- Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
- Insider rounds up callbacks to Marvel films, comics, and from the commentary you may have missed.
- The film has nods to "Spider-Man: No Way Home," Disney's first cartoon, and the "House of M" comic.
America Chavez and the variant Strange at the film's start are from universe 617.
Director Sam Raimi confirmed on the film's commentary that's the number they gave that universe in the script.
Chavez and Strange seek out the Book of Vishanti.
Wong (Benedict Wong) explains that it's a "magical book of pure good" that gives a Sorcerer whatever they need.
Defender Strange starts to tell America Chavez that "in the grand calculus of the multiverse, her sacrifice is worth more than" she realizes, but he gets cut off when he's mortally wounded.
That line is a throwback to "Spider-Man: No Way Home" when Doctor Strange tells Peter Parker that the alternate reality Spidey villains have to die and can't be saved.
In the 2021 film, Strange says, "In the grand calculus of the multiverse, their sacrifice means infinitely more than their lives."
When Strange wakes up at the film's start, the camera lingers on a broken watch.
That's the same watch that his former flame, Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), gave Strange.
The back of the broken watch has an inscription from Christine, reading: "Time will tell how much I love you."
The accessory is the only personal item that remains from Strange's life before the car accident that changed his whole trajectory.
"Multiverse of Madness" provides more context by later showing a flashback of the exact moment when Christine gifted Strange with the watch while dining together.
Strange sits next to Nic West at Palmer's wedding.
His hair looks a little different, but that's the same Dr. Nic West (played by Michael Stuhlbarg) who performed surgery on Strange for 11 hours in order to save his hands as best he could in 2016's "Doctor Strange."
Strange was upset to learn that West resorted to putting 11 stainless steel pins in his finger bones.
In "Multiverse of Madness," we learn that Nic, like Strange, was among the population who disappeared in the blip for five years at the end of "Avengers: Infinity War" when Thanos snapped away half of all living creatures in the universe.
Nic tells Dr. Strange that he often wonders if things really had to go the way they did with the blip.
Strange tells him that it was the only way for all of them to be saved.
The brief exchange between the two references the moment from "Avengers: Infinity War" in which Strange saw 14,000,605 possible outcomes to Thanos' plan. He claimed that the only way which led to Thanos' defeat was half the universe disappearing for five years and having Tony Stark die.
"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" screenwriter Michael Waldron has a cameo as the best man at Christine's wedding.
Waldron briefly appears early in the movie, drinking a martini after the wedding. In the credits, Waldron is listed as "Charlie's best man."
Waldon told /Film that "the backstory that I wrote for myself is that I was his best man at the wedding."
Doctor Strange's pocket square at Christine's wedding is the Cloak of Levitation.
You may have missed this on a first watch, but when Strange dives off the balcony at Christine's wedding to head into action, he whips the cloak out of his breast pocket. It instantly enlarges into the Cloak of Levitation and he flies off.
If you look at Strange in scenes beforehand, you'll notice that his pocket square is a red patch and you can see the moment he quickly pulls the cloak from his breast pocket.
Doctor Strange and Wong go up against a giant one-eyed monster in New York City.
That's Gargantos. In the film, the sea-monster is trying to capture America Chavez for Wanda. Chavez has the ability to easily traverse the many worlds of the multiverse.
In the comics, the Doctor Strange villain is called Shuma-Gorath. His name was changed in "Multiverse of Madness" due to a company named Heroic Signatures having the rights to the original character name.
Gargantos' eye is actually Elizabeth Olsen's eye.
"We actually took Lizzie Olsen's eyeball scan and had made this eyeball modeled after Lizzie Olsen's eye as a little foreshadowing for the real villain in the movie," Waldron said on the film's audio commentary.
We learn that Olsen's character, the Scarlet Witch, is controlling the actions of Gargantos. If you look closely at Gargantos in the NYC fight sequence, you can notice runes are all over its body.
America Chavez is wearing an LGBTQ+ pin.
In the comics, the teen dates an emergency medical technician in training named Lisa Halloran and, later, a superhero named Alloy aka Ramone Watts.
"It's important, as we always say, that these films represent the world as it is and the world outside your window," Marvel Studios' boss Kevin Feige told press, including Insider, during the film's press conference of accurately portraying Chavez on screen.
"That aspect of America's character is from the comics," Feige said of Chavez's sexuality. "So we always wanna adapt them as well and as truthfully as we can. I think when people see the movie, much like in life, it is not any one thing that defines any one character."
Additionally, America is wearing a gold necklace with her initials, "AC."
There are ads for magic tea in the background as Doctor Strange and Wong fight Gargantos in New York City.
The signs appear to foreshadow a moment later in the movie when Strange and America Chavez are tricked into drinking tea that's spiked while in another universe.
When Wong asks if there's anyone they know who deals with witchcraft, a familiar jingle starts to play.
It's part of Disney+'s "WandaVision" theme song. The scene then cuts to Wanda.
We see Wanda tucking in her sons, Tommy and Billy, in a nod to the "WandaVision" finale.
She tells them "You know, a family is forever."
We then realize Wanda is dreaming. Each night she's reliving the final time she saw her boys before they disappeared in the series finale of "WandaVision."
Wong reminds Strange that he's supposed to bow in the presence of the Sorcerer Supreme.
This is also a reminder to the audience.
In case people didn't watch "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (or forgot), the film explained that Wong became the new Sorcerer Supreme in Strange's five-year absence.
Doctor Strange still knows of Spider-Man.
This is revealed during a conversation that happens between America, Stephen, and Wong after fighting Gargantos in which America claims she's never heard of Spider-Man.
When America asks the two how much they know about the multiverse, Stephen says, "Most recently, there was an incident with Spider-Man."
In "Spider-Man: No Way Home," Strange cast a spell so no one, including himself, would know Peter Parker. Even so, it looks like he's still aware of the friendly neighborhood superhero. He just doesn't know his identity, which seems a bit weird since all of the superheroes seem to know each other for the most part.
The events of the "Loki" finale resulted in the alternate universes we see in "Multiverse of Madness."
This is never made super clear in "Doctor Strange 2," but at the film's premiere, Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige alluded to the fact that "Loki" in which one sacred timeline branched off into alternate realities, is responsible for the parallel universes in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and "Multiverse of Madness."
"Loki and Sylvie did something at the end of that series that sort of allowed all of this to be possible," Feige said. "He Who Remains is gone, and that allowed a spell to go wrong in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home,' which leads to the entire Multiverse going quite mad in this ['Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness']."
Wanda thinks that Strange has visited her in order to discuss what happened in Westview, New Jersey.
Stephen and Wanda reference the events of "WandaVision" while speaking at the apple orchard.
In the Disney+ show, which was released in 2021, Wanda put a hex on the suburban town of Westview, New Jersey — and controlled the residents — to create her own perfect reality with Vision and their two kids.
Strange makes fun of Clint Barton/Hawkeye's hairstyle.
In his conversation with Wanda, he mentions the "archer with the mohawk."
This was a nod to Jeremy Renner's character showing off a different, edgier haircut (and tattoos) in "Avengers: Endgame."
Strange also pokes fun at "bug-themed crime fighters."
He was probably referring to insect-inspired characters like Spider-Man, Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly).
Wanda reminds Strange that he gave Thanos the Time Stone in "Infinity War."
As Strange has explained many times, he gave the villain the stone because it was, in his mind, the only way to eventually defeat him.
Wanda calls herself the Scarlet Witch.
Wanda was finally given her comic-book name, Scarlet Witch, in the penultimate episode of "WandaVision." In the finale, she fully transformed into the Scarlet Witch after an explosion of chaos magic during a fight with Agatha Harkness.
Master Hamir makes a brief appearance.
Strange originally mistook Master Hamir for the Ancient One in 2016's "Doctor Strange." In "Multiverse of Madness," he was trying to protect America Chavez from the Scarlet Witch at Kamar Taj.
Wanda uses her power of mental manipulation during the attack on Kamar-Taj.
She gets in the mind of one of the young, weaker sorcerers and uses the opening to attack the grounds.
This power was first seen and used by Wanda against the Avengers in "Avengers: Age of Ultron." She also used the power against Agatha in the finale of "WandaVision."
Sam Raimi's long-time collaborator Bruce Campbell has a cameo as a street vendor who runs a Pizza Poppa food cart in another universe.
America unintentionally steals pizza balls from his truck, assuming that food is free in this universe. The Pizza Poppa accuses Stephen of stealing the Cloak of Levitation from the museum and Stephen places a spell on him where he starts punching himself that will last for about three weeks.
Campbell is a familiar face in director Sam Raimi's projects. The actor starred as Ash Williams in Raimi's "Evil Dead" franchise and had cameos in all three of the director's "Spider-Man" movies.
As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, this cameo was a direct nod to "Evil Dead II," in which Williams' hand becomes possessed and starts fighting him.
Wanda goes on a murder spree killing a group of newly introduced characters in a nod to a famous comic story.
In "Multiverse of Madness," Marvel pulled off a lesser version of 2005's "House of M" in which an emotional Wanda starts killing off major characters like Hawkeye and Ant-Man.
In that series, she winds up creating an alternate reality where all mutants are the dominant species before eventually wiping them out. The MCU hasn't truly reintroduced mutants yet to the films (despite re-introducing Professor X, one of the X-Men leaders).
Instead, the film shows Wanda ruthlessly killing off sorcerers in Kamar-Taj and a series of characters moments after they're introduced including Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Captain Marvel, Captain Carter, and Professor X.
Strange tells Wanda that she has no children, also pulling from the "House of M" comic.
In 2005's "House of M" comic, it's Professor X, not Doctor Strange, who tells Wanda that she has no children.
Stephen Strange is referred to as "Earth's mightiest hero" in another universe for giving his life to defeat Thanos.
In the Marvel-616 universe (the Marvel Cinematic Universe), the Avengers are referred to as "Earth's mightiest heroes."
We later learn in the film that Strange didn't live up to the ideals of the statue.
The bookstore across from the alternate universe's Sanctum Sanctorum that's run by Mordo is called McLeod Books.
This is likely a nod to Marvel comics artist Bob McLeod, who cocreated the New Mutants with writer Chris Claremont.
Billy and Tommy are watching an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon on a TV when we first see them.
Oswald was Walt Disney's first creation before Mickey Mouse along with co-creator Ub Iwerks for Universal Pictures in 1927.
Universal had the rights to Oswald until 2015 when Disney-owned ESPN traded sports announcer Al Michaels to NBC Sports for the rights to Oswald.
The short that Billy and Tommy are watching, directed by Walt Disney, is called "Sky Scrappers," which also features Oswald's girlfriend, Ortensia the cat.
Christine says she works at the Baxter Foundation.
In the comics, this foundation was founded by Franklin Storm, the father of Johnny and Sue Storm who eventually become endowed with superpowers and members of the Fantastic Four.
The movie introduces the Illuminati who reside in universe 838.
The Illuminati are a group of the world's brightest and most powerful superheroes who are supposed to protect the multiverse from massive threats.
In "Multiverse of Madness" the group, put together by a variant Doctor Strange, consists of Reed Richards (John Krasinski), Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), and Professor X (Patrick Stewart).
In the comics, there are a few different iterations of the Illuminati. The "Secret Wars" comic iteration is solely made up of seven men: Tony Stark, Black Panther, Namor, Doctor Strange, Captain America, Black Bolt, and Reed Richards.
Wanda wipes them out quickly in "Multiverse of Madness" as if they're a laughable threat.
According to the film's credits, the theme song for Disney+'s upcoming "X-Men '97" animated series plays during the film.
Disney recently announced that "X-Men '97" is an upcoming animated series coming to Disney+ that will be a sequel to the popular 1992 animated series.
Xavier's appearance in "Multiverse of Madness" feels like a teaser for the upcoming animated project since the version of Charles Xavier/Professor X that we see in the film is in the same yellow wheelchair that appears in the animated series.
Christine says she used the Sands of Nisanti to create the chambers in which she held America and Stephen.
The magical item prevents anyone from conjuring magic for three minutes.
Strange also mentions the Sands of Nisanti after he realizes Mordo has laced his tea to knock him and America out and bring them to the Illuminati.
Stephen namedrops the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and Hydra before he's introduced to the Illuminati.
All of these groups have been crucial in the history of the MCU.
HYDRA, a terrorist organization run by a Nazi named Johann Schmidt/Red Skull, was seen prominently in "Captain America: The First Avenger."
S.H.I.E.L.D. was founded by Howard Stark, Peggy Carter, and Chester Phillips in response to HYDRA. The purpose of the organization was to prevent major catastrophes.
The Avengers were formed by Nick Fury to defend Earth against the biggest threats.
Anson Mount reprised his role as Black Bolt from Marvel's canceled TV series, "Inhumans."
In "Multiverse of Madness," the character has a more comic-accurate suit.
The character has the ability to destroy planets with his sonic scream. Because of that, he usually stays silent and communicates through sign language as even a whisper can be quite damaging to the world around him.
Captain Carter is mentioned as a member of the Illuminati.
The comic character was introduced in Marvel's animated "What If...?" series. In another universe, Peggy Carter receives the super soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers and becomes an alternate version of Captain America.
Professor X says a powerful line that will take fans back to 2014.
In "Multiverse of Madness," Professor X says the following: "Just because someone stumbles and loses their way doesn't mean they're lost forever."
Professor X says that same dialogue in an emotional monologue to his younger self in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," when he tries to restore hope in a young, broken Charles Xavier.
Black Bolt's death is more unsettling when you realize how he died.
Wanda used magic to rid of the Inhuman's mouth as he was about to scream and kill the Scarlet Witch. Black Bolt wound up killing himself instead as his scream resounded in his own brain until it exploded.
Captain Carter tells Wanda "I could do this all day," a line famously spoken by Steve Rogers.
She says the line after Wanda asks, "Haven't you had enough?"
Chris Evans' character first said the line in "Captain America: The First Avenger," pre-super soldier serum, when he got beat up in an alley.
Despite his weak physique, Steve kept fighting and said: "I can do this all day."
During a fight against Tony Stark/Iron Man in "Captain America: Civil War," he refused to stand down, saying: "I could do this all day."
Then in "Avengers: Endgame," Steve fought against his 2012 version of himself after time-traveling.
The 2012 version of Steve said, "I can do this all day."
And in response, the older character said: "Yeah, I know. I know."
Wanda depletes Captain Marvel of her superpowers.
This is how Wanda's able to kill her by dropping a statue on top of the superhero.
Charles Xavier's death is more brutal when you realize Wanda didn't snap his neck.
If you thought Wanda snapped Charles Xavier's neck in "Multiverse of Madness," that wasn't the case.
Fans pointed out online that the Scarlet Witch actually tore his face in half Xavier was in her mind. When the scene is slowed down, you can see her hands brutally rip Xavier's face in opposite directions. For a moment, her appearance becomes slightly demonic.
When Professor X is inside Wanda's mind, there's a small TV to the left of the rubble that Wanda is buried in.
Take a look at the screen and it's playing scenes from "WandaVision." Noticeably, you can see moments from the premiere in which Wanda is with Vision in her wedding dress as seen above.
The entire scene with Charles Xavier in Wanda's mind is a throwback to Wanda's greatest trauma. She's trapped in the rubble from when her parents were killed in Sokovia.
A 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88, a car that's near and dear to director Sam Raimi, can be seen briefly late in the movie.
You can spot the Delta 88 floating in the sky when Doctor Strange and Christine enter Sinister Strange's universe.
The car has appeared in almost all of Raimi's films and was even the vehicle Uncle Ben used in "Spider-Man." According to a Starz feature, Raimi's father gave him a Delta 88 when he went to college and he used it while shooting "Evil Dead."
Christine uses a relic called the Brazier of Bom'Galiath to stop the souls of the damned from attacking Strange's body as he dreamwalks.
This is a callback to a small moment from "Doctor Strange." During a fight against Kaecilius in the film, Strange, still relatively new to the mystical arts, grabbed the relic.
Kaecilius, seeing that Stephen was unfamiliar with the object, said, "You don't know how to use that, do you?" Then Stephen hit him with it.
In "Multiverse of Madness," Christine's variant is knowledgeable about the relic. As she uses the light within it to scare off the souls, she says: "Go back to hell."
Near the film's end, Billy and Tommy call Wanda a witch.
She appears in front of them dressed as the Scarlet Witch as the two are watching "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," which can be seen in the background.
In the film, Snow White is trying to escape an evil witch. The boys likely draw a parallel between Wanda and the cartoon villain.
Disney is currently working on a live-action adaptation of Walt Disney's first animated film starring Rachel Zegler ("West Side Story").
Strange reveals he had a sister named Donna who died when he was a kid.
Strange said that they were playing on a frozen lake and she fell through the ice.
Donna originally appeared in a scene from 2016's "Doctor Strange," but it was cut from the final version of the film.
"Strange has a backstory where his sister died, that she drowned," director Scott Derrickson told Collider in 2016. "That had a real significant effect and probably was instrumental in him becoming a doctor."
"We shot that scene," he continued. "I loved that scene, it was a really great scene. It just didn't fit in the movie, it didn't work."
At the end of the movie, as Kamar-Taj is being rebuilt, Strange finally bows before Wong.
This is a callback to Wong's earlier line in the movie about bowing.
Doctor Strange gets a third eye at the film's end.
That's the all-seeing eye of Agamotto. In the MCU, Agamotto was the first Sorcerer Supreme of Earth.
The eye should grant Strange the ability to see through illusions, see events of the past, and reverse time.
A woman played by Charlize Theron shows up in the film's first end-credits scene.
That's Clea. In the comics, she is the niece of Dormammu, the villain that Strange went up against in 2016's "Doctor Strange." She's also the Sorcerer Supreme of the Dark Dimension.
At the end of "Multiverse of Madness," it looks like that's where Strange follows Clea.
In the comics, the two eventually become married.
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