The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling tapestry woven with interconnected stories, heroes, and villains. To fully appreciate its epic scope and intricate narrative threads, watching every Marvel movie and show in the correct order is crucial, although debated. The most widely accepted order, maximizing narrative cohesion and minimizing potential spoilers, is chronological order based on in-universe events, accounting for flashbacks and temporal shifts.
Why Chronological Order Matters
While release order provides a sense of the MCU’s evolution, chronological order allows you to experience the story as it unfolds within its own reality. This approach eliminates confusion caused by time jumps and allows for a deeper understanding of character development and the overarching narrative. Seeing events unfold as they happened in the MCU provides a richer and more satisfying viewing experience.
The Definitive Chronological Viewing Order
Here is the meticulously curated chronological viewing order for every Marvel movie and show, incorporating the latest releases and accounting for complex timeline intricacies:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (Primarily set in 1942-1945)
- Agent Carter (Season 1 & 2 – Set in 1946-1947)
- Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
- Iron Man (Set in 2010)
- Iron Man 2 (Set in 2011 – concurrently with The Incredible Hulk)
- The Incredible Hulk (Set in 2011 – concurrently with Iron Man 2)
- Thor (Set in 2011)
- The Avengers (Set in 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (Set in 2012)
- Thor: The Dark World (Set in 2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (Set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Set in 2014 – shortly after the first film)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (Set in 2015)
- Ant-Man (Set in 2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (Set in 2016)
- Black Widow (Set in 2016 – shortly after Civil War)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (Set in 2016)
- Doctor Strange (Set between 2016-2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (Set in 2017)
- Black Panther (Set in 2017)
- Avengers: Infinity War (Set in 2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (Set just before Infinity War)
- Avengers: Endgame (Begins in 2018, then jumps to 2023)
- Loki (Season 1 – The timeline is ambiguous, but occurs after Endgame)
- WandaVision (Set shortly after Endgame – 2023)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set in 2023)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Set in 2023)
- Eternals (Set in 2023, with flashbacks spanning millennia)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Set in 2023)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (Set in 2024)
- Hawkeye (Set during Christmas 2024)
- Moon Knight (Set in 2025)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Set in 2025)
- Ms. Marvel (Set in 2025)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (Set in 2025)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Set in 2025)
- Werewolf by Night (Set in 2025)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Set in 2025)
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Set in 2025)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Set in 2026)
- Secret Invasion (Set in 2026)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Set in 2026)
- Echo (Set after Hawkeye but before Daredevil Born Again)
- Daredevil: Born Again (Release Date TBD)
Important Considerations:
- This list is based on current information and is subject to change as new MCU projects are released.
- Some release dates are estimated based on hints and context within the stories.
- Marvel’s What If…? is an alternate reality anthology series and is not included in this core chronological order. It can be enjoyed at any time.
Navigating the Complex Timeline
The MCU timeline is not always straightforward. Flashbacks, time travel, and parallel universes create opportunities for confusion. Paying attention to on-screen dates, dialogue, and character references can help you piece together the chronological order. Focus on the primary timeframe of each project when deciding its placement.
Handling Flashbacks
Many MCU projects feature flashbacks that depict events from earlier periods. For instance, Eternals has flashbacks spanning millennia, but the majority of the film takes place in 2023. Therefore, it’s placed in the 2023 section of the timeline. Consider flashbacks as supplementary information that enriches the present-day narrative, rather than dictating the placement of the entire project.
Time Travel’s Impact
Avengers: Endgame introduced time travel, creating branching timelines and further complicating matters. While the implications of time travel are significant, it doesn’t fundamentally alter the chronological order of past events. Focus on when the majority of the story takes place to determine its placement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 12 frequently asked questions to further clarify how to watch every Marvel movie and show in order:
FAQ 1: Should I watch the Defenders Saga (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, The Punisher)?
The Netflix shows, while once considered canon, are now in a gray area. While characters like Daredevil and Kingpin have been integrated into the MCU proper, the canonicity of their original shows is debated. You can include them chronologically between Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. seasons, but be aware that future MCU projects might contradict elements of those shows. For a purely MCU-focused experience, they’re not essential.
FAQ 2: What about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Does it fit into the MCU timeline?
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. initially aligned closely with the MCU films. However, later seasons diverged, creating its own distinct timeline. Seasons 1-4 generally fit within the chronological order listed above, with crossovers and references to the films. However, Seasons 5-7 operate on an alternate timeline after the events of Avengers: Infinity War.
FAQ 3: What if I prefer release order?
While chronological order offers a deeper understanding, release order is perfectly valid, especially for a first-time viewing. It allows you to experience the MCU as it was intended to be revealed. Just be prepared for potential timeline inconsistencies and spoilers.
FAQ 4: Where does I Am Groot fit in?
The I Am Groot shorts are generally considered to take place between Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, likely following baby Groot’s adventures during the earlier adventures. They are not strictly essential to the main narrative.
FAQ 5: Do I need to watch the Marvel One-Shots?
The One-Shots are short films that provide additional context and character development. While not essential, they can enhance your understanding of certain events and characters. Most of them fit chronologically before or during The Avengers. “All Hail the King” would fall between Iron Man 3 and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2.
FAQ 6: What about the X-Men and Fantastic Four movies made before Disney’s acquisition?
These films are not part of the MCU. They exist in separate universes. The Deadpool films, while now under Disney, maintain their separate continuity. Expect new versions within the MCU sometime in the future.
FAQ 7: Are there any essential tie-in comics or video games?
While some tie-in comics and video games offer additional context, they are generally not considered essential for understanding the main MCU storyline. They are more for hardcore fans looking to delve deeper into the lore.
FAQ 8: Is it necessary to rewatch everything before each new release?
That depends on your memory and dedication! Rewatching key projects that are directly related to the new release can be helpful, but it’s not mandatory. Summaries and recaps are also readily available.
FAQ 9: What about animated series like X-Men ’97?
X-Men ’97 is a continuation of the original X-Men animated series and exists outside of the main MCU continuity at this time. Whether it will integrate in the future remains to be seen.
FAQ 10: How will the Multiverse Saga affect the viewing order?
The Multiverse Saga introduces alternate realities, potentially blurring the lines between different universes. While this adds complexity, the core MCU timeline remains the primary focus for this viewing order.
FAQ 11: Where do the Sony-produced Spider-Man films like Venom and Morbius fit?
These films are part of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) and are not directly connected to the MCU timeline, despite occasional crossover hints.
FAQ 12: Should I skip any movies or shows that are considered “bad”?
Ultimately, the decision is yours. However, even projects with mixed reviews often contribute to the larger narrative and character arcs. Plus, even in so-called “bad” movies, there may be scenes of dialogue of exceptional quality that contribute to the storyline. Skipping them might leave you with gaps in your understanding of the MCU.