The long-awaited release of Avengers: Endgame was not only the sequel of Avengers: Infinity War, but rather the fantastic and nostalgic conclusion to the 22 movie Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Right before he disintegrates in Infinity War, Marvels’ Doctor Strange told Tony Stark “There was no other way” to save the universe other than the sequence of events that would follow their defeat. Breaking the fourth wall, there was no other way this chapter of the MCU, now known as the “Infinity Saga”, could come to a close.

For many Marvel fans who have been watching amazing superhero movies for a decade, the latest installment easily ranks among the best.

Unlike most of the other MCU movies that can be somewhat treated as standalone films, Avengers: Endgame is a reward for the fans that have been with the franchise since the beginning.

If you have not seen all of the 21 movies released before Endgame, you might not get every reference, line, or plot point. However, you will not be hopelessly confused so long as you have watched Infinity War.

Specific Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that you should watch if you don’t have enough time for all of them include: The Avengers, Doctor Strange, Antman and the Wasp, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

With a three hour runtime (that seems significantly less), bathroom breaks may be necessary for some, but should only be taken in the first 45 minutes of the movie. After that, leaving your seat would be a huge mistake.

From the end credits to the endgame…

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) April 22, 2019

There are no mid-credit or post-credit scenes at the end of this movie, for the first time in the MCU. I was initially disappointed when the lights came on following the credits — and a collective groan rose up from the crowded theatre. But just like the movie, it represents the satisfying end of an era.

Of course there are future Marvel Studios movies are in the works, including Spider-Man: Far From Home, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3, Black Widow, Doctor Strange 2, and Black Panther 2. Various new franchises are also reported to be in the works like The Eternals and Shang-Chi.

But for now, Avengers: Endgame is the appropriately epic conclusion to the stories of 21 other movies, hundreds of punchlines, thousands of punches, and for millions of fans.