Marvel movies in chronological order
A different way to revisit the MCU when you already know the characters.
How to read this timeline
The year on each poster is its release year, not the year in which the story takes place. We follow the main narrative rather than every flashback or credit scene. The Fantastic Four takes place in another universe’s 1960s. Deadpool & Wolverine crosses timelines; these entries are exceptions, not exact dates on a single Earth.
For a first viewing, release order better preserves the intended reveals.
01 · 2011 · 124 minCaptain America: The First Avenger
The main story takes place during the Second World War, although its framing narrative connects with another era. For a first viewing, we recommend keeping its release position: that way, you reach the Avengers' first gathering after all the introductions.
02 · 2025 · 116 minThe Fantastic Four: First Steps
It introduces the team in a retrofuturistic setting in another universe. Its 1960s should not be interpreted as Tony or Steve's past: it can begin its own route without being inserted as an event on the main Earth.
03 · 2019 · 124 minCaptain Marvel
The main adventure takes place in the 1990s and introduces Carol at an earlier point in the MCU. That makes an early chronological position possible, but release order better preserves the context of its connections and credits.
04 · 2008 · 126 minIron Man
The easiest entry point into the MCU: it introduces Tony, Pepper and Rhodey before the major crossovers. Its combination of technological adventure and personal decisions helps explain why Tony's responsibility remains a theme throughout his films.
05 · 2010 · 124 minIron Man 2
It continues the public consequences of the first suit of armour and expands Tony's circle. It introduces characters who return in MCU crossovers; watching it before The Avengers makes that growing team feel more natural.
06 · 2008 · 112 minThe Incredible Hulk
A chase adventure centred on Bruce Banner. You can watch it without knowing the other films; remember that a different actor plays the character when he joins The Avengers. That casting change does not place this story in a different continuity.
07 · 2011 · 115 minThor
It introduces Asgard, its family ties and the connection between that world and Earth. It is a useful gateway to the MCU's fantasy side; its relationships matter more when continuing the saga than memorising every realm's name.
08 · 2012 · 143 minThe Avengers
The first gathering works best after getting to know Tony, Thor and Steve. Its appeal lies in how different personalities work together: it does not replace their origin films. It is a natural end to your first block of six viewing sessions.
09 · 2013 · 112 minThor: The Dark World
It continues the relationships between Thor, Loki and Jane after the Avengers' first gathering. Watch Thor and The Avengers beforehand: this order helps you follow the family dimension of a larger-scale adventure.
10 · 2013 · 130 minIron Man 3
The third solo adventure follows the effect of Tony's experience in The Avengers. That is why a marathon consisting only of the three Iron Man films leaves a gap in context between the second and this instalment.
11 · 2014 · 136 minCaptain America: The Winter Soldier
It replaces period adventure with a contemporary spy thriller. Steve's adjustment and his relationship with institutions are central to the story; it is also an important introduction to Sam Wilson before following the shield's legacy.
12 · 2014 · 121 minGuardians of the Galaxy
It opens up a cosmic corner with new leads. You do not need to complete the Earth-based adventures to understand how this group forms: it is a useful alternative if you would rather begin with an ensemble adventure full of humour and music.
13 · 2017 · 136 minGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Within the story, it follows shortly after the group's first adventure despite being released years later. Watching both volumes together is useful if you want to follow their relationships before adding their Avengers appearances.
14 · 2015 · 141 minAvengers: Age of Ultron
The team reunites with more relationships already established. It bridges the first gathering and the disagreements of Civil War; if you follow a shorter Avengers route, do not jump straight from the first film to Infinity War.
15 · 2015 · 117 minAnt-Man
It introduces Scott and Hope in a smaller-scale adventure with a heist-film tone. It is an accessible entry point, but the rules of its technology become relevant in later crossovers: it is worth keeping its place before Civil War.
16 · 2016 · 147 minCaptain America: Civil War
This is a Captain America film that also reshapes relationships among many heroes. It serves as a bridge for the Iron Man, Black Panther and Spider-Man sagas; do not confuse it with a fifth film titled The Avengers.
17 · 2021 · 134 minBlack Widow
It returns to an earlier period in Natasha's life, after Civil War. The main story works for a chronological rewatch, but the credits were designed for a later release period; keep release order for your first viewing.
18 · 2018 · 134 minBlack Panther
It develops Wakanda after T'Challa's introduction in Civil War. Its debates about tradition and responsibility have value in their own right: it deserves to be watched as an individual story as well as context for the next MCU crossover.
19 · 2017 · 133 minSpider-Man: Homecoming
This version of Peter has already been introduced in Civil War. Homecoming focuses on his daily life and learning to be a hero; you can begin here, although his relationship with Tony is clearer after that earlier meeting.
20 · 2016 · 115 minDoctor Strange
It introduces Stephen Strange through his life before the mystic arts. You can follow it without earlier films, and it establishes the visual ideas and responsibilities that accompany his appearances in other crossovers.
21 · 2017 · 130 minThor: Ragnarok
The third film shifts the saga towards a more comic and cosmic adventure. It establishes a relevant starting point for Infinity War, so we recommend keeping the two close together on a Thor-focused route.
22 · 2018 · 118 minAnt-Man and the Wasp
It returns to Scott and Hope after Civil War. The main adventure and the credits should not be ordered using the same criteria: for a first viewing, keep its release position after Infinity War and avoid bringing its final scenes forward.
23 · 2018 · 149 minAvengers: Infinity War
It brings together Earth-based, cosmic and mystical journeys. The more characters you know, the more context you have; our preparation guide offers a specific shortcut, but it is not equivalent to watching all their individual stories.
24 · 2019 · 181 minAvengers: Endgame
It directly continues Infinity War and revisits elements from several sagas. Set aside a long viewing session and avoid summaries or trailers for later films beforehand. It is not a good entry point into the MCU.
25 · 2024 · 128 minDeadpool & Wolverine
It crosses continuities and references earlier Deadpool and X-Men films. It does not represent a single date on the main MCU timeline: in chronological order, it should be understood as a multiversal journey rather than a direct sequel to Endgame.
26 · 2021 · 132 minShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
It introduces a new lead and his family through a martial-arts film identity. You can begin with this story without completing earlier phases; the MCU connections expand the world without replacing its family conflict.
27 · 2021 · 156 minEternals
It combines a contemporary adventure with memories from many eras. Ordering it by its earliest memory would displace the main story: our route keeps it in the post-Endgame period and explains that limitation.
28 · 2019 · 129 minSpider-Man: Far From Home
It follows Peter's life in the aftermath of Endgame. Although it belongs to his individual saga, it needs that bridge for its starting point to make sense. Watch its credits scenes before moving on to No Way Home.
29 · 2021 · 148 minSpider-Man: No Way Home
It continues the starting point established in Far From Home and connects with other versions of Spider-Man. The earlier sagas enrich those references, but they should be distinguished from this Peter's journey within the MCU.
30 · 2022 · 126 minDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
It expands Strange's world and Wanda's role. WandaVision is the most useful companion for understanding her; watching only the Doctor Strange films leaves out an important part of her personal context.
31 · 2022 · 161 minBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever
It continues Wakanda's story through an ensemble perspective, paying particular attention to responsibilities and relationships. Begin with Black Panther to understand that setting; this film should not be reduced to preparation for the next MCU gathering.
32 · 2022 · 119 minThor: Love and Thunder
It returns to Thor after Endgame and revisits relationships from his own saga. For a shorter route, include Ragnarok and the Infinity War–Endgame sequence before returning to this solo adventure.
33 · 2023 · 125 minAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
It places the ideas of the Quantum Realm at the centre of the adventure. The previous two films introduce the family and the basic rules; knowing them helps you follow the characters more than trying to anticipate every future connection.
34 · 2023 · 150 minGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
The third volume gives more space to Rocket's past and the group's bonds. Include Infinity War, Endgame and, if you want more context, the Holiday Special between volumes: the trilogy on its own leaves gaps in the group's changing circumstances.
35 · 2023 · 105 minThe Marvels
It brings together Carol, Monica and Kamala's stories. Captain Marvel introduces Carol; WandaVision and Ms. Marvel help you get to know the other leads. Watch that context before the film if you want a complete route.
36 · 2025 · 118 minCaptain America: Brave New World
It continues Sam Wilson's journey with the shield. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the main bridge from Endgame: following only films titled Captain America leaves out that part of his development.
37 · 2025 · 127 minThunderbolts*
It brings together characters introduced through different journeys. Black Widow provides context for Yelena and Red Guardian; The Falcon and the Winter Soldier expands other team relationships. You do not need to treat them as a group that has been together from the beginning.
38 · 2026 · 145 minSpider-Man: Brand New Day
This Peter's continuity follows on from No Way Home. Our advance recommendation is limited to that saga connection; this page does not claim to provide a critical review of the new instalment or to have verified its specific plot connections.