So, you want to dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content? The most satisfying viewing experience hinges on the order you choose. This guide provides the most effective pathways to navigate the MCU, ensuring you understand the evolving narrative and appreciate the interconnectedness of these epic stories.
Why Watch in Order?
The MCU is a meticulously constructed, overarching narrative. Characters reappear, plot threads weave in and out, and events in one film directly impact others. Watching in the correct order, therefore, enhances your understanding of character development, reveals subtle foreshadowing, and maximizes the impact of crucial plot twists. Skipping around randomly will inevitably lead to confusion and diminish your overall enjoyment.
The Primary Ordering Methods
There are two primary ways to experience the MCU:
- Release Order: Watching films and TV shows in the order they were released. This mirrors how the story unfolded for audiences over time, preserving the initial surprises and allowing you to experience the development of the MCU as it happened.
- Chronological Order: Watching the films and TV shows based on the timeline within the MCU itself. This provides a cleaner, more linear understanding of events as they unfold within the universe, although it may diminish some of the intended narrative reveals of release order.
For a first-time viewer, release order is strongly recommended. It allows you to appreciate the evolution of the characters and the MCU’s overall structure. Experienced viewers, however, may enjoy a chronological re-watch to piece together a more cohesive timeline.
Release Order: A Detailed Breakdown
This list covers the mainline MCU films and Disney+ shows as of today. Note that “one-shot” short films are generally considered optional but can enhance the experience. The date represents the US release date.
- Iron Man (May 2, 2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (June 13, 2008)
- Iron Man 2 (May 7, 2010)
- Thor (May 6, 2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22, 2011)
- Marvel’s The Avengers (May 4, 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (May 3, 2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (November 8, 2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (April 4, 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (August 1, 2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1, 2015)
- Ant-Man (July 17, 2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (May 6, 2016)
- Doctor Strange (November 4, 2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5, 2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (July 7, 2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017)
- Black Panther (February 16, 2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (April 27, 2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (July 6, 2018)
- Captain Marvel (March 8, 2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (April 26, 2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (July 2, 2019)
- WandaVision (January 15, 2021) – Disney+
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (March 19, 2021) – Disney+
- Loki (June 9, 2021) – Disney+
- Black Widow (July 9, 2021)
- What If…? (August 11, 2021) – Disney+ (This series is generally considered non-canon)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3, 2021)
- Eternals (November 5, 2021)
- Hawkeye (November 24, 2021) – Disney+
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021)
- Moon Knight (March 30, 2022) – Disney+
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2022)
- Ms. Marvel (June 8, 2022) – Disney+
- Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022)
- Werewolf by Night (October 7, 2022) – Disney+ Special Presentation
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022)
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (November 25, 2022) – Disney+ Special Presentation
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)
- Secret Invasion (June 21, 2023) – Disney+
- The Marvels (November 10, 2023)
- Echo (January 9, 2024) – Disney+
Chronological Order: A More Complex Picture
Chronological order is trickier due to overlapping timelines and flashbacks. This list is a general approximation and assumes a relatively linear interpretation of events. Certain episodes of What If…? could arguably be placed in different spots as well. This list only includes canon material.
- Captain America: The First Avenger (Significant portions take place during World War II)
- Agent Carter (TV Series, Seasons 1 & 2 – taking place immediately after Captain America)
- Captain Marvel (Takes place in 1995)
- Iron Man
- Iron Man 2
- The Incredible Hulk
- Thor
- Marvel’s The Avengers
- Iron Man 3
- Thor: The Dark World
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Takes place shortly after the first movie)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Ant-Man
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Widow (Occurs after Civil War, but before Infinity War)
- Black Panther
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Doctor Strange
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (Events occur almost simultaneously with Infinity War)
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame (The majority of the film occurs 5 years after Infinity War)
- Loki (The TVA exists outside of time, but heavily influences the rest of the timeline)
- WandaVision (Takes place a few weeks after Endgame)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- Eternals
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Hawkeye (Takes place during the Christmas season after Endgame)
- Moon Knight
- Ms. Marvel
- Thor: Love and Thunder
- Werewolf by Night
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- Secret Invasion
- The Marvels
- Echo
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3: Should I watch the Marvel TV shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. or Daredevil?
While not strictly part of the core MCU timeline as officially defined by Marvel Studios after the creation of Disney+, many fans consider shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders, and The Punisher to be tangentially connected. They add depth to the world but are not essential for understanding the main plotline. However, starting with Echo, Marvel Television productions are confirmed to be Canon. Decide whether to include these based on your personal enjoyment and desire for a more comprehensive experience. Release order is recommended.
H3: What about the Marvel “One-Shots”?
The One-Shots are short films released on the home media versions of early MCU films. They provide fun side stories and context to the larger universe. They are generally considered optional but can be a nice addition to a release order viewing. They are available on Disney+.
H3: Is What If…? canon?
Officially, What If…? is part of the multiverse, but not the main timeline. While it offers interesting alternate scenarios, it doesn’t directly impact the core narrative. However, characters from this series, like Captain Carter, have appeared in live-action MCU projects, suggesting a degree of canonicity.
H3: Does the order really matter?
Yes, it does. While you can watch them out of order, you’ll miss out on character development, plot foreshadowing, and the overall narrative arc. The MCU is designed to be experienced sequentially for maximum impact.
H3: Where can I watch all of these movies and shows?
The majority of the MCU films and TV shows are available on Disney+. Some older films may be available for rent or purchase on other platforms.
H3: What about films like X-Men or Spider-Man from before the MCU?
These films, produced by different studios, are not part of the core MCU. While some iterations of Spider-Man have crossed over into the MCU via the multiverse (most notably in Spider-Man: No Way Home), these earlier films remain separate.
H3: Are there any films I can skip?
That depends on your level of dedication. Some films are generally considered weaker than others, but even these movies often contain important character development or plot points that will pay off later. Ultimately, it’s up to you, but completeness is recommended for the best experience.
H3: Is there a “best” order to watch the MCU?
As mentioned previously, for first-time viewers, release order is the most highly recommended. This allows you to experience the unfolding story as audiences did.
H3: How long will it take to watch everything?
Watching all the MCU films and shows will take a considerable amount of time – easily over 200 hours. Plan accordingly and pace yourself.
H3: Are there any resources to help me track my progress?
Yes, there are numerous online resources, including websites and apps, that allow you to track your progress through the MCU. Search for “MCU viewing tracker” to find a suitable option.
H3: What are the upcoming MCU releases, and where do they fit in?
Marvel Studios regularly announces new films and TV shows. Keep an eye on official Marvel announcements to stay up-to-date. Their placement in the timeline can often be determined based on their release date and any information revealed in trailers or plot summaries.
H3: Should I re-watch films after seeing newer ones?
Absolutely! As the MCU expands, new films often re-contextualize events in earlier entries. A re-watch can reveal hidden details and deepen your appreciation for the overall narrative. The more you watch, the more you’ll understand and appreciate the interconnected nature of the MCU.