GameTimeline

Watch order

MCU watch order

Marvel Studios theatrical films from Iron Man (2008) through Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)—US release order on one tab, approximate MCU story chronology on the other. Disney+ series are optional. All Spider-Man brand films (including Raimi/Amazing) and Insomniac games live on separate pages.

Updated August 2026

Release order

When each MCU film opened in US theaters (or day-and-date)—one entry per movie from Iron Man (2008) through Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026). Disney+ series and unreleased titles (Doomsday) stay in FAQ.

  • Classic path → watch in Release order from Iron Man straight through Brand New Day
  • Chronology-curious → use Story tab (Cap First Avenger & Captain Marvel jump early)
  • Short on time → Phase One through Endgame first; Multiverse Saga after
  • Games → Insomniac Marvel's Spider-Man is a different timeline page
Story order tips

Approximate in-universe film order fans use when skipping series—WWII Cap and 1990s Captain Marvel first, then the modern Avengers era through Multiverse Saga. Dates on story-order titles are sorting aids, not official calendar stamps.

  • Earliest fiction on this page → Captain America: The First Avenger (WWII)
  • 1995 → Captain Marvel before modern Iron Man
  • Infinity Saga climax → Infinity War then Endgame
  • Fantastic Four → alternate Earth-828 vibe—see its Story note

Timeline

When each season premiered in the US. Expand a row for dates and where it fits in your watch order.

Release order

  1. Iron Man

    Iron Man

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Tony Stark is captured, builds the first Iron Man suit, and goes public as a hero—the modern MCU’s starting point in release order. Grounded tech thriller energy that still defines Phase One’s promise.

    Overview
    Jon Favreau’s grounded tech thriller launches the shared universe with Robert Downey Jr. as Stark. Pepper Potts, James Rhodes, and early S.H.I.E.L.D. oversight appear immediately and keep paying off through Endgame.
    Related games
    No Disney+ series required first. Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man games are a different continuity—see Spider-Man games.
    Where it fits
    Best first film on the Release tab. Skipping it weakens later Avengers banter and Stark’s arc through Endgame. Story viewers who opened with Cap or Carol still usually watch this before The Avengers.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 2, 2008 (Phase One).
  2. The Incredible Hulk

    The Incredible Hulk

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Bruce Banner is on the run from the military while trying to cure the Hulk—Edward Norton stars, with a Tony Stark cameo tying the film into early MCU continuity. Canon color more than Infinity Saga homework.

    Overview
    A Universal co-production–era Hulk movie folded into Marvel Studios’ timeline. Tone and cast differ from later Mark Ruffalo appearances, but General Ross and the Abomination remain long-running reference points.
    Related games
    No required series bridge. Useful Ross context before Civil War and Brave New World; optional for many first Infinity Saga runs.
    Where it fits
    Canon but optional for many first-timers. Watch when you want Ross context before Civil War and Brave New World; Story parks it near Iron Man 2 in the ~2010 cluster.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release June 13, 2008 (Phase One).
  3. Iron Man 2

    Iron Man 2

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Stark Expo glamour meets Whiplash’s revenge while Natasha Romanoff embeds at Stark Industries for S.H.I.E.L.D. Phase One’s middle Stark chapter—public hero life before the team-up.

    Overview
    Expands Stark’s public-hero life, introduces Black Widow to the film slate, and leans harder into the Avengers Initiative tease. Justin Hammer and Whiplash raise industrial-espionage stakes without a full team-up yet.
    Related games
    No series prerequisite. Widow’s film backstory later expands in Black Widow (2021)—optional before Phase Four.
    Where it fits
    Watch right after Iron Man. Natural Phase One middle chapter before Thor and Cap arrive on Release.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 7, 2010 (Phase One).
  4. Thor

    Thor

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Odin banishes Thor to Earth; Asgard’s politics and Loki’s schemes collide with small-town New Mexico. Mythic fantasy enters the MCU just before New York’s invasion stakes.

    Overview
    Kenneth Branagh brings mythic fantasy into the MCU—Loki, Jane Foster, Heimdall, and the Bifrost become long-running pillars. Fish-out-of-water humor sits beside Asgard’s Shakespearean politics.
    Related games
    No series required. Later Thor films reboot the tone; this one establishes the Nine Realms baseline before New York.
    Where it fits
    Essential before The Avengers if you want Loki’s invasion to land. Chronology sits just before the Battle of New York on Story.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 6, 2011 (Phase One).
  5. Captain America: The First Avenger

    Captain America: The First Avenger

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Steve Rogers becomes Captain America in World War II, battles Hydra, and ends the film on ice—decades before the modern Avengers. Period war adventure that seeds Tesseract and Bucky lore.

    Overview
    A period war adventure that seeds the Tesseract, Hydra, and Bucky Barnes. The closing bridge into the present sets up Cap’s fish-out-of-water arc for Winter Soldier and beyond.
    Related games
    No series required. Pair with Winter Soldier and Civil War for Cap’s full film arc; Story often opens here.
    Where it fits
    Late Phase One on Release; often first on Story. Strong entry if you prefer chronological viewing over premiere order.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 22, 2011 (Phase One).
  6. Marvel's The Avengers

    Marvel's The Avengers

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 1Live-action

    Earth’s Mightiest Heroes assemble in New York against Loki and the Chitauri—the Phase One team-up payoff. Shared-universe bet that turns solos into one city-scale disaster.

    Overview
    Joss Whedon’s ensemble proves the shared-universe bet. The Battle of New York becomes the MCU’s first city-scale disaster and a recurring trauma reference through Endgame’s time heist.
    Related games
    No series required. Best after Phase One solos (or at least Iron Man, Thor, and Cap). Endgame later revisits this battle.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Phase One solos (or at least Iron Man, Thor, and Cap). Skipping solos is possible but flatter—Story treats this as 2012’s hinge.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 4, 2012 (Phase One finale).
  7. Iron Man 3

    Iron Man 3

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    After New York, Stark wrestles with anxiety while Extremis terrorists and a Mandarin mythos hit close to home. Personal stakes and holiday action tone open Phase Two without a full Avengers roster.

    Overview
    Shane Black’s holiday action tone reframes Stark without a full Avengers team. Extremis and Killian escalate personal stakes over cosmic ones—anxiety and armor addiction over another portal war.
    Related games
    No series bridge. Mandarin storytelling is revisited later with caution—stay spoiler-light here for first watches.
    Where it fits
    Opens Phase Two on Release. Fine immediately after The Avengers; not required before Guardians.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 3, 2013 (Phase Two).
  8. Thor: The Dark World

    Thor: The Dark World

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    Malekith hunts the Aether while Jane Foster is pulled into Asgard’s war across the Nine Realms. Darker Thor chapter that advances Reality Stone mythology between New York and Cap’s conspiracy film.

    Overview
    A darker Thor middle chapter that advances Infinity Stone mythology (Reality Stone / Aether). Jane’s bond with Asgard deepens before later films reboot the series’ humor and palette.
    Related games
    Useful before Infinity War for Aether context; some viewers postpone it without major confusion. Love and Thunder revisits Jane differently.
    Where it fits
    Useful before Infinity War for Aether context; some viewers postpone it. Story places it in the ~2013 stone-path window.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 8, 2013 (Phase Two).
  9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

    Captain America: The Winter Soldier

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    Cap uncovers a conspiracy inside S.H.I.E.L.D. while the Winter Soldier hunts him through Washington set pieces. Political thriller that rewrites who Cap can trust.

    Overview
    A political thriller that demolishes the MCU’s spy infrastructure and redefines Cap’s trust in institutions. Bucky’s return drives the next decade of Cap stories through Civil War and beyond.
    Related games
    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+) continues Sam and Bucky after Endgame—optional before Brave New World.
    Where it fits
    Required before Civil War’s Accords fight. Story keeps it as 2014’s Earth hinge beside Guardians’ cosmic lane.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release April 4, 2014 (Phase Two).
  10. Guardians of the Galaxy

    Guardians of the Galaxy

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    A ragtag starship crew stops Ronan from wielding the Power Stone—needle drops, found family, and MCU’s first big cosmic swing. Earth stories continue in parallel on Story’s 2014 cluster.

    Overview
    James Gunn’s space opera widens the MCU beyond Earth. Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot become central to Infinity War—needle-drop soundtrack and found-family comedy included.
    Related games
    Holiday Special and Vol. 2 deepen the crew; this page lists films only. Essential cosmic context before the Infinity climax.
    Where it fits
    Release after Winter Soldier. Essential before Infinity War; story-order steps it beside 2014 Earth intrigues.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release August 1, 2014 (Phase Two).
  11. Avengers: Age of Ultron

    Avengers: Age of Ultron

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    Ultron turns Stark’s peacekeeping AI into a global extinction threat; Wanda and Vision arrive as the team fractures. Sokovia’s fallout becomes Civil War’s political fuel.

    Overview
    Whedon’s second Avengers film raises global stakes, introduces Vision and Scarlet Witch to the team slate, and plants Sokovia as a trauma that fuels Civil War’s Accords fight.
    Related games
    Watch after Winter Soldier for Cap’s headspace. WandaVision expands Wanda later—optional before Multiverse of Madness.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Winter Soldier and ideally Guardians. Direct runway into Phase Three’s Accords split.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 1, 2015 (Phase Two).
  12. Ant-Man

    Ant-Man

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 2Live-action

    Thief Scott Lang steals a size-changing suit and pulls a heist that matters more than it looks—quantum seeds for later time travel. Smallest MCU film with oversized continuity payoff.

    Overview
    Peyton Reed’s heist comedy shrinks the MCU’s scale on purpose—Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, and Hank Pym open the quantum door that later matters for Endgame’s time heist. Smallest Phase Two film with oversized continuity payoff.
    Related games
    Light prerequisite for Civil War’s airport fight. Ant-Man and the Wasp continues before Endgame; Quantumania is the later Kang on-ramp.
    Where it fits
    Light but useful before Civil War. Story parks it in 2015 after Age of Ultron.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 17, 2015 (Phase Two).
  13. Captain America: Civil War

    Captain America: Civil War

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    The Accords split the Avengers as Cap protects Bucky and Stark enforces oversight—airport chaos, Spider-Man’s MCU debut, and a team fracture that never fully heals before Thanos.

    Overview
    Russo brothers turn Cap 3 into an Avengers civil conflict—Accords politics, Bucky’s culpability, and Spider-Man’s MCU debut. Team fracture that defines the road to Infinity War.
    Related games
    Watch after Age of Ultron and ideally Winter Soldier. Tom Holland’s Spidey lane continues on Spider-Man movies.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Age of Ultron (and Winter Soldier). Release hinge of Phase Three; Story’s 2016 politics cluster starts here.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 6, 2016 (Phase Three).
  14. Doctor Strange

    Doctor Strange

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Surgeon Stephen Strange learns mystic arts after a career-ending crash—Time Stone, Mirror Dimension, and a wider definition of threat. Multiverse grammar arrives years before the Multiverse Saga branding.

    Overview
    Scott Derrickson opens the mystic arts—Strange, the Ancient One, and the Time Stone reshape what “power” means in the MCU. Mirror Dimension visuals set the Multiverse Saga’s visual grammar early.
    Related games
    Essential before Infinity War and Multiverse of Madness. No series required for the film itself.
    Where it fits
    Essential before Infinity War. Story sits ~2016–2017 beside Homecoming / Black Panther clustering debates.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 4, 2016 (Phase Three).
  15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Quill meets a living planet claiming fatherhood while the Guardians’ found family cracks and mends. Personal cosmic sequel between Vol. 1 and the Infinity climax.

    Overview
    Gunn digs into Quill’s parentage and the Guardians’ found-family wounds between cosmic jokes. Ego’s planet-sized threat stays personal; the soundtrack still does character work.
    Related games
    Watch after Guardians of the Galaxy. Story often parks it in the same 2014 cosmic window as Vol. 1.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Guardians of the Galaxy. Story often keeps it in the same 2014 cosmic window as Vol. 1.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 5, 2017 (Phase Three).
  16. Spider-Man: Homecoming

    Spider-Man: Homecoming

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Peter Parker juggles high school and Queens crime under Stark’s mentorship while Vulture runs a salvage empire from the Battle of New York’s leftovers. Local Spidey stakes inside the MCU machine.

    Overview
    Jon Watts grounds Holland’s Spider-Man in high-school stakes under Stark mentorship—Vulture feels local, not cosmic. MCU Spidey begins here for film-only viewers.
    Related games
    Best after Civil War. Full Spidey film lane (including non-MCU) lives on Spider-Man movies.
    Where it fits
    Best after Civil War. Spidey-only deep dive: Spider-Man movies. Story places it post-Accords in 2016.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 7, 2017 (Phase Three).
  17. Thor: Ragnarok

    Thor: Ragnarok

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Hela shatters Asgard’s myths while Thor crash-lands into gladiator spectacle—Waititi color, Valkyrie allies, and a lighter tone before Infinity dread. Thor remade for the endgame run.

    Overview
    Taika Waititi reinvents Thor as colorful space adventure—Hela, Valkyrie, and Grandmaster energy replace darker middle-chapter gloom. Sets Thor’s Infinity War headspace.
    Related games
    Watch after Dark World if you want full Asgard continuity; many jump here from Age of Ultron and still follow.
    Where it fits
    Watch before Infinity War. Release sits late Phase Three; Story’s 2017 Asgard fall lands just before the Snap films.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 3, 2017 (Phase Three).
  18. Black Panther

    Black Panther

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    T’Challa returns to Wakanda and faces Killmonger’s challenge to the throne—vibranium politics, nation-building myth, and a self-contained epic inside the shared universe.

    Overview
    Ryan Coogler’s Wakanda story made T’Challa a global pop-culture pivot—Killmonger’s challenge, vibranium politics, and a self-contained nation myth inside the shared universe.
    Related games
    Best after Civil War’s mid-credits setup. Wakanda Forever continues without requiring every Phase Four series.
    Where it fits
    Best after Civil War’s mid-credits setup. Story often parks Wakanda’s 2016 present near other Phase Three mid-era films.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release February 16, 2018 (Phase Three).
  19. Avengers: Infinity War

    Avengers: Infinity War

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Thanos hunts Infinity Stones across Earth and space; heroes lose in ways the MCU had not allowed before. Decade of solos pays off in one brutal ensemble.

    Overview
    Russos deliver the Snap—Thanos’s Infinity gauntlet quest across Earth and space. Ensemble payoff for a decade of solos; endings stay intentionally brutal, and the film refuses a tidy mid-credit safety net.
    Related games
    Watch the Infinity Saga films first (or at least Avengers + Guardians + Strange cores). Directly followed by Endgame—keep the pair intact on either tab.
    Where it fits
    Watch Infinity Saga cores first. Immediately followed by Endgame on both tabs—do not safe to skip the pair.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release April 27, 2018 (Phase Three).
  20. Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Ant-Man and the Wasp

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Scott and Hope chase quantum mysteries in a lighter heist-comedy register—then a mid-credits sting that locks into Endgame’s time-heist premise. Palate cleanser with hidden hinge value.

    Overview
    Scott and Hope chase quantum mysteries while family comedy stays light—then a mid-credits sting that locks into Endgame’s time-heist premise. Scale flip as palate cleanser after Infinity War.
    Related games
    Chronology often sits beside/after the Snap window—see Story placement. Important quantum setup before Endgame.
    Where it fits
    Release after Infinity War. Story often sits beside/after the Snap window—check the Story date labels.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 6, 2018 (Phase Three).
  21. Captain Marvel

    Captain Marvel

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Carol Danvers’ 1990s origin explains the power level that later tips Endgame—Skrulls, Fury’s early years, and a period blockbuster placed just before the Infinity finale on Release.

    Overview
    A 1990s period origin that explains Carol’s power level before Endgame. Nick Fury’s early S.H.I.E.L.D. years and Skrull threads get new texture without requiring later Disney+ shows first.
    Related games
    Release order places it just before Endgame; Story jumps it to 1995 after Cap’s WWII film. The Marvels continues later.
    Where it fits
    Release: watch just before Endgame. Story jumps it to 1995 after Cap’s WWII film—second early chronology leap.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release March 8, 2019 (Phase Three).
  22. Avengers: Endgame

    Avengers: Endgame

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Time heist, final stand, and farewells close the Infinity Saga—three hours that assume Infinity War and reward a decade of film homework. The Release-tab climax for most first full runs.

    Overview
    Russos close the Infinity Saga with time heist, final stand, and major character farewells. The three-hour payoff assumes roughly a decade of MCU film homework—or at least Infinity War.
    Related games
    Watch Infinity War immediately before. Disney+ series are optional; film-only path remains valid.
    Where it fits
    Watch Infinity War immediately before. Film-only path stays valid; Disney+ series remain optional add-ons.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release April 26, 2019 (Phase Three finale).
  23. Spider-Man: Far From Home

    Spider-Man: Far From Home

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 3Live-action

    Peter’s European school trip becomes Mysterio’s illusion war in a world still grieving the Blip. Identity mid-credits fallout sets No Way Home—post-Endgame Spidey without Stark’s living mentorship.

    Overview
    Post-Endgame Europe trip turns into Mysterio’s illusion war—Holland’s Spidey without a living Stark mentor. Mid-credits identity fallout sets No Way Home.
    Related games
    Watch after Endgame and Homecoming. Spidey-only lane detail: Spider-Man movies.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Endgame and Homecoming. Story’s post-Blip dating can look later than Release’s 2019 premiere—follow Story labels.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 2, 2019 (Phase Three / bridge).
  24. Black Widow

    Black Widow

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Natasha reunites with sister Yelena and confronts Red Room control in a spy thriller set between Civil War and Endgame. Phase Four release that plays like a missing 2016 chapter.

    Overview
    Cate Shortland’s spy thriller fills Natasha’s sisterhood and Red Room gaps between Civil War and Endgame. Standalone tone with MCU connective tissue—Yelena becomes essential later.
    Related games
    Story often parks it in 2016 after Civil War. Release places it after the Infinity Saga as a prequel-feeling Phase Four opener.
    Where it fits
    Release opener for many Phase Four runs. Story usually parks it in 2016 after Civil War—follow chronology labels over premiere year.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release / day-and-date July 9, 2021 (Phase Four).
  25. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Shang-Chi faces his father’s Ten Rings empire in a martial-arts family saga with fresh MCU texture. Self-contained enough for newcomers, linked enough for Fury curiosity afterward.

    Overview
    Destin Daniel Cretton’s martial-arts family saga introduces Shang-Chi and Ten Rings lore with a fresh tone. Self-contained enough for newcomers, linked enough for Fury mid-credits curiosity.
    Related games
    No heavy Avengers homework required. Optional before The Marvels if you want Ten Rings texture.
    Where it fits
    Easy Phase Four entry on Release. Story places it in the post-Endgame modern window—optional before The Marvels.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release September 3, 2021 (Phase Four).
  26. Eternals

    Eternals

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Immortal Eternals debate whether to stop a Celestial Emergence—deep-time myth, Deviant threats, and a tone shift from quippy team-ups. Divisive, but Multiverse Saga cosmic stakes keep echoing it.

    Overview
    Chloé Zhao’s mythic ensemble stretches MCU deep time—Celestials, Deviants, and immortal family drama. Divisive tone, but it plants cosmic stakes the Multiverse Saga keeps echoing.
    Related games
    Optional for Infinity Saga fans catching up; more relevant if you care post-Endgame cosmic mythology. No series required first.
    Where it fits
    Optional for Infinity-only catch-up; more useful if you care post-Endgame cosmology. Story sits in the 2024-ish modern cluster.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 5, 2021 (Phase Four).
  27. Spider-Man: No Way Home

    Spider-Man: No Way Home

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Peter’s identity crisis tears the Multiverse—Tobey and Andrew enter Holland’s fight as magic and consequence collide. Peak crossover Spidey; memory-wipe ending sets Brand New Day.

    Overview
    Watts’ Multiverse Spidey reunion brings Tobey and Andrew into Holland’s crisis—identity fallout from Far From Home detonates. Peak crossover energy without requiring every prior Spidey reboot first (though it helps).
    Related games
    Watch after Far From Home. Full Tobey/Andrew context: Spider-Man movies. Sets Brand New Day.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Far From Home. Tobey/Andrew homework: Spider-Man movies. Story keeps it in the post-Blip Spidey cluster.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release December 17, 2021 (Phase Four).
  28. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Strange navigates nightmare Multiverse corridors while Wanda’s grief becomes world-breaking threat. Raimi horror texture over another clean Avengers assemble.

    Overview
    Sam Raimi’s horror-tinged Strange sequel leans into dreamlike Multiverse threats and Wanda’s grief aftermath. Illuminati cameos and multiversal rules matter more than another Earth team-up.
    Related games
    Best after Doctor Strange and ideally WandaVision (series optional but helpful). Leads Multiverse Saga weirdness forward.
    Where it fits
    Best after Doctor Strange (WandaVision optional). Story follows No Way Home in the Multiverse scramble.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 6, 2022 (Phase Four).
  29. Thor: Love and Thunder

    Thor: Love and Thunder

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Thor and Jane face Gorr the God Butcher in neon Waititi chaos—love, mortality, and loud jokes after Infinity trauma. Polarizing tone, clear Thor-lane bridge.

    Overview
    Waititi’s louder, neon Thor with Jane as Mighty Thor and Gorr’s god-butcher threat. Tone is polarizing; still the clear film bridge for Thor’s post-Endgame headspace, love-and-mortality themes, and Guardians cameo energy between cosmic chapters.
    Related games
    Watch after Ragnarok (and Endgame). Guardians cameos reward Vol. 1–2 familiarity; no Disney+ series required for the film itself.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Ragnarok and Endgame. Story parks it in the mid-2020s Thor window with Guardians cameos.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 8, 2022 (Phase Four).
  30. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 4Live-action

    Wakanda mourns and meets Namor’s Talokan under the waves—grief, succession, and underwater war. Phase Four’s emotional heavyweight for many viewers after Black Panther.

    Overview
    Coogler’s grief epic introduces Namor and Talokan while Wakanda reels from loss. Political thriller energy with underwater spectacle—Phase Four’s emotional heavyweight for many viewers.
    Related games
    Watch after Black Panther. No required series, though some Disney+ shows echo broader Phase Four mood.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Black Panther. Story places it in the post-Endgame Wakanda present—no required series first.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 11, 2022 (Phase Four).
  31. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    The Ant-family tumbles into the Quantum Realm and meets Kang—theatrical on-ramp for Multiverse Saga’s time-tyrant politics. Mixed reviews, still a Release-order Phase Five marker.

    Overview
    Reed’s Quantum Realm spectacle puts Kang on the board for Multiverse Saga politics. Mixed reception, but it is the theatrical Kang on-ramp many guides still reference.
    Related games
    Watch after prior Ant-Man films. Loki (series) deepens TVA/Kang lore—optional before this film for movie-only paths.
    Where it fits
    Watch after prior Ant-Man films. Loki series optional for TVA/Kang depth; film-only path remains listed here.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release February 17, 2023 (Phase Five).
  32. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    Rocket’s origin trauma drives Gunn’s farewell Guardians chapter—found family, High Evolutionary horror, and a possible ending for the classic lineup. Cosmic lane peak after Vol. 2.

    Overview
    Gunn’s farewell Guardians chapter centers Rocket’s origin trauma and the team’s possible ending. Emotional peak of the cosmic lane after Vol. 2 and the Holiday Special’s softer bridge.
    Related games
    Watch Vol. 1–2 first. Holiday Special optional. Strong standalone if you already love the crew.
    Where it fits
    Watch Vol. 1–2 first. Story sits in the mid-2020s cosmic cluster beside other Phase Five films.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 5, 2023 (Phase Five).
  33. The Marvels

    The Marvels

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    Carol, Monica, and Kamala tangle powers in a lighter team-up—Ms. Marvel energy meets Captain Marvel scale. Smaller Phase Five adventure with optional series connective tissue.

    Overview
    Nia DaCosta’s lighter team-up links Carol, Monica, and Kamala as powers entangle. Smaller-scale Phase Five palate cleanser with Ms. Marvel connective tissue.
    Related games
    Best after Captain Marvel; Ms. Marvel series helps but is optional for film-only viewers chasing Carol’s arc.
    Where it fits
    Best after Captain Marvel. Ms. Marvel series helps; film-only Carol fans can still follow. Story keeps mid-2020s dating.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release November 10, 2023 (Phase Five).
  34. Deadpool & Wolverine

    Deadpool & Wolverine

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    Wade drags a Wolverine variant through TVA/Void chaos—R-rated Fox-mutant farewell that docks with MCU Multiverse rules. Cameo candy; continuity intentionally elastic.

    Overview
    Shawn Levy’s R-rated multiverse buddy film docks Fox mutants with MCU Void chaos—legacy cameos over Sacred Timeline purity. Also closes the Fox X/Deadpool lane on X-Men movies.
    Related games
    Fox homework helps cameos land—see X-Men movies. No required Disney+ series before the movie itself.
    Where it fits
    Release Phase Five tentpole. Also closes X-Men movies. Story treats Void/multiverse as outside ordinary street dating.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 26, 2024 (Phase Five).
  35. Captain America: Brave New World

    Captain America: Brave New World

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    Sam Wilson’s Captain America navigates political thriller stakes and Ross-era fallout in a changed America. Shield’s new bearer steps fully into theatrical lead status.

    Overview
    Sam Wilson’s Cap faces political thriller stakes and Ross-era fallout in a post-Endgame America. Continues the shield’s new bearer after Falcon’s Disney+ runway (series optional but helpful).
    Related games
    The Falcon and the Winter Soldier adds Sam context—optional. Film-only viewers can still follow after Endgame + Winter Soldier.
    Where it fits
    Watch after Endgame (Falcon series optional). Story places it in the later 2020s Cap lane after Thunderbolts-era clustering debates.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release February 14, 2025 (Phase Five).
  36. Thunderbolts*

    Thunderbolts*

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 5Live-action

    Yelena, Bucky, and fellow antiheroes collide under morally gray management—ensemble payoffs for faces introduced across Phase Four/Five. Darker team energy than classic Avengers.

    Overview
    Antihero team energy—Yelena, Bucky, and company collide under morally gray handlers. Phase Five ensemble that rewards recognizing faces from Black Widow, Falcon, and adjacent titles.
    Related games
    Best after you know Yelena and Bucky. Still followable as a late Phase Five Release entry without every series.
    Where it fits
    Best after you know Yelena and Bucky. Late Phase Five Release entry; Story keeps ~2027 antihero clustering.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release May 2, 2025 (Phase Five).
  37. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 6Live-action

    Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben arrive as the MCU’s First Family on an Earth-828-flavored footing—origin mythos late but loud. Do not invent unreleased crossover entries beyond this theatrical entry.

    Overview
    MCU introduction of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben on an Earth-828-flavored footing—First Family mythos arriving late but loud. Treat Story placement as alternate-Earth vibe, not Sacred Timeline street dates.
    Related games
    No classic Fantastic Four film trilogy required on this page. Future crossovers stay FAQ-sensitive—no unreleased entries invented here.
    Where it fits
    Phase Six Release entry. Story emphasizes alternate-Earth vibe over Sacred Timeline street dates—read its Story note.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 25, 2025 (Phase Six).
  38. Spider-Man: Brand New Day

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day

    TheatricalStreamingPhase 6Live-action

    Holland’s Spider-Man returns after No Way Home’s memory wipe for a new day in New York—firm US theatrical date on this film-only page. Keep rumor sequels not listed until they open.

    Overview
    Holland’s next Spidey chapter after No Way Home’s memory wipe—fresh day, familiar mask. Listed with a firm US date on this film-only page; keep expectations tied to theatrical release, not rumor mills.
    Related games
    Watch after No Way Home. Spidey-wide order including Sony/Raimi: Spider-Man movies.
    Where it fits
    Watch after No Way Home. Also listed on Spider-Man movies. Latest release-order titles on this MCU film page.
    Premiere dates
    US theatrical release July 31, 2026 (Phase Six).

FAQ

Release vs chronological order, Disney+ shows, Doomsday, Spider-Man movies vs games.

Watch order

Open the Story tab on this page for a film-only chronology. Highlights:

1. Captain America: The First Avenger (WWII)
2. Captain Marvel (1995)
3. Modern Phase One starting with Iron Man
4. Continue through Endgame, then Multiverse Saga films

That differs from theatrical release order (Iron Man first in 2008). Black Widow released in 2021 but is set earlier—Story places it after Civil War.

What's included

Shows like WandaVision, Loki, Hawkeye, Ms. Marvel, and Daredevil: Born Again sit between films in the Multiverse Saga. This page is a movies-in-order timeline matching the biggest search intent—listing every season would double the length.

Practical tip: finish Infinity Saga films first; add Phase Four/Five series when a movie references them (e.g. watch Ms. Marvel context before The Marvels if you want full jokes).

This page is the full MCU film list (including Holland’s Spidey titles among Avengers neighbors).

• For every theatrical Spider-Man brand film (Raimi + Amazing + Holland solos + Spider-Verse) see Spider-Man movies in order.
• For Insomniac games see Spider-Man games timeline.

Upcoming

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for December 18, 2026 (US)—still upcoming as of this page's August 2026 update, so it is not a release-order title yet (we do not invent premiere results). Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026) is the latest film listed. Secret Wars (2027) is also not listed until released.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.