Introduction
Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or just getting into the franchise, keeping track of the order in which to watch the movies can be challenging. With so many films, TV shows, and spin-offs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But fear not! We’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll break down the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline and give you a comprehensive guide to watching the movies in order.
Phase One: The Beginning
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man, the first movie in the MCU, introduces us to Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist who builds a suit of armor to fight crime. It’s a great starting point for the franchise and sets the tone for what’s to come.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The second film in Phase One, The Incredible Hulk follows Bruce Banner as he tries to control his anger and transform into the Hulk. It’s a standalone movie that doesn’t have much impact on the rest of the MCU, but it’s still worth watching.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
In Iron Man 2, we see Tony Stark facing off against a new enemy, Ivan Vanko, while also dealing with his own personal demons. The film introduces us to Black Widow and sets up some important plot points for future movies.
Thor (2011)
Thor takes us to Asgard, the home of the Norse gods, and introduces us to the titular character, his brother Loki, and the powerful Infinity Stones. It’s a fun adventure that sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The final film in Phase One, Captain America: The First Avenger, takes us back to World War II and introduces us to Steve Rogers, a scrawny kid who becomes a super-soldier. It’s a great origin story that sets up the events of The Avengers.
Phase Two: The Rise of Thanos
Iron Man 3 (2013)
In Iron Man 3, Tony Stark faces off against the Mandarin while dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of New York. It’s a standalone movie that doesn’t have much impact on the rest of the MCU, but it’s still a fun ride.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: The Dark World takes us back to Asgard and introduces us to the Dark Elves, who are after the Aether, another powerful Infinity Stone. It’s a decent movie that sets up some important events for future films.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier sees Steve Rogers teaming up with Black Widow and the Falcon to take down a new enemy, the Winter Soldier. It’s a great action movie that also sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy takes us to the outer reaches of space and introduces us to a new group of heroes, including Star-Lord, Gamora, and Groot. It’s a fun adventure that sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the team faces off against Ultron, a powerful AI created by Tony Stark. The movie also introduces us to new characters, including Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, and sets up some important events for future films.
Ant-Man (2015)
Ant-Man introduces us to Scott Lang, a former thief who becomes the new Ant-Man. It’s a fun heist movie that also sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Phase Three: The Infinity Saga
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: Civil War sees the Avengers split into two factions, one led by Captain America and the other by Iron Man. It’s a great action movie that also sets up some important events for future films.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange takes us to the mystical realm and introduces us to the Sorcerer Supreme, who must protect the world from powerful threats. It’s a trippy, mind-bending movie that sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 sees the team facing off against a new enemy, Ego, while also dealing with their own personal issues. It’s a fun adventure that also sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming sees Peter Parker trying to balance his high school life with his superhero duties. It’s a fun, coming-of-age movie that also sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok takes the franchise in a new direction, with a more comedic and colorful tone. It sees Thor and the Hulk teaming up to save Asgard from destruction. It’s a fun, action-packed movie that sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther takes us to Wakanda, a technologically advanced African nation, and introduces us to T’Challa, the new king. It’s a great movie that explores themes of identity, heritage, and responsibility, while also setting up some important events for future films.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War sees the Avengers teaming up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to take on the biggest threat yet, Thanos. It’s a dark, epic movie that sets up the events of the final film in the Infinity Saga.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp sees Scott Lang teaming up with Hope van Dyne to rescue her mother from the quantum realm. It’s a fun, lighthearted movie that sets up some important events for the rest of the MCU.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of the Infinity Saga, with the Avengers teaming up to undo the damage done by Thanos. It’s an emotional, satisfying conclusion to the franchise that also sets up some important events for future films.
Conclusion
And there you have it, your ultimate guide to watching the Marvel movies in order. Whether you’re a new fan or a seasoned veteran, following this timeline will help you get the most out of the franchise. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the ride!
