Before Infinity War and Endgame
The two crossover adventures work best when you know the teams and their starting points. This selection is a shortcut; the full route preserves more context.
The short route keeps Infinity War before Endgame, with Ant-Man and the Wasp and Captain Marvel in between. Avoid watching credit scenes ahead of release order.
Short route
9 movies · 20 h 9 min
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01 · 2012 · 143 minThe Avengers
It concludes the first group of films. Watching the previous five helps you recognise the main characters and understand their relationships.
02 · 2014 · 121 minGuardians of the Galaxy
It opens up the MCU's space adventures with a new group. You do not need to know the comics to follow its main characters.
03 · 2015 · 141 minAvengers: Age of Ultron
This is the team's second gathering. It develops relationships and conflicts that continue in Civil War and later films.
04 · 2016 · 147 minCaptain America: Civil War
Although it belongs to the Captain America saga, it develops the Avengers as a whole and introduces new lead characters.
05 · 2017 · 136 minGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This is the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. We retain its release position, although its story takes place close to the first film.
06 · 2017 · 130 minThor: Ragnarok
This is Thor's third solo film. Its adventure connects with his situation in Infinity War.
07 · 2018 · 149 minAvengers: Infinity War
It is best enjoyed after the earlier films. This is the first part of the major conclusion that continues in Endgame.
08 · 2018 · 118 minAnt-Man and the Wasp
Release order places it after Infinity War. Its closing scenes are intended for viewers who already know that film.
09 · 2019 · 124 minCaptain Marvel
Although it takes place before many instalments, it was released just before Endgame. Following that order preserves the context of its closing connections.
Full route
21 movies · 44 h 47 min
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01 · 2008 · 126 minIron Man
This is the starting point in release order. It introduces Tony Stark and the combination of adventures and connections between films that defines the MCU.
02 · 2008 · 112 minThe Incredible Hulk
This is the 2008 film starring Edward Norton. Although the actor changes in later appearances, the story belongs to the same MCU.
03 · 2010 · 124 minIron Man 2
It directly continues Tony Stark's development and introduces characters who become important in The Avengers.
04 · 2011 · 115 minThor
It introduces Thor, Loki and Asgard, expanding the universe beyond Iron Man's science and suits of armour.
05 · 2011 · 124 minCaptain America: The First Avenger
This is the fifth film in release order, although much of its story takes place before the earlier films. Here we follow the order in which they reached cinemas.
- 06 · 2012 · 143 min
The Avengers
It concludes the first group of films. Watching the previous five helps you recognise the main characters and understand their relationships.
07 · 2013 · 130 minIron Man 3
It follows The Avengers and explores the emotional consequences for Tony. This is the third instalment in his solo saga.
08 · 2013 · 112 minThor: The Dark World
It continues the relationships introduced in Thor and develops cosmic elements that reappear in the wider story.
09 · 2014 · 136 minCaptain America: The Winter Soldier
It combines superheroes with espionage and has major consequences for the MCU's organisations and alliances.
- 10 · 2014 · 121 min
Guardians of the Galaxy
It opens up the MCU's space adventures with a new group. You do not need to know the comics to follow its main characters.
- 11 · 2015 · 141 min
Avengers: Age of Ultron
This is the team's second gathering. It develops relationships and conflicts that continue in Civil War and later films.
12 · 2015 · 117 minAnt-Man
It introduces Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne and Hank Pym. Its scale and tone offer a change of pace after Age of Ultron.
- 13 · 2016 · 147 min
Captain America: Civil War
Although it belongs to the Captain America saga, it develops the Avengers as a whole and introduces new lead characters.
14 · 2016 · 115 minDoctor Strange
It introduces magic and other dimensions to the MCU. This is the first Doctor Strange film, released in 2016.
- 15 · 2017 · 136 min
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This is the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. We retain its release position, although its story takes place close to the first film.
16 · 2017 · 133 minSpider-Man: Homecoming
It follows this Peter Parker's introduction in Civil War. It is Tom Holland's first solo film within the MCU.
- 17 · 2017 · 130 min
Thor: Ragnarok
This is Thor's third solo film. Its adventure connects with his situation in Infinity War.
18 · 2018 · 134 minBlack Panther
It develops the character introduced in Civil War and lets you get to know Wakanda before the Avengers' next major gathering.
- 19 · 2018 · 149 min
Avengers: Infinity War
It is best enjoyed after the earlier films. This is the first part of the major conclusion that continues in Endgame.
- 20 · 2018 · 118 min
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Release order places it after Infinity War. Its closing scenes are intended for viewers who already know that film.
- 21 · 2019 · 124 min
Captain Marvel
Although it takes place before many instalments, it was released just before Endgame. Following that order preserves the context of its closing connections.