As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) continues to expand in 2024, the task of watching Marvel movies in order has become an epic adventure in itself. With over three decades of films and an ever-growing list of TV series, the MCU offers a vast tapestry of interconnected stories that captivate audiences across the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned Marvel enthusiast or a newcomer to this superhero realm, our guide is here to help you traverse this expansive universe with ease.
The first step in your Marvel journey is deciding between two distinct viewing paths: chronological order or release order. The chronological order immerses you in the MCU timeline as events unfolded, starting with the origins of Captain America in WWII. On the other hand, the release order allows you to experience the MCU as audiences did over the years, beginning with the iconic “Iron Man” in 2008. Regardless of your choice, you’re in for a thrilling ride through some of the most groundbreaking superhero films ever created.
Chronological Order
The chronological viewing experience of the Marvel movies, as of 2024, starts with the heroic beginnings of Captain America during WWII and concludes with the latest cinematic marvels. This order offers a seamless narrative flow, allowing you to witness the evolution of the MCU in the order events occurred. Here’s how to watch the 25 Marvel movies chronologically:
- The First Avenger (Captain America: The First Avenger) (during WWII)
- Captain Marvel (1995)
- The Incredible Hulk (2010)
- The sequel to Iron Man (takes place after Iron Man)
- Hulk, the Incredible Hulk (time unspecified, pre-Avengers)
- Thor’s (6 months before Avengers)
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (6 months after The Avengers)
- Thor and the Dark World (post-Avengers, pre-Ultron)
- Winter Soldier (Captain America) (post-Avengers, pre-Ultron)
- The Guardians of the Galaxy (sometime in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a sequel to the film Guardians of the Galaxy (after Guardians)
- Age of Ultron (2015)
- The Ant-Man (2015)
- Civil War, Captain America (post-Ultron, pre-Infinity War)
- The Black Widow (takes place right after Civil War)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (post-Civil War, pre-Infinity War)
- Strange Doctor (2016)
- The Panther in Black (2017)
- Ragnarok (Thor: Ragnarok) (post-Ultron, pre-Infinity War)
- Infinity War (Avengers: Infinity War) (2017)
- The Wasp and Ant-Man (ambiguous, but fits nicely between IW and Endgame)
- Endgame (Avengers) (starts in 2017, finishes in 2022)
- Far From Home (Spider-Man) (eight months post-Endgame)
- The Legend of the Ten Rings and Shang-Chi (set in the present day of the MCU)
Along with the films, the MCU series on Disney Plus have become essential viewing. These series delve deeper into character backstories and fill in gaps within the MCU timeline. Here’s how they fit into the cinematic narrative:
- WandaVision (a few weeks after Endgame)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (six months after Endgame)
- Loki (after the events of The Avengers, but in an alternate timeline)
With this comprehensive guide, you’re well-equipped to embark on your Marvel Cinematic Universe journey, whether you’re revisiting these classics or experiencing them for the first time. Happy viewing!