How to watch the Marvel movies in order: chronological and release date

OB, Hunter B-15, Loki, and Mobius stand in front of a cataclysmic event happening off-screen in Loki season 2, which will join our Marvel movies in order hub soon
Loki season 2 will land on Disney Plus in early October. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Marvel movies in order: September 2023 update

Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

This month, we've tweaked some elements of our chronological and release date order sections to reflect any new recent releases. We've also updated other sections with the latest information available to us, including when any new movies and TV shows are coming out, as well as our ranking section towards the end of this guide.

Want to know how to watch the Marvel movies in order? You've come to the right place.

In this guide, our entertainment experts have crunched the numbers, run the experiments, and sat through countless rewatches to determine the best way to watch every Marvel film and Disney Plus show in the correct order. In short, there are two methods – chronological order and release date order – and we'll explain how each one works, plus which one is best followed by newcomers to the juggernaut franchise.

This Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) guide won't just tell you have to watch the MCU films in order, though. You'll also find details on every Marvel Phase 5 and Marvel Phase 6 movie and TV series that's in development, how the studio's previous productions have fared among general audiences, and more. Here, then, is how to stream the Marvel movies in the right order.

Stream Marvel movies and TV on Disney Plus

Stream Marvel movies and TV on Disney Plus
Almost every Marvel movie is available on Disney Plus. A standard subscription costs $10.99 / £7.99 / AU$13.99 a month, but you can also buy an annual subscription for $109.99 / £79.90 / AU$139.99. Alternatively, US viewers can grab Disney Plus' ad-supported tier for $7.99 a month. For more details about how much a subscription costs where you live, check out our Disney Plus price guide.

What's the best order to watch the Marvel movies for the first time?

The titular superheroes looking into the sky in Marvel's Avengers movie

What's the best way to watch the Marvel movies if you're new to the franchise? (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

If you're ready to start watching the Marvel movies in order for the first time, the release date method (more on this later) should be your go-to.

Streaming some of the best superhero films and best Disney Plus shows in chronological order is great if you're a long time fan. Watching them this way gives you a new perspective on how events play out and ensures that repeat viewings don't become too laborious.

However, watching the Marvel films chronologically becomes messy from an MCU timeline perspective. Because you'll be streaming them in a linear format, some events depicted in one film can precede what happens in another. A classic example of this is 2010's Captain America: The First Avenger, which is largely set during World War II, but ends in the present day with Steve Rogers waking up in modern day New York and bumping into Nick Fury. However, we're supposed to meet Nick Fury for the first time in 2008's Iron Man. If you watch the movies chronologically, you'll meet Fury in Cap's maiden film first before seeing him in Iron Man.

Watching the Marvel movies in order of chronology, then, can be disorienting for first-time viewers. If that's you, we suggest that you stick to the release date order method.

How to watch the Marvel movies in chronological order

Maria Hill and Nick Fury look concerned in Marvel's Secret Invasion

Secret Invasion is the latest addition to our chronological order section. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Best for: MCU fans who want to try something new.

Here's how to watch the Marvel movies in order of chronology, aka the year they're set. We've listed every film and TV show in the order they take place on the Marvel timeline, with a quick rundown on why we've listed them this way.

Due to events in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU timeline has become more complex since May 2019. Thankfully, the Marvel movies timeline is about to become much easier to follow, with an official timeline book coming in late October. Until that arrives, we've done our best with the information available to us.

Captain America stares open mouthed at someone off camera in his first Marvel movie

Captain America: The First Avenger is the first MCU movie in order of chronology. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Captain America: The First Avenger

Cap's first adventure was the fifth Marvel movie released in theaters. However, because it's set in the 1940s, this is the first one to stream chronologically.

Captain Marvel

Carol Danvers didn't burst onto the scene until MCU Phase 3, but her origins story is set in 1995.

Iron Man

The film that kickstarted the MCU is technically the third Marvel movie in order of chronology. Tony Stark's heel turn from weapons expert to superhero takes places in 2008.

Iron Man 2

Following swiftly on its predecessor's heels, Stark's second solo flick occurs in 2010.

The Incredible Hulk

The Stark MCU appearances keep coming – this time, he cameos at the end of the Hulk's first (and only) solo Marvel movie, which also takes place in 2010.

Thor

The god of thunder stormed his way into the MCU in 2011.

The Avengers

With the MCU's original major players established, we finally got the superhero movie of our dreams when the Avengers officially formed in 2012.

A promotional image for Iron Man 3 showing Tony Stark kneeling down with his suits flying around him

Iron Man 3 kicked off Phase 2 of the MCU. (Image credit: Disney/Marvel Studios)

Thor: The Dark World

One of the most maligned MCU films ever, Thor's second cinematic adventure is set in 2013.

Iron Man 3

Iron Man's third and final solo movie takes place six months after The Avengers.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The first movie set in 2014, Cap's second solo flick was the first Marvel film to explore genres outside of the superhero field.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1

Star-Lord's lovable ragtag crew were first introduced to a wider audience in spectacularly humorous and music-laced fashion in 2014.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2

The Guardians' second movie is set around six months after their first.

I Am Groot

The first Marvel Disney Plus show to appear in this list, I Am Groot's family-friendly two-season series takes place around Guardians Volume 2.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

The superhero ensemble reunited for another tentpole offering in 2015 – this time, taking down the menacing AI/super-bot known as Ultron.

Ant-Man

Earth's mightiest miniature hero made his MCU debut in 2015.

Captain America: Civil War

The third Captain America film was a mini-Avengers movie in all but name. It's set in 2016 and sees the group disband over the divisive Sokovia Accords, though it also introduced us to two of the most beloved MCU heroes in Spider-Man and Black Panther.

Black Widow

The first Marvel Phase 4 flick, Black Widow was released in 2021 but is actually set in 2016 – just a few months after Civil War.

Tom Holland's webslinger hangs on a highway sign in Spider-Man: Homecoming

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can! (Image credit: Sony Pictures / Marvel)

Spider-Man: Homecoming

After making his debut in Civil War, Spidey received his first MCU solo movie in 2016.

Black Panther

Marvel's first Best Picture Oscar nominee takes place in 2016.

Doctor Strange

The fourth and final film set in 2016 introduced audiences to the Sorcerer Supreme. Or, rather, the former Sorcerer Supreme – Strange being replaced by Wong due to Infinity War's events. But more on that later.

Thor: Ragnarok

The last movie to launch in theaters before that Thanos moment, Thor: Ragnarok takes place in 2017.

Avengers: Infinity War

The Marvel movie that changed it all. We witnessed our heroes lose for a first, catastrophic time in the third Avengers movie, which occurs in 2018.

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Events in Ant-Man's second film run concurrent to Infinity War, i.e. in 2018.

Avengers: Endgame

This is where things get messy from a Marvel movies in chronological order perspective. Endgame begins in 2018 but ends in 2023 – thus beginning an era where we don't know where every film and show is really set. From now on, we're doing our best with the information we have about the Marvel timeline.

Loki and Sylvie show off their weapons in Loki episode 6.

Loki takes place in its own pocket timeline, which exists out of time and space. (Image credit: © Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.)

Loki

One of two Marvel TV shows to span the entire Marvel multiverse, Loki is best watched after Avengers: Endgame.

What If...?

Like Loki, What If...? is a multiversal affair. It isn't set in a particular year, so it's also best streamed after Endgame.

WandaVision

Set three weeks after Endgame in our Marvel movies in order guide.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Another 2023-based TV series, but one that takes place six months after Endgame's, well, end.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Occurs eight months after Endgame and sees Peter Parker dealing with Tony Stark's death (amid other issues) in mid-2024.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi's MCU debut contains flashbacks to his childhood, so it could be listed earlier. However, the bulk of the film is set in mid-2024.

Eternals

This one could technically be the first entry in our Marvel movies in chronological order list as it begins 7,000 years before 2010's Captain America. Like Shang-Chi, though, it's mostly set in the present. According to Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore, it takes place around the same time as Far From Home, i.e. mid-2024.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Thanks to the Halloween and Christmas/Holiday season decorations seen throughout this movie, we know it's set in late 2024.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Strange's multiverse-spanning sequel takes place after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Marvel's official timeline places it in 2024, preceding what happens in Hawkeye.

Hawkeye

Just like No Way Home, Hawkeye's first solo adventure occurs around the Holiday season, placing it in late 2024.

Moon Knight

This show doesn't have a specified chronological date. However, it appears to take place in 2025, with Marvel's official timeline placing it after Hawkeye

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

You'd think this one is set in 2024, given its main events take place a year after T'Challa dies. T'Challa appeared in 2023's Endgame, so that would make sense. However, Nate Moore confirmed it plays out alongside Thor: Love and Thunder, so it must be set in 2025.

Scott Lang and Kang face each other in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Ant-Man 3 occurs around the same time as Black Panther 2. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

The third Ant-Man movie runs concurrent to events in Wakanda Forever, which places it in 2025. We know this because Scott Lang's autobiography, which he's promoting at the start of Quantumania, is also shown briefly in Black Panther 2 (it's seen on a TV screen in the background of one scene).

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Previously, we thought She-Hulk took place around Shang-Chi. However, the official MCU timeline positions it after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and before Ms Marvel, meaning it occurs in 2025.

Ms Marvel

Ms Marvel producer Sana Amanat suggests it's set "one or two years" after Endgame, which puts it anywhere between 2024 and 2025. To make things easier, let's say 2025.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor's fourth solo movie is set in 2025. We know this as he tells former flame Jane Foster that it's been over eight years since they split up. Meanwhile, he tells Loki in 2017's Ragnarok that the pair mutually broke up. Add eight years to 2017 and you get 2025. Simple.

Werewolf by Night

The first MCU Special Presentation is the most difficult production to pin down in this Marvel movies in order of chronology list. Our opinion? It's set in modern day, which puts it in 2025.

Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

As it takes place prior to Guardians of the Galaxy 3, we think it occurs in 2025, making it the penultimate entry in our Marvel movies in chronological order list.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

Given it follows the Guardians' Holiday Special, Guardians Vol. 3 is set a few months after the above special's festive-themed events.

Secret Invasion

Set in the MCU's present. The TV show's first episode confirms that this Nick Fury-starring series takes place in 2025.

How to watch the Marvel movies in release date order

Scott and Hope protect Cassie as they meet Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania hit theaters in February 2023. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Best for: first-time viewers.

Want to watch the Marvel movies in release date order? Try this list instead. You'll start with 2008's Iron Man and end with Secret Invasion, which launched on Disney Plus in June 2023.

It's an easier blueprint to follow than streaming every MCU production chronologically, so Marvel newcomers should stick to this method.

  • Iron Man (2008)
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008)
  • Iron Man 2 (2010)
  • Thor (2011)
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
  • The Avengers (2012)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • WandaVision (TV show, 2021)
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV show, 2021)
  • Loki (TV show, 2021)
  • Black Widow (2021)
  • What If...? (TV show, 2021)
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
  • Eternals (2021)
  • Hawkeye (TV show, 2021)
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
  • Moon Knight (TV show, 2022)
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
  • Ms Marvel (TV show, 2022)
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
  • I Am Groot (TV show, 2022)
  • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV show, 2022)
  • Werewolf by Night (TV special, 2022)
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (TV special, 2022)
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
  • Secret Invasion (TV show, 2023)

How to watch the Avengers movies in order

A screenshot of The Avengers looking up into the sky in their first MCU movie

There are four Avengers movies so far. (Image credit: Disney/Marvel Studios)

Best for: fans who only want to watch the Avengers movies.

We already covered the best way to stream the Avengers films in the sections above. If you only want to stream these specific Marvel movies in order, though, this is how to do so.

  • The Avengers (2012)
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019)

How to watch the Netflix Marvel TV shows in order

A close-up shot of Daredevil looking over his shoulder in She-Hulk episode 8 on Disney Plus

Netflix's Daredevil series is seemingly canon in the MCU. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Best for: viewers who want to understand Daredevil's MCU arrival.

She-Hulk episode 8 seemingly confirmed Netflix's Daredevil TV show is canon in the MCU. That's because Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock/Daredevil is supposedly the same version of the character who appeared in Netflix's Marvel universe between 2015 and 2019.

If Daredevil's Netflix series is canon, all the others must be, too. Every Netflix Marvel TV show is available to stream on Disney Plus, so you can catch up on these characters and their stories over there.

  • Daredevil season 1 (April 2015)
  • Jessica Jones season 1 (November 2015)
  • Daredevil season 2 (March 2016)
  • Luke Cage season 1 (September 2016)
  • Iron Fist season 1 (March 2017)
  • The Defenders (August 2017)
  • The Punisher season 1 (November 2017)
  • Jessica Jones season 2 (March 2018)
  • Luke Cage season 2 (June 2018)
  • Iron Fist season 2 (September 2018)
  • Daredevil season 3 (October 2018)
  • The Punisher season 2 (January 2019)
  • Jessica Jones season 3 (June 2019)

What Marvel movies and TV shows are coming out soon?

Captain Marvel looks puzzled as she stands in Kamala Khan's room in The Marvels

The Marvels is the only other MCU movie set to be released this year. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here's every Marvel movie and TV show coming in 2023 and beyond. However, you should bear in mind that any confirmed release dates are subject to change. 

Due to the writers and actors strikes that have brought Hollywood to a standstill, many of the below projects' launches will be delayed. We've already seen Marvel delay multiple movies for the third time due to the industrial action. According to reports, Loki season 2 will be the final MCU TV show of 2023, too, as Marvel has seemingly pushed many Disney Plus shows back until the strikes are resolved. So, expect everything after The Marvels to have their releases tweaked again in the weeks and months ahead.

  • Loki season 2 (TV show, October 6, 2023)
  • The Marvels (November 10, 2023) 
  • Echo (TV show, November 29, 2023) 
  • Deadpool 3 (May 3, 2024) 
  • Captain America: New World Order (July 26, 2024) 
  • Thunderbolts (December 20, 2024) 
  • Blade (February 14, 2025)
  • Fantastic Four (May 2, 2025) 
  • Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (May 1, 2026) 
  • Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)
  • Agatha: Coven of Chaos (TV show, TBC) 
  • Armor Wars (TBC)
  • Daredevil: Born Again (TV show, expected 2024) 
  • Ironheart (TV show, TBC) 
  • Marvel Zombies (animated TV show, TBC) 
  • Spider-Man 4 (TBC)
  • Spider-Man: Freshman Year (animated TV show, TBC) 
  • What If...? season 2 (animated TV show, TBC) 
  • Wonder Man (TV show, TBC)
  • X-Men 97 (animated TV show, TBC) 

How many Marvel movies are there?

A promotional image showing the main cast of Marvel movie Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame is largely responsible for the messy MCU timeline. (Image credit: Walt Disney/Marvel Studios)

32 MCU movies have been released so far. By the end of 2027, there could be 42 movies (if the above group isn't delayed further) to fit in our Marvel movies in order guide.

If you want to watch all of the Marvel movies in order, you'll need to set aside 4,246 minutes – that's over 70.8 hours or 2.95 total days. Add in the TV shows and specials, and it'll take a whopping 6,456 minutes (107.6 hours or 4.48 days) to watch them all.

Where to watch the Marvel movies

A screenshot of the Marvel movies that are available to watch on Disney Plus

Disney Plus is the best place to watch Marvel Studios' productions. (Image credit: Disney Plus)

You can stream most of the Marvel movies in order, as well as the TV shows, on Disney Plus (read our Disney Plus review while you're here). That includes The Incredible Hulk, which finally joined the streamer in June after the character's rights reverted back to Marvel.

There are caveats, though. None of the Spider-Man movies – those that exist in the MCU or otherwise – are available on Disney Plus UK. They were for a limited time, but they've been removed from the service recently. Fans who want to stream Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Venom, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage can do so on Netflix.

In the US, it's a different story. The Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, both Andrew Garfield-starring The Amazing Spider-Man movies, and Tom Holland's Spider-Man: Homecoming are still available on Disney Plus. Additionally, Maguire's three Spidey flicks, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and Morbius are on Netflix.

Marvel movies in order: all MCU films and TV shows ranked

Nick Fury looks out of a hotel window in Marvel's Secret Invasion

Secret Invasion is one of the worst-rated Marvel projects of all-time. (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

For us, the Avengers movies are the best MCU films, but the whole thing is subjective. You can check our best Marvel movies piece for more on our rankings of each flick.

We've also listed the Marvel movies and TV shows based on their IMDb user scores. Now that the Netflix Marvel shows are canon, we've added them to the rankings below. We've done likewise with Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Morbius, too, given their multiversal ties to Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

  • Daredevil (2015 - 2018) – 8.6
  • The Punisher (2017 - 2019) – 8.5
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019) – 8.4
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018)8.4
  • Loki (2021) – 8.2
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) – 8.2
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014) – 8.0
  • The Avengers (2012) – 8.0
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) – 7.9
  • Iron Man (2008) – 7.9
  • WandaVision (2021) – 7.9
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 7.9
  • Jessica Jones (2015 - 2019) – 7.9
  • Captain America: Civil War (2016) – 7.8
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – 7.8
  • Agent Carter (2015 - 2016) – 7.8
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – 7.6
  • Hawkeye (2021) – 7.5
  • Doctor Strange (2016) – 7.5
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) – 7.4
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – 7.4
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – 7.4
  • Black Panther (2018) – 7.3
  • Moon Knight (2022) – 7.3
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – 7.3
  • Ant-Man (2015) – 7.3 
  • Luke Cage (2016 - 2018) – 7.3
  • Werewolf by Night (2022) – 7.2
  • The Defenders (2017) – 7.2
  • Iron Man 3 (2013) – 7.1
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) – 7.1
  • Thor (2011) – 7.0 
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) – 7.0
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) – 6.9
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – 6.9
  • Iron Man 2 (2010) – 6.9
  • The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) – 6.9
  • Captain Marvel (2019) – 6.8
  • Thor: The Dark World (2013) – 6.8
  • I Am Groot (2022 - 2023) – 6.7
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – 6.7
  • Black Widow (2021) – 6.7
  • Venom (2018) – 6.6
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008) – 6.6
  • Iron Fist (2017 - 2018) – 6.4
  • Eternals (2021) – 6.3
  • Ms Marvel (2022) – 6.3
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) – 6.2
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) – 6.1
  • Secret Invasion (2023) – 6.0
  • Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) – 5.9
  • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) – 5.3
  • Morbius (2022) – 5.2

For more Marvel movies in order content, find out how to watch the Spider-Man movies in order, read up on how to stream the X-Men movies in order, and check out our Marvel villains ranked list.

Senior Entertainment Reporter

As TechRadar's senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You'll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.


An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as this Moon Knight TV spot.


Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.