Are you feeling a bit mixed up about how to watch all those amazing Marvel movies? You know, the ones that connect into one big story? Well, you're not alone. Lots of people wonder about the best way to catch up or revisit the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU as it's often called. So, whether you're just starting your MCU adventure or looking for a refresher, we've got something for you. We're bringing a list of the marvel movies in order to you, making sure you get the story exactly as it unfolds in their world.

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 we all first experienced them, or you can watch them based on when the events actually happen in the story. This second way, the chronological order, really lets you see the story build piece by piece, which is kind of cool, you know? It helps you track character growth and big events as they happen in their universe, which is often what fans really want.

This guide is all about helping you sort through the timeline, because, as a matter of fact, it can get a little confusing with so many films and even TV shows now. For your timekeeping benefit, here's a list of every single MCU title, both movies and TV shows, in chronological order. We're talking about the core MCU here, so while Marvel "multiverse" movies do not line up with MCU movies in terms of timelines and chronological release date orders, we're sticking to the main saga. So, let's get ready to watch these stories in the sequence they were meant to be seen, right?

Understanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe Timeline
Why Watch in Chronological Order?
The Marvel Movies in Chronological Order: A Complete List
What About the TV Shows and Specials?
Frequently Asked Questions About MCU Order

Understanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe Timeline

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, is a big collection of interconnected stories, you know? It's not just a bunch of movies; it's also TV shows and specials that all happen in the same shared world. This is why watching them in a specific order can make such a difference. So far, the MCU consists of 36 movies, 31 seasons of TV shows, two specials, and eight one-shots. That's a lot of content, honestly. All these pieces fit together to tell one huge, unfolding narrative, which is pretty neat.

When we talk about the timeline, we're really looking at when events happen within the story itself, not just when a film came out in theaters. This can be a bit tricky because some films, like Captain Marvel, were released much later but tell a story that happens much earlier in the MCU's history. It's almost like reading a series of books where some prequels come out after the main story, you know? This guide helps you put all those pieces in their proper place, so the story flows logically from one event to the next, which is really helpful for new viewers.

Why Watch in Chronological Order?

Watching the marvel movies in chronological order offers a really unique way to experience the entire saga. It lets you see the characters grow and change, and how major events impact the world, as they would have happened in that universe. For instance, you get to see how certain technologies or organizations come into being before they play a bigger role in later films. This can really deepen your appreciation for the overall story, you know?

It's also a great way to catch details you might have missed when watching them by release date. Sometimes a small detail in an earlier-set film can explain something big that happens much later. It's like finding little puzzle pieces that suddenly make a picture clearer. For completists, we've also put together a quick rundown of every MCU movie and Disney+ series in the proper chronological order. This way, you get the full picture, which is pretty cool, honestly.

The Marvel Movies in Chronological Order: A Complete List

Okay, now suit up, because we're bringing a list of the marvel movies in order to you. This is the ultimate 2025 guide to marvel movies chronological order and release timeline—start now! We're breaking this down into the "phases" that Marvel Studios uses to denote smaller story arcs within the larger MCU, which really helps organize things. Spoilers ahead for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, just so you know, because we're going through everything that happens in sequence.

Phase One: The Beginning of Heroes

This is where it all started, you know? These films introduced us to the original Avengers and laid the groundwork for everything that followed. It's pretty much the foundation of the whole universe, which is neat. The first avenger, we’ve listed all the MCU movies and series, so let's start with that one.

Captain America: The First Avenger (Set in the 1940s)
This film takes us way back, showing us how Steve Rogers became Captain America during World War II. It's the earliest point in the MCU timeline, you know, setting up a lot of the history for later events. You see the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Tesseract, which is a pretty big deal later on.
Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
Next up, we jump to the 90s to meet Carol Danvers, who becomes Captain Marvel. This movie explains some important background about Nick Fury and how he first thought about the Avengers Initiative. It's a pretty pivotal film for understanding the bigger picture, you know?
Iron Man (Set in 2008)
This is where the modern MCU really began its journey, even if it's not the earliest in the timeline. We meet Tony Stark and see him build his first suit. It's a key starting point for many characters and technologies, which is kind of cool, honestly.
Iron Man 2 (Set in 2010)
Following Iron Man, this film continues Tony Stark's story and introduces more elements of the wider world, like the Stark Expo and new threats. It also features Natasha Romanoff, or Black Widow, in a bigger role, which is pretty important.
The Incredible Hulk (Set in 2011)
This movie tells the story of Bruce Banner and his struggle with the Hulk. While it might feel a bit standalone, it's still part of the larger timeline and features some key characters that pop up again. It's good to see it for the complete picture, you know?
Thor (Set in 2011)
Here, we meet Thor and Loki, and get our first real look at Asgard and the cosmic side of the MCU. This film really expands the universe beyond Earth, which is pretty exciting. It sets up a lot of the cosmic events that become central later.
The Avengers (Set in 2012)
This is the big team-up that Phase One was building towards. All the heroes come together for the first time to fight a major threat. It's a huge moment in the MCU, obviously, and sets the stage for many more team-ups and bigger conflicts.

Phase Two: Expanding the Universe

Phase Two really started to broaden the scope of the MCU, introducing new characters and exploring different corners of the universe. It's where things really start to get wild, you know? The stories become more complex and interconnected, which is pretty neat.

Iron Man 3 (Set in 2012)
This film deals with the aftermath of the New York battle for Tony Stark, exploring his personal struggles. It's a more grounded story after the big alien invasion, but it still moves his character forward, which is important.
Thor: The Dark World (Set in 2013)
Thor's second solo film takes us back to Asgard and introduces more about the Infinity Stones, though we might not fully realize it at the time. It further develops the relationship between Thor and Loki, which is pretty central to the story.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Set in 2014)
This movie is a spy thriller that dramatically changes the landscape of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the world of espionage in the MCU. It has huge implications for many characters and organizations, honestly, and sets up a lot of future events.
Guardians of the Galaxy (Set in 2014)
We take a big leap into space with this one, introducing a whole new team and a different side of the cosmic MCU. It's fun and vibrant, and it also introduces another Infinity Stone, which is a big deal for the overarching story, you know?
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Set in 2014)
This sequel actually happens very soon after the first Guardians film, keeping the timeline pretty tight for this team. It explores more about Peter Quill's family and the team's dynamics, which is pretty cool.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (Set in 2015)
The second big Avengers team-up sees the heroes facing off against an artificial intelligence threat. This film introduces new characters like Vision and Scarlet Witch, and further hints at the coming threat of Thanos, which is pretty significant.
Ant-Man (Set in 2015)
This film introduces Scott Lang as Ant-Man and the concept of the Quantum Realm, which becomes incredibly important later on. It's a smaller-scale story, but it has big implications for the future, you know, especially with time travel concepts.

Phase Three: The Infinity Saga Culmination

Phase Three brought everything together, leading to the massive confrontations with Thanos and the conclusion of the Infinity Saga. This is where all the threads started to really connect in a big way, which is pretty epic, honestly. You really see the payoff for years of storytelling.

Captain America: Civil War (Set in 2016)
This movie sees the Avengers split into two factions, which has lasting consequences for the team. It introduces Spider-Man and Black Panther to the MCU, and sets up a lot of the personal conflicts that carry into later films, which is pretty significant.
Black Widow (Set in 2016)
While released much later, this film's main events take place right after Civil War, exploring Natasha Romanoff's past. It gives us a deeper look at her story and family, which is pretty interesting, you know?
Spider-Man: Homecoming (Set in 2016)
Peter Parker's first solo MCU outing takes place a few months after Civil War, showing him balancing high school with being a superhero. It's a fun look at a younger hero finding his way, which is pretty relatable, honestly.
Black Panther (Set in 2016)
This film introduces us to the hidden nation of Wakanda and its king, T'Challa. It's a culturally rich and important story that expands the world of the MCU significantly, and it's pretty powerful, you know?
Doctor Strange (Set in 2016-2017)
We enter the world of magic and mysticism with Doctor Strange, introducing new dimensions and powerful artifacts. This film really opens up the possibilities of the MCU, showing there's more than just science and cosmic powers, which is kind of cool.
Thor: Ragnarok (Set in 2017)
This movie takes Thor on a wild cosmic adventure, changing his character and the fate of Asgard dramatically. It's a very different tone for Thor, but it's important for setting up his role in the fight against Thanos, which is pretty big.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (Set in 2018)
This sequel happens right before the big snap, showing Scott Lang's further adventures in the Quantum Realm. It's a lighter film, but its post-credits scene has huge implications for the next Avengers movie, which is pretty crucial, honestly.
Avengers: Infinity War (Set in 2018)
This is the first half of the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, where Thanos finally makes his move to collect all the Infinity Stones. It's a huge, universe-spanning conflict with massive consequences, which is pretty intense, you know?
Avengers: Endgame (Starts in 2018, then jumps to 2023)
This is the culmination of everything that came before, dealing with the aftermath of Infinity War and the heroes' desperate attempt to reverse what happened. It's a massive, emotional payoff to years of storytelling, and it's pretty much a definitive end to a chapter, you know?

Phase Four: New Beginnings and Multiverse Explorations

Phase Four kicked off a new era for the MCU, exploring the aftermath of Endgame and introducing new concepts like the multiverse. It's a bit of a fresh start, you know, with new heroes and new threats emerging. This phase really started to play with different storytelling formats, which is pretty interesting.

WandaVision (Set in 2023)
This Disney+ series explores Wanda Maximoff's grief after Endgame, leading to unexpected realities. It's a unique and emotionally resonant story that sets up her future role in the multiverse, which is pretty significant.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Set in 2024)
This series follows Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they deal with the legacy of Captain America. It's a grounded look at heroism and identity in a post-Blip world, which is pretty relevant, honestly.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set in 2024)
Peter Parker's second solo film takes place during a summer trip, showing him dealing with the loss of Iron Man and new threats. It's a bridge between the Infinity Saga and the future of the MCU, which is kind of cool.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Set in 2024)
This film introduces a brand new hero and a mystical side of the MCU, exploring family legacy and ancient powers. It's a visually stunning and exciting addition to the universe, which is pretty neat, you know?
Eternals (Set in 2024)
This movie introduces an ancient race of beings who have secretly influenced humanity for millennia. It expands the cosmic history of the MCU and sets up some very big concepts for the future, which is pretty ambitious.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Set in 2024)
This film dives deep into the multiverse, showing the consequences of tampering with different realities. It's a wild ride that brings back familiar faces and introduces new ones, which is pretty exciting, you know?
Hawkeye (Set in 2024)
This Disney+ series follows Clint Barton as he deals with his past and trains a new archer. It's a more personal story set during the holiday season, which is kind of a nice change of pace, honestly.
Moon Knight (Set in 2025)
This series introduces a complex hero with multiple identities and connections to Egyptian mythology. It's a darker, more psychological story that broadens the types of narratives the MCU tells, which is pretty interesting.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Set in 2025)
This comedic series follows Jennifer Walters as she balances her career as a lawyer with her new Hulk powers. It's a fun, fourth-wall-breaking show that brings a different tone to the MCU, which is pretty refreshing, you know?
Ms. Marvel (Set in 2025)
This series introduces Kamala Khan, a young superhero fan who gains powers of her own. It's a vibrant and heartfelt story about finding your place and what it means to be a hero, which is pretty inspiring.
Thor: Love and Thunder (Set in 2025)
Thor's latest adventure sees him facing a new cosmic threat and reuniting with Jane Foster. It's a colorful and emotional journey that continues his story after Endgame, which is pretty significant for his character, you know?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Set in 2025)
This film deals with the aftermath of King T'Challa's passing and introduces new characters and conflicts for Wakanda. It's a powerful and moving tribute that expands the world of Wakanda even further, which is pretty amazing, honestly.

Phase Five and Beyond: The Multiverse Saga Continues

Phase Five and what's coming next are really pushing the boundaries of the MCU, diving deeper into the multiverse and introducing even more new heroes and villains. It's an exciting time for fans, as new stories are just beginning to unfold, you know? The possibilities seem pretty endless, honestly.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Set in 2025)
This film kicks off Phase Five, taking Scott Lang and his family deeper into the Quantum Realm and introducing a major new villain. It's a big start to the next saga, which is pretty exciting, you know?
Secret Invasion (Set in 2025)
This Disney+ series brings Nick Fury back to Earth to deal with a secret alien invasion. It's a tense spy thriller that has big implications for the future of Earth's defenses, which is pretty serious, honestly.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Set in 2026)
The latest Guardians adventure explores Rocket's past and brings the team's story to a potential conclusion. It's an emotional and action-packed film that wraps up a beloved trilogy, which is pretty significant for the characters, you know?
The Marvels (Set in 2026)
This film brings Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau together, exploring their interconnected powers. It's a fun team-up that sets up future cosmic adventures, which is pretty cool.

What About the TV Shows and Specials?

For your timekeeping benefit, here's a list of every single MCU title, both movies and TV shows, in chronological order. Yes, the Disney+ shows are very much part of the main MCU timeline, and they often set up future movies or fill in important gaps. They're not just side stories; they're essential viewing if you want the full chronological experience, you know? Thankfully, they're almost all on Disney+, which makes watching them pretty easy.

Things like the "Werewolf by Night" special or "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special" also fit into this timeline. They might be shorter or have a different feel, but they still add to the overall story and character development. So, if you're a completist, you'll definitely want to include these in your watch order, which is pretty cool. It really shows how expansive the MCU has become, honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions About MCU Order

Confused about how to watch marvel movies in order? You're not the only one! Here are some common questions people often ask when trying to sort out the MCU's vast timeline.

What is the very first Marvel movie to watch chronologically?

The very first Marvel movie to watch in chronological order is "Captain America: The First Avenger." It takes place mostly during World War II, so it sets the earliest events in the MCU timeline, you know? It's where the whole thing truly begins, in terms of the story's internal history.

Is it better to watch Marvel movies by release date or chronological order?

Well, there are a couple of main ways to approach an MCU rewatch, you know, if you want to have some sense of order. Watching by release date is how everyone first experienced the story, so it's good for seeing how the universe unfolded for audiences. However, watching in chronological order helps you see the story as it actually happened within the MCU, which can offer a deeper appreciation for the narrative flow and character development. It really depends on what you prefer, honestly.

Do all Marvel movies connect to the MCU?

In short, all MCU movies are Marvel movies, but not all Marvel movies are part of the MCU. There are many other films based on Marvel characters that exist in their own separate universes and do not connect to the main MCU timeline. This guide focuses only on the films and shows that are officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which is the interconnected story we've been talking about, you know? For more details on the wider world of Marvel, you could actually learn more about Marvel Comics on our site, and perhaps even check out our page on other Marvel movie franchises for some context.

So, there you have it! This comprehensive guide should help you watch all the marvel movies in chronological order, making your next rewatch or first viewing a truly cohesive experience. You'll get to see how every piece fits together, leading to those big, universe-shaking events. Enjoy your epic journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you know?

The Ultimate Guide To Marvel Movies In Chronological Order For Your Next Rewatch

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