How to watch the Marvel movies in order: chronological and release date
15 min read
Want to know how to watch the Marvel movies in order? We’ve got you covered. In this guide, you’ll learn the two best methods about streaming all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film and TV shows, and we’ll tell you which one best suits newcomers to the franchise.
There’s plenty more where that came from, too. You’ll also find a rundown of every forthcoming Marvel Phase 5 and Marvel Phase 6 project, where you can watch every film and TV series to date – the vast majority can be streamed on Disney Plus – and which ones are considered the best among the MCU’s fanbase, among other fascinating tidbits. Here, then, is the complete lowdown on how to watch the MCU movies in order.
What’s the best order to watch the Marvel movies for the first time?
About to embark on your first MCU film and TV show marathon? You’ll need to know what the best method is to stream the Marvel movies in order – which, in our view, is the release date order one.
Watching some of the best superhero films and best Disney Plus shows ever made in chronological order is a sound alternative if you’re an established MCU fan, as this method gives you a new perspective on how events play out from a Marvel timeline perspective. Streaming the Marvel movies in order of chronology isn’t as straightforward as you may think, however, as events depicted in one film can bizarrely precede what happens in another.
For instance, the ending of Captain America: The First Avenger, which is primarily set during World War II, sees Steve Rogers waking up in ‘New York in 2010 before he meets Nick Fury. However, we’re supposed to meet Fury for the first time in 2008’s Iron Man. If you watch the Marvel movies in chronological order, you’ll meet Fury in Cap’s maiden film before Iron Man‘s first MCU adventure.
This, and other instances like it, can make things tricky to follow from a Marvel timeline perspective for newcomers. It’s for that reason, then, that we believe watching the Marvel movies in release date order is the most practical (and easiest!) way to consume them for first-timers.
How to watch the Marvel movies in chronological order
Best for: MCU fans who want to try something new.
Want to to watch the Marvel movies and TV shows in order of chronology? Here’s how. Below, we’ve listed every film and TV show in the order they occur on the Marvel timeline. So, you’ll start with the first Captain America movie, which begins in 1942, and end with X-Men 97, i.e. the most recent series to air on Disney Plus.
Thanks to Avengers: Endgame, which starts in 2018 but is mostly set in 2023, the MCU timeline has become more complex since that MCU flick was released. Luckily, the Marvel movies timeline is now easier to follow, with the official Marvel Timeline book and the addition of three new Marvel timelines on Disney Plus officially confirming when most films and TV series takes place. Armed with this vital information, we can definitively state when each one – except for X-Men 97, which currently sits independent of the MCU – is set.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Cap’s first adventure was the fifth Marvel movie released in theaters. However, it’s set in the 1940s, so stream this one first.
Captain Marvel
Carol Danvers didn’t burst onto the scene until MCU Phase 3, but her origins story is set in 1995.
Iron Man
The film that kickstarted the MCU is technically the third Marvel movie in order of chronology. Tony Stark’s heel turn from weapons expert to superhero takes place between February and May 2008.
Iron Man 2
Stark’s second solo flick occurs between May and June 2010.
The Incredible Hulk
The Stark MCU appearances keep coming – this time, he cameos at the end of the Hulk’s first (and only) solo MCU movie, which also takes place in mid-2010.
Thor
The god of thunder stormed his way into the MCU in mid-2010, with his first solo flick occurring at the same time as The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2.
The Avengers
With the MCU’s original major players established, we finally got the superhero movie of our dreams when the iconic superhero team officially formed (on the big screen) in May 2012.
Thor: The Dark World
Thor’s second cinematic adventure is set in late 2013.
Iron Man 3
Iron Man’s third and final solo movie takes place around Christmas 2013.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Set in early 2014, Cap’s second solo flick was the first Marvel film to explore genres outside of the superhero field.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1
Star-Lord’s lovable ragtag crew were first introduced to a wider audience in spectacularly humorous and music-laced fashion in late 2014.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2
This movie takes place a few months after its predecessor.
I Am Groot seasons 1 and 2
The first Marvel Disney Plus show to appear in this list, I Am Groot is set in and around Guardians Volume 2.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
The superhero ensemble reunited for another tentpole offering in May 2015 – this time, taking down the menacing AI/super-bot known as Ultron.
Ant-Man
Earth’s mightiest miniature hero made his in-universe debut in July 2015.
Captain America: Civil War
The third Captain America film was a mini-Avengers movie in all but name. It’s set between May and June 2016, and introduced us to two more beloved MCU heroes in Spider-Man and Black Panther.
Black Widow
The first Marvel Phase 4 flick, Black Widow was released in 2021 but is actually set just after Civil War.
Black Panther
Marvel’s first Best Picture Oscar nominee takes place alongside Civil War and Black Widow in mid-2016.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
After confusing fans for years with its “eight years later” timecard, Spidey’s first MCU solo movie is actually set in September 2016.
Doctor Strange
Occurring between February 2016 and early 2017, this film introduced audiences to the Sorcerer Supreme. Or, rather, the former Sorcerer Supreme – Strange being replaced by Wong due to Infinity War‘s events, but more on that later.
Thor: Ragnarok
The last movie to launch in theaters before that Thanos moment, Thor: Ragnarok takes place in late 2017.
Avengers: Infinity War
The Marvel movie that, without spoiling anything, changed the MCU. The third Avengers movie occurs in early 2018.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Events in Ant-Man’s second film run concurrent to Infinity War.
Avengers: Endgame
This is where things get messy from a Marvel movies in chronological order perspective. Endgame begins in 2018 but ends in October 2023.
Loki season 1
One of two Marvel TV shows to span the entire Marvel multiverse, Loki is best watched after Avengers: Endgame.
Loki season 2
Set immediately after its predecessor, so stream it after its forebear.
What If…? seasons 1 and 2
Like Loki, What If…? is a multiversal affair. Neither season is set in a particular year, so they’re best streamed after Endgame.
WandaVision
Per Marvel’s Official Timeline book, it takes place in November 2023.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi’s MCU debut contains flashbacks to his childhood, so it could be listed earlier. However, the bulk of the film is set in early 2024, hence its placement at this point on the MCU timeline.
Moon Knight
Marvel’s Official Timeline book confirms this show takes place in May 2024.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Sam Wilson and Buck Barnes’ team up series is set in mid-2024.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Occurs eight months after Endgame, aka around June and July 2024.
Deadpool and Wolverine
Takes place six years after 2018’s Deadpool 2, which is part of Fox’s X-Men universe (designated Earth-10005), so it’s set sometime in 2024. Unlike its forebears, Deadpool and Wolverine‘s main plot takes place in and around the MCU, hence its placement on this list.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
The official MCU Timeline book confirms it begins in mid-2024 and runs through to early 2025.
Eternals
This one could technically be the first entry in our Marvel movies in chronological order list as it begins 7,000 years before 2010’s Captain America. Like Shang-Chi, though, it’s mostly set in late 2024, hence its timeline position.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Thanks to the Halloween and Christmas/Holiday season decorations seen throughout, this one is set in late 2024.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Strange’s multiverse-spanning sequel takes place after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Marvel’s official timeline places it in November 2024, preceding what happens in Hawkeye.
Hawkeye
Just like No Way Home, Hawkeye’s first solo adventure occurs around Christmas 2024.
Echo
Set five months after Hawkeye’s ending, aka around May 2025.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
You’d think this one is set in 2024, given its main events take place a year after T’Challa dies. T’Challa appeared in 2023’s Endgame, so that would make sense. However, it’s set in May 2025.
Ms Marvel
The official Marvel timeline book places the Kamala Khan-starring series in October 2025.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor’s fourth solo movie is set in October 2025. We know this as he tells former flame Jane Foster that it’s been over eight years since they split up. Meanwhile, in 2017’s Ragnarok, he tells Loki that the pair recently and mutually broke up. Add eight years to 2017 and you get 2025. Simple.
Werewolf by Night
The first MCU Special Presentation is the most difficult production to pin down in this Marvel movies in order of chronology list. Our best guess? It’s set in the MCU’s ‘present’, which puts it in late 2025.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
As it takes place prior to Guardians of the Galaxy 3, it’s set around Christmas 2025.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
We originally thought this one ran concurrent to Black Panther 2, but the complete MCU timeline on Disney Plus places it between the Guardians‘ Christmas special and the group’s third movie. Therefore, it must take place in late 2025.
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3
Guardians Vol. 3 is set a few months after the group’s festive special.
Secret Invasion
Set in the MCU’s ‘present’. The TV show’s first episode confirms that this Nick Fury-starring series takes place in 2025.
The Marvels
Takes place not long after the end of Secret Invasion.
X-Men 97
The long overdue sequel to beloved show X-Men: The Animated Series sits independent of the MCU, so it’s technically not part of the official Marvel timeline. As it’s a Marvel Television production, though, it’s worth including. We’ve stuck it at the end of this guide for now, but you can watch it any time you like.
How to watch the Marvel movies in release date order
Best for: first-time viewers.
If you’re only interested in watching the Marvel movies in release date order, this is the guide for you. Start with 2008’s Iron Man and, after working your way through 48 films, shows, and TV Specials, you’ll end end with Deadpool and Wolverine, which was released in July.
As you’ll be watching each film and TV show by the years they were released, it’s an easier blueprint, particularly for newcomers, to follow.
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- 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)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- WandaVision (TV show, 2021)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV show, 2021)
- Loki season 1 (TV show, 2021)
- Black Widow (2021)
- What If…? season 1 (TV show, 2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Hawkeye (TV show, 2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Moon Knight (TV show, 2022)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Ms Marvel (TV show, 2022)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- I Am Groot (TV show, 2022)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV show, 2022)
- Werewolf by Night (TV special, 2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (TV special, 2022)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- Secret Invasion (TV show, 2023)
- Loki season 2 (TV show, 2023)
- The Marvels (2023)
- What If…? season 2 (TV show, 2023)
- Echo (TV show, 2024)
- X-Men 97 season 1 (TV show, 2024)
- Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
How to watch the Avengers movies in order
Best for: fans who only want to watch the Avengers movies.
We already covered the best way to stream the Avengers films in the sections above. If you only want to stream these specific Marvel movies in order, though, this is how to do so.
- The Avengers (2012) – set in the year it was released, aka 2012
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – also takes place in the year it launched, i.e. 2015
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – the final Avengers film to occur in the year it’s set, which is 2018
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) – opens in 2018, but ends in late 2023
Two more Avengers movies – Avengers 5 (previously known as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars (aka Avengers 6) are currently in development. They’re slated to arrive in May 2026 and May 2027, but we suspect those dates will change – again – when Marvel reveals its revised Phase 5 and 6 schedules during its main Hall H panel at San Diego Comic Con on Saturday, July 27.
How to watch the Netflix Marvel TV shows in order
Best for: viewers who want to understand Daredevil’s MCU arrival.
She-Hulk episode 8 seemingly revealed Netflix’s Daredevil TV show is canon in the MCU in September 2022, but Marvel’s Head of Television Brad Winderbaum has since confirmed every Marvel Netflix series is now officially part of Marvel’s cinematic juggernaut. With every Netflix Marvel TV show available to stream on Disney Plus, now’s as good a time as any to stream them if you missed them first time aorund on Netflix.
If you’re wondering why we haven’t included them in our chronological timeline section, we won’t be doing so until Daredevil: Born Again – the Netflix series’ spiritual successor – is released in March 2025. Besides, we don’t actually know when the Netflix Marvel shows are set, so we wouldn’t want to complicate things further by incorrectly placing them on the definitive MCU timeline yet. Anyway, here’s how to stream them in release date order:
- Daredevil season 1 (April 2015)
- Jessica Jones season 1 (November 2015)
- Daredevil season 2 (March 2016)
- Luke Cage season 1 (September 2016)
- Iron Fist season 1 (March 2017)
- The Defenders (August 2017)
- The Punisher season 1 (November 2017)
- Jessica Jones season 2 (March 2018)
- Luke Cage season 2 (June 2018)
- Iron Fist season 2 (September 2018)
- Daredevil season 3 (October 2018)
- The Punisher season 2 (January 2019)
- Jessica Jones season 3 (June 2019)
How to watch the X-Men movies and TV shows in order
Best for: diehard X-Men fans and/or those wanting to catch up on the mutants’ numerous movies and TV shows.
We already have a dedicated, in-depth guide on how to watch the X-Men movies in order. But, if you want a quick rundown of all 14 films and TV shows, here you go:
- X-Men: The Animated Series (1992 – 1997)
- X-Men (2000)
- X-2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Legion (2017 – 2019)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
- X-Men 97 season 1 (2024)
- Deadpool and Wolverine (2024)
New Marvel movies and MCU Disney Plus shows
Here’s every Marvel movie and TV show set to arrive later this year and beyond. It’s worth noting that these launch dates are subject to change, mind you. Thanks to last year’s Hollywood strikes, Marvel’s firing of Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, and numerous other issues, the comic giant has regularly revised its forthcoming release schedule, so there’s every chance that there’ll be more changes to this Marvel movie and TV show launch template. Once we know more, we’ll update this section.
- Agatha All Along (TV show, September 18, 2024)
- Eyes of Wakanda (animated TV show, expected in 2024)
- Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (animated TV show, expected in 2024)
- Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025)
- Daredevil: Born Again (TV show, expected March 2025)
- Thunderbolts (May 2, 2025)
- The Fantastic Four (July 25, 2025)
- Blade (November 7, 2025)
- Avengers 5 (May 1, 2026)
- Avengers 6 (May 7, 2027)
- Armor Wars (TBC)
- Ironheart (TV show, TBC)
- Marvel Zombies (animated TV show, TBC)
- Spider-Man 4 (TBC)
- What If…? season 3 (TV show, TBC)
- Wonder Man (TV show, TBC)
- X-Men 97 season 2 (animated TV show, TBC)
How many Marvel movies are there?
34 MCU movies have been released so far. By the end of 2027, there could be 42 movies (if the above group isn’t delayed further) to add to our Marvel movies in order guide, too.
If you want to watch all of the Marvel movies in order, you’ll need to set aside 4,479 minutes – that’s over 74.65 hours or 3.11 total days. Add in every MCU TV show and specials, and it’ll take around 7,743 minutes (129.05 hours or 5.37 days) to watch everything.
Now that Netflix’s Marvel TV shows are also canon in the MCU, you can even add in its six shows’ near-161-hour total runtime into the equation. Do that and you’ll have to set aside 290.05 hours, or a monstrous 12 days, to stream every single piece of Marvel content. Phew!
Where to watch the Marvel movies
You can stream nearly all of the Marvel movies in order, as well as the TV shows, on Disney Plus (read our Disney Plus review while you’re here). Deadpool 3 isn’t out on the streaming platform yet, but you can read our Deadpool and Wolverine Disney Plus guide for our best guess at when it will be.
There are plenty of Spider-Man film caveats, too. None of the Spider-Man movies – those in and outside of the MCU – are available on Disney Plus UK. British-based fans can only catch Spider-Man: Homecoming on Netflix instead, too. Every other one of the webslinger’s flicks are only available to rent or buy.
In the US, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man movies, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Morbius, and Venom are available on Disney Plus. Spider-Man: No Way Home, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Spider-Man; Into the Spider-Verse are only viewable on Fubo.
Meanwhile, Australian viewers can stream Tobey Maguire’s movies on Stan, Binge, and Foxtel, while the Garfield-led movies are on Netflix. Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: No Way Home can be streamed on Netflix and Foxtel, and Spider-Man: Far From Home is on Foxtel, Netflix, Binge, Stan, and Prime Video. Into the Spider-Verse is on Netflix, Stan, Binge, and Foxtel, while Across the Spider-Verse is available on Binge and Prime Video. Lastly, Venom can be streamed on Netflix, Binge, Stan, and Foxtel, and Morbius is also on Netflix and Foxtel.
Marvel movies in order: all MCU films and TV shows ranked
For us, the four Avengers movies are the best MCU films, but the whole thing is subjective. You can check our best Marvel movies piece to see how we ranked them all.
Additionally, we’ve listed the Marvel movies and TV shows in order based on their critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes. So, if you want to know what journalists think of each MCU film and series, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe flicks, and Netflix’s Marvel TV shows, read on.
- X-Men 97 (2024) – 99%
- Ms Marvel (2022) – 98%
- Black Panther (2018) – 96%
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) – 94%
- Iron Man (2008) – 94%
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) – 94%
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 93%
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – 93%
- Daredevil (2015 – 2018) – 92%
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) – 92%
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 (2014) – 92%
- WandaVision (2021) – 92%
- Hawkeye (2021) – 92%
- What If…? (2021 – 2023) – 92%
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – 91%
- The Avengers (2012) – 91%
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – 91%
- Captain America: Civil War (2016) – 90%
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – 90%
- Doctor Strange (2016) – 89%
- Werewolf by Night (2022) – 89%
- I Am Groot (2022 – 2023) – 88%
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) – 87%
- Loki (2021 – 2023) – 87%
- Luke Cage (2016 – 2018) – 87%
- Agent Carter (2015 – 2016) – 86%
- Moon Knight (2022) – 86%
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) – 85%
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – 85%
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) – 85%
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – 84%
- Ant-Man (2015) – 83%
- Jessica Jones (2015 – 2019) – 83%
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) – 82%
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – 80%
- Deadpool and Wolverine (2024) – 80%
- Captain Marvel (2019) – 79%
- Black Widow (2021) – 79%
- Iron Man 3 (2013) – 79%
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) – 79%
- The Defenders (2017) – 78%
- Thor (2011) – 77%
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – 76%
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) – 74%
- Iron Man 2 (2010) – 72%
- Echo (2024) – 70%
- Thor: The Dark World (2013) – 67%
- The Incredible Hulk (2008) – 67%
- The Punisher (2017 – 2019) – 64%
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) – 63%
- The Marvels (2023) – 62%
- Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) – 57%
- Secret Invasion (2023) – 52%
- Eternals (2021) – 47%
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) – 46%
- Iron Fist (2017 – 2018) – 37%
- Venom (2018) – 30%
- Morbius (2022) – 15%
For more Marvel movies in order content, find out how to watch the Spider-Man movies in order and/or check out our Marvel villains ranked list.
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