The Ultimate Marvel Films In Order: 2025-2026 Updated Release & Chronological Viewing Guide
The Definitive MCU Release Order (2008–2026): The Classic Viewing Experience
Watching the Marvel films in release order is often called the "director's cut" experience. This is the way the story was originally presented to audiences, with post-credit scenes and narrative reveals landing exactly as intended. This order is perfect for newcomers, as it avoids timeline confusion and preserves the major plot twists, especially those involving the Infinity Stones and the introduction of new characters in Phase 4 and 5. This list includes all films and key Disney+ series through the end of Phase 5 and into the confirmed Phase 6 slate for 2026.
Phase 1: The Infinity Saga Begins (2008–2012)
- 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. Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)
Phase 2: Expansion (2013–2015)
- 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)
Phase 3: The Climax of the Infinity Saga (2016–2019)
- 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: Phase 4, 5, and the Future of Phase 6
The Multiverse Saga, spanning Phases 4, 5, and 6, deals with the aftermath of the Blip, the introduction of the Multiverse, and the looming threat of Kang the Conqueror. The sheer volume of content, including the Disney+ series, makes the viewing order more complex, but also more rewarding. Phase 4 and 5 introduced key concepts like the Time Variance Authority (TVA) in Loki, the new generation of heroes, and the exploration of cosmic entities in Eternals.
Phase 4: The Aftermath and Introduction of the Multiverse (2021–2022)
Phase 4 was characterized by its blend of films and canonical Disney+ series, which are essential for understanding the overall narrative.
- 24. WandaVision (Disney+ Series)
- 25. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+ Series)
- 26. Loki: Season 1 (Disney+ Series)
- 27. Black Widow (2021)
- 28. What If...?: Season 1 (Disney+ Series)
- 29. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- 30. Eternals (2021)
- 31. Hawkeye (Disney+ Series)
- 32. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- 33. Moon Knight (Disney+ Series)
- 34. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- 35. Ms. Marvel (Disney+ Series)
- 36. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- 37. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Disney+ Series)
- 38. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Phase 5: The Rise of New Threats (2023–2024)
Phase 5 is building the foundation for the final confrontation of the Multiverse Saga, featuring new team-ups and the continued expansion of the universe.
- 39. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- 40. Secret Invasion (Disney+ Series)
- 41. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- 42. Loki: Season 2 (Disney+ Series)
- 43. The Marvels (2023)
- 44. Echo (Disney+ Series)
- 45. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
- 46. Agatha All Along (Disney+ Series)
- 47. Captain America: Brave New World (Late 2024/Early 2025)
- 48. Thunderbolts* (Early 2025)
Phase 6: The Multiverse Climax (2025–2027)
Phase 6 will culminate in two massive Avengers events, defining the future of the MCU. The current slate of confirmed titles includes:
- 49. Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)
- 50. Eyes of Wakanda (Disney+ Series - August 1, 2025)
- 51. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026)
- 52. Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
- 53. Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)
The Ultimate MCU Chronological Order: The Deep Dive Timeline
For the ultimate Marvel marathon, the chronological viewing order sequences the events exactly as they occur within the narrative timeline, offering a deeper understanding of the history and flow of events. This order is highly recommended for re-watches and seasoned fans who want to track every character arc from World War II to the present day. Note that this list focuses on the main films and key series that significantly shift the timeline, and it’s important to remember that some post-credit scenes should be skipped until later in the timeline to avoid spoilers.
The chronological order starts with the earliest events in the MCU's history, predating the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the modern superhero era.
- Captain America: The First Avenger (Set in the 1940s)
- Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
- Iron Man (Set in 2008)
- Iron Man 2 (Set after Iron Man)
- The Incredible Hulk (Set concurrently with Iron Man 2 and Thor)
- Thor (Set concurrently with Iron Man 2 and The Incredible Hulk)
- Marvel’s The Avengers (Set in 2012)
- Thor: The Dark World (Set shortly after The Avengers)
- Iron Man 3 (Set six months after The Avengers)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Set after The Dark World)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (Set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Set a few months after Vol. 1)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (Set after The Winter Soldier)
- Ant-Man (Set after Age of Ultron)
- Captain America: Civil War (Set one year after Age of Ultron)
- Black Widow (Set immediately after Civil War)
- Black Panther (Set one week after Civil War)
- Doctor Strange (Set from 2016-2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (Set a few months after Civil War)
- Thor: Ragnarok (Set after Doctor Strange)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (Set shortly before Infinity War)
- Avengers: Infinity War (Set in 2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (Starts in 2018, then jumps five years to 2023)
- Loki: Season 1 & 2 (Takes place immediately after Endgame’s time travel, outside the main timeline)
- WandaVision (Set three weeks after Endgame)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Set six months after Endgame)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set eight months after Endgame)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (Set after Far From Home)
- Eternals (Set concurrently with Shang-Chi)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (Begins immediately after Far From Home)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Set after No Way Home)
- Hawkeye (Set in late 2024)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Set roughly six months after Shang-Chi)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Set after No Way Home)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Set after Wakanda Forever)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Set after Quantumania)
- The Marvels (Set after Ms. Marvel and Secret Invasion)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (Set after The Marvels, involving time travel/Multiverse elements)
Why the Two Orders Matter: Understanding the Sagas and Thematic Shifts
The distinction between the release order and the chronological order is more than just a preference; it’s a key to understanding the MCU's evolution. The first three phases, known as the Infinity Saga, were built around the slow reveal of the Infinity Stones and the assembly of the original Avengers team. The release order maintains the mystery surrounding the stones and the villain Thanos until the final confrontation in Avengers: Infinity War.
The current arc, the Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-6), has shifted focus dramatically. The introduction of Disney+ series allows for deeper character exploration and world-building that is essential for the films. For instance, watching WandaVision and Loki before Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is critical for understanding the motivations of Scarlet Witch and the mechanics of the Multiverse itself. The upcoming Phase 6, with tentpole films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, promises to bring the Multiverse threat to a catastrophic head, likely forcing a new generation of heroes—including the Fantastic Four and the Thunderbolts*—to step up and confront the new power vacuum left by the original team.
Ultimately, whether you choose the sequential release order or the timeline-focused chronological order, you are embarking on one of the most ambitious and successful storytelling projects in cinema history. With new heroes, complex superhero films narratives, and the ever-expanding concept of the Multiverse, the best time to start your MCU viewing order marathon is now, before the 2026 releases change the landscape once again.
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