The Definitive MCU Timeline: All 50+ Marvel Movies And Shows In Chronological Order (2025 Update)
Are you ready to truly understand the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Watching the films and series in release order is one thing, but experiencing the story as it unfolds across the timeline—from the 1940s to the post-Blip era—is the only way to grasp the full scope of the *Infinity Saga* and the *Multiverse Saga*. As of late 2025, the MCU timeline has grown to over 50 titles, making a definitive, chronological viewing order essential for both new fans and seasoned veterans.
This comprehensive guide, updated for December 2025, cuts through the confusion of time jumps, flashbacks, and overlapping events to present the most accurate and current *MCU timeline*. Prepare for the ultimate Marvel marathon by starting with World War II and ending with the latest blockbuster releases that set the stage for *Avengers: Doomsday*.
The Infinity Saga: Phases 1–3 Chronological Order (1942–2023)
The first three phases of the MCU, collectively known as *The Infinity Saga*, tell the story of the six Infinity Stones and the ultimate confrontation with Thanos. While most of these films take place in the present day (2008–2019), they are bookended by crucial historical events that establish the universe's foundation.
Phase 1: The Avengers Initiative
- 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942–1945): The definitive starting point, introducing Steve Rogers and the Tesseract.
- 2. Captain Marvel (1995): Carol Danvers' origin story, set decades before Tony Stark's debut.
- 3. Iron Man (2008): The film that started it all, setting the "present day" timeline.
- 4. Iron Man 2 (2010): Takes place six months after the first film.
- 5. The Incredible Hulk (2010): Occurs concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *Thor*.
- 6. Thor (2010): Events overlap with *Iron Man 2* and *The Incredible Hulk*.
- 7. The Avengers (2012): The first major team-up, concluding the initial phase.
Phase 2: The Aftermath and Expansion
- 8. Iron Man 3 (2012): Set six months after the Battle of New York.
- 9. Thor: The Dark World (2013): Continues the cosmic side of the MCU.
- 10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): A major turning point for S.H.I.E.L.D.
- 11. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Introduces the cosmic characters and the Power Stone.
- 12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014): Takes place only a few months after the first film.
- 13. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): The Avengers' second major conflict.
- 14. Ant-Man (2015): Set shortly after the events of *Age of Ultron*.
Phase 3: Civil War to the Snap
- 15. Captain America: Civil War (2016): The conflict that fractures the Avengers.
- 16. Black Widow (2016): Set immediately after *Civil War*.
- 17. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016): Takes place a few months after *Civil War*.
- 18. Doctor Strange (2016–2017): Stephen Strange's origin story.
- 19. Black Panther (2017): Set one week after *Civil War*.
- 20. Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Leads directly into *Infinity War*.
- 21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): Events happen concurrently with *Infinity War*.
- 22. Avengers: Infinity War (2018): The devastating "Snap."
- 23. Avengers: Endgame (2018 & 2023): The film covers the immediate aftermath of the Snap (2018) and the "Blip" five years later (2023).
The Multiverse Saga: Phases 4–6 Chronological Order (2023–Present)
The current saga, *The Multiverse Saga*, deals with the fallout of the Blip, the expansion of the multiverse, and the introduction of Kang the Conqueror. The timeline here is much more interwoven, with Disney+ series playing a vital role in connecting the cinematic events. The "present day" of the MCU is currently around 2027.
Phase 4: The Post-Blip World
Phase 4 explores the world recovering from the Blip (the return of half the universe's population) and introduces concepts like the Multiverse and new heroes.
- 24. WandaVision (2023): Immediately follows *Avengers: Endgame*.
- 25. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2024): Set after *WandaVision*.
- 26. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2024): Directly follows *WandaVision* and focuses on the legacy of Captain America.
- 27. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024): Set during the summer vacation after *Endgame*.
- 28. Eternals (2024): Takes place concurrently with *Far From Home*.
- 29. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2024): Events occur after *WandaVision* and *Far From Home*.
- 30. Hawkeye (2024): Set during Christmas, one year after the Blip.
- 31. Moon Knight (Varies): The events are largely self-contained, but the general setting is post-Blip.
- 32. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025): Set after the events of *Eternals* and *Doctor Strange 2*.
- 33. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2025): The series takes place over a period of time, mostly after *Shang-Chi*.
- 34. Ms. Marvel (2025): Set shortly after *She-Hulk* in the timeline.
- 35. Thor: Love and Thunder (2025): Events occur after *Wakanda Forever*.
Note on Loki and What If...?: The series *Loki* is a special case, as its events take place outside of the main timeline, dealing with the Time Variance Authority (TVA). *Marvel's What If...?* explores alternate realities and is not part of the main chronological narrative, though it is essential for understanding the Multiverse concept.
Phase 5: The Rise of Kang and New Teams
Phase 5 is designed to directly build toward the major *Avengers* films in Phase 6, focusing on the threat of Kang the Conqueror and the introduction of new hero teams.
- 36. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2026): The film that officially kicks off Phase 5 and introduces the main variant of Kang.
- 37. Secret Invasion (2026): Set in the present day, following Nick Fury's return to Earth.
- 38. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2026): The final adventure for the original Guardians team.
- 39. The Marvels (2026): A direct continuation of *Ms. Marvel* and *Secret Invasion*.
- 40. Daredevil: Born Again (2026): Expected to be set in the post-Blip, post-Blip New York.
- 41. Captain America: Brave New World (2027): Sam Wilson's first solo film as Captain America.
- 42. Thunderbolts* (2027): Set after *Brave New World*, featuring a team of anti-heroes.
- 43. Blade (2027): The timeline placement is flexible, but it is expected to occur in the current "present day" of the MCU.
The Future of the MCU: Phase 6 and Beyond
The final phase of *The Multiverse Saga* will bring the current storyline to a head with two massive *Avengers* films. The chronological order for these titles is still being finalized, but their placement at the end of the saga is certain.
Phase 6: The Final Multiversal Conflict (2028+)
- 44. The Fantastic Four (2028): While its exact placement is uncertain, some theories suggest a historical setting (1960s) or a modern-day introduction via the Multiverse. However, its main events will likely impact the final *Avengers* films.
- 45. Avengers: Doomsday (2028): The first of the two final Multiverse Saga films, dealing with the escalating threat of Kang.
- 46. Avengers: Secret Wars (2029): The grand finale, expected to be the biggest crossover event in cinematic history, potentially resetting or drastically altering the timeline.
- 47. Armor Wars (TBD): A film that will likely follow *Secret Wars*, exploring the aftermath for James Rhodes/War Machine.
Why Chronological Order is the Ultimate Viewing Experience
Watching the *Marvel movies in order of events* provides a deeper, more satisfying narrative experience than following the *release order*. The chronological approach allows you to see the organic growth of the *Marvel Cinematic Universe* and appreciate the subtle connective tissue between films and series. For instance, you see the Tesseract's history unfold from *Captain America: The First Avenger* to *Avengers: Infinity War* without the confusion of flashbacks.
The chronological timeline also highlights the character arcs with greater clarity. You witness the evolution of Captain America from a WWII soldier to a modern-day hero, and the slow, deliberate rise of the villainous organizations like Hydra and the *Ten Rings*. For the *Multiverse Saga*, following the *MCU timeline phases* ensures you understand the emotional impact of the Blip before diving into the complex concepts of variants and the *TVA* in *Loki*.
Key Entities and Topical Authority Keywords
To fully master the *MCU timeline*, you must be familiar with the following key entities:
- The Infinity Saga: The overarching narrative of Phases 1-3.
- The Multiverse Saga: The current narrative of Phases 4-6.
- The Blip: The five-year period after Thanos' Snap.
- TVA (Time Variance Authority): The organization that monitors the Sacred Timeline.
- Kang the Conqueror: The primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga.
- The Fantastic Four: The iconic team set to be introduced in Phase 6.
- S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra: The opposing forces from the early phases.
- Chronological vs. Release Order: The two primary ways to watch the films.
Ultimately, the *definitive MCU timeline* is a living document that constantly evolves with each new release. Use this 2025 guide as your roadmap to ensure you don't miss a single beat of the most ambitious shared universe in cinematic history.
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