Want to embark on an epic journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Watching the movies in release order ensures you experience the story as it unfolded, catching all the interconnected threads and surprising reveals that shaped the MCU into the global phenomenon it is today.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Chronological Adventure
Navigating the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can feel like traversing a cosmic labyrinth. While chronological order within the fictional timeline offers a different perspective, watching in release order is the best way to experience the story as it was intended. This approach allows you to appreciate the evolving visual styles, narrative complexities, and the gradual introduction of key characters and overarching storylines. This is not just about watching movies; it’s about experiencing a cultural phenomenon as it happened.
The Complete MCU Release Order List
This list provides the order of all MCU theatrical releases, from the humble beginnings to the Multiversal Saga. Make sure to note release dates, as those are the defining factor.
- Iron Man (May 2, 2008) – The movie that started it all, introducing Tony Stark and the foundations of the MCU.
- The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008) – A standalone adventure for Bruce Banner as he struggles with his alter ego.
- Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010) – Tony faces new enemies and struggles with his own mortality.
- Thor (May 6, 2011) – The God of Thunder is banished to Earth and must prove himself worthy.
- Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22, 2011) – Steve Rogers transforms into a Super Soldier and battles the Red Skull during World War II.
- The Avengers (May 4, 2012) – Earth’s Mightiest Heroes assemble for the first time to fight Loki and the Chitauri.
- Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013) – Tony Stark confronts the Mandarin and deals with the psychological aftermath of the Battle of New York.
- Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013) – Thor battles Malekith and the Dark Elves to save the Nine Realms.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014) – Steve Rogers uncovers a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. and battles the Winter Soldier.
- Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1, 2014) – A group of misfits bands together to protect a powerful artifact from Ronan the Accuser.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1, 2015) – The Avengers face Ultron, a rogue AI created by Tony Stark.
- Ant-Man (July 17, 2015) – Scott Lang becomes the Ant-Man and helps Hank Pym protect his technology from falling into the wrong hands.
- Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016) – The Avengers are divided over government oversight and engage in a civil war.
- Doctor Strange (November 4, 2016) – Stephen Strange learns the mystic arts and becomes the Sorcerer Supreme.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5, 2017) – The Guardians explore Peter Quill’s origins and battle Ego the Living Planet.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7, 2017) – Peter Parker balances his high school life with his superhero duties.
- Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017) – Thor battles Hela, the Goddess of Death, and saves Asgard from destruction.
- Black Panther (February 16, 2018) – T’Challa returns to Wakanda to become king and protect his nation from threats.
- Avengers: Infinity War (April 27, 2018) – Thanos arrives to collect the Infinity Stones and wipe out half of all life in the universe.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6, 2018) – Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne team up to rescue Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm.
- Captain Marvel (March 8, 2019) – Carol Danvers becomes Captain Marvel and discovers her past.
- Avengers: Endgame (April 26, 2019) – The Avengers attempt to undo Thanos’s snap and save the universe.
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2, 2019) – Peter Parker travels to Europe and faces new threats while dealing with the loss of Tony Stark.
- Black Widow (July 9, 2021) – Natasha Romanoff confronts her past and battles the Red Room. Note: While released in 2021 due to pandemic delays, its placement in the timeline is after Civil War and before Infinity War.
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3, 2021) – Shang-Chi confronts his past and the legacy of the Ten Rings organization.
- Eternals (November 5, 2021) – An immortal alien race emerges from hiding to protect humanity from the Deviants.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021) – Peter Parker asks Doctor Strange for help, leading to the Multiverse being unleashed.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2022) – Doctor Strange travels through the Multiverse and confronts new threats.
- Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022) – Thor battles Gorr the God Butcher and reunites with Jane Foster, who has become the Mighty Thor.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022) – Wakanda faces new threats after the death of King T’Challa.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023) – Scott Lang and his family are pulled into the Quantum Realm and face Kang the Conqueror.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023) – The Guardians embark on a final mission to save Rocket and protect the galaxy.
- The Marvels (November 10, 2023) – Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan must team up to save the universe.
- Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26, 2024) – Upcoming. Release date subject to change. The Merc with a Mouth enters the MCU, teaming up with Wolverine.
Why Release Order Matters
Watching in release order provides a gradual build-up of characters and storylines. The post-credit scenes, crucial to the MCU narrative, will make sense as they were intended. You’ll witness the evolution of the characters, the expansion of the universe, and the growing complexity of the threats they face. Crucially, major plot twists and character deaths will have a far greater impact when experienced in the order the audience first encountered them.
Beyond the Movies: Considering the Disney+ Shows
While the theatrical releases are the core of the MCU, the Disney+ shows have become increasingly integrated into the overall narrative. For the most comprehensive experience, you can interweave the shows into the movie release order based on their premiere dates. However, for a pure cinematic experience focusing on theatrical releases, it’s perfectly acceptable to just watch the films in their release order and address the Disney+ shows afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section addresses common questions about watching the MCU in release order, providing additional context and helpful information.
FAQ 1: What about the X-Men movies or other Marvel movies not produced by Marvel Studios?
Those films, such as the X-Men franchise, the Spider-Man films before Homecoming, and the Fantastic Four movies, are not part of the official MCU canon. While they feature Marvel characters, they were produced by other studios and are not interconnected with the main MCU storyline. Watching them is entirely optional and depends on your interest in those characters, but they are not required (or included) for the proper MCU viewing experience.
FAQ 2: Is there a difference between watching in release order and chronological order?
Yes! Chronological order refers to the order of events as they happen within the fictional MCU timeline. Release order refers to the order in which the movies were released in theaters. Watching in chronological order can be confusing and diminish the impact of certain reveals.
FAQ 3: What is the best way to keep track of my progress?
There are several apps and websites designed specifically for tracking your progress through the MCU. You can also create a simple checklist or spreadsheet. Consider using a service like Letterboxd to log and review each film.
FAQ 4: Are the post-credit scenes important?
Absolutely! The post-credit scenes are integral to the MCU experience. They often tease future storylines, introduce new characters, or provide additional context to the film you just watched. Make sure to watch them!
FAQ 5: Should I watch the Marvel One-Shots?
The Marvel One-Shots, short films released alongside the Blu-ray releases of the movies, provide additional backstory and character development. While not essential, they add depth to the MCU and are worth watching if you want a more complete experience. They are generally placed between the films based on their release alongside Blu-Ray/DVD releases.
FAQ 6: Is it necessary to re-watch the movies before new releases?
While not strictly necessary, re-watching the most relevant films before a new release can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the new movie. This is especially helpful for films that tie directly into previous events or introduce characters from earlier films.
FAQ 7: How long will it take to watch all the MCU movies?
The total runtime of all the currently released MCU movies is approximately 78 hours. Factoring in breaks, introductions and potentially re-watching favorites, you should allot a large weekend (or potentially week!) to view them all.
FAQ 8: What is the best viewing order if I want to include the Disney+ shows?
Integrating the Disney+ shows requires careful consideration. A popular method is to insert them according to their release dates between the theatrical releases. However, some shows are best viewed after specific movies to avoid spoilers. Researching a hybrid release/chronological order including the shows is recommended for a truly completionist experience.
FAQ 9: Where can I watch the MCU movies?
Most MCU movies are available on Disney+. They can also be rented or purchased on various digital platforms such as Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon Prime Video. Some films may also be available on physical media (Blu-ray, DVD).
FAQ 10: Which MCU movie is considered the best?
This is subjective and depends on personal preference. However, Avengers: Endgame, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy are often cited as some of the best MCU movies by critics and fans alike.
FAQ 11: Which MCU movie is considered the worst?
Again, this is subjective. While opinions vary, The Incredible Hulk and Thor: The Dark World are often cited as being among the weaker entries in the MCU.
FAQ 12: What if I don’t have time to watch all the movies? Which are the most essential?
If you’re short on time, focus on the core Avengers movies (The Avengers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame) along with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. These films are crucial to understanding the overall narrative arc of the MCU.
The Journey is the Reward
Embarking on a journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe in release order is an enriching experience. By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to appreciate the interconnectedness of the films, the evolution of the characters, and the grand scope of the MCU narrative. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be amazed. The adventure awaits!