So, you're ready to jump into the incredible world of superheroes, cosmic battles, and Earth-shattering events? That's really something, isn't it? Maybe you've seen a few films here and there, or perhaps you're completely new to the whole thing. Either way, figuring out where to begin with the vast collection of Marvel stories can feel a bit like trying to find your way through a giant, exciting maze. We hear you, and we're here to help make sense of it all.
You might be asking yourself, "Want the best way to watch the marvel cinematic universe?" It's a fair question, and honestly, there's more than one good answer. Some folks prefer to watch things exactly as they came out in theaters, which is a very traditional approach. Others, though, really like to see the story unfold in the order the events actually happen within the story itself. It's a different kind of experience, you know, a bit like watching history play out.
Now suit up, because we're bringing a list of the marvel movies in order to you. We'll explore both popular ways to enjoy these fantastic tales. For your timekeeping benefit, here's a list of every single MCU title, both movies and TV shows, in chronological order, and we'll also show you the release order. This way, you can pick the path that feels just right for your own adventure. Just a heads up, there are spoilers ahead for the entire marvel cinematic universe, so proceed with a little bit of caution if you're trying to avoid knowing too much.
Table of Contents
- Why Watch Marvel Movies in Order?
- Understanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Two Paths to a Marvel Rewatch
- Choosing Your Viewing Adventure
- Frequently Asked Questions About Marvel Movies
Why Watch Marvel Movies in Order?
So, you might be thinking, "Why watch marvel movies in order?" It's a good question, really. Watching these stories in some kind of sequence just makes a lot of sense, you know? There are a couple of main ways to approach an MCU rewatch though if you want to have some sense of order. When you watch them in a planned way, you get to see how characters grow, how plots connect, and how the whole big picture comes together. It's almost like putting together a giant puzzle, piece by piece.
Following a specific order can really make the emotional moments hit harder, and the big reveals feel much more impactful. You see the heroes meet for the first time, you understand their past struggles, and you feel the weight of their choices. It’s a bit like reading a very long book from start to finish, so you don't miss any of the important parts. Plus, it helps avoid confusion when a character from an earlier story suddenly shows up in a later one, which happens quite a bit in this universe.
For someone just starting out, or even for a seasoned fan looking for a fresh perspective, an organized viewing can make the entire experience much richer. You get to appreciate the careful planning that went into building this vast collection of stories. It truly adds a layer of enjoyment, seeing how everything fits, as a matter of fact.
Understanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe
When we talk about "Marvel movies," it can get a little confusing sometimes, because there are quite a few different companies that have made films based on Marvel characters. But when we say "MCU," that's a very specific group of stories. In short, all MCU movies are marvel movies, but not all marvel movies are part of the MCU. The MCU is the interconnected series of films and TV shows produced by Marvel Studios, all sharing the same story world.
This means that events in one film or show can, and often do, directly affect what happens in another. It's a pretty big undertaking, building a continuous narrative across so many different titles. As of roughly July 2024, the MCU consists of a rather large collection of stories. So far, the MCU consists of 36 movies, 31 seasons of TV shows, two specials, and eight one-shot short films. That's a lot of content to explore, isn't it?
Knowing this distinction is pretty important, especially if you're trying to watch everything in a particular order. You wouldn't want to accidentally watch a movie that isn't connected to the main story, thinking it's part of the big picture. This guide focuses only on the official MCU stories, so you know you're getting the right stuff, you know, the ones that actually connect together.
Two Paths to a Marvel Rewatch
When it comes to enjoying the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are a couple of main ways to approach an MCU rewatch though if you want to have some sense of order. You can either watch everything in the order they were released, which is how most people experienced them originally, or you can watch them in the order the story events actually happen within the universe. Both ways offer a really good time, but they give you different kinds of feelings as you watch, as a matter of fact.
In this guide, we'll list all marvel movies in order, both chronological and release order, so you can choose the journey that suits you best. For new fans looking to experience the MCU, two distinct viewing approaches exist. You can either watch everything in the order they were released, or you can go for the chronological order for an immersive experience. It just depends on what you're looking for, essentially.
Each method has its own charm, its own way of revealing the story. One gives you the original surprise and suspense that viewers felt over the years, while the other offers a streamlined, continuous story flow. It's pretty cool that you have these choices, you know?
Release Order: The Original Experience
Watching the MCU in release order is like stepping back in time to when these stories first came out. This is how the creators intended for people to experience the twists, the reveals, and the introductions of new characters. It's a bit like going on a long adventure with surprises around every corner, really. Here's how to watch the marvel movies in release date, timeline, and chronological order, starting with the original theatrical release sequence.
Here are all the marvel cinematic universe movies in order of when they were released, broken up into “phases” that Marvel Studios uses to denote smaller story arcs within the larger MCU arc. This structure helps you see how the overall story was built up over time, with each phase often leading to a big, universe-shaking event. It’s pretty neat to see how they planned it all out, you know?
This method lets you appreciate the slow build-up of the universe, the introduction of new heroes and villains, and the moments when different story threads finally come together. It's the experience that millions of fans had as the MCU grew year after year. It gives you a sense of the excitement and anticipation that built up with each new film, too, it's almost like reliving history.
Phase One: Avengers Assemble!
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
Phase Two: A New World
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
Phase Three: Cosmic Conflicts
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Phase Four: New Beginnings
- WandaVision (TV Series, 2021)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV Series, 2021)
- Loki (Season 1, TV Series, 2021)
- Black Widow (2021)
- What If...? (Season 1, TV Series, 2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Hawkeye (TV Series, 2021)
- Moon Knight (TV Series, 2022)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Ms. Marvel (TV Series, 2022)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV Series, 2022)
- Werewolf by Night (Special, 2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Special, 2022)
Phase Five: Multiverse Saga Continues
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Secret Invasion (TV Series, 2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- Loki (Season 2, TV Series, 2023)
- The Marvels (2023)
- Echo (TV Series, 2024)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) - *Upcoming*
- Captain America: Brave New World (2025) - *Upcoming*
- Thunderbolts* (2025) - *Upcoming*
- Fantastic Four (2025) - *Upcoming*
Chronological Order: Story as It Happens
If you prefer to see the story unfold like a history book, with events happening one after another, then the chronological order is probably for you. This way, you get to experience the narrative as it truly progresses within the universe, from the very first moments to the latest adventures. It's a very immersive way to watch, letting you follow character arcs and plot lines without jumping around in time, you know?
For your timekeeping benefit, here's a list of every single MCU title, both movies and TV shows, in chronological order. This list aims to put everything in the sequence it occurs in the story. This includes flashbacks and events that take place before the main action of a film that was released later. It's a comprehensive guide to watching every MCU movie and show in chronological order, much like the one Amanda Rozenboom published on July 5, 2024. This particular order can make the connections between different stories feel even stronger, as you're seeing the cause and effect directly.
The first avenger, for instance, sets up a lot of the history for the whole universe, even though it wasn't the very first movie released. This list starts there and moves forward, bringing you through all the major moments. It's a pretty neat way to see the story unfold, as a matter of fact, like a continuous stream of events.
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- Captain Marvel
- Iron Man
- Iron Man 2
- The Incredible Hulk
- Thor
- The Avengers
- Thor: The Dark World
- Iron Man 3
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Ant-Man
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Widow
- Black Panther
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Doctor Strange
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Loki (Season 1)
- What If...? (Season 1)
- WandaVision
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Eternals
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Hawkeye
- Moon Knight
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
- Ms. Marvel
- Thor: Love and Thunder
- Werewolf by Night
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Secret Invasion
- Loki (Season 2)
- The Marvels
- Echo
Choosing Your Viewing Adventure
So, you've seen both lists, and now you might be wondering which one is truly the best for you. There's no single "right" answer, honestly. For new fans looking to experience the MCU, two distinct viewing approaches exist: Release order for a chronological reveal of the storyline or chronological order for an immersive journey. It really just comes down to what kind of experience you're hoping to get out of it, you know?
If you like surprises, and you want to feel the excitement that original moviegoers felt, then the release order is a great choice. You'll see how the universe slowly expanded, how new characters were introduced over time, and how the big storylines were built up across years. It's like unwrapping a present piece by piece, with each new film adding another layer to the story. This way, you also get to experience the progression of visual effects and storytelling techniques as they improved over the years, which is pretty cool.
However, if you're someone who really appreciates a continuous story flow, where every event directly follows the last in the timeline, then the chronological order will likely be your favorite. This way, you get a very clear picture of character development and plot progression without any time jumps. It's a very smooth way to consume the story, and it can help make the connections between different films and shows feel even stronger. It's a bit like watching a very long, perfectly edited movie, essentially. Ultimately, the best way to watch is the way that makes you enjoy these stories the most.
You can find out more about the broader history of Marvel Comics and its influence on these films by visiting Britannica's Marvel Comics page. Learn more about Marvel's cinematic universe on our site, and for details on specific characters, you can always check out our character profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marvel Movies
People often have questions about how to watch these films, so we've gathered some common ones here to help you out. It's pretty common to feel a little lost with so much content, after all.
What's the best way to start watching Marvel movies?
Honestly, the "best" way really depends on what you prefer. You can start with Iron Man from 2008 to follow the release order, which is how most people saw them first. Or, if you want to see the story from its earliest point in time, you can begin with Captain America: The First Avenger. Both are good choices, and each gives a slightly different feel to your viewing experience, you know?
Do I need to watch all the TV shows to understand the movies?
Not necessarily, but watching some of the TV shows can definitely add more depth to the stories and characters. Some shows, especially the Disney+ ones from Phase Four onwards, are pretty tightly connected to the movies and introduce new characters or plot points that become important later. For example, shows like WandaVision or Loki really fill in some gaps and expand on things you see in the films, so they're worth a look if you have the time, essentially.
Are there any Marvel movies that aren't part of the MCU?
Yes, absolutely. As we mentioned earlier, all MCU movies are Marvel movies, but not all Marvel movies are part of the MCU. There are many films based on Marvel characters that were made by other studios, like the older Spider-Man movies or X-Men films. These stories exist in their own separate universes and don't connect to the main MCU storyline. So, if you're aiming to follow the continuous MCU narrative, you can skip those, unless you just want to watch them for fun, of course.
