With almost 40 released movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe can feel as big as an actual universe. For those who’ve been watching since the beginning, when IRON MAN debuted in 2008, it’s been easy to keep up. But for younger viewers, people who never got into Marvel until later in the game, or those who want to revisit everything prior to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the MCU can be overwhelming.
Here's a quick guide to help you decide based on your viewing style and what kind of experience you're looking for.
Chronological Order (Updated for 2025)
If you’re the type who organizes your closet by color, alphabetizes your spice rack, or just really likes things to make sense, chronological order is your jam.
This method follows the MCU timeline as it happens in-universe — starting with Captain America: The First Avenger (set in WWII) and ending with the latest cosmic chaos in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. You’ll see characters grow in real time, events unfold logically, and plot twists hit with satisfying clarity.
It’s like binge-watching history — but with more vibranium, space gods, and talking raccoons.
Perfect for: First-timers who want to follow the story from beginning to end without jumping around like Loki on a time heist.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Thor (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (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 Widow (2021)
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 (Season 1) (2021)
WandaVision (2021)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Eternals (2021)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Marvels (2023)
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Thunderbolts (2025)
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Marvel Movies in Release Order (by Year & Month)
Now, if you want to experience the MCU the way fans did in theaters — gasping at Avengers: Endgame, cheering for Spider-Man: No Way Home, and wondering how Marvel keeps topping itself — then release order is the way to go.
This path lets you watch the universe expand just as it did in real life. You’ll feel the build-up, the crossovers, the cameos, and the “wait, is that Nick Fury again?” moments exactly as they were meant to be revealed.
It’s like reliving the biggest pop culture rollercoaster of the 21st century — popcorn optional, but highly recommended.
Perfect for: Fans who want the full Marvel experience, complete with all the surprises, hype, and post-credit scene confusion.
2008
- May – Iron Man
- June – The Incredible Hulk
2010
- May – Iron Man 2
2011
- May – Thor
- July – Captain America: The First Avenger
2012
- May – The Avengers
2013
- May – Iron Man 3
- November – Thor: The Dark World
2014
- April – Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- August – Guardians of the Galaxy
2015
- May – Avengers: Age of Ultron
- July – Ant-Man
2016
- May – Captain America: Civil War
- November – Doctor Strange
2017
- May – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- July – Spider-Man: Homecoming
- November – Thor: Ragnarok
2018
- February – Black Panther
- April – Avengers: Infinity War
- July – Ant-Man and the Wasp
2019
- March – Captain Marvel
- April – Avengers: Endgame
- July – Spider-Man: Far From Home
2021
- January – WandaVision (Disney+ series)
- March – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+ series)
- June – Loki (Season 1)
- July – Black Widow
- September – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- November – Eternals
- December – Spider-Man: No Way Home
2022
- May – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- July – Thor: Love and Thunder
- November – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
2023
- February – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
- May – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
- November – The Marvels
2024
- July – Deadpool & Wolverine
2025
- February – Captain America: Brave New World
- May – Thunderbolts
- July – The Fantastic Four: First Steps
No matter which path you choose, make sure your journey ends (or begins!) with The Fantastic Four: First Steps — now playing at Cinemark in XD, D-Box, RealD 3D, and IMAX at select locations. Because let’s be honest: stretchy limbs and cosmic rays deserve the biggest screen possible.