In Marvel's vast cinematic universe, finding your way around can be akin to deciphering the mystery of the Riddle of the Sphinx. Between Thor, the god of thunder, and Spider-Man oscillating between his "Homecoming" and "Far From Home" adventures, figuring out where to start is an enigma. You've already heard of "Avengers: Endgame", but how can you understand its scope without having followed the saga from the beginning with "Iron Man"? Where does "Wakanda Forever" fit into this timeline? And what role do "Loki" or "Wandavision" play in this dense universe? Before plunging into the darkness with "Doctor Strange" or flying alongside "Guardians of the Galaxy", let me guide you. In this article, find out in what order you should watch the Marvel movies to get the most out of this epic experience. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned fan, let's dive into the different approaches to organizing your Marvel marathon.
Introduction to the Marvel universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU for short, is much more than just a collection of films. It's a vast and captivating parallel universe that has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world. Since its launch in 2008 with "Iron Man", the MCU has created an intricate web of superheroes, fantastical worlds and interconnected storylines spanning several decades.
Each MCU film, whether powerful Avengers, lone vigilantes or fearsome villains, fits into an overarching narrative, weaving narrative threads between the various characters and key events. This cinematic symphony has set new standards in entertainment, making the MCU a must-see experience for moviegoers, comic book fans and anyone in search of epic adventures.
Beyond the heroic battles and breathtaking special effects, the MCU also explores profound themes such as friendship, sacrifice, power and moral choices. Each character faces his or her own challenges and dilemmas, creating a human dimension within this fantastic universe.
History of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
In 2008, under the direction of visionary producer Kevin Feige, an unprecedented cinematic universe was born: the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It all began with the release of Iron Man, a film that marked the start of an epic cinematic adventure. Today, the MCU consists of four exciting phases, the last of which was inaugurated by the captivating Wandavision series in 2021.
The inspiration of comics master Stan Lee laid the foundations for this cinematic universe. Marvel has skilfully brought this vision to life, weaving a network of films in which the heroes evolve in interwoven and overlapping stories, creating a complex and fascinating narrative web.
Back in 2013, the MCU expanded its horizons by also investing the world of series, with the launch of Marvel: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. This was the starting point, followed by other series such as Daredevil (2015), Runaways (2017) and Cloak & Dagger (2018). The introduction of the Disney+ platform has brought this rich universe under one roof, carefully respecting the chronology that made it famous. However, the latest films are not yet available due to legal constraints that must be respected.
Recently, iconic series such as Wandavision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as well as Loki, have emerged on this platform, captivating fans and bringing new dimensions to the already vast MCU universe.
Interestingly, Ant-Man was originally intended to open Phase III, but its place was rearranged to make it the last film in Phase II. Similarly, the order of the phases was changed for Spider-Man: Far from Home, which was supposed to be the first film of Phase IV, but ended up slipping in as the last film of Phase III.
The different viewing orders explained
The order in which you watch Marvel movies, also known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), can vary depending on how you want to approach the story. Here are two possible orders: the order in which the films were released, and the chronological order of the story.
Film release order :
The release order of the Marvel films follows the chronology of their theatrical release, offering a cinematic experience similar to the one fans have enjoyed over the years. The journey begins with "Iron Man", which launched the MCU in 2008. From there, you follow the evolution of characters, stories and events through to the spectacular "Avengers: Endgame". This sequence offers a perspective on how the MCU has evolved over time, introducing new heroes and developing story arcs.
Here's Marvel's viewing order by film release order:
Phase I:
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: First Avenger (2011)
- Avengers (2012)
Phase II:
- 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)
Phase III:
- 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)
Phase IV:
- WandaVision(2021)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
- Loki: season 1 (2021)
- Black Widow (2021)
- What If ...? (2021)
- Shang-Shi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Hawkeye (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Moon Knight (2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Secret Invasion (2023)
- Werewolf By Night (2025)
Chronological order of the story :
For fans looking for total immersion in the superhero universe, the chronological order of the story is key. In this order, events unfold in the order of history, from past to present. The adventure begins with "Captain America: First Avenger", set in the 1940s, followed by "Captain Marvel", set in the 1990s. You then follow the story as the heroes meet and conflicts develop through to "Avengers: Endgame". This approach offers a unique perspective on the temporal links between the films and how events fit together.
Here's the Marvel viewing order by chronology:
- Captain America: First Avenger
- Agent Carter
- Captain Marvel
- Iron Man
- The Incredible Hulk
- Iron Man 2
- Thor
- avengers
- Iron Man 3
- Thor: The World of Darkness
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Daredevil Season 1
- Jessica Jones
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Daredevil Season 2
- Luke cage Season 1
- Ant-Man
- Iron First Season 1
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Widow (released after "Avengers: Endgame" but set between "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War")
- The defenders Season 1
- Doctor Strange
- Black Panther
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Thor: Ragnarok
- The Punisher Season 1
- Jessica Jones Season 2
- Luke Cage Season 2
- Iron First Season 2
- Daredevil Season 3
- Punisher Season 2
- Jessica Jones Season 2
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Want if ...? Super Soldier Peggy Carter, episode 1
- WandaVision Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Shang chi
- The Eternals
- Spider-Man: Far From Home.
- Spider-Man: No way Home
- Loki
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Hawkeye
- Moon Knight
- She-Hulk
- Secret Invasion
- Miss Marvel
- Thor: Love and Thunder
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Ouantumania
- Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3
Streaming platforms for watching the MCU
Here are some Streaming platforms and services where you can watch Marvel Universe movies and series:
Disney+ and its offer
On Disney Chanel Plus, you'll be able to see a wide range of Marvel films and series. That's right, Disney + In addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe live-action content, superhero fans can also enjoy series and animations based on their favorite characters, such as Avengers Superhero Team, Avengers Gathering, Avengers Secret Wars, Hulk and the Agents of SMASH, The New Adventures of Spider-Man, Marvel Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy, Rocket and Groot. These series and animations are available on the Disney + platform. Not all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is available in France, but a huge proportion of the films and series are available on Disney +. Here's a list of the films and series available on Disney+.
- Captain America: First Avenger (2011)
- Agent Carter (TV series - 2015-2016)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Avengers (2012)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Thor Ragnarok (2017)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Loki (TV series - 2021)
- What If...? (animated TV series - 2021)
- WandaVision (TV series - 2021)
- Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV series - 2021)
- She-Hulk (TV series - 2022)
- Hawkeye (TV series - 2021)
- Moon Knight (TV series - 2022)
- Miss Marvel (TV series - 2022)
- Werewolf by Night (2022)
- Secret Invasion (TV series - June 2023)
- For those not available on this platform, you can turn to VOD rentals or physical formats. Other films are already planned by Disney and Marvel. These include
- Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (2026)
Netflix and Marvel TV series
On Netflix, you can also download films from the Marvel universe. However, the major drawback of this platform is that it's complicated to fully enjoy a Marvel marathon in some countries. Since 2019, Netflix has not been offering new Marvel films in the United States, among other countries. These are exclusively accessible on Disney+. However, if you are a Netflix subscriber, a solution is still possible.
If new MCU releases are not available on your country's streaming platform, an alternative is to use a premium VPN. This will enable you to bypass geographical restrictions. However, to do this, you'll need to determine in which countries each Marvel movie is available.
Amazon Prime for new products
Amazon Prime also offers the opportunity to enjoy the best of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This platform is particularly well-suited to viewing the most recent films in the Marvel Universe. However, following the chronological order of events without getting confused could be a challenge. But if you're familiar with the chronological order of events in the Marvel Universe, you'll find it easy.
It's worth noting that Prime applies restrictions based on your geographic location, sometimes limiting your access to content. Fortunately, using a high-performance VPN will enable you to bypass these restrictions and access the Amazon programs that pique your interest.
Why watch these films and series in chronological order?
Exploring the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a logical and immersive way requires choosing a viewing order that emphasizes the temporal and narrative continuity of these interconnected stories. Here's a recommended order that seamlessly follows events and story arcs:
- Captain America: The First Avenger: Start with this film set in the 1940s to get a better grasp of the origins of the Marvel universe.
- Captain Marvel: Immerse yourself in the 1990s and discover the story of Carol Danvers, which subtly links elements from the first era of the MCU.
- Iron Man and Iron Man 2: Explore the early 21st century with Tony Stark as he enters the world of superheroes.
- Thor: Continue with the God of Thunder and see how his adventures overlap with those of Tony Stark.
- The Incredible Hulk: Follow the Hulk's adventures as they unfold simultaneously with the events of the previous films.
- The Avengers: witness the first meeting of the heroes and discover how their stories intertwine to form the team.
- Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Dive into Phase 2 and follow the evolution of each character after the events of Avengers.
- Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Venture into intergalactic space and prepare for future events.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron: Return to Earth and discover the consequences of the Avengers' actions.
- Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Follow the downsized heroes during key events in the MCU.
- Captain America: Civil War: Immerse yourself in the heroes' internal conflicts and follow the implications of their choices.
- Black Widow, Black Panther, Spider-Man: Homecoming: Explore the individual destinies of the heroes after the events of Civil War.
- Doctor Strange and Thor: Ragnarok: Immerse yourself in the world of magic and alternate dimensions with these adventures.
- Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame: Experience the climax of the Infinity Saga and follow the heroes in their epic battle.
- Loki, WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Explore TV series that complete the story after the events of Endgame (Meaning Endgame)
- Eternals and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Discover new characters and expanded horizons.
- Spider-Man: Far from Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home: Follow the adventures of Peter Parker as he juggles his life as a high-school student with his role as a hero.
- Hawkeye, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Explore Phase 4 with these interconnected films and series.
- Ms. Marvel Marvel, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Dive into the diversity of stories and places in the MCU.
- Moon Knight, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Finish with these stories from Phase 5 of the MCU.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Secret Invasion: Conclude your viewing by exploring the latest developments in the Marvel universe.
By following this order, you'll have an immersive and coherent experience of the MCU, appreciating the evolution of the characters, the links between the films and the breadth of the epic story that unfolds across decades and dimensions.
Ultimately, whether you choose the release order of the films to follow the evolution of the MCU or the chronological order of the story to explore the temporal links, each viewing offers a unique experience. Whether your preference is Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Widow or any other hero, the MCU promises a captivating adventure with every film. So get your friends together, get the popcorn ready and dive into the thrilling Marvel universe!
