Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially came to a close with theGuardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. It released late last year and marked the end of a huge expansion of the MCU.
The fourth phase saw the release of a remarkable number of new movies and Disney+ MCU series, nearly as many as the first three phases combined. Disney+ became a new platform for Marvel storytelling, introducing shows likeWandaVision,The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,Loki,Hawkeye, andMoon Knightto fans worldwide. In addition, new blockbuster movies likeDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,Thor: Love and Thunder, andBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverpremiered during this phase. Not to mention, fans were also treated to Disney+ Special Presentations like Werewolf by Night andThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Specialthat ended the phase.
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Marvel officially kicked off Phase Five with the release ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. If you’re a fan of the MCU, you’re likely excited to see where this next chapter will go. But, if you’re feeling lost or uncertain about where to start or what to watch first in the MCU, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re looking to catch up before the release of Captain America: Brave New World, or just need to refresh your memory, I’ve compiled a go-to watch guide that’s sure to satisfy all your Marvel cravings.
I’ve arranged everything in chronological order below, so you can easily follow along with the timeline of events as they unfold in the Marvel universe. And for those who want to spice things up a bit, I’ve included some alternative viewing orders at the end of this guide. However, this guide is just for those who want to watch the Marvel movies in order in addition to the shows; it’s not for the hardcore comic book fans who may have their own preferred viewing orders.
MCU timeline: Every Marvel movie and show in chronological order
To understand and follow the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, watching the Marvel movies and shows in the order they were released won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve created a different Marvel movie order, arranged by when the events actually occur. Although Iron Man is considered the official start of the MCU, it’s not necessarily the first Marvel film you should watch. Instead, I recommend starting with Captain America: The First Avenger, which was released in 2011 and is the fifth film from Marvel Studios. The story begins in 1942, decades before Iron Man even comes onto the scene.
For this chronological watch guide, we’re featuring the Marvel feature moviesandall the new Disney+ shows. However, I do need to warn you there will be spoilers along the way. If you’re looking to avoid any plot twists or surprises, head to the bottom of this guide for a full list of every Marvel movie and TV show. We’ve also compiled a few other lists for you to explore, depending on what you’re looking for.
1Captain America: The First Avenger
Meet Steve Rogers during WW2
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rogers transforms from a frail soldier into the super-strong Captain America to combat the Nazi organization HYDRA.
While Captain America may have been the fifth film to come out of Marvel Studios, it’s the first on our list for a reason. The events of this film actually take place before those of Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor – all of which were released before Cap.
In Captain America: The First Avenger, you’re introduced to Chris Evans' portrayal of Steve Rogers, a scrawny and sickly man who volunteers for a top-secret experiment to create a super-soldier. The film takes place during World War II and follows Steve as he becomes the iconic Captain America and fights against the nefarious organization known as Hydra, led by the evil Red Skull.
Beyond introducing one of the most beloved superheroes in the MCU, this film also introduces the Tesseract, which you later discover is the first Infinity Stone. These powerful gems are scattered throughout the universe and have the ability to control reality. The Tesseract becomes a central plot point throughout the MCU, including in upcoming Avengers films. Joe Johnston directed Captain America: The First Avenger. He also wrote the screenplay along with Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus.
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2Captain Marvel
Flash forward to 50 years
Captain Marvel (2019)
Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.
The second film on the list made its debut in 2019. Captain Marvel, set in 1995, follows the story of the eponymous hero Carol Danvers, portrayed by Brie Larson, as she crash-lands on Earth and embarks on a mission to track down the shape-shifting Skrull aliens.
In addition to the gripping action scenes that are a staple of the MCU, the film is a real treat for anyone who grew up in the 90s. From scenes set in Blockbuster stores to nods to the days of dial-up internet, Captain Marvel is packed with nostalgic moments that are sure to delight audiences of all ages. It’s directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck who also wrote the screenplay.
The film also sheds light on some key backstory elements of the MCU, including the origin of Nick Fury’s famous eye-patch and the formation of the Avengers Initiative. And of course, the introduction of Carol Danvers as one of the most powerful heroes in the universe sets the stage for some major showdowns in future films. Brie Larson will reprise her role as Danvers in the Marvels which is due to hit theatres on 10 November.
Sets the stage for the MCU
Iron Man (2008)
Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist, builds a powered exoskeleton and becomes the technologically advanced superhero Iron Man.
According to the official Marvel timeline, Iron Man is set in 2010 and is the film that kicked off the entire MCU. The story revolves around Tony Stark, played brilliantly by Robert Downey Jr., a genius inventor, philanthropist, and playboy.
After being captured by a terrorist organization, Stark is held captive and pressured to build the latest weapons system for his captors. Instead, he uses his ingenuity to design a powerful suit of armor that allows him to escape. This became the first iteration of the Iron Man suit, which he continues to develop and refine throughout the film and subsequent sequels.
Iron Man not only sets the stage for the MCU, but also introduces us to one of its most iconic and beloved characters. From Tony’s quick wit to his incredible tech creations, the film gives us a glimpse into the larger-than-life world of superheroes. Jon Favreau directed the film and played Tony’s bodyguard Happy Hogan.
4Iron Man 2
Picks up where Iron Man left off
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark faces pressure from the government and new enemies while dealing with the repercussions of his identity as Iron Man.
Iron Man 2 picks up right where the first film left off, with Tony Stark struggling to deal with the aftermath of his Iron Man identity being revealed to the world. The government demands that he hand over the technology behind the suit, but Stark refuses to comply. This leads to a tense standoff that is made even more complicated by the arrival of a new villain, a weapons manufacturer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the coveted technology.
The film also introduces us to two other key members of the Avengers team: the Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, and War Machine, played by Don Cheadle. Of course, Jon Favreau also returned as Happy Hogan alongside his directing duties.
While The Incredible Hulk technically takes place around the same time as Iron Man 2 and Thor, Marvel recommends watching Iron Man 2 first for consistency purposes. We’ve followed their official guidance to create this chronological watch guide.
5The Incredible Hulk
Norton’s only portrayal
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Bruce Banner, on the run from the military, seeks a cure for his transformation into the raging Hulk.
The Incredible Hulk sees Bruce Banner, played by Edward Norton, on the run from General Thunderbolt Ross and the US Military, as he desperately tries to evade capture and find a cure for his condition. Despite his best efforts, Ross is determined to capture Banner and use his unique abilities for military purposes. In a bid to create a controllable version of the Hulk, Ross uses another soldier as a test subject, but things quickly spiral out of control. This leads to an epic battle between the two Hulks, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
Although Norton played the role of Banner in this film, he was replaced by Mark Ruffalo in 2012’s The Avengers and has remained the face of the big green man ever since. Norton also received a screenwriting credit for this film. It was directed by Louis Leterrier.
Thor exiled in first solo outing
Thor (2011)
The Norse god Thor is exiled to Earth, stripped of his powers, and must prove himself worthy to return.
After being banished to Earth from Asgard by his father Odin, the mighty God of Thunder, Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth), must earn back his powers and regain control of his hammer, Mjolnir. This is no easy task, and he must prove his worthiness to wield the weapon once again.
Luckily, Thor finds an ally in Jane Foster, an Earth scientist played by Natalie Portman, who helps him navigate the complexities of life on our planet while also aiding him in his quest to set things right in Asgard. Meanwhile, his treacherous brother Loki is up to no good, and Thor must act fast to prevent him from assuming total control of their homeland.
7The Avengers
Culmination of Phase One
The Avengers (2012)
Earth’s mightiest heroes unite to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.
The Avengers is the culmination of the so-called “Phase One” of the MCU. With all the main heroes introduced, the real challenge was finding something daunting enough to force them to work together. The film brings together characters such as Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, who must put aside their differences and unite to stop the nefarious plans of Loki and his army of aliens. The epic battle scenes and witty dialogue make The Avengers a must-see for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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8Iron Man 3
Final standalone Iron Man film
Iron Man 3 (2013)
After his world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist, Tony Stark embarks on a journey of rebuilding and retribution.
The third and final standalone Iron Man film occurs six months after the tremendous fight in New York City. Tony Stark is grappling with the aftermath of the battle, which almost claimed his life. His experience prompts him to create a fleet of Iron Man suits, which he can employ at a moment’s notice. However, when a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin emerges, Tony must confront his most significant challenge yet, testing the mettle of both the man and the suit.
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9Thor: The Dark World
The second Thor film
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor battles an ancient race led by vengeful Malekith to save the Nine Realms.
In the second Thor film, our hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to Asgard following the invasion of New York City led by his mischievous brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Unfortunately for Thor, he doesn’t have much time to catch his breath before an ancient enemy, the Dark Elves, resurfaces. Once believed to be extinct, the Dark Elves have returned to claim the Aether, a powerful weapon that is later discovered to be one of the six Infinity Stones, capable of granting immense power to its possessor. As Thor fights to protect the Nine Realms from the Dark Elves' malevolent plan, he must also grapple with his complicated relationship with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who finds herself entangled in the conflict.
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10Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The second Captain film
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Steve Rogers uncovers a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. and faces a mysterious assassin, the Winter Soldier.
Captain America has been working for S.H.I.E.L.D, a special government agency, since the events of The Avengers, but he finds himself questioning the organization’s motives as he uncovers more about its plans. To make matters worse, his closest friend returns from the dead as an adversary, the Winter Soldier, portrayed by Sebastian Stan. The film also introduces The Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie, who joins Captain America in his quest for justice against the shadowy forces that threaten to tear the world apart.
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