline and stands to make between $24-26 million domestic. I am not alone in stating that Avengers: Endgame (much like Avengers: Infinity War the year before it) is one of the best experiences in a movie theater full stop; heck I could name 5 moments from the third act ‘portals’ sequence alone that make it one of the most entertaining watches.
Spoilers for Avengers: Endgame Encore (specifically the added Doomsday-related content) ahead!
The Russo Brothers (Directors Joe and Anthony Russo) have a proven track record of directing some of the strongest entries in the MCU, including Captain America’s The Winter Soldier and Civil War as well as the devastating 1-2 punch that is Avengers’ Infinity War and Endgame films, which allows for a sufficient baseline of hype for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday releasing on December 18, 2026. I will say that while I’m sure you could get by without having seen the bonus content included in this ‘Encore’ screening, it certainly gets one properly amped up for a follow-up Avengers film. I’ll cover the added material in detail and then close out with a top 5 moments from that 3rd act to reaffirm why a re-watch is highly recommended.
The first surprise in Avengers: Endgame Encore is a doozy, which even goes so far as to change the original ending, so I will save that for last as it will likely have the most divisive reaction. The first mid-credit scene involves Bruce Banner, having locked himself deep underground in a bunker after his rage-Hulk incident in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), who is now working on a stronger Gamma-suppression serum. While attempting to document his progress on film, there is a warble in the camera footage and a flickering power surge as we hear the MCU’s ultimate big bad Dr. Doom himself address ‘Mister Banner’ and tell him he is collecting him (for no doubt nefarious purposes). This is exciting as it gives some insight or intrigue to what exactly Dr. Doom is doing to get the edge on the rest of the heroes of the MCU. If he is able to utilize the monster that is Hulk, who knows what else he is capable of in his conquest of the multiverse.
I say conquest, yet no strong villain views themselves as the bad guy, so it’s probable that Victor von Doom is rather trying to save the multiverse in his own warped way and looks at heroes such as The Avengers as the problem. Another cutscene involves the TVA (Time Variance Authority) which you would recognize from such MCU projects as the Loki series and the Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) film. In this sequence, we see some familiar TVA faces, and they are dealing with a crisis of multiple incursions where universes are colliding with one another and in some cases multiple Earth’s are fighting each other for survival. One screen shows Earth-10005 going to war with another Earth, which is interesting as that is the tag (where 616 is the main MCU’s timeline) associated with the Fox X-Men universe. Incursions have been mentioned in the MCU, but to see it playing out in this way appears to be further confirmation that the upcoming Avengers’ Doomsday and Secret Wars films will be heavily adapting the 2015 Jonathan Hickman run of Secret Wars where God Emperor Doom builds his own Battleworld in an attempt to salvage the collapsing multiverse.
Finally, we must talk about the tweak to Endgame’s ending, which according to Anthony Russo during a 92NY post-screening Q&A at an exclusive live event held on September 24, 2026, in New York City, is the spark that catapults Avengers: Doomsday forward. In an extended look (involving reshoots) at the original ending sequence of Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter sharing a dance and a kiss in what seemed to illustrate their ‘happily-ever-after’, it is revealed that there is a knock on the door and an incursion with Loki (specifically alt-2012 Loki of Endgame and his own title series on Disney Plus) God of Stories who says he can help them both. While this certainly alludes to Cap’s involvement in Doomsday (he also appears in the trailer for the film), it is a tricky tightrope that the Russo’s are walking now. Dr. Doom is my favourite comic book villain, so despite the fact that he will be played by a returning founding father Robert Downey Jr. and that his entrance comes at the expense of the original ending of my favourite MCU film to date in Endgame, I am waiting with bated breath to see how it all plays out. The final moment in the theater still gave me chills, however, it is instantly followed-up with the realization that Cap does not get to live his happy life as intended and will seemingly be thrown right back into the fight. I guess the hope right now is that the events of Avengers: Doomsday will be worthy to justify this narrative adjustment. It feels like this firmly thrusts the next Avengers instalment into a high-risk high-reward territory.
As with most MCU films, there is incentive to stay until after the credits. I would say the detail in the post-credits surprise for Endgame Encore is small but still leaves you with a lasting impact and some hope that the story the Russo Brothers are telling is going to be worth the trip back to the well so to speak. Originally, the only thing that came after the credits in Avengers: Endgame was the Marvel Studios logo and the sound of Tony Stark hitting the iron forming that original suit (in a cave, with a box of scraps) in Iron Man (2008). This was fitting at the time because audiences were just settling in to the reality that the MCU has lost its godfather to his ultimate sacrifice with the Infinity Stones, so this was a nice tribute. The Encore post-credit surprise does things differently, while still showing the Marvel Studios logo with the familiar sound of metal clanging on metal, only this time we get a glimpse of Dr. Doom creating his mask. After a brief haunting flash of Doom’s face, the audience files out of the theater with some satisfying reassurances that the choice to have Robert Downey Jr. play the role of the MCU’s greatest villain following 10 years of playing it’s most pivotal hero was made for good reasons other than the obvious financial motivation. There is a fascinating parallel between Iron Man and Doctor Doom that can be explored here, and the re-purposing of the Iron Man origin into the Dr. Doom origin is a nice tease at those possibilities.
As stated earlier, the most invested of MCU fans will be running wild with theories conjured up by the bonus material of Avengers: Endgame Encore, however, a return to The Avengers franchise’s most recent blockbuster provides many moments that are worth the price of admission. Here are 5 of my favourite moments in order of which they occur:
- Cap is ‘Worthy’ of wielding Mjolnir
When the main trinity of Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America confront 2014 Thanos and seem to be down and out, the audience is rejuvenated when Mjolnir is hurled at Thanos and it is revealed that it was actually Steve Rogers, who is evidently also worthy of wielding Mjolnir in addition to Thor and Vision. Recall that this possibility was teased in a comedic moment in Avengers: Age of Ultron when The Avengers were taking turns trying to lift Thor’s hammer.
2. “On your left.” (Portals)
The final act of Endgame is littered with crowd-pleasing moments, but few are more awe-inspiring than Cap standing up to the entirety of Thanos’ army only to come to realize that he is not alone. Following a comms update from Falcon, a portal opens up to the left of Captain America from which Black Panther steps through, followed by countless others that bring armies to the Avengers’ aide. The payoff of “on your left” comes from Steve having said that to Sam Wilson over and over while jogging in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
3. Avengers Assemble
Another payoff received from this hopeful sequence that results in a comic book splash page of epic proportions comes from Cap’s rally cry (also teased at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron). What better place setting to utter the famous ‘Avengers Assemble’ line than the final fight against Thanos and his army, and Cap wielding Mjolnir is the extra icing on the cake!
4. “Rain fire.”
There are countless cool fight sequence moments in the final act of Endgame, but one of my favourites is when Thanos is overwhelmed by The Scarlet Witch and is forced to rain fire down on his own troops in order to level the playing field and survive Wanda’s attacks. This just showcases Wanda Maximoff’s power set, who clearly can go toe-to-toe with the MCU’s big bad. I like that this is explored more in the WandaVision series on Disney Plus, the first MCU project post-Avengers: Endgame.
5. I am Iron Man
Possibly saving the best or most impactful for last, the fight finally comes to an end when Thanos thinks he has retrieved all six Infinity Stones once again, claiming “I am inevitable.” Tony Stark, having exchanged glances with Dr. Strange intimating that this is the one probability where they actually win, retorts with “I am Iron Man” and reveals that he actually recovered the stones with a victory snap. This line is not only a clever call back to the first MCU film Iron Man (2008), but also represents the core Avengers’ philosophy in the face of danger: you may threaten our freedoms, but the Avengers will find a way to avenge (save the day). Tony Stark and Steve Rogers first went head-to-head with each other in The Avengers (2012) claiming Cap needed to get a life while being accused of never being the guy to make the sacrifice play. Iron Man concludes his iconic arc with the ultimate sacrifice, while Captain America seemingly decides to live the life that was stolen from him with Peggy Carter the love of his life (though this seems to be the inciting incident for Doomsday).
Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026. Catch Avengers: Endgame Encore in theaters now.
