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

Maya Lopez stares into the camera while she sits on her motorbike in Marvel's Echo, the latest entry in our Marvel movies in order guide
Marvel Studios' Echo is now available to stream on Disney Plus. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)
Marvel movies in order: January 2024 update

Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

With Marvel Studios' first R-rated TV show – Echo – debuting on Disney Plus and Hulu, it's the latest addition to our Marvel movies in order guide. We've also updated various other parts of this article that are relevant to its release, including our Netflix Marvel shows, IMDb scores, and chronological and release date order sections.

Welcome to TechRadar's Marvel movies in order guide. In this article, we'll breakdown how to stream every Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film and TV show to date in the only two ways we know how. Whether you're a first-time viewer or a veteran, then, you'll find something useful in this guide.

So, how can you watch all of the MCU movies and TV series in order? The options available to you are in order of chronology or by their release dates, and we'll outline which method we believe is best suited for Disney Plus newcomers.

That's not all you'll find below, however. We've also got a full rundown of Marvel's current release schedule for the next few years, which includes every forthcoming Marvel Phase 5 and Marvel Phase 6 movie and show. You can read about where you can stream the Marvel movies in order, too, what new movies and TV series are releasing this year, and so much more. So, throw on your favorite superhero suit and let's dive in.

Stream Marvel movies and TV on Disney Plus

<a href="https://disneyplus.bn5x.net/c/221109/564546/9358?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2F" data-link-merchant="disneyplus.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stream Marvel movies and TV on Disney Plus
Almost every Marvel movie and TV show is available on Disney's primary streaming service. Disney Plus Basic (the ad-supported plan) costs $7.99 / £4.99 a month (it's not available in Australia yet). Meanwhile, the Premium tier will set you back $13.99 / £10.99 a month or $139.99 / £109.99 per year. In Australia, you can only purchase the ad-free Standard tier for AU$13.99 / $113.99. UK audiences can also take advantage of the Standard tier for £7.99 / £79.90.

For more details about how much a subscription costs where you live, check out our <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/deals/disney-plus-price" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="disneyplus.com"">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 preparing to watch the Marvel movies in order for the first time, you should opt for the release date order method, which we cover in a separate section further down this article.

Streaming some of the best superhero films and best Disney Plus shows in chronological order is great if you're an established fan. It'll give you a new perspective on how events play out and ensures that repeat viewings don't become stale.

However, if you decide to stream them chronologically, things become messy from an MCU timeline perspective. As you'll be watching them in a linear fashion, events depicted in one film can precede what happens in another. For example, 2010's Captain America: The First Avenger 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 Fury for the first time in 2008's Iron Man. If you watch the movies in chronological order, you'll meet Fury in Cap's maiden film first before seeing him in Iron Man, which makes the MCU's overarching narrative difficult to keep track of.

Watching the Marvel movies in order of chronology, then, isn't a good starting point for first-timers. If that's you, stick with the release date order method.

How to watch the Marvel movies in chronological order

Loki looks concerned as he holds a TVA watch in Loki season 2

Loki season 2 is now available in full on Disney Plus. (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 chronological order, 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.

Thanks to Avengers: Endgame, which is set in 2023, the MCU timeline became more complex in 2019. Luckily, the Marvel movies timeline has become much easier to follow, with Marvel releasing an Official Timeline book that reveals when most films and TV series takes place. For the seven MCU productions that debuted in 2023 – i.e. those not yet included in the book – we've added them where we think they take place.

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, it's set in the 1940s, so stream this one first when watching the films 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 between February and May 2008.

Iron Man 2

Following swiftly on its predecessor's heels, Stark's second solo flick occurs between May and June 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 mid-2010.

Thor

The god of thunder stormed his way into the MCU alongside the events of The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2, aka mid-2010.

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 May 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 late 2013.

Iron Man 3

Iron Man's third and final solo movie takes place around Christmas 2013.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Set in early 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 late 2014.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2

The Guardians' second movie takes place not long after its first.

I Am Groot seasons 1 and 2

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

Avengers: Age of Ultron

The superhero ensemble reunited for another tentpole offering in May 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 July 2015.

Captain America: Civil War

The third Captain America film was a mini-Avengers movie in all but name. It's set between May and June 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 just after Civil War's events.

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)

Black Panther

Marvel's first Best Picture Oscar nominee takes place alongside Civil War and Black Widow in mid-2016.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

After confusing fans for years with its "eight years later" timecard, Spidey's first MCU solo movie is actually set in September 2016.

Doctor Strange

This film, which is spread across February 2016 and early 2017, 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 late 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 early 2018.

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Events in Ant-Man's second film run concurrent to Infinity War.

Avengers: Endgame

This is where things get messy from a Marvel movies in chronological order perspective. Endgame begins in 2018 but ends in October 2023.

Star-Lord, Rocket, and Thor share a joke in Avengers: Endgame

We're only just starting to catch up to the MCU's post-Endgame timeline in real time now. (Image credit: Marvel Studio)

Loki season 1

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

Loki season 2

Set in the immediate aftermath of its predecessor. Events in the Loki season 2 finale also appear to set up story threads in some later movies, including Ant-Man 3 and The Marvels.

What If...? seasons 1 and 2

Like Loki, What If...? is a multiversal affair. Neither season is set in a particular year, so they're best streamed after Endgame.

WandaVision

Per Marvel's Official Timeline book, this takes place in November 2023.

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 early 2024.

Moon Knight

Marvel's Official Timeline book confirms this show takes place in May 2024.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Sam Wilson and Buck Barnes' team up series is set in mid-2024.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

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

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Previously, we thought She-Hulk took place much later in the timeline. However, the official MCU Timeline book confirms it begins in mid-2024 and runs through to early 2025, hence its placement here.

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 late 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, most notably around November.

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 November 2024, preceding what happens in Hawkeye.

Hawkeye

Just like No Way Home, Hawkeye's first solo adventure occurs around Christmas 2024.

Echo

Set five months after Hawkeye's ending, which places it around May 2025.

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, it's set in May 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 apparently runs concurrent to events in Wakanda Forever, which places it in May 2025. We believe this is the case 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).

Ms Marvel

The official Marvel timeline book places Kamala Khan's series in October 2025.

Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor's fourth solo movie is set in October 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 late 2025.

Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

As it takes place prior to Guardians of the Galaxy 3, it's set around Christmas 2025.

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

Given it follows their 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.

The Marvels

Takes place not long after the end of Secret Invasion.

How to watch the Marvel movies in release date order

Kamala Khan, Carol Danvers, and Monica Rambeau stare up at something off-screen in The Marvels

The Marvels hit theaters in November 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 Echo, which arrived on Disney Plus in January 2024 (NB: Echo is available on Hulu stateside until April 9, too).

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 season 1(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)
  • Loki season 2 (TV show, 2023)
  • The Marvels (2023)
  • What If...? season 2 (TV show, 2023)
  • Echo (TV show, 2024)

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 revealed Netflix's Daredevil TV show is canon in the MCU in September 2022, but – after years of speculation – Marvel finally confirmed Netflix's Marvel TV shows are officially canon in its cinematic juggernaut. 

Indeed, the six Netflix-developed shows are now part of Disney Plus' Timeline Order, meaning they're now part of the MCU. Every Netflix Marvel TV show is available to stream on Disney Plus, too, so you can catch up on these characters and their past endeavors now.

  • 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?

Deadpool and Wolverin walk down a dirt road in their classic comic book costumes in Deadpool 3

Deadpool 3 will likely be the next Marvel project to arrive this year. (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Here's every Marvel movie and TV show coming in 2024 and beyond.

However, you should be aware that Marvel might shift its release schedule around for what feels like the umpteenth time in the near future. Late last year, we learned Deadpool 3 will be the only Marvel movie of 2024 but, with the impact of the 2023 Hollywood writers and actors strikes still being felt, the dates listed below may be chopped and changed.

In the wake of Marvel's firing of Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, the next two Avengers films are reportedly being called Avengers 5 and Avengers 6, not The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, too. We'll update these titles again if the Disney subsidiary changes them once more.

  • Deadpool 3 (July 26, 2024) 
  • Agatha: Darkhold Diaries (TV show, expected late 2024) 
  • Eyes of Wakanda (TV, expected 2024)
  • Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025) 
  • Fantastic Four (May 2, 2025) 
  • Thunderbolts (July 25, 2025) 
  • Blade (November 7, 2025)
  • Daredevil: Born Again (TV show, expected 2025) 
  • Avengers 5 (May 1, 2026) 
  • Avengers 6 (May 7, 2027)
  • Armor Wars (TBC)
  • 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 3 (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)

33 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 4,351 minutes – that's over 72.5 hours or 3.02 total days. Add in every MCU TV show and specials, and it'll take around 7,315 minutes (121.9 hours or 50.7 days) to watch everything.

Now that Netflix's Marvel TV shows are also canon in the MCU, you can even add in its six shows' near-161-hour total runtime into the equation. Do that and you'll have to set aside 282.9 hours, or a whopping 11.79 days, to stream every single piece of Marvel content. Phew!

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 the vast majority of the Marvel movies in order, as well as the TV shows, on Disney Plus (read our Disney Plus review while you're here).

There are caveats, though. None of the Spider-Man movies – those that exist in the MCU or otherwise – are available on Disney Plus UK. However, UK fans can catch Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Venom, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage on Netflix instead.

In the US, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy, Andrew Garfield's The Amazing Spider-Man movies, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Venom are available on Disney Plus. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Morbius are also available on Netflix. Echo can be watched on Hulu until early April as well.

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 four 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 in order based on their IMDb user scores. Now that the Netflix Marvel shows are officially 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 Tom Holland's MCU Spider-Man trilogy.

  • Daredevil (2015 - 2018) – 8.6
  • The Punisher (2017 - 2019) – 8.5
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019) – 8.4
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018)8.4
  • Loki (2021 - 2023) – 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
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017) – 7.9
  • Iron Man (2008) – 7.9
  • WandaVision (2021) – 7.9
  • Jessica Jones (2015 - 2019) – 7.9
  • Captain America: Civil War (2016) – 7.8
  • Agent Carter (2015 - 2016) – 7.8
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – 7.7
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) – 7.6
  • Hawkeye (2021) – 7.5
  • Doctor Strange (2016) – 7.5
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) – 7.4
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) – 7.4
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – 7.4
  • What If...? (2021 - 2023) – 7.4
  • Black Panther (2018) – 7.3
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) – 7.3
  • Moon Knight (2022) – 7.3
  • Ant-Man (2015) – 7.3 
  • Luke Cage (2016 - 2018) – 7.3
  • The Defenders (2017) – 7.2
  • Iron Man 3 (2013) – 7.1
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) – 7.1
  • Werewolf by Night (2022) – 7.1
  • Thor (2011) – 7.0 
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) – 7.0
  • Echo (2024) – 6.9
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – 6.9
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) – 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
  • Black Widow (2021) – 6.7
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – 6.7
  • I Am Groot (2022 - 2023) – 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) – 5.9
  • Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) – 5.9
  • The Marvels (2023) – 5.8
  • 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.