If you want to watch Marvel movies in order, there are two main ways: chronological order (the MCU story timeline) and release order (how Marvel Studios released the films). Below you’ll find both lists so you can pick the best viewing experience.
This guide shows the complete list of Marvel movies in order, including both the MCU timeline and the official release order.
Quick answer: For first-time viewers, release order is usually the best. For rewatches, try chronological order.
The best way to watch Marvel movies in order is release order for first-time viewers and chronological order for rewatches.
Marvel Movies in Order – Table of Contents
- Marvel Movies in Chronological Order
- Marvel Movies in Release Order
- Marvel Movies Checklist (Printable PDF)
- Upcoming Marvel Movies
- FAQ
Marvel Movies in Chronological Order
Chronological order follows the story timeline inside the MCU. (This is best for rewatches.)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (set primarily in the 1940s)
- Captain Marvel (set in the 1990s)
- Iron Man (set in 2010)
- Iron Man 2 (set in 2011)
- The Incredible Hulk (set around 2011)
- Thor (set around 2011)
- The Avengers (set in 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (set after The Avengers)
- Thor: The Dark World (set after The Avengers)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (set after The Avengers)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (set shortly after Vol. 1)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (set in 2015)
- Ant-Man (set in 2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (set in 2016)
- Black Widow (set after Civil War)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (set after Civil War)
- Doctor Strange (set across 2016–2017)
- Black Panther (set after Civil War)
- Thor: Ragnarok (set after Doctor Strange)
- Avengers: Infinity War (set in 2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (set around Infinity War)
- Avengers: Endgame (spans 2018–2023)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (set after Endgame)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (set after Endgame)
- Eternals (set after Endgame)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (set after Far From Home)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (set after No Way Home)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (set after Endgame)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (set after Endgame)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (set after Endgame)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (set after Endgame)
- The Marvels (set after Endgame)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (multiverse story; exact placement may vary)
Note: Some titles are difficult to place precisely because the MCU timeline can be updated by Marvel over time.
Marvel Movies in Release Order
Release order is the recommended way for first-time viewers.
- 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)
- Black Widow (2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- The Marvels (2023)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Marvel Movies Checklist (Printable)
This checklist helps you track all Marvel movies in order while watching the MCU.
- ☐ Captain America: The First Avenger
- ☐ Captain Marvel
- ☐ Iron Man
- ☐ Iron Man 2
- ☐ The Incredible Hulk
- ☐ Thor
- ☐ The Avengers
- ☐ Iron Man 3
- ☐ Thor: The Dark World
- ☐ Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- ☐ Guardians of the Galaxy
- ☐ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- ☐ Avengers: Age of Ultron
- ☐ Ant-Man
- ☐ Captain America: Civil War
- ☐ Spider-Man: Homecoming
- ☐ Doctor Strange
- ☐ Black Panther
- ☐ Thor: Ragnarok
- ☐ Avengers: Infinity War
- ☐ Ant-Man and the Wasp
- ☐ Avengers: Endgame
- ☐ Spider-Man: Far From Home
- ☐ Black Widow
- ☐ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- ☐ Eternals
- ☐ Spider-Man: No Way Home
- ☐ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- ☐ Thor: Love and Thunder
- ☐ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- ☐ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- ☐ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- ☐ The Marvels
- ☐ Deadpool & Wolverine
Download printable checklist (PDF):
Upcoming Marvel Movies
Marvel release plans can change. This section is updated when official dates are confirmed.
- Captain America: Brave New World (upcoming)
- Thunderbolts* (upcoming)
- The Fantastic Four (upcoming)
- Avengers: Doomsday (upcoming)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (upcoming)
For official updates, you can check the official Marvel movie list.
FAQ
Should I watch Marvel in chronological order or release order?
If it’s your first time, choose release order. Chronological order is best for rewatches, because it can reveal future twists too early.
Do I need to watch the Disney+ series too?
Not required to enjoy the main movies, but some series add context for newer characters. If you want, we can also publish a separate guide for movies + Disney+ series.
How many Marvel movies are there?
As the MCU keeps expanding, the total number changes over time. This page focuses on the main movies and is updated when major new releases arrive.
Watching Marvel movies in order helps you understand the full MCU story and character development.
Why Watching Marvel Movies in Order Matters
- You understand character development across the MCU.
- You see how post-credit scenes connect future stories.
- You follow the Infinity Saga without missing key events.
- You experience the Marvel movies in order exactly as the universe was built.
Marvel Movies in Order Explained (MCU Movie Guide)
This section explains every Marvel movie in order with a short spoiler-free description so you can understand where each film fits in the MCU timeline.
Iron Man (2008)
The movie that started the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing Tony Stark and the birth of Iron Man.
Viewing note: Stay for the post-credits scene that sets up the Avengers.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Bruce Banner struggles to control the Hulk while being hunted by the military.
Viewing note: This story loosely connects to later Avengers events.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark faces new enemies while the world reacts to Iron Man’s existence.
Viewing note: Introduces Black Widow and expands the MCU.
Thor (2011)
The Norse god Thor is banished to Earth and learns humility while defending the world.
Viewing note: Important for understanding the cosmic side of the MCU.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rogers becomes Captain America during World War II while fighting Hydra.
Viewing note: Introduces key elements that return later in the MCU.
The Avengers (2012)
Earth’s mightiest heroes unite for the first time to stop Loki and an alien invasion.
Viewing note: One of the most important crossover events in the MCU.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Tony Stark deals with the consequences of the Avengers battle while facing a new enemy.
Viewing note: Focuses more on Tony’s character than the larger MCU.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor must protect the universe from an ancient power connected to the Infinity Stones.
Viewing note: Important for the Infinity Stone storyline.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Steve Rogers uncovers a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. while facing a mysterious assassin.
Viewing note: One of the most important turning points in the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
A group of unlikely heroes band together in space to stop a powerful villain.
Viewing note: Expands the cosmic universe of Marvel.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers face Ultron, an AI created by Tony Stark that threatens humanity.
Viewing note: Introduces key characters for future Avengers movies.
Ant-Man (2015)
Scott Lang becomes the tiny but powerful hero Ant-Man with the help of advanced technology.
Viewing note: Adds humor and introduces the Quantum Realm.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The Avengers split into two factions over government control and responsibility.
Viewing note: Introduces Spider-Man and Black Panther.
Doctor Strange (2016)
A brilliant surgeon becomes the Sorcerer Supreme after discovering the mystic arts.
Viewing note: Introduces magic and multiverse concepts.
Black Panther (2018)
T’Challa returns to Wakanda to become king while facing a powerful challenger.
Viewing note: One of the most culturally significant Marvel films.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Avengers unite with the Guardians to stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones.
Viewing note: Leads directly into Avengers: Endgame.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Avengers attempt to undo the devastating events caused by Thanos.
Viewing note: The epic conclusion of the first major MCU saga.
Final Thoughts
Watching Marvel movies in order helps you follow the MCU story from beginning to end. Whether you choose chronological order or release order, this guide makes it easier to experience every Marvel movie in the correct order.