The Ultimate MCU Timeline: All Marvel Movies & Shows In Chronological Order (Updated 2025)

Welcome to the definitive guide for watching the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in its true chronological order. As of December 22, 2025, the MCU has grown into a massive, interconnected narrative spanning three Sagas, six Phases, and dozens of films and Disney+ series, making a simple release-date watch nearly impossible for new viewers or those seeking the deepest narrative experience. This updated list cuts through the confusion, providing the precise timeline order, starting with World War II and extending deep into the Multiverse Saga's newest chapters in Phase 6. Forget the release dates; to fully appreciate the character arcs, the subtle Easter eggs, and the flow of the overarching story—from the birth of Captain America to the fallout of the Blip—you must follow the in-universe timeline. This viewing order is essential for understanding the current "present day" of the MCU, which, following recent Phase 5 and 6 releases, is now set around 2027. Prepare for the ultimate Marvel marathon with the most accurate, up-to-the-minute chronological sequence available.

The Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3): The Foundation of the MCU

The first three phases, collectively known as The Infinity Saga, established the core heroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the original Avengers—and culminated in the battle against Thanos for the Infinity Stones. To understand the entire universe, you must start here, in the past.

• 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1940s): This is the official starting point. The film takes place almost entirely during World War II, introducing Steve Rogers and the Tesseract.
• 2. Captain Marvel (1995): Set in the mid-90s, this film provides the origin of Carol Danvers and Nick Fury’s inspiration for the Avengers Initiative.
• 3. Iron Man (2008): The film that started it all, chronologically it’s the first *modern-day* story, set primarily in 2008.
• 4. Iron Man 2 (Immediately after Iron Man): The events occur roughly six months after the first film, dealing with the fallout of Tony Stark's identity reveal.
• 5. The Incredible Hulk (Concurrent with Iron Man 2): While the exact placement is debated, it runs parallel to the events of *Iron Man 2* and *Thor*.
• 6. Thor (Concurrent with Iron Man 2/Hulk): The events that bring Thor to Earth occur around the same time as the other Phase 1 setups.
• 7. The Avengers (2012): The first major team-up, set in the same year it was released.
• 8. Thor: The Dark World (Post-Avengers): Set after the Battle of New York.
• 9. Iron Man 3 (Christmas 2012): Takes place six months after *The Avengers* and is set during the Christmas season.
• 10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Post-Iron Man 3): A major turning point that reshapes the world's security.
• 11. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): The first cosmic adventure, set two years after *The Avengers*.
• 12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Immediately after Vol. 1): The events occur only a few months after the first film.
• 13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (Post-Winter Soldier): The next major team-up, leading to the creation of Vision.
• 14. Ant-Man (Post-Ultron): Scott Lang’s origin story, set shortly after the events of *Age of Ultron*.
• 15. Captain America: Civil War (2016): The conflict that splits the Avengers, set a year after *Ultron*.
• 16. Black Widow (Immediately Post-Civil War): Set in the immediate aftermath of *Civil War*, while Natasha Romanoff is on the run.
• 17. Spider-Man: Homecoming (Post-Civil War): Peter Parker's first solo adventure takes place a few months after the events of *Civil War*.
• 18. Doctor Strange (2016-2017): The events span a period of time, with the conclusion happening around the same time as *Homecoming*.
• 19. Black Panther (2017): Set one week after the events of *Captain America: Civil War*.
• 20. Thor: Ragnarok (Post-Civil War): Occurs around the same time as *Black Panther* and *Spider-Man: Homecoming*.
• 21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (Pre-Infinity War): The main story is set shortly before *Infinity War*'s climax.
• 22. Avengers: Infinity War (2018): The devastating conclusion to the Infinity Saga's build-up.
• 23. Avengers: Endgame (2018-2023): The film begins immediately after *Infinity War*, jumps five years (The Blip), and concludes in 2023.

The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-6): The Post-Blip Era and New Threats

The Multiverse Saga deals with the aftermath of the Blip, the introduction of the Multiverse, and the rise of Kang the Conqueror. The timeline gets significantly more complex here, with many Disney+ series being crucial narrative bridges.

Phase 4: Rebuilding the World and Exploring New Horizons

The "present day" of the MCU is generally considered to be the year the film or show was released, unless otherwise specified. The post-Blip world is a central theme.

• 24. Loki (Season 1) (Outside the Timeline): The events occur immediately after Loki escapes in *Endgame* and primarily take place outside of the main timeline at the Time Variance Authority (TVA).
• 25. WandaVision (Three Weeks Post-Endgame): Set three weeks after the events of *Avengers: Endgame*.
• 26. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Six Months Post-Endgame): Set six months after the Blip is reversed.
• 27. Spider-Man: Far From Home (Summer 2024): Set during the summer vacation eight months after *Endgame*.
• 28. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Post-Far From Home): Generally placed after *Far From Home*.
• 29. Eternals (Late 2024): Set roughly at the same time as *Shang-Chi*.
• 30. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Post-WandaVision): Occurs after the events of *WandaVision*.
• 31. Hawkeye (Christmas 2024): Set during the Christmas season, a little over a year after the Blip.
• 32. Moon Knight (Unspecified, Post-Endgame): The placement is vague but occurs after the Blip.
• 33. Ms. Marvel (Summer 2025): Set in the summer, with Kamala Khan being a post-Blip teenager.
• 34. Thor: Love and Thunder (Post-Ms. Marvel): Set after the events of *Endgame* and *Multiverse of Madness*.
• 35. Werewolf by Night (Special Presentation): Unclear placement, but generally considered post-Blip.
• 36. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025): Set after the events of *Endgame*.
• 37. Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Christmas 2025): Set around Christmas, leading directly into *Vol. 3*.
• 38. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2025): Set a few months after *Shang-Chi* and runs concurrently with other Phase 4 events.

Phase 5 & 6: The Present Day and The Multiverse Wars

Phase 5 and the beginning of Phase 6 bring the MCU's timeline up to the current "present day," which is now approximately 2027. These entries are critical for understanding the current state of the Multiverse Saga.

Phase 5: The Rise of Kang and New Teams

• 39. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Early 2026): This film kicks off Phase 5 and chronologically takes place in the first half of 2026.
• 40. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Mid-2026): Set after the *Holiday Special* and the events of *Quantumania*.
• 41. Secret Invasion (Mid-2026): The events follow the Skrull storyline established in *Captain Marvel* and *Far From Home*.
• 42. Loki (Season 2) (Outside the Timeline): Continues immediately after Season 1, remaining outside the conventional timeline.
• 43. The Marvels (Late 2026): A direct sequel to *Ms. Marvel* and *Secret Invasion*, bringing the three heroes together.
• 44. Echo (Early 2027): A direct spin-off from *Hawkeye*, set after its events.
• 45. Deadpool & Wolverine (2027): While its Multiversal nature makes exact placement tricky, its main events are set in the current "present day" of the MCU's timeline.
• 46. Captain America: Brave New World (Late 2027): The first solo film for Sam Wilson as Captain America, set in the current present.
• 47. Thunderbolts* (Late 2027): This film is set to conclude Phase 5, taking place in the current "present day" of the MCU.
• 48. Daredevil: Born Again (2027): The series is also scheduled for 2025 and is set in the current "present day," running concurrently with *Captain America: Brave New World* and *Thunderbolts\**.

Phase 6 (The Start of the End): Upcoming Multiverse Saga Conclusions

Phase 6 begins the final build-up to the two massive *Avengers* films that will conclude the Multiverse Saga.

• 49. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Mid-2028): Set to kick off Phase 6 in July 2025 (release date), its in-universe timeline placement is expected to be after the main events of Phase 5.
• 50. Wonder Man (TV Series) (Late 2028): A new Disney+ series expected to be placed after the events of *Fantastic Four*.
• 51. Avengers: Doomsday (2029): The first of the two concluding *Avengers* films, set to be the next major chronological milestone.
• 52. Avengers: Secret Wars (2029/2030): The final chronological point of The Multiverse Saga and the most anticipated event on the timeline.

Why The Chronological Order Matters: An Entity Deep Dive

Watching the MCU in chronological order is more than a novelty; it’s a necessary tool for understanding the topical authority of the universe. The timeline is an entity in itself, with key LSI keywords like "The Blip" and "Multiverse" acting as major chronological dividers. The Infinity Saga functions as a perfect three-act structure, where the Tesseract and the other Infinity Stones are the central narrative focus. Starting with *Captain America: The First Avenger* establishes the origins of the Tesseract and Red Skull, making its appearance in *The Avengers* and *Infinity War* feel earned and historically significant. The Multiverse Saga then uses the post-Blip era as its new status quo. The chronological placement of shows like *WandaVision* and *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier* is vital because they deal directly with the psychological and political fallout of half the universe returning. Without this order, the emotional weight of Sam Wilson taking up the shield or Wanda Maximoff's grief-induced powers is lost. Furthermore, the Kang the Conqueror entity introduced in *Loki* (outside the main timeline) and then fully revealed in *Quantumania* is the new, central threat that ties all of Phase 5 and 6 together, making the upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars* the ultimate chronological payoff. Following this ultimate guide ensures you experience the narrative as intended, from the Infinity Stones to the incursions of the Multiverse.

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