Marvel Movies In Order: How To Watch All MCU Movies and Series Chronologically
The latest: At Comic-Con, Marvel has announced the return of the Russo brothers to direct 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr. will be playing iconic villain Doctor Doom in Doomsday. Hope they got cheeseburgers in Latveria. In addition, Fantastic Four‘s full official title is The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Dates updated below. (Speaking of Comic-Con, you can watch all the movie and TV trailers being released in our article.)
If you want to see the Marvel and Avengers movies in order as they happened, starting with the World War II-set Captain America: The First Avenger, we’ve listed all the MCU movies and series in chronological order, in one guide!
But first, if you just want an overview of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by release date, we have that right here, as split up by the separate Phases:
The Infinity Saga: Phase One (2008-2012)
- 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 First Avengers (May 4, 2012)
Phase Two (2013-2015)
- 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)
Phase Three (2016-2019)
- 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)
The Multiverse Saga: Phase Four (2021-2022)
- Black Widow (July 9, 2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (September 3, 2021)
- Eternals (November 5, 2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17, 2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6, 2021)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (July 8, 2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 11, 2022)
Phase Five (2023-2024)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (February 17, 2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (May 5, 2023)
- The Marvels (November 11, 2023)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26, 2024)
- Captain America: New World Order (February 14, 2025)
- Thunderbolts (May 5, 2025)
Phase Six (2025-2027)
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)
- Blade (November 7, 2025)
- Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)
You can check out our regular feature on all upcoming Marvel movies with key details! Now, on to if you want to watch the MCU chronologically in-universe. So while Iron Man, set and released in 2008, can claim the banner as the first of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, within its story, Chris Evans has got Robert Downey Jr. beat. That’s because Evans’ origin story as Captain America in The First Avenger takes action in 1942. There, we’re also first fully introduced to the Tessarect, an energy cube that initializes the Infinity Saga, climaxing in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame.
The next movie set in the timeline is Captain Marvel, the blockbuster with a Blockbuster, set in 1995 with Brie Larson starring as the cosmic Carol Danvers. And then it’s time to hit the start with Iron Man and RDJ’s world-making turn as Tony Stark. The movies can be seen in release order after that, except for 2021’s Black Widow, which is set in the aftermath of 2016’s Captain America: Civil War.
Through the epic finale of Endgame (which essentially completed the first 3 phases of the MCU), there was a forward time jump of 5 years, placing most everything in Phase 4 and onward in the near future. Phase 4 started at the movies with Shang-Chi, and has been inviting its lineup of series to really do some heavy lifting, with Loki, Wandavision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye pushing the story forward. Then there was the gigantic one-two Spider-Man punch with Far From Home and No Way Home. Moon Knight, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and now Thor: Love and Thunder are all set chronologically by release after that. And now, we’ve added She-Hulk, Secret Invasion, Ant-Man: Quantumania, The Marvels, Echo and more.
So if you want to watch the MCU by release order, the list above is your guide. But if you want to take an alternate route and see the movies chronologically within its own timeline (including the TV shows), check out our guide below!
MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE MOVIES AND SHOWS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
#1Critics Consensus: With plenty of pulpy action, a pleasantly retro vibe, and a handful of fine performances, Captain America is solidly old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment.Synopsis: It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his... [More]Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee JonesDirected By: Joe Johnston
Captain Marvel (2019)
#2Critics Consensus: Packed with action, humor, and visual thrills, Captain Marvel introduces the MCU's latest hero with an origin story that makes effective use of the franchise's signature formula.Synopsis: Captain Marvel is an extraterrestrial Kree warrior who finds herself caught in the middle of an intergalactic battle between her... [More]Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Djimon HounsouDirected By: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
Iron Man (2008)
#3Critics Consensus: Powered by Robert Downey Jr.'s vibrant charm, Iron Man turbo-charges the superhero genre with a deft intelligence and infectious sense of fun.Synopsis: A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff BridgesDirected By: Jon Favreau
Iron Man 2 (2010)
#4Critics Consensus: It isn't quite the breath of fresh air that Iron Man was, but this sequel comes close with solid performances and an action-packed plot.Synopsis: With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett JohanssonDirected By: Jon Favreau
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
#5Critics Consensus: The Incredible Hulk may not be quite the smashing success that fans of Marvel's raging behemoth might hope for, but it offers more than enough big green action to make up for its occasionally puny narrative.Synopsis: Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) desperately seeks a cure for the gamma radiation that contaminated his cells and turned him... [More]Starring: Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William HurtDirected By: Louis Leterrier
Thor (2011)
#6Critics Consensus: A dazzling blockbuster that tempers its sweeping scope with wit, humor, and human drama, Thor is mighty Marvel entertainment.Synopsis: As the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the Norse gods, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will soon inherit the throne... [More]Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom HiddlestonDirected By: Kenneth Branagh
Marvel's the Avengers (2012)
#7Critics Consensus: Thanks to a script that emphasizes its heroes' humanity and a wealth of superpowered set pieces, The Avengers lives up to its hype and raises the bar for Marvel at the movies.Synopsis: When Thor's evil brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), gains access to the unlimited power of the energy cube called the Tesseract,... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris HemsworthDirected By: Joss Whedon
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
#8Critics Consensus: It may not be the finest film to come from the Marvel Universe, but Thor: The Dark World still offers plenty of the humor and high-stakes action that fans have come to expect.Synopsis: In ancient times, the gods of Asgard fought and won a war against an evil race known as the Dark... [More]Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan SkarsgårdDirected By: Alan Taylor
Iron Man 3 (2013)
#9Critics Consensus: With the help of its charismatic lead, some impressive action sequences, and even a few surprises, Iron Man 3 is a witty, entertaining adventure and a strong addition to the Marvel canon.Synopsis: Plagued with worry and insomnia since saving New York from destruction, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), now, is more dependent... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy PearceDirected By: Shane Black
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
#10Critics Consensus: Suspenseful and politically astute, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a superior entry in the Avengers canon and is sure to thrill Marvel diehards.Synopsis: After the cataclysmic events in New York with his fellow Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America (Chris Evans), lives in... [More]Starring: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian StanDirected By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
#11Critics Consensus: Guardians of the Galaxy is just as irreverent as fans of the frequently zany Marvel comic would expect -- as well as funny, thrilling, full of heart, and packed with visual splendor.Synopsis: Brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb... [More]Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin DieselDirected By: James Gunn
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
#12Critics Consensus: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2's action-packed plot, dazzling visuals, and irreverent humor add up to a sequel that's almost as fun -- if not quite as thrillingly fresh -- as its predecessor.Synopsis: Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries... [More]Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Dave BautistaDirected By: James Gunn
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
#13Critics Consensus: Exuberant and eye-popping, Avengers: Age of Ultron serves as an overstuffed but mostly satisfying sequel, reuniting its predecessor's unwieldy cast with a few new additions and a worthy foe.Synopsis: When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) jump-starts a dormant peacekeeping program, things go terribly awry, forcing him, Thor (Chris Hemsworth),... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris EvansDirected By: Joss Whedon
Ant-Man (2015)
#14Critics Consensus: Led by a charming performance from Paul Rudd, Ant-Man offers Marvel thrills on an appropriately smaller scale -- albeit not as smoothly as its most successful predecessors.Synopsis: Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) recruits the talents of... [More]Starring: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Corey StollDirected By: Peyton Reed
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
#15Critics Consensus: Captain America: Civil War begins the next wave of Marvel movies with an action-packed superhero blockbuster boasting a decidedly non-cartoonish plot and the courage to explore thought-provoking themes.Synopsis: Political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability when the actions of the Avengers lead to collateral damage. The... [More]Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian StanDirected By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Black Widow (2021)
#16Critics Consensus: Black Widow's deeper themes are drowned out in all the action, but it remains a solidly entertaining standalone adventure that's rounded out by a stellar supporting cast.Synopsis: In Marvel Studios' action-packed spy thriller "Black Widow," Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger... [More]Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel WeiszDirected By: Cate Shortland
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
#17Critics Consensus: Spider-Man: Homecoming does whatever a second reboot can, delivering a colorful, fun adventure that fits snugly in the sprawling MCU without getting bogged down in franchise-building.Synopsis: Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the... [More]Starring: Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Robert Downey Jr., Marisa TomeiDirected By: Jon Watts
Black Panther (2018)
#18Critics Consensus: Black Panther elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights while telling one of the MCU's most absorbing stories -- and introducing some of its most fully realized characters.Synopsis: After the death of his father, T'Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place... [More]Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai GuriraDirected By: Ryan Coogler
Doctor Strange (2016)
#19Critics Consensus: Doctor Strange artfully balances its outré source material against the blockbuster constraints of the MCU, delivering a thoroughly entertaining superhero origin story in the bargain.Synopsis: Dr. Stephen Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When... [More]Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict WongDirected By: Scott Derrickson
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
#20Critics Consensus: Exciting, funny, and above all fun, Thor: Ragnarok is a colorful cosmic adventure that sets a new standard for its franchise -- and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.Synopsis: Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, the mighty Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits... [More]Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris ElbaDirected By: Taika Waititi
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
#21Critics Consensus: A lighter, brighter superhero movie powered by the effortless charisma of Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, Ant-Man and The Wasp offers a much-needed MCU palate cleanser.Synopsis: Scott Lang is grappling with the consequences of his choices as both a superhero and a father. Approached by Hope... [More]Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michael PeñaDirected By: Peyton Reed
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
#22Critics Consensus: Avengers: Infinity War ably juggles a dizzying array of MCU heroes in the fight against their gravest threat yet, and the result is a thrilling, emotionally resonant blockbuster that (mostly) realizes its gargantuan ambitions.Synopsis: Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet --... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin, Chadwick BosemanDirected By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
#23Critics Consensus: Exciting, entertaining, and emotionally impactful, Avengers: Endgame does whatever it takes to deliver a satisfying finale to Marvel's epic Infinity Saga.Synopsis: The fourth installment in the Avengers saga is the culmination of 22 interconnected Marvel films and the climax of a... [More]Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris HemsworthDirected By: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
#24Critics Consensus: A breezily unpredictable blend of teen romance and superhero action, Spider-Man: Far from Home stylishly sets the stage for the next era of the MCU.Synopsis: Peter Parker's relaxing European vacation takes an unexpected turn when Nick Fury shows up in his hotel room to recruit... [More]Starring: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Marisa TomeiDirected By: Jon Watts
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
#25Critics Consensus: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings isn't entirely free of Marvel's familiar formula, but this exciting origin story expands the MCU in more ways than one.Synopsis: Marvel Studios' "Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings" stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past... [More]Starring: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng'er Zhang, Fala ChenDirected By: Destin Daniel Cretton
Eternals (2021)
#26Critics Consensus: An ambitious superhero epic that soars as often as it strains, Eternals takes the MCU in intriguing -- and occasionally confounding -- new directions.Synopsis: Marvel Studios' Eternals features an exciting new team of Super Heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ancient aliens who have... [More]Starring: Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Gemma ChanDirected By: Chloé Zhao
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
#27Critics Consensus: A bigger, bolder Spider-Man sequel, No Way Home expands the franchise's scope and stakes without losing sight of its humor and heart.Synopsis: For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero's identity is revealed, bringing his Super... [More]Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob BatalonDirected By: Jon Watts
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
#28Critics Consensus: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania mostly lacks the spark of fun that elevated earlier adventures, but Jonathan Majors' Kang is a thrilling villain poised to alter the course of the MCU.Synopsis: Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and... [More]Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Bill MurrayDirected By: Peyton Reed
The Marvels (2023)
#29Critics Consensus: Funny, refreshingly brief, and elevated by the chemistry of its three leads, The Marvels is easy to enjoy in the moment despite its cluttered story and jumbled tonal shifts.Synopsis: Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence.... [More]Starring: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Samuel L. JacksonDirected By: Nia DaCosta
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
#30Critics Consensus: Ryan Reynolds makes himself at home in the MCU with acerbic wit while Hugh Jackman provides an Adamantium backbone to proceedings in Deadpool & Wolverine, an irreverent romp with a surprising soft spot for a bygone era of superhero movies.Synopsis: Deadpool's peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse. He soon... [More]Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena BaccarinDirected By: Shawn Levy
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