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The Definitive 2026 Guide: How To Watch All 5 Avengers Movies In Order (Before Doomsday)

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the most ambitious cinematic project in history, and at its core lie the five epic team-up films of the Avengers. As of December 2025, with the impending release of Captain America: Brave New World and the continued expansion of Phase 5, figuring out the perfect viewing order has become more complex than ever, especially for those preparing for the next massive crossover event, *Avengers: Doomsday*, scheduled for late 2026. This guide cuts through the confusion, offering you the definitive, up-to-date roadmap for watching every core *Avengers* movie and the essential surrounding content.

Whether you are a newcomer to the MCU or a veteran fan looking for the optimal re-watch path, the decision comes down to two main methodologies: the Release Order, which preserves the original mystery and pacing, or the Chronological Order, which tells the story of the universe in the precise sequence of events. Both paths lead to the same destination—the emotional climax of the Infinity Saga and the foundational setup for the Multiverse Saga—but they offer vastly different viewing experiences.

The Infinity Saga: The Core Avengers Movies in Release Order

For first-time viewers, the official release order remains the superior choice. This is the way the story was originally told, with post-credit scenes and reveals landing exactly when the creators intended them to. The four original *Avengers* films are the narrative pillars of the first three phases, collectively known as The Infinity Saga, which culminates in the battle against Thanos.

The first three phases span from 2008’s *Iron Man* to 2019’s *Spider-Man: Far From Home*. Here is how the core *Avengers* films are placed within their respective phases:

Phase 1: The Assembling

  • Iron Man (2008)
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008)
  • Iron Man 2 (2010)
  • Thor (2011)
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
  • The Avengers (2012) - The first monumental team-up, uniting Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye against Loki and the Chitauri.

Phase 2: The Expansion

  • Iron Man 3 (2013)
  • Thor: The Dark World (2013)
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) - The team faces a new threat of their own creation, introducing Vision and the Maximoff twins (Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver).
  • Ant-Man (2015)

Phase 3: The Climax

  • Captain America: Civil War (2016)
  • Doctor Strange (2016)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • Black Panther (2018)
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - The beginning of the end. Thanos collects the Infinity Stones, leading to the devastating "Snap."
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
  • Captain Marvel (2019)
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019) - The epic conclusion where the remaining heroes reverse the Snap and defeat Thanos.
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) - The true epilogue to the Infinity Saga.

Watching in release order ensures that the reveal of Thanos in *The Avengers* and the introduction of the Infinity Stones across various films maintain their maximum impact. This is the definitive experience for understanding the original narrative arc.

The Chronological Path: A Narrative Timeline for Deep Lore

For those who have already seen the films and want to experience the MCU as a continuous, seamless timeline of events, the chronological order is the way to go. This order places films and shows based on when the events actually occur in the story's timeline, often requiring you to jump back and forth between release phases. The key changes are placing *Captain America: The First Avenger* and *Captain Marvel* much earlier.

Here is the essential chronological order leading up to the final *Avengers* film:

  1. Captain America: The First Avenger (Set during WWII)
  2. Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
  3. Iron Man
  4. Iron Man 2
  5. The Incredible Hulk
  6. Thor
  7. The Avengers
  8. Thor: The Dark World
  9. Iron Man 3
  10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
  11. Guardians of the Galaxy
  12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
  13. Avengers: Age of Ultron
  14. Ant-Man
  15. Captain America: Civil War
  16. Black Widow (Mostly set right after *Civil War*)
  17. Black Panther
  18. Spider-Man: Homecoming
  19. Doctor Strange
  20. Thor: Ragnarok
  21. Avengers: Infinity War
  22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (The mid-credits scene takes place during the Snap)
  23. Avengers: Endgame (Begins immediately after the Snap, with the bulk of the film set five years later)

This chronological viewing order provides a unique perspective on the world-building, showing the history of S.H.I.E.L.D., the formation of the Avengers, and the long-term threat of Thanos in a continuous, flowing narrative. It is the perfect method for a comprehensive MCU marathon.

Preparing for the Multiverse: The Road to Avengers: Doomsday

The conclusion of *Avengers: Endgame* marked the end of the Infinity Saga. The current era, known as The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4, 5, and 6), is building towards two new, massive *Avengers* films: *Avengers: Doomsday* (formerly *The Kang Dynasty*) in December 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* in 2027. To understand the new threat—the Multiversal villain Kang the Conqueror—and the introduction of new heroes like the Fantastic Four and the Young Avengers, you must dive into the Phase 4 and 5 content.

Unlike the previous sagas, the Disney+ series are now essential viewing, as they directly set up characters and plot points for the movies. The key to preparing for *Avengers: Doomsday* is understanding the Multiverse concept and the threat of Kang, which means prioritizing a specific set of movies and shows.

The Essential Multiverse Saga Viewing Order (Phase 4 & 5 to Date)

This streamlined list focuses on the most critical entries that directly address the Multiverse, the fallout from *Endgame*, and the rise of Kang. This is the must-watch list before *Avengers: Doomsday*:

  • WandaVision (Disney+ Series): Essential for Scarlet Witch's journey and introduction to the Darkhold.
  • Loki Season 1 (Disney+ Series): The single most important entry, as it introduces the Multiverse, the TVA, and the main villain, He Who Remains (a variant of Kang the Conqueror).
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home (Film): Explores the chaos of the Multiverse being cracked open.
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Film): Deep dive into the Multiverse and the consequences of breaking reality.
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Film): Directly introduces the main variant of Kang the Conqueror and sets him up as the next major threat.
  • Loki Season 2 (Disney+ Series): Further develops Kang's threat and the concept of the Multiverse being saved (or not) by Loki.
  • The Marvels (Film): Continues the story of Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, and Ms. Marvel, linking cosmic threats.
  • Captain America: Brave New World (Film): Expected early 2026, this film will be the final major movie before *Doomsday* and is likely to feature significant plot developments for the new Captain America, Sam Wilson.

By following this path, you will have a complete understanding of the evolution from the Infinity Stones and Thanos to the Multiverse and Kang. The upcoming *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars* will serve as the climactic conclusion to The Multiverse Saga, mirroring the structure of *Infinity War* and *Endgame*.

Ultimately, the best way to watch the Avengers films is the one that brings you the most enjoyment. For the purist, stick to the Release Order for the intended pacing. For the lore master, use the Chronological Order to see the timeline unfold seamlessly. But for everyone preparing for the future, the Multiverse Saga list is the essential homework before the next team-up begins.

The Definitive 2026 Guide: How to Watch All 5 Avengers Movies in Order (Before Doomsday)
avengers order to watch
avengers order to watch

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