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The Ultimate MCU Watch Order 2025: Two Definitive Ways To Binge The Multiverse Saga

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Deciding how to watch all the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and series has become a heroic task in itself. With over 40 entries spanning nearly two decades, the sprawling narrative of *The Infinity Saga* and the current *Multiverse Saga* is complex, but the payoff is worth the journey. As of December 2025, the MCU continues its expansion into Phase 6, making the need for a definitive viewing guide more critical than ever before.

Whether you are a newcomer starting from *Iron Man* or a veteran looking to re-experience the timeline before the major events of *Avengers: Secret Wars*, this guide provides the two definitive, updated watch orders—the fan-favorite Chronological Order and the traditional Release Order—including all essential Disney+ shows and the latest Phase 5 and 6 placements.

The Definitive MCU Chronological Watch Order (2025 Update)

Watching the MCU in chronological order offers the deepest, most immersive narrative experience, placing events exactly as they occur within the *Sacred Timeline* (Earth-616). This method is highly recommended for repeat viewers or those who want to follow the story's internal logic, including the crucial Disney+ series.

Phase 1: The Infinity Saga Begins (2008–2012)

  • *Captain America: The First Avenger* (Set during World War II, 1940s)
  • *Captain Marvel* (Set in 1995)
  • *Iron Man* (The official start of the modern MCU, 2010)
  • *Iron Man 2*
  • *The Incredible Hulk*
  • *Thor*
  • *The Avengers* (The first major crossover event)

Phase 2: The Aftermath and Expansion (2013–2015)

  • *Iron Man 3* (Set six months after *The Avengers*)
  • *Thor: The Dark World*
  • *Captain America: The Winter Soldier*
  • *Guardians of the Galaxy*
  • *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (Directly after Vol. 1)
  • *Avengers: Age of Ultron*
  • *Ant-Man*

Phase 3: The Climax of the Infinity Saga (2016–2019)

  • *Captain America: Civil War* (The event that fractures the Avengers)
  • *Black Widow* (Mostly set immediately after *Civil War*)
  • *Black Panther*
  • *Spider-Man: Homecoming*
  • *Doctor Strange* (The events span several years, but the conclusion is here)
  • *Thor: Ragnarok*
  • *Ant-Man and the Wasp* (Events overlap with *Infinity War*)
  • *Avengers: Infinity War* (The snap, or The Blip, occurs)
  • *Avengers: Endgame* (The central time-jump, ending *The Infinity Saga*)
  • *Loki* Season 1 (Immediately after an *Endgame* event; critical for the Multiverse)

Phase 4: The Multiverse Saga Takes Shape (2021–2022)

Phase 4 deals heavily with the fallout of The Blip and the introduction of the Multiverse concept.

  • *WandaVision* (Three weeks after *Endgame*)
  • *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*
  • *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (Eight months after *Endgame*)
  • *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings*
  • *Eternals*
  • *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (Directly follows *WandaVision* and *Loki*)
  • *Hawkeye* (Set during Christmas)
  • *Moon Knight* (Placement is flexible, but generally here)
  • *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law* (Set from April to September, per Disney+ timeline)
  • *Ms. Marvel*
  • *Thor: Love and Thunder*
  • *Werewolf by Night* (Special Presentation)
  • *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*
  • *Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special* (Special Presentation)

Phase 5: The Rise of Kang and New Heroes (2023–2025)

Phase 5 focuses on the rise of Kang the Conqueror and introduces several new teams and characters, with the timeline getting increasingly complex.

  • *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (The official start of Phase 5)
  • *Secret Invasion*
  • *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3*
  • *Echo* (Set around May 2025, directly following *Hawkeye*)
  • *The Marvels*
  • *Loki* Season 2 (Essential viewing for understanding the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and the Multiverse)
  • *Deadpool & Wolverine* (A crucial Multiverse-spanning event)
  • *Captain America: Brave New World*
  • *Thunderbolts\**
  • *Ironheart* (The final series of Phase 5, concluding in July 2025)

Phase 6: The Multiverse Climax (2025–2027)

This phase is set to bring the *Multiverse Saga* to its epic conclusion, featuring major team-up events.

  • *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* (The official start of Phase 6, July 2025)
  • *Wonder Man* (Expected December 2025)
  • *Blade*
  • *Avengers: Doomsday* (2026)
  • *Avengers: Secret Wars* (The final film of Phase 6, 2027)

The Simple MCU Release Date Order

For first-time viewers, the simplest and most recommended approach is to watch the movies and shows in the order they were released. This is how the original audience experienced the story, ensuring that post-credit scenes, reveals, and narrative twists land exactly as intended by Marvel Studios. The Release Order is the safest way to avoid spoilers and appreciate the gradual world-building.

The Release Order is structured by the three Sagas:

The Infinity Saga (2008–2019)

This saga introduces the original six Avengers, the Infinity Stones, and culminates in the battle against Thanos.

  1. *Iron Man* (2008)
  2. *The Incredible Hulk* (2008)
  3. *Iron Man 2* (2010)
  4. *Thor* (2011)
  5. *Captain America: The First Avenger* (2011)
  6. *The Avengers* (2012)
  7. *Iron Man 3* (2013)
  8. *Thor: The Dark World* (2013)
  9. *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* (2014)
  10. *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014)
  11. *Avengers: Age of Ultron* (2015)
  12. *Ant-Man* (2015)
  13. *Captain America: Civil War* (2016)
  14. *Doctor Strange* (2016)
  15. *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2* (2017)
  16. *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017)
  17. *Thor: Ragnarok* (2017)
  18. *Black Panther* (2018)
  19. *Avengers: Infinity War* (2018)
  20. *Ant-Man and the Wasp* (2018)
  21. *Captain Marvel* (2019)
  22. *Avengers: Endgame* (2019)
  23. *Spider-Man: Far From Home* (2019)

The Multiverse Saga (2021–Present)

This ongoing saga focuses on the fallout of The Blip and the exploration of new realities, Nexus Events, and alternate timelines.

  1. *WandaVision* (2021)
  2. *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier* (2021)
  3. *Loki* Season 1 (2021)
  4. *Black Widow* (2021)
  5. *What If...?* Season 1 (2021 - Non-canon but fun)
  6. *Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings* (2021)
  7. *Eternals* (2021)
  8. *Hawkeye* (2021)
  9. *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* (2022)
  10. *Moon Knight* (2022)
  11. *Ms. Marvel* (2022)
  12. *Thor: Love and Thunder* (2022)
  13. *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law* (2022)
  14. *Werewolf by Night* (2022)
  15. *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever* (2022)
  16. *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special* (2022)
  17. *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* (2023)
  18. *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* (2023)
  19. *Secret Invasion* (2023)
  20. *Loki* Season 2 (2023)
  21. *The Marvels* (2023)
  22. *Echo* (2024)
  23. *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024)
  24. *Captain America: Brave New World* (2025)
  25. *Thunderbolts\** (2025)
  26. *Ironheart* (2025)
  27. *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* (2025)
  28. *Wonder Man* (2025)
  29. *Blade* (2025)
  30. *Avengers: Doomsday* (2026)
  31. *Avengers: Secret Wars* (2027)

Frequently Asked Questions About The MCU Timeline

Are the Disney+ Series Essential for the MCU Timeline?

Absolutely. The Disney+ series are not optional side-stories; they are integral to the main narrative. Shows like *WandaVision* directly set up *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*, and *Loki* is the single most important piece of content for understanding the entire Multiverse Saga and the threat of Kang the Conqueror. Ignoring them means missing major character developments and world-altering plot points.

What is the Difference Between The Infinity Saga and The Multiverse Saga?

The Infinity Saga covers Phases 1 through 3 (2008–2019) and focuses on the search for the six Infinity Stones and the ultimate battle against Thanos. The Multiverse Saga covers Phases 4 through 6 (2021–2027) and focuses on the fallout of *Endgame*, the exploration of the Multiverse, alternate realities, and the conflict with its main antagonist, Kang. The transition point is *Avengers: Endgame* and *Spider-Man: Far From Home*.

Where Do I Watch All The MCU Content?

Nearly all MCU movies and all the essential Disney+ series are available to stream exclusively on Disney+. A few older titles, such as *The Incredible Hulk* and the *Spider-Man* films, may require rental or purchase due to distribution rights held by Universal and Sony, respectively.

What are the Key Entities I Need to Understand?

To fully grasp the complexity of the MCU, you should be familiar with these key entities and concepts:

  • The Blip: The five-year period after Thanos snapped away half of all life in *Infinity War*.
  • The Sacred Timeline: The main reality, designated Earth-616, which the TVA was tasked with protecting in *Loki*.
  • Nexus Event: An action that deviates from the Sacred Timeline, causing a branch reality to form.
  • Infinity Stones: Six powerful artifacts (Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Time, and Soul) that were the focus of *The Infinity Saga*.
  • Kang the Conqueror: The Multiversal villain who is the main threat of *The Multiverse Saga*.
  • Time Variance Authority (TVA): The organization that monitors the timeline.
  • Vibranium: The powerful metal found almost exclusively in Wakanda.
  • The Ten Rings: An ancient organization and powerful weapons featured in *Shang-Chi*.
The Ultimate MCU Watch Order 2025: Two Definitive Ways to Binge The Multiverse Saga
how to watch all the marvel movies in order
how to watch all the marvel movies in order

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