MCU Chronological Order: From Captain America To Marvels 2
Are you ready to embark on the ultimate Marvel Cinematic Universe journey? Navigating the sprawling narrative of the MCU in chronological order isn't just for die-hard fans; it's the definitive way to experience the interconnected stories that have captivated audiences worldwide.
For over a decade, Marvel Studios has crafted a cinematic universe of unparalleled scope, weaving together individual stories into a grand, overarching narrative. But with a timeline spanning decades and featuring a plethora of movies and television series, understanding the correct viewing order can be a challenge. The release order is a journey in itself, and the chronological order unveils a different, arguably richer, tapestry of storytelling.
Let's delve into the essential details of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the viewing order, from the very beginning of the MCU's timeline to its most recent additions. This guide includes all the movies and series, organized for the ultimate fan experience.
| Movie/Show Title | Release Date | Chronological Placement | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain America: The First Avenger | July 22, 2011 | World War II Era | Steve Rogers, a scrawny young man, is transformed into a super-soldier to fight in World War II. He battles the Red Skull and HYDRA. |
| Captain Marvel | March 8, 2019 | 1995 | Carol Danvers gains cosmic superpowers and becomes Captain Marvel, fighting against the Kree. |
| Iron Man | May 2, 2008 | 2010 | Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist, builds a high-tech suit of armor after being held captive by terrorists. |
| Iron Man 2 | May 7, 2010 | 2011 | Tony Stark faces new threats while dealing with his own mortality, and the U.S. government seeks to acquire his technology. |
| The Incredible Hulk | June 13, 2008 | 2011 | Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk after a gamma radiation experiment goes wrong, and he is hunted by the military. |
| Thor | May 6, 2011 | 2011 | The Asgardian prince Thor is banished to Earth and must prove himself worthy to reclaim his powers. |
| The Avengers | May 4, 2012 | 2012 | The Avengers assemble to protect Earth from Loki and the Chitauri invasion. |
| Iron Man 3 | May 3, 2013 | 2013 | Tony Stark battles the Mandarin and the threat of Extremis. |
| Thor: The Dark World | November 8, 2013 | 2013 | Thor fights the Dark Elves who seek to plunge the universe into darkness. |
| Captain America: The Winter Soldier | April 4, 2014 | 2014 | Captain America and Black Widow uncover a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | August 1, 2014 | 2014 | A group of misfit heroes team up to protect the galaxy from a powerful weapon. |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | May 5, 2017 | 2014 | The Guardians of the Galaxy journey across the cosmos to unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage. |
| Avengers: Age of Ultron | May 1, 2015 | 2015 | The Avengers battle Ultron, a rogue artificial intelligence, who seeks to destroy humanity. |
| Ant-Man | July 17, 2015 | 2015 | Scott Lang becomes Ant-Man, a hero who can shrink in size, and must stop a threat to the world. |
| Captain America: Civil War | May 6, 2016 | 2016 | The Avengers are divided by political pressure and disagree on the Sokovia Accords. |
| Black Widow | July 9, 2021 | 2016 (Between Civil War & Infinity War) | Natasha Romanoff confronts her past and a threat connected to her history as a trained assassin. |
| Black Panther | February 16, 2018 | 2017 | T'Challa, the new king of Wakanda, must defend his nation from enemies both within and outside its borders. |
| Spider-Man: Homecoming | July 7, 2017 | 2017 | Peter Parker balances his high school life with his newfound role as Spider-Man, mentored by Tony Stark. |
| Doctor Strange | November 4, 2016 | 2016 | A brilliant neurosurgeon discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions after a career-ending accident. |
| Thor: Ragnarok | November 3, 2017 | 2017 | Thor must stop Ragnarok, the destruction of Asgard, with the help of the Hulk and Valkyrie. |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp | July 6, 2018 | 2018 | Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne team up as Ant-Man and the Wasp to find Janet van Dyne in the Quantum Realm. |
| Avengers: Infinity War | April 27, 2018 | 2018 | The Avengers and their allies must stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones and wiping out half of all life in the universe. |
| Avengers: Endgame | April 26, 2019 | 2023 | The remaining Avengers attempt to undo Thanos's actions and bring back those who were lost, leading to a final battle. |
| Spider-Man: Far From Home | July 2, 2019 | 2023 | Peter Parker deals with the aftermath of the Blip while on a school trip to Europe. |
| WandaVision | January 15, 2021 - March 5, 2021 | 2023 | Wanda Maximoff and Vision navigate a suburban life, but things are not as they seem. |
| The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | March 19, 2021 - April 23, 2021 | 2023 | Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes team up to fight against a threat that involves the legacy of Captain America. |
| Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | September 3, 2021 | 2023 | Shang-Chi is forced to confront his past when he is drawn into the mysterious Ten Rings organization. |
| Eternals | November 5, 2021 | 2023 | A group of immortal beings who have shaped Earth's civilizations for millennia must come out of hiding to protect humanity from the Deviants. |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | December 17, 2021 | 2023 | Peter Parker seeks Doctor Strange's help to make the world forget he is Spider-Man, leading to a multiverse clash. |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | May 6, 2022 | 2024 | Doctor Strange explores the multiverse with the help of America Chavez, facing new threats and realities. |
| Thor: Love and Thunder | July 8, 2022 | 2024 | Thor teams up with Jane Foster, now wielding Mjolnir, to fight Gorr the God Butcher. |
| Ms. Marvel | June 8, 2022 July 13, 2022 | 2024 | Kamala Khan, a teenage fangirl of the Avengers, gains superpowers and must navigate her new life. |
| She-Hulk: Attorney at Law | August 18, 2022 - October 13, 2022 | 2024 | Jennifer Walters, a lawyer, becomes She-Hulk and deals with her new life and superhero law cases. |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | November 11, 2022 | 2024 | The people of Wakanda fight to protect their nation after the death of King T'Challa. |
| The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special | November 25, 2022 | 2024 | The Guardians of the Galaxy celebrate the holidays on Knowhere. |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | February 17, 2023 | 2025 | Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne explore the Quantum Realm and face Kang the Conqueror. |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | May 5, 2023 | 2025 | The Guardians embark on a new mission to protect Rocket. |
| Secret Invasion | June 21, 2023 July 26, 2023 | 2025 | Nick Fury and his allies deal with a Skrull invasion of Earth. |
| Loki: Season 2 | October 5, 2023 - November 9, 2023 | 2025 | Loki and his friends navigate the complexities of the multiverse and time travel. |
| The Marvels | November 10, 2023 | 2025 | Captain Marvel teams up with Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau to save the universe. |
| Echo | January 9, 2024 | 2024 - 2025 | Maya Lopez, a deaf Native American, is forced to confront her past as she returns to her hometown. |
| Agatha: Darkhold Diaries | TBA | TBA | Agatha Harkness returns, weaving a spell with magic |
| Captain America: Brave New World | February 14, 2025 | 2025 | Sam Wilson takes on the mantle of Captain America. |
| Daredevil: Born Again | TBA | TBA | Daredevil returns. |
| Thunderbolts | July 25, 2025 | 2025 | A team of supervillains is assembled for a dangerous mission. |
This is the starting point for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and its essential to fully grasp the rich tapestry that Marvel Studios has meticulously woven together. It's a saga that continues to evolve.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is more than just a collection of superhero movies; it's a sprawling narrative, a shared universe where characters and stories intersect, creating a unique and engaging experience. It has become a pop culture phenomenon. The vastness of the MCU is also what makes it exciting for fans. Understanding the correct viewing order is crucial for a complete understanding of the MCU and its interconnected storylines. The stories are intertwined, and this list ensures you get the most complete viewing experience.
Remember, this list is always subject to change as Marvel Studios continues to release new content. This is the best way to get the most comprehensive view. You can visit the Marvel brand page on Disney+ to see the MCU movie timeline and the MCU complete timeline, which includes films and TV series broken out by season.
