Anyone who’s tried to explain the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a friend knows the first question is always where to start — with 33 movies and a growing lineup of Disney+ series, the MCU has become a sprawling narrative web that rewards a bit of planning. This guide breaks down both release order and chronological order so you can pick the path that fits your curiosity.

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Total MCU movies (as of 2025): 33 ·
Completed phases: 3 (Infinity Saga) ·
First MCU movie: Iron Man (2008) ·
Latest MCU movie: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) ·
Disney+ series: 8+ (including animated)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Phase Five continues with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts (both expected 2025) (Wikipedia)
  • Phase Six kicks off with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, leading toward the next Avengers crossovers (Wikipedia)

Six key numbers that frame the MCU landscape, one pattern: the franchise has grown from a single Iron Man film into three distinct sagas with clear phase boundaries.

Label Value
First MCU movie Iron Man (May 2, 2008)
Total Infinity Saga movies 22 (Phases 1–3)
Total Multiverse Saga movies (so far) 11 (Phase 4–5 as of mid-2025)
Total MCU series (live-action Disney+) 10 (including What If…? animated)
Highest-grossing MCU movie Avengers: Endgame ($2.8B worldwide)
Next scheduled release The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)

What is the correct order of the MCU?

Release order of all MCU movies (2008–2025)

  • Phase One (2008–2012): Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers (Rotten Tomatoes (entertainment guide))
  • Phase Two (2013–2015): Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Phase Three (2016–2019): Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Phase Four (2021–2022): Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Phase Five (2023–present): Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Deadpool & Wolverine — plus Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts (both expected in 2025) (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
Why this matters

Starting with release order ensures you catch every post-credits teaser and crossover in the order Marvel intended. According to GamesRadar (entertainment guide), this is the most straightforward approach for newcomers because it avoids chronological jumps and preserves narrative surprises.

The implication: for first-time viewers, release order is the safe bet. You get the story as it unfolded in theaters – from Tony Stark’s first suit to Deadpool and Wolverine’s team-up.

Why release order is the recommended starting point

  • Post-credits scenes (e.g., Thanos’ first appearance after The Avengers) build anticipation only when seen in release order.
  • Character introductions follow a logical progression — meeting Thor before his solo film works better when you watch Thor third.
  • Marvel Studios designs each film with a reliable order in mind: Iron Man (2008) leads directly into The Incredible Hulk (2008) and beyond (GamesRadar (entertainment guide)).

The catch: release order means you jump across decades in the in-universe timeline — Captain Marvel (set in 1995) comes after Avengers: Infinity War (2018). If that bothers you, consider chronological order instead.

TL;DR: First-time viewers should start with release order to preserve narrative surprises and post-credits teasers as Marvel intended.

What is the correct order of the Marvel series to watch?

All MCU Disney+ series in release order

  • WandaVision (2021)
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
  • Loki Season 1 (2021)
  • What If…? Season 1 (2021)
  • Hawkeye (2021)
  • Moon Knight (2022)
  • Ms. Marvel (2022)
  • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
  • Loki Season 2 (2023)
  • Echo (2024) — plus Agatha All Along and Daredevil: Born Again (2025) (GamesRadar (entertainment guide))
The catch

Disney+ series are not optional side content — many introduce characters and plot threads essential for the Multiverse Saga. For example, WandaVision directly sets up Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and Loki introduces the concept of the Sacred Timeline that underpins the entire saga.

The pattern: series now serve as mandatory chapters. Skipping them means missing key context for crossovers like the Council of Kangs and the introduction of new heroes like Ms. Marvel.

How series fit into the movie timeline

  • WandaVision takes place shortly after Avengers: Endgame (weeks after the blip reversal).
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier runs concurrent with WandaVision (early 2024 in-universe).
  • Loki Season 1 happens outside of time, but its finale leads directly into Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
  • Ms. Marvel occurs before The Marvels — her post-credits scene directly connects to the film.

What this means: for a complete viewing experience, weave series into the movie order by using combined watch guides (GamesRadar and others provide integrated lists).

Where is the MCU timeline?

Chronological order (in-universe timeline)

  • Captain America: The First Avenger (1940s)
  • Captain Marvel (1995) — (GamesRadar (chronological guide))
  • Iron Man (2010 in-universe) — though released in 2008
  • Iron Man 2 (2011)
  • The Incredible Hulk (2011)
  • Thor (2011)
  • The Avengers (2012)
  • Iron Man 3 (2013)
  • Thor: The Dark World (2013)
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014, directly sequential)
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
  • Ant-Man (2015)
  • Captain America: Civil War (2016)
  • Black Widow (2016, set between Civil War and Infinity War)
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
  • Doctor Strange (2016–2017)
  • Black Panther (2017)
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018, concurrent with Infinity War)
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
  • Avengers: Endgame (2023)
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2024)
  • Eternals (2024)
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home and No Way Home (2024)
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2025)
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2025)
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025)
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2026)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2026)
  • The Marvels (2026) (GamesRadar)
The trade-off

Chronological order gives you a single timeline but means you’ll watch films like Captain Marvel (set in the 1990s) before Iron Man (2008) — which works for continuity fans but spoils the big reveal of Nick Fury’s pager in the Infinity War post-credits scene.

The pattern: chronological order is best for re-watchers who want to experience the universe in one linear sweep. Newcomers should stick with release order to preserve narrative surprises.

Difference between release order and chronological order

Aspect Release order Chronological order
Best for First-time viewers, avoiding spoilers Re-watchers, timeline purists
Preserves post-credits? Yes — teasers appear in intended order No — some teasers reference events not yet seen
Phase alignment Matches production phases Phases get mixed (e.g., Phase 4’s Black Widow is set in Phase 3)
Series placement After corresponding movies Integrated between films by timeline

The trade-off: you can’t have both narrative suspense and strict chronology. Pick the approach that aligns with your viewing goal — surprise or continuity.

TL;DR: Release order protects narrative surprises; chronological order gives a linear timeline. Newcomers should choose release order first.

Are there 32 MCU movies?

Current MCU movie count as of 2025

33 movies from Iron Man (2008) to Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) — Rotten Tomatoes (entertainment guide) · 22 in the Infinity Saga (Phases 1–3) · 11 in the Multiverse Saga so far

  • The most common miscount is 32, which omits The Incredible Hulk (often skipped because it was released by Universal and has a different tone).
  • As of June 2025, the count is exactly 33, with Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and Thunderbolts (2025) still to release (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).
The upshot

The number changes every few months as new movies are announced. For the most current count, check Marvel’s official release schedule or the Rotten Tomatoes guide, which updates with each phase.

Phase breakdown: Phase One to Phase Six

  • Phase One (6 films, 2008–2012): Launches the core Avengers — Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk. Ends with The Avengers.
  • Phase Two (6 films, 2013–2015): Introduces Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man, and the Infinity Stones. Ends with Ant-Man.
  • Phase Three (11 films, 2016–2019): The Infinity Saga climax — includes Civil War, Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame. Ends with Spider-Man: Far From Home.
  • Phase Four (7 films + series, 2021–2022): Opens the Multiverse Saga — WandaVision and Loki set up the multiverse. Ends with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
  • Phase Five (ongoing, 2023–2025): Features the new big bad (Kang the Conqueror) in Quantumania, plus The Marvels and Deadpool & Wolverine.
  • Phase Six (begins 2025): Starts with The Fantastic Four: First Steps and leads to the next Avengers films (Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars). (Rotten Tomatoes)
Bottom line: What this means: the MCU phases are not arbitrary — each has a thematic arc. Phases 1–3 built toward Thanos; Phases 4–6 are building toward the multiverse war.

Who is the strongest MCU character?

Top contenders: Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Thanos

  • Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff): Nearly defeated Thanos single-handedly in Endgame and destroyed the Darkhold in Multiverse of Madness. Widely considered the most powerful living character.
  • Doctor Strange: Wields the Time Stone and can open portals across the multiverse. His feats include trapping Dormammu and surviving Infinity War.
  • Captain Marvel: Took a direct hit from the Power Stone and destroyed Thanos’s ship. Her energy absorption makes her nearly unstoppable.
  • Thanos (with Infinity Gauntlet): The ultimate antagonist — snapped half of all life. Without the gauntlet, he’s still a formidable physical threat.
  • Adam Warlock: Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, his power set rivals the top tiers but is still undefined in the MCU.
The paradox

Power scaling in the MCU is never official — it shifts depending on the writer and the context. What is clear: Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange, and Captain Marvel occupy the top tier, with Thanos as the benchmark for villain strength.

The pattern: the debate reflects the franchise’s depth — each character has a claim to the top spot.

MCU timeline overview

  • Phase One: Iron Man through The Avengers
  • Phase Two: Iron Man 3 through Ant-Man
  • Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War through Spider-Man: Far From Home
  • Phase Four: Black Widow through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
  • Phase Five: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania through Thunderbolts (expected)
  • Phase Six: The Fantastic Four: First Steps starts the next saga

The pattern: each phase lasts roughly 3–4 years, with the Infinity Saga taking 11 years (2008–2019) to complete. The Multiverse Saga is expected to run from 2021 to 2027.

Confirmed facts

  • Release order has 33 movies as of June 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Chronological order begins with Captain America: The First Avenger (GamesRadar)
  • Scarlett Johansson settled lawsuit with Disney in 2021 (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
  • Thanos’ brother is Starfox (Eros) in comics, not yet in MCU

What’s unclear

  • Who officially becomes the next Black Widow – Yelena Belova is the successor but the mantle is not formally passed beyond the film
  • Exact placement of upcoming movies in the official timeline (subject to change)
  • Consensus on the strongest MCU character – heavily debated among fans
  • The exact release dates for Phase Six movies beyond Fantastic Four are not yet announced

Key quotes

“We always design the movies to be watched in release order.”

— Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President (Rotten Tomatoes (quoted in guide))

“I am happy to have resolved our differences with Disney.”

— Scarlett Johansson, 2021 settlement announcement (Digital Spy (entertainment news))

The implication: even Marvel’s top executives endorse release order, confirming that the cinematic experience is designed to unfold in theatrical sequence.

For anyone planning a MCU marathon in 2025, the choice between release and chronological order comes down to whether you value narrative surprises or in-universe continuity. Newcomers should start with release order and Iron Man (2008); returning fans will find fresh insights in a chronological rewatch. For completionists, the clear recommendation is to follow release order first, then rewatch chronologically — because the MCU rewards both approaches.

Related reading: Fast and Furious Movies in Order

Additional sources

thepopverse.com, digitalspy.com, hulu.com, marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com

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Frequently asked questions

Should I watch MCU movies in release order or chronological order?

Release order is best for first-time viewers because it preserves post-credits scenes and character reveals. Chronological order is ideal for re-watchers who want a single timeline. There is no wrong answer — pick what matches your goal (GamesRadar (entertainment guide)).

How many MCU phases are there?

Six phases have been announced. Phases 1–3 make up the Infinity Saga (22 movies). Phases 4–6 form the Multiverse Saga, which began with Phase Four in 2021 (Rotten Tomatoes (phase guide)).

What is the best MCU movie according to critics?

According to Rotten Tomatoes, Avengers: Endgame has a 94% critic score and a 90% audience score. Black Panther (96%) and Iron Man (94%) also top the list. However, critical reception varies by taste.

Do I need to watch the Disney+ series to understand the movies?

In the Multiverse Saga, yes. Series like WandaVision, Loki, and Ms. Marvel introduce key characters and plot threads that continue in movies like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Marvels (GamesRadar (integrated watch guide)).

Is Black Widow necessary to watch before Endgame?

Black Widow is set between Civil War and Infinity War, so chronologically it fits before Infinity War. However, it was released after Endgame and contains major spoilers for that film. Watch it either before Infinity War (chronological) or after Endgame (release order).

Can I skip The Incredible Hulk?

Yes, it is often skipped because its tone differs and the Hulk was later recast. However, it introduces the Abomination and the super-soldier serum continuation, and it is canon. If you’re a completionist, watch it (Digital Spy (MCU canon analysis)).

When does the next MCU movie come out?

Captain America: Brave New World is scheduled for February 14, 2025, followed by Thunderbolts on May 2, 2025, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25, 2025. Dates may shift (Wikipedia (release schedule)).

What is the easiest way to keep track of the MCU timeline?

Use Disney+’s “Timeline Order” option, which arranges content in chronological order. Third-party sites like GamesRadar also publish integrated lists with both release and chronological views.