There are two common ways to build a Marvel movies timeline. The first is in release order, kicking off with 2008’s IRON MAN. The second is a chronological Marvel movie order, following the order of events, which means moving CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER to the pole position and shuffling Phase Three’s movies in some interesting ways. Here is our updated recommendation for watching the Marvel movie releases so you can get caught up before ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA opens on the big screen in February.
The third ANT-MAN film reunites Scott Lang, Hope Van Dyne, Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne as they return to the Quantum Realm alongside Scott’s daughter, Cassie. However, in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA we will see our miniature marvels facing new, dangerous worlds and a very dangerous villain, Kang the Conqueror. The arrival of Kang is one of our most anticipated moments in Phase 5 of MCU, so be sure to get your tickets now to see ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA on the big screen.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA opens February 17th1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER is something of an extended introduction to the MCU. The bulk of the movie is set in the ’40s, and it introduces viewers to the SSR, which becomes S.H.I.E.L.D. Even the end-credits sequence, which features Nick Fury, is a nice setup for everything that will follow. Want to watch the Marvel movies in order? Start here.
2. Captain Marvel (2019)
CAPTAIN MARVEL effectively takes the spot formerly held by IRON MAN as the proper kickoff for the entire MCU. The story is primarily set in the mid-’90s and features the first evolution of S.H.I.E.L.D. and an important stage of Nick Fury’s career. The story also sets up the Kree (later seen in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) and, most importantly, deals with an object that becomes significant toward the end of Marvel’s Phase One. As the origin story for Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), this also feels more like a Phase One movie than anything Marvel has done in the past few years. In terms of tone and theme, it sits well in the beginning of the viewing order. Yes, there’s a connection to INFINITY WAR and ENDGAME, but just keep this film’s first post-credits sequence in your back pocket for later.
3. Iron Man (2008)
Although IRON MAN was the first MCU movie, it has more power when placed here. We know who Howard Stark is thanks to THE FIRST AVENGER. Watching his son take his first faltering steps into the “bigger universe” is an effective stage of the MCU movie order. The final scene, with Nick Fury stepping out of the shadows, will take on a subtly different meaning after the events of CAPTAIN MARVEL. Rather than hint at the birth of the MCU, it will become connective tissue linking the first three films together.
4. Iron Man 2 (2010)
After IRON MAN introduces viewers to the modern-day iteration of S.H.I.E.L.D., the sequel dives deep into that organization. It also features Nick Fury in a far more significant role, allowing viewers to get a sense of just who this figure really is. Meanwhile, the focus on Howard Stark’s legacy continues to draw the narrative threads together. It makes perfect sense to watch IRON MAN 2 at this point.
5. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
This particular adjustment to the viewing order is appropriate. While THE INCREDIBLE HULK actually happens at the same time as IRON MAN 2, the end-credits sequence assumes Tony Stark now has a “consultant” role with S.H.I.E.L.D.
6. Thor (2011)
THOR introduces viewers to Asgard and launches a series of stories inspired by events in the Realm Eternal. At the same time, it continues to develop the story of S.H.I.E.L.D., with Coulson and Hawkeye playing important roles.
7. The Avengers (2012)
This is a natural fit after the events of THOR, continuing many of that film’s themes and character arcs. Loki returns as a villain; the concept of the Tesseract is explored; and the existence of dangerous alien beings becomes public knowledge when the Chitauri invade New York. There’s also a more subtle detail as this is the first film to really hint that S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t just “good guys.” THE AVENGERS includes a disturbing sequence in which the World Security Council orders a nuclear attack on American soil.
8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Here’s where the order of events really changes, but for good reason. The last two films have explored the cosmic side of the MCU, and it makes sense to continue that line. Some of the most important themes and ideas — particularly the relationship between Thor and Loki — follow on perfectly from THE AVENGERS. This also introduces the idea of the Infinity Stones, although they’re only partly explained at this point.
9. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Continuing the cosmic focus, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY unveils another Infinity Stone. The Collector, introduced in the stinger of THOR: THE DARK WORLD, makes another appearance, tying the two films together. Viewers are left with a strong sense that the Infinity Stones are being brought into play across the universe.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The events of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 are set only a couple of months after the first film, so it makes sense for this to follow straight on. It continues the space-opera style and tone established by the last two films in our Marvel movie order.
11. Iron Man 3 (2013)
The cosmic diversion is over, and the focus now moves back to Earth, where Tony Stark is dealing with the emotional fallout from THE AVENGERS. The passage of time between the films actually makes Tony’s PTSD feel more significant, while also making it feel more natural that Stark has had the time to build so many armors.
12. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Continuing with the Earthly focus, this movie shows what Captain America is up to. This story could even be happening at the same time as IRON MAN 3, explaining why Cap doesn’t help Tony against the Mandarin and why Stark isn’t on hand to deal with Hydra. Or maybe Cap and Stark are merely still wary of one another at this stage. Perhaps most importantly, placing this film here begins a Falcon arc that will run through the next few movies.
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
This is another natural fit. The film opens with the Avengers taking down a major Hydra base. In thematic terms, placing this close to IRON MAN 3 makes Tony’s emotional journey feel more immediate and natural. This film also begins to tie the Earth-bound adventures into the cosmic stories, with another Infinity Stone revealed. Thor’s vision establishes a sense of impending threat.
14. Ant-Man (2015)
Set in the immediate aftermath of AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, ANT-MAN contains subtle references to the devastation at Sokovia. Placing it here in the lineup makes the Falcon fight carry additional weight, bringing Sam closer to primary character status.
15. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The Sokovia arc that begun in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON comes to a head in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, tearing the Avengers apart. CIVIL WAR acts as the launchpad for the next batch of Earth-bound stories, so they slot in nicely after it. It also follows on perfectly from ANT-MAN’s end-credits scene.
16. Black Widow (2021)
17. Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther was introduced in CIVIL WAR, and this continues his story. It’s appropriate to drop this movie in next, as BLACK PANTHER is set only a week after the Avengers divide, and the Wakandan focus follows on nicely from the end-credits sequence.
18. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Set two months after CIVIL WAR, SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING focuses on Peter Parker. It’s important to note that Tony Stark has been given time to heal a little, so this viewing order makes sense.
19. Doctor Strange (2016)
Placing DOCTOR STRANGE here gives the film real importance as a thematic tie between the MCU’s Earth-bound and cosmic movies. DOCTOR STRANGE introduces the concept of magic and brings the Time Stone into play. The Quantum Realm also plays a subtle role, as Strange glimpses it while being sent careering through the dimensions. Finally, the end-credits scene leads nicely into THOR: RAGNAROK.
20. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
This film follows on logically from DOCTOR STRANGE. (There’s even a cameo.) The end credits begin the direct buildup to AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, with the Asgardian refugees intercepted in space by Thanos.
21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
This is a difficult one to place in this thematic structure. While it returns to the Earth-bound adventures, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP is fantastical and funny. The bulk of the story is set before the events of AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, so it makes sense to place it here. This particular viewing order does change how the post-credits scene plays, however. Rather than knowing what’s going on, you’ll have the same sense of shock and horror felt by Hank Pym or Scott Lang.
22. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
In this order, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR will be the last thing you watch before AVENGERS: ENDGAME. That works particularly well when you consider that, according to screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the snap was originally in ENDGAME. These two films may not be a traditional Parts I and II anymore, but their relationship is so close that it’s better to watch them back to back — just how they were filmed.
23. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The world reels from the aftereffects of Thanos’s snap, and our heroes are just as affected as everyone else, if not more so. The fourth AVENGERS movie is very much the culmination of 10 years of story — it is deeply tied to everything that came before, particularly the first three AVENGERS movies. (That’s a hint about which movies you should definitely rewatch, if you only have time for a handful.) The story ties up a handful of plot threads that began in several previous movies and opens up new dimensions for future MCU movies to explore.
24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Marvel’s second SPIDER-MAN movie very specifically follows ENDGAME, as it explores Peter’s grief over the passing of Tony Stark and the changes wrought on the world. It’s somewhere between a coda to the last storytelling phase in the MCU and, thanks to the final moments of the movie, a pointer to where Marvel is likely to go next.
25. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Watch Now SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME is now playing
26. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
27. Eternals (2021)
28. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
In Marvel Studios’ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Taking place following the actions in SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious and dangerous adversary. How will the results of Doctor Strange’s latest adventure effect the MCU moving forward?
29. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Join Thor on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – a quest for inner peace. After the epic battle with Thanos in AVENGERS: ENDGAME, we see Thor embark on a cosmic adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy. THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, is a stand-alone story that has propelled Thor and the Guardians on adventures to save civilizations until they receive a distress signal about a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher. Without spoiling the movie, there was a long debate about where does this movie fall in the MCU timeline, some consider that it should come be before DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. After you see the THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, where would you place it within the timeline?
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER30. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
In Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross, and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Filmmaker Ryan Cooler returns directing an ensemble cast that includes Angela Basset, Letitia Wright, Windston Duke, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman and introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of Talokan.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER31. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
What once seemed like a far-off promise is becoming a reality now that ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA is launching Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the next chapter in the incredibly popular superhero saga. ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA continues Lang’s hero’s journey, he is no longer the unknown former thief but instead one of the most well-known superheroes on the planet, thanks in part to his actions during the massive battle with Thanos. But, the victory lap doesn’t last long, as Lang, together with his daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), Hope van Dyne, Janet van Dyne, and Hank Pym, are transported back to Quantum Realm. Exploring the vast realm, the group meets Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), a time-traveling figure who could very well prove to be the biggest threat to life in the MCU to date. All sorts of dangers and mysteries await in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA.
Who knows what the MCU has in store for us in the next year, but one thing that is for certain is that all roads lead to Phase 6, which will feature not one, but two massive crossover films – AVENGERS: THE KANG DYNASTY and AVENGERS: SECRET WARS – which will surely include ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA big bad, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), in some shape or form.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA now playing
