Marvel Cinematic Universe: The MCU's Chronological Timeline (& Watch Order)
Marvel Cinematic Universe: The MCU's Chronological Timeline (& MCU Release Order)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has evolved from a series of interconnected films to a sprawling, multi-platform saga. But with movies, TV series, specials, and even shorts, keeping track of the chronological order can feel like navigating a multiversal maze - because you are. Fear not, true believers! This comprehensive guide will illuminate the MCU timeline, providing you with the MCU's chronological timeline and ultimate watch order as well as insights into its fascinating evolution.
Understanding the MCU's Chronological Complexity
From its humble beginnings in Phase One to the multiversal explorations of Phase Five, the MCU timeline has seen significant shifts. Initially, films followed their release order, but Phase Three introduced overlapping narratives and time jumps, notably the five-year jump in "Avengers: Endgame."
The introduction of Disney+ series like "Loki" and "What If...?" further complicated matters by introducing alternate timelines. Marvel Studios has made efforts to codify the timeline, including an official timeline book released in 2023 and the integration of Marvel Television's Netflix series into the Disney+ timeline in early 2024.
Key Developments in MCU Timeline Management:
- Early Phases: Phase One and Phase Two largely followed release order, simplifying the in-universe timeline.
- Phase Three Overlaps: Films began "happening on top of each other," requiring more intricate timeline management.
- "Spider-Man: Homecoming" Controversy: A title card error sparked widespread criticism and prompted Marvel to release official timelines.
- The Multiverse Saga: Phase Four and beyond introduced multiversal concepts, blurring the lines of the "Sacred Timeline."
- Official Timeline Book: "The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline" (2023) aimed to clarify the "Sacred Timeline" of Earth-616.
- Netflix Series Integration: Marvel Studios officially incorporated Marvel Television's Netflix series into the Disney+ timeline in 2024.
The MCU Timeline: A Detailed Breakdown
Looking for a way to watch the Marvel Studios MCU movies in chronological order? Here's a breakdown of the MCU timeline, including movies, series, and shorts, in chronological order:
(Note: This list reflects the current MCU timeline and includes movies, series, specials, and shorts in chronological order. Some series are split by episode where events span different points in the timeline.)
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Chronological Order:
Captain America: The First Avenger (June 1943 - March 1945)
Agent Carter (1946)
Captain Marvel (Summer 1995)
Iron Man (Early - Spring 2008)
Iron Man 2 (Spring 2010)
The Incredible Hulk (Spring 2010)
Thor (Spring 2010)
The Consultant (Summer 2010)
The Avengers (Spring 2012)
Item 47 (Spring 2012)
Thor: The Dark World (Fall 2013)
Iron Man 3 (December 2013 - Early 2014)
All Hail the King (Early 2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Spring 2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (Summer 2014)
I Am Groot Episode 1 (Summer 2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Fall 2014)
I Am Groot Episodes 2 - 5 (Fall 2014)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (Spring 2015)
Ant-Man (Summer 2015)
Captain America: Civil War (Spring 2016)
Black Widow (Spring - Summer 2016)
Black Panther (Summer 2016)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (Fall 2016)
Doctor Strange (Fall 2016 - 2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (Fall 2017)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (Spring 2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (Spring 2018)
Avengers: Endgame (Fall 2023)
Avengers: Endgame (Fall 2023)
Loki Season 1 (Outside Linear Time - Following the 2012 Alternate Timeline Branch in Avengers: Endgame)
What If...? Season 1 (Outside the Sacred Timeline - Multiverse)
WandaVision (November 2023 - Three Weeks After Avengers: Endgame)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (April 2024)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (April - May 2024)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (June - July 2024)
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024 Baseline Realities / Primarily the Void, Outside Linear Time)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (July - December 2024)
Eternals (Late 2024)
Hawkeye (December 2024)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Early 2025)
Moon Knight (Spring 2025)
Ironheart (Late 2025)
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Mid-to-Late 2025)
Ms. Marvel (Autumn 2025)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Late 2025)
Echo (Late 2025 - Following Hawkeye)
Thor: Love and Thunder (Late 2025)
Werewolf by Night (Late 2025)
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 Prologue (Late 2025)
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (December 2025)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Early 2026)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Mid-2026)
Secret Invasion (Late 2026)
The Marvels (Late 2026)
Agatha All Along (Late 2026 - Three Years After WandaVision)
Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (Late 2026 - Early 2027)
Captain America: Brave New World (November 2026 - Early 2027)
Thunderbolts* (Mid-to-Late 2027)
VisionQuest (Projected 2027 - 2028)
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Late 2028)
Avengers: Doomsday (Late 2028)
Loki Season 2 (Outside Linear Time - Continuing Directly After Season 1)
What If...? Seasons 2 & 3 (Outside the Sacred Timeline - Multiverse)
Eyes of Wakanda (Multiple Historical Periods)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Alternate 1960s Universe)
Want to go in release order as if you were watching them as they came out? Here's the release order plus our guides to each Phase in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Release Order:
The Infinity Saga
Phase One: Avengers Assembled
Check out our Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Phase One Guide
Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
Phase Two:
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Marvel One Shot: Agent Carter
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Marvel One Shot: All Hail the King
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Agent Carter, Season 1
Daredevil, Season 1
The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ant-Man (2015)
Jessica Jones, Season 1
Agent Carter, Season 2
Daredevil, Season 2
Phase Three:
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Luke Cage, Season 1
Doctor Strange (2016)
Iron Fist, Season 1
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
The Defenders, Season 1
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The Punisher, Season 1
Black Panther (2018)
Jessica Jones, Season 2
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Luke Cage, Season 2
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Iron Fist, Season 2
Daredevil, Season 3
The Punisher, Season 2
Captain Marvel (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Jessica Jones, Season 3
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
The Multiverse Saga
Phase Four:
WandaVision, Limited Series
Loki, Season 1
Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Limited Series
Black Widow (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
What If...?, Season 1
Eternals (2021)
Hawkeye, Limited Series
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Moon Knight, Limited Series
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Ms. Marvel, Limited Series
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
I Am Groot, Season 1
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Season 1
Marvel Special Presentation: Werewolf by Night
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Marvel Special Presentation: The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Phase Five:
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Secret Invasion, Limited Series
Loki, Season 2
I Am Groot, Season 2
The Marvels (2023)
What If...?, Season 2
Echo, , Limited Series
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Agatha All Along, Limited Series
What If...?, Season 3
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Ironheart, Limited Series
Thunderbolts* (2025)
Phase Six:
Eyes of Wakanda (2025), Limited Series
Marvel Zombies (2025), Limited Series
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Wonder Man (2026), Limited Series
Daredevil: Born Again (2026)
Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
VisionQuest (2026), Limited Series
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Avengers: Secret Wars (2026)
On Air Talent / Creator / Author / Producer
Kyle McMahon is an American television personality, radio host, journalist, actor, singer and songwriter. He is known for appearing in Oprah's Lifeclass, the Oscar winning film Selma, hosting Pop Culture Weekly with Kyle McMahon on iHeart Radio and touring with LFO and O-Town.
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