How To Watch The Marvel Movies In Order: MCU Chronological & Release Order

Alright, fellow Marvel enthusiasts, buckle up your seats and grab your popcorn because we're about to embark on a cinematic journey like no other. For those who have yet to delve into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), or for those seasoned fans craving a recap, we've got you covered. Whether you're a die-hard Iron Man fan or a fanatic of The Avengers, there's no denying the sheer awesomeness of the Marvel universe. But with a plethora of movies spanning over a decade, figuring out where to start can be as daunting as facing Thanos himself. Fear not, for we're here to guide you through the labyrinth of Marvel movies, both chronologically and by release date, ensuring you experience the MCU in all its glory.

Watch MCU in Chronological Order

Some Marvel enthusiasts believe the best way to watch the MCU movies is in chronological order, that way elements unfold organically alongside characters’ experiences within the storyline. This approach offers fresh insights into the unfolding events and ensures you won’t get bored of rewatching it in the same order over and over.

But here's the thing: going the chronological route can get a bit messy when it comes to the MCU timeline. Take, for example, Captain America: The First Avenger from 2010. Most of it goes down during World War II, but then it wraps up in 2010, with Steve Rogers waking up in modern-day New York and meeting Nick Fury. Problem is, we're supposed to meet Fury first in Iron Man from 2008. So, if you're following the timeline, you're shaking hands with Fury in Cap's first flick before you've even seen him in Iron Man. Confusing, right?

That's why, if you're just starting out on your Marvel journey, sticking to the release date order is probably your best bet. It's a smoother ride and helps you get a feel for how the whole universe unfolds.

• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - Set during World War II, witness the birth of the iconic Captain America as Steve Rogers takes on Hydra and becomes the ultimate symbol of heroism.
• Captain Marvel (2019) - Travel back to the 1990s and witness the rise of Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, as she discovers her extraordinary powers and battles extraterrestrial threats.
• Iron Man (2008) - Kickstart your journey with the movie that launched the entire MCU, as Tony Stark dons the suit of iron and transforms into the armoured Avenger.
• Iron Man 2 (2010) - Follow Tony Stark as he grapples with the consequences of revealing his identity as Iron Man while facing off against new adversaries.
• The Incredible Hulk (2008) - Join Bruce Banner on the run as he seeks a cure for his gamma-radiation-induced condition while evading the military and confronting his monstrous alter ego.
• Thor (2011) - Enter the realm of Asgard as Thor, the God of Thunder, is banished to Earth and learns what it truly means to be worthy of Mjolnir.
• The Avengers (2012) - Witness the epic team-up of Earth's mightiest heroes as they assemble to defend humanity against the villainous Loki and his Chitauri army.
• Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Journey to the nine realms as Thor battles to save Asgard and Earth from the malevolent forces of darkness.
• Iron Man 3 (2013) - Follow Tony Stark as he faces his greatest challenge yet, both mentally and physically, while confronting the mysterious terrorist known as the Mandarin.
• Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - Join Captain America and Black Widow as they uncover a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. and face off against the enigmatic Winter Soldier.
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) - Blast off into space with a ragtag group of intergalactic misfits as they band together to stop the power-hungry Ronan the Accuser.
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) - Reunite with Star-Lord and the gang as they embark on a cosmic adventure filled with humour, heart, and family ties.
• Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) - Witness the Avengers' struggle against the sentient AI Ultron as they confront their past and forge a new path forward.
• Ant-Man (2015) - Shrink down to size with Scott Lang as he becomes the Ant-Man and joins forces with Hank Pym to pull off a daring heist.
• Captain America: Civil War (2016) - Choose your side as the Avengers are torn apart by ideological differences, leading to an epic showdown between friends turned foes.
• Black Widow (2021) - Dive into Natasha Romanoff's past as she confronts her former life as a Russian spy and battles a dangerous conspiracy.
• Black Panther (2016) - T'Challa, the newly crowned king and Black Panther, must defend his homeland from internal and external threats, including the formidable Killmonger who challenges his claim to the throne.
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) - Follow Peter Parker as he navigates the challenges of high school life while balancing his newfound identity as Spider-Man and facing off against the villainous Vulture.
• Doctor Strange (2016) - Open your mind to the mystic arts as Doctor Strange embarks on a journey of self-discovery and becomes the Sorcerer Supreme.
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017) - Brace yourself for cosmic chaos as Thor teams up with old and new allies to prevent the destruction of Asgard at the hands of the ruthless Hela.
• Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018) - Get ready for a pint-sized adventure as Ant-Man teams up with the Wasp to rescue Janet van Dyne from the quantum realm.
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - Prepare for the ultimate showdown as the Avengers and their allies unite to stop the mad titan Thanos from wiping out half of all life in the universe.
• Avengers: Endgame (2019) - Experience the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga as the Avengers embark on a time-travelling mission to undo Thanos' devastating snap and restore balance to the universe.
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) - Join Peter Parker as he grapples with life after the events of "Endgame" and faces a new threat while on vacation.
• Eternals (2021) - Meet a new team of immortal heroes. Witness their epic journey through history as they reunite to protect humanity from ancient threats.
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) - Peter Parker's life is turned upside down when his secret identity is exposed, leading to a desperate plea for magical help from Doctor Strange. Together, they face villains from alternate realities, including familiar foes from Peter's past.
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) - Doctor Strange, along with Scarlet Witch, dives into the uncharted depths of the multiverse to confront dark and mystical forces threatening reality itself.
• Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) - As Thor grapples with his own worthiness and identity, he teams up with Jane Foster, who becomes the mighty Thor herself. With the Guardians of the Galaxy by their side, they face cosmic threats that shake the very foundations of the universe.
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) - Explore the legacy of T'Challa and the nation of Wakanda as they navigate challenges and honour the mantle of the Black Panther.
• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2026) - Are you ready for a time-travelling foe that threatens reality? Join Scott, Hope, and Hank as they navigate the Quantum Realm, and race against time to protect the very fabric of existence.
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) - Join Star-Lord and his crew as they face new challenges and uncover mysteries of the cosmos.
• The Marvels (2023) - A new team of heroes rises in "The Marvels." Join Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau as they come together to defend the Earth against powerful threats.

Marvel Movies In Release Order

If the whole chronological order feels like trying to untangle Spider-Man’s web, fear not! You can swing into action by watching the Marvel movies in release date order. The The MCU story can neatly be organised into distinct ‘phases’. As True Believers, we recommend that you watch the Marvel movies in this order if it’s your first time.

The Infinity Saga

Phase 1

• Iron Man (2008)
• The Incredible Hulk (2008)
• Iron Man 2 (2010)
• Thor (2011)
• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
• The Avengers (2012)

Phase 2

• 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 3

• Captain America: Civil War (2016)
• Doctor Strange (2016)
• Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
• Black Panther (2017)
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
• Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
• Captain Marvel (2019)
• Avengers: Endgame (2019)
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

The Multiverse Saga

Phase 4

• Black Widow (2021)
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• Eternals (2021)
• Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Phase 5

• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
• The Marvels (2023)
• Deadpool & Wolverine (25th July 2024)
• Captain America: Brave New World (14th February 2025)

Phase 6

• Thunderbolts (2nd May 2025)
• Fantastic Four (25th July 2025)
• Blade (7th November 2025)
• Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (1st May 2026)
• Avengers: Secret Wars (7th May 2027)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a rollercoaster ride through a galaxy of superhero shenanigans. Whether you're tackling it chronologically or sticking to the release dates, get ready for more twists and turns than Loki's schemes.

And hey, speaking of adventures, don't forget to swing by the Menkind movie merchandise section. Because let's be real, what's a Marvel marathon without some epic gear to complete the experience? So grab your snacks, cue up your favourite flick, and get ready to Hulk-smash your way through some seriously awesome entertainment. Excelsior, true believers!