All Marvel movies and shows in order

Phase Five of the MCU is fully underway with films like Ant-Man: Quantumania and The Marvels hitting theaters. Next up is Deadpool and Wolverine, which is going to expand the multiverse by adding 21st Century Fox characters. Another new film, Captain America: Brave New World, should show more of what’s happened to Earth since the Blip.

The fourth phase saw the release of a remarkable number of new movies and Disney+ MCU series, nearly as many as the first three phases combined. Disney+ became a new platform for Marvel storytelling, introducing shows like WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, and Moon Knight to fans worldwide. In addition, new blockbuster movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiered during this phase. Not to mention, fans were also treated to Disney+ Special Presentations like Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special that ended the phase.

Marvel officially kicked off Phase Five with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. If you’re a fan of the MCU, you’re likely excited to see where this next chapter will go. But, if you’re feeling lost or uncertain about where to start or what to watch first in the MCU, don’t worry. We got you covered. Whether you’re looking to catch up before the release of Deadpool and Wolverine on July 26, or just need to refresh your memory, we’ve compiled a go-to watch guide that’s sure to satisfy all your Marvel cravings.

We’ve arranged everything in chronological order below, so you can easily follow along with the timeline of events as they unfold in the Marvel universe. And for those who want to spice things up a bit, we’ve included some alternative viewing orders at the end of this guide.

1 MCU timeline

Every Marvel movie and show in chronological order

Marvel

To understand and follow the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, watching the Marvel movies and shows in the order they were released won’t cut it. That’s why I’ve created a different Marvel movie order, arranged by when the events actually occur. Although Iron Man is considered the official start of the MCU, it’s not necessarily the first Marvel film you should watch. Instead, I recommend starting with Captain America: The First Avenger, which was released in 2011 and is the fifth film from Marvel Studios. The story begins in 1942, decades before Iron Man even comes onto the scene.

For this chronological watch guide, I’m featuring the Marvel feature movies and all the new Disney+ shows. I’ve included a spoiler-free version of the MCU’s chronological order. Below is a breakdown of how the chronological order differs from watching the films in the order of release, as well as information on where to watch the films.

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Where it all begins

Phase One of the MCU started off with the release of Iron Man in 2008, but the first film chronologically is 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. Phase One includes six films that introduce some of the biggest Marvel characters, culminating in the characters teaming up in 2012’s The Avengers. To watch the films chronologically though, you’ll need to fit in a later MCU film. Captain Marvel takes place in 1995, putting it after the original Captain America film in chronological order, but is technically a part of Phase Three of the MCU.

Captain Marvel actually fits perfectly here in a re-watch. It’s an origin story for an MCU character, which is a bit of a rarity outside of Phase One. It also fills out the backstory of the Tesseract, which is a huge part of the early days of the MCU culminating in Loki using it in the first Avengers film. The film also serves as a de facto origin story for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and why he wanted to create the Avengers. Here’s how to watch Phase One in chronological order.

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2 Captain America: The First Avenger

World War II in the MCU

While Captain America may have been the fifth film to come out of Marvel Studios, it’s the first on our list for a reason. The events of this film actually take place before those of Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor — all of which were released before Cap.

In Captain America: The First Avenger, we are introduced to Chris Evans’ portrayal of Steve Rogers, a scrawny and sickly man who volunteers for a top-secret experiment to create a super-soldier. The film takes place during World War II and follows Steve as he becomes the iconic Captain America and fights against the nefarious organization known as Hydra, led by the evil Red Skull.

Beyond introducing one of the most beloved superheroes in the MCU, this film also introduces the Tesseract, which we later discover is the first Infinity Stone. These powerful gems are scattered throughout the universe and have the ability to control reality. The Tesseract becomes a central plot point throughout the MCU, including in upcoming Avengers films.

3 Captain Marvel

A throwback as fun as the ’90s

The second film on our list made its debut in 2019. Captain Marvel, set in 1995, follows the story of the eponymous hero Carol Danvers, portrayed by Brie Larson, as she crash-lands on Earth and embarks on a mission to track down the shape-shifting Skrull aliens.

In addition to the gripping action scenes that are a staple of the MCU, the film is a real treat for anyone who grew up in the 90s. From scenes set in Blockbuster stores to nods to the days of dial-up internet, Captain Marvel is packed with nostalgic moments that are sure to delight audiences of all ages. It’s directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck who also wrote the screenplay.

The film also sheds light on some key backstory elements of the MCU, including the origin of Nick Fury’s famous eye-patch and the formation of the Avengers Initiative. And of course, the introduction of Carol Danvers as one of the most powerful heroes in the universe sets the stage for some major showdowns in future films. Brie Larson will reprise her role as Danvers in The Marvels which is due to hit theatres on 10 November.

4 Iron Man

The one that started it all

According to the official Marvel timeline, Iron Man is set in 2010 and is the film that kicked off the entire MCU. The story revolves around Tony Stark, played brilliantly by Robert Downey Jr., a genius inventor, philanthropist, and playboy.

After being captured by a terrorist organization, Stark is held captive and pressured to build the latest weapons system for his captors. Instead, he uses his ingenuity to design a powerful suit of armor that allows him to escape. This becomes the first iteration of the Iron Man suit, which he continues to develop and refine throughout the film and subsequent sequels.

Iron Man not only sets the stage for the MCU, but also introduces us to one of its most iconic and beloved characters. From Tony’s quick wit to his incredible tech creations, the film gives us a glimpse into the larger-than-life world of superheroes. Jon Favreau directed the film and played Tony’s bodyguard, Happy Hogan.

5 Iron Man 2

The first MCU sequel

Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first film left off, with Tony Stark struggling to deal with the aftermath of his Iron Man identity being revealed to the world. The government demands that he hand over the technology behind the suit, but Stark refuses to comply. This leads to a tense standoff that is made even more complicated by the arrival of a new villain, a weapons manufacturer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the coveted technology.

The film also introduces us to two other key members of the Avengers team: the Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, and War Machine, played by Don Cheadle. Of course, Jon Favreau also returned as Happy Hogan alongside his directing duties.

6 The Incredible Hulk

You won’t like him when he’s angry

7 Thor

Introducing the god of thunder

After being banished to Earth from Asgard by his father Odin, the mighty God of Thunder, Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth), must earn back his powers and regain control of his hammer, Mjolnir. This is no easy task, and he must prove his worthiness to wield the weapon once again.

Luckily, Thor finds an ally in Jane Foster, an Earth scientist played by Natalie Portman, who helps him navigate the complexities of life on our planet while also aiding him in his quest to set things right in Asgard. Meanwhile, his treacherous brother Loki is up to no good, and Thor must act fast to prevent him from assuming total control of their homeland.

8 The Avengers

Assemble!

The Avengers is the culmination of the so-called “Phase One” of the MCU. With all the main heroes introduced, the real challenge was finding something daunting enough to force them to work together. The film brings together characters such as Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, who must put aside their differences and unite to stop the nefarious plans of Loki and his army of aliens. The epic battle scenes and witty dialogue make The Avengers a must-see for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Expanding the Avengers

This era encapsulates most of phase two of MCU films. It kicks off by exploring the fallout of the Avengers saving New York City from an alien army by showing Tony Stark dealing with PTSD from the battle in the final solo Iron Man film. From there, there are plenty of new superheros, like Ant-Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy, as well as the introduction of some of the Infinity Stones that Thanos will go on to use in Phase Three.

I’m adding one film from Phase three to this section with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. While it was released a few years later than other films in Phase Two, it takes place just after the events of the first Guardians of the Galaxy Films.

9 Iron Man 3

Final standalone Iron Man film

The third and final standalone Iron Man film occurs six months after the tremendous fight in New York City. Tony Stark is grappling with the aftermath of the battle, which almost claimed his life. His experience prompts him to create a fleet of Iron Man suits, which he can employ at a moment’s notice. However, when a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin emerges, Tony must confront his most significant challenge yet, testing the mettle of both the man and the suit.

10 Thor: The Dark World

The second Thor film

In the second Thor film, our hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to Asgard following the invasion of New York City led by his mischievous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Unfortunately for Thor, he doesn’t have much time to catch his breath before an ancient enemy, the Dark Elves, resurfaces. Once believed to be extinct, the Dark Elves have returned to claim the Aether, a powerful weapon that is later discovered to be one of the six Infinity Stones, capable of granting immense power to its possessor. As Thor fights to protect the Nine Realms from the Dark Elves’ malevolent plan, he must also grapple with his complicated relationship with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who finds herself entangled in the conflict.

11 Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The second Captain film

Captain America has been working for S.H.I.E.L.D, a special government agency, since the events of The Avengers, but he finds himself questioning the organization’s motives as he uncovers more about its plans. To make matters worse, his closest friend returns from the dead as an adversary, the Winter Soldier, portrayed by Sebastian Stan. The film also introduces The Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie, who joins Captain America in his quest for justice against the shadowy forces that threaten to tear the world apart.

12 Guardians of the Galaxy

Meet the Guardians

Starring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, Guardians of the Galaxy follows the adventures of a rogue scavenger who stumbles across an Infinity Stone hidden in the ruins of an alien world. Faced with the daunting task of protecting the universe from the stone’s destructive powers, he assembles a team of misfits, including a talking raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot the talking tree, and others. United in their quest to stop Ronan the Accuser from using the Infinity Stone, the unlikely heroes must overcome their differences and work together to save the galaxy from certain doom.

13 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2

Second outing with the Guardians

Continuing from the original, this sequel takes place a few months later. Peter Quill finds himself increasingly enamored with Gamora, portrayed by Zoë Saldaña. However, his attention is diverted when he meets Ego, a deity-like entity portrayed by Kurt Russell, who forces him to confront his enigmatic past. Placing the Guardian of the Galaxy films within the MCU timeline presents a difficulty, as they are seemingly self-contained and predominantly set in the vast expanse of outer space. Despite this challenge, the film successfully weaves together the threads of the overarching MCU storyline. James Gunn also returned to write and direct this sequel.

14 Avengers: Age of Ultron

The Avengers assemble again

In this film, the Avengers assemble once again to face the repercussions of a misstep made by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner — the creation of an artificial intelligence named Ultron, with a voice provided by James Spader. The stakes are high, as even a single surviving Ultron unit can pose a grave threat to the Avengers. Alongside the original Avengers, the film also introduces fresh faces to the team — The Scarlet Witch (portrayed by Elizabeth Olson), Quicksilver (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and Vision (played by Paul Bettany), adding new dimensions and dynamics to the already stellar cast.

15 Ant-Man

On a microscopic scale

Ant-Man features Paul Rudd as a skilled thief, who is enlisted by Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym to wear the Ant-Man suit and prevent the technology from being misused as a weapon. However, Pym’s former protégé, portrayed by Corey Stoll, creates a similar suit named the Yellowjacket, leading to a confrontation between Ant-Man and the Yellowjacket. In a high-stakes battle that takes place on a microscopic scale, Ant-Man must use his powers to overcome the Yellowjacket and save the day. Ant-Man is directed by Peyton Reed who’s also directed the other two Ant-Man films in the MCU.

The Avengers have to reunite in order to fight their toughest foe yet.

The next chapter of the MCU sees the culmination of the Infinity Saga, with Thanos acquiring the five Infinity Stones and using them to wipe out half of all life in the universe, including some of Earth’s mightiest heroes. Before we get to Thanos, Phase Three starts off by splitting up the Avengers in Civil War, as Captain America and Iron Man come to blows. There are also plenty of new heroes introduced, including Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Doctor Strange.

This era of the MCU sees the inclusion of the first Disney+ series as well, with Loki and WandaVision both addressing the fallout from the Avengers trip through time and the final battle with Thanos. The Black Widow solo-film is also included in this section, because although it was released as a part of the MCU’s Phase Four, it takes place before Thanos begins his assault on Earth.

16 Captain America: Civil War

Showcases nearly every Avenger

Despite its title, Captain America: Civil War showcases nearly every Avenger in the franchise, including the addition of two new heroes — Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. However, tensions rise as the Avengers are torn apart into opposing factions over Captain America’s decision to defend his friend Bucky Barnes, who is believed to be responsible for the UN bombing. This rift leads to an epic clash between the two sides, as each member fights for what they believe is right.

17 Spider-Man: Homecoming

First solo Spidey film

Spider-Man takes center stage for his first solo adventure, battling against Michael Keaton’s menacing Vulture, a former construction worker turned black-market arms dealer, who has acquired dangerous technology left behind from the Battle of New York depicted in the first Avengers film. Meanwhile, Peter Parker also struggles to balance his superhero responsibilities with his high school life, including classes, extracurricular activities, and a crush on his classmate. With its fresh take on the beloved character and heartfelt coming-of-age moments, this film offers a standout addition to the MCU. John Watts directed this film along with the other two solo Spider-Man films.

18 Doctor Strange

Meet Stephen Strange

Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Stephen Strange, a skilled and arrogant surgeon who loses the use of his hands in a devastating accident. In his search for a cure, he embarks on a journey across the world, seeking out ancient knowledge and magic to restore his abilities. Eventually, he encounters The Ancient One, portrayed by Tilda Swinton, who becomes his mentor and guides him in the ways of the mystical arts.

19 Black Panther

Is this your King?

T’Challa, played by Chadwick Boseman, returns to Wakanda to ascend the throne and become king, following the events of Captain America: Civil War. However, he is faced with a dilemma — whether to maintain Wakanda’s tradition of isolationism or share their resources and technology with the world. Complicating matters further is the emergence of Eric Killmonger, portrayed by Michael B Jordan, who seeks to challenge T’Challa’s claim to the throne and has a personal vendetta against the Wakandan royal family.

20 Thor: Ragnarok

Thor’s third standalone film

In this third standalone film, Thor is exiled to the far reaches of space after the death of his father and the destruction of his legendary hammer at the hands of his vengeful sister, Hela, portrayed by Cate Blanchett. There, he becomes a gladiator, forced to battle against his former ally, the Hulk, who had been missing since the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. In order to defeat Hela and save Asgard from her wrath, Thor must form an unlikely alliance with the Hulk, Loki, and Tessa Thompson’s formidable Valkyrie.