Embarking on a journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) over decades of story time can be an intimidating task. Release order will give you an idea of when the films were released, but watching them in chronological story order means you’ll experience the MCU’s history in order, from World War II experiments to modern multiverse collapses.
The Historical Beginnings
Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain Marvel
The MCU story kicks off decades before Tony Stark ever builds an Iron Suit. It starts with Steve Rogers battling Hydra in WWII and continues with Carol Danvers discovering her cosmic abilities in the mid-90s with a young, two-eyed Nick Fury.
The Hero Age Begins
Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, and Thor
Superheroes suddenly appear in this era. Tony Stark, the God of Thunder, descends to Earth, Bruce Banner escapes the Army, and the Asgardian God of Thunder is revealed.
Earth’s Mightiest Heroes Assemble
The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The battle of New York reshapes world history forever and puts alien threats on Earth. A conspiracy to endanger cosmic conquest and open up personal doomsdays, spanning decades, is uncovered in S.H.I.E.L.D. by Steve Rogers, who’s coping with personal fallout and cosmic convergences in the original Avengers.
Guardians & The Age of Ultron
Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Ant-Man
The story takes a turn for the cosmic, with Tony Stark’s allies from the cosmos before returning to Earth, where Ultron is accidentally created. The sequel reveals the Mind Stone and paves the way for Scott Lang’s diminishing size as a hero.
The Shattered Avengers
Captain America: Civil War, Black Widow, Black Panther, and Spider-Man: Homecoming
The Avengers are divided by differences of opinion on government oversight. The political repercussions bring in T’Challa, Wakanda’s king, and Peter Parker, the neighborhood protector par excellence for New York, while Natasha Romanoff deals with her past on the run.
Sorcery & The Onset of Thanos
Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok, Ant-Man and the Wasp
On a detour to the gladiatorial games, Stephen Strange encounters the Mystic Arts and Thor comes into contact with Mjolnir and Asgard. Meanwhile, the Pym family investigates the Quantum Realm, only to inadvertently create key elements of the coming Infinity Crisis.
The Infinity War & The Blip
Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame
Thanos assembles the 6 Infinity Stones and wipes out half of all life in the universe. After 5 years of dark chaos after Snap, the remaining heroes carry out a mission to retrieve everyone.
Aftermath & New Protectors
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, and Spider-Man: Far From Home
Immediately after the Blip, humans adjust to billions coming back. The shades of the past converge on the continent: Ancient Immortals appear from the shadows, Peter Parker takes on the legendary artifacts and faces Mysterio’s illusions all over Europe.
Multiverse Madness Unlocked
Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Dimensional barriers collapse. Alternate-reality Spider-Men battle it out in New York, Scarlet Witch wails through alternate realities, and Wakanda fends off worldwide grief as it protects its Vibranium reserves.
The Quantum & Cosmic Horizon
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, and Thunderbolts*
The story gets into deep quantum dimensions and multiversal incursions. The original Guardians bid their final farewells, mutant legacy heroes come into contact with the mainline universe, and Sam Wilson enforces his mantle as Captain America.
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