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The Definitive MCU Timeline: How To Watch All Marvel Movies And Series In Chronological Order (Updated December 2025)

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Are you ready to embark on the ultimate Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) marathon? As of December 22, 2025, the sprawling narrative of the MCU now encompasses three full Sagas and continues to expand with new films and Disney+ series, making the correct viewing order more complex than ever. Whether you are a first-time viewer or a veteran looking to refresh your memory before new releases like Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, understanding the timeline is crucial to grasp the full scope of the *Infinity Saga* and the emerging *Multiverse Saga*.

The sheer volume of content—from the early days of *Iron Man* to the cosmic scale of Phase 5—means you have two primary viewing paths: the simple Release Date Order or the story-driven Chronological Order. For the most cohesive narrative experience, the chronological method is king, placing events exactly where they happen on the *MCU timeline*. This guide provides the definitive, updated chronological order, integrating all the essential movies and series to give you the freshest, most logical viewing experience.

The Ultimate MCU Viewing Guide: Release Order vs. Chronological Order

Choosing the right viewing order is the first step in your marathon. While the Release Date Order is how the films were originally experienced by audiences, it often jumps around the timeline, especially in later phases. The Chronological Order, however, places the events in the order they occur within the fictional universe, offering a deeper understanding of character motivations and the continuous flow of history, from World War II to the events leading up to *Avengers: Doomsday*.

Release Date Order (The Original Experience)

This is the simplest way to watch the films and the recommended method for first-time viewers who want to experience the reveals and post-credit scenes as intended by Marvel Studios. It starts with 2008's *Iron Man* and ends with the most recent releases.

  • Phase One (2008–2012): Starts with *Iron Man* and concludes with *The Avengers*.
  • Phase Two (2013–2015): Starts with *Iron Man 3* and concludes with *Ant-Man*.
  • Phase Three (2016–2019): Starts with *Captain America: Civil War* and concludes the *Infinity Saga* with *Avengers: Endgame* and *Spider-Man: Far From Home*.
  • Phase Four (2021–2022): Starts with *WandaVision* and includes films like *Black Widow* and *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*.
  • Phase Five (2023–2024): Starts with *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* and includes *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* and *The Marvels*.
  • Phase Six (2025–2027): Kicks off with *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* and builds toward the massive crossover events, *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*.

Chronological Order (The Story Timeline)

This order is favored by fans who prioritize narrative flow. It requires integrating the Disney+ series and understanding that some films are set decades before the main action. For example, the events of *Captain Marvel* are set in 1995, and the newly announced *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* is rumored to be set in the 1960s, which would place it incredibly early in the timeline. The current "present day" of the MCU's main timeline is generally considered to be around 2027, following the events of *Secret Invasion* and *The Marvels*.

The Infinity Saga (Phases 1–3) Complete Chronological Viewing Order

The first 23 films of the MCU, collectively known as the *Infinity Saga*, detail the rise of the original Avengers team and their epic conflict with the Mad Titan, Thanos, over the six Infinity Stones. This foundational viewing order is relatively stable, with only a few key placements required.

  1. Captain America: The First Avenger (Set during WWII, 1942–1945. Introduces the Tesseract.)
  2. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Rumored to be set in the 1960s, a vital new entity in the timeline.)
  3. Captain Marvel (Set in 1995.)
  4. Iron Man (The true start of the modern MCU timeline, set in 2008.)
  5. Iron Man 2 (Set six months after *Iron Man*.)
  6. The Incredible Hulk (Set concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *Thor*.)
  7. Thor (Set concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *The Incredible Hulk*.)
  8. The Avengers (Set in 2012.)
  9. Thor: The Dark World (Post-*The Avengers*.)
  10. Iron Man 3 (Set six months after *The Avengers*.)
  11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
  12. Guardians of the Galaxy
  13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Set only a few months after Vol. 1.)
  14. Avengers: Age of Ultron
  15. Ant-Man
  16. Captain America: Civil War (The dividing point of the Avengers.)
  17. Black Widow (Set immediately after *Civil War*.)
  18. Black Panther (Introduces the nation of Wakanda and Vibranium.)
  19. Spider-Man: Homecoming (Set after *Civil War*.)
  20. Doctor Strange (Events largely happen over a year.)
  21. Thor: Ragnarok
  22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (The post-credits scene runs concurrently with *Infinity War*.)
  23. Avengers: Infinity War (The snap.)
  24. Avengers: Endgame (The five-year time jump, followed by the final battle.)
  25. Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set eight months after *Endgame*.)

The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4–6) Timeline: The Chronological Chaos

The *Multiverse Saga* introduces the concept of the Multiverse, the TVA (Time Variance Authority), and the new overarching villain: Kang the Conqueror (or his variants). The timeline here is far more complex due to the integration of major Disney+ series like *WandaVision*, *Loki*, and *She-Hulk: Attorney at Law*. The chronological placement of these series is absolutely essential for understanding the current status of characters like the Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange.

Phase Four & Five Chronological Order (Integrating Disney+ Series)

This list is the most up-to-date chronological flow, incorporating all films and series that have been released up to the present date in December 2025, and includes the confirmed 2025 releases. Note that the placement of shows like *Loki* and *What If...?* is unique due to their multiversal nature.

  1. WandaVision (Immediately after *Endgame*.)
  2. Loki (Season 1) (Outside the main timeline, essential for the Multiverse arc.)
  3. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Sam Wilson's journey to becoming the new Captain America.)
  4. Spider-Man: No Way Home (Concurrent with *Hawkeye*.)
  5. Eternals
  6. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
  7. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Directly follows *WandaVision* and *Loki* implications.)
  8. Hawkeye (Set during Christmas, roughly a year after *Endgame*.)
  9. Moon Knight
  10. Black Widow (Set before *Endgame*, but often placed here for character context.)
  11. Ms. Marvel
  12. Thor: Love and Thunder
  13. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Deals with the aftermath of T'Challa's death.)
  14. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (Set roughly four years after the Blip.)
  15. Werewolf by Night (Special Presentation.)
  16. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Crucial for the introduction of Kang.)
  17. Secret Invasion (Focuses on the Skrull infiltration.)
  18. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
  19. The Marvels
  20. Echo (Early 2025 release, follows *Hawkeye* and *Daredevil* threads.)
  21. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Jan 29, 2025 series.)
  22. Captain America: Brave New World (Feb 14, 2025 film, starring Sam Wilson as Captain America.)
  23. Thunderbolts* (2025 film, featuring a team of anti-heroes.)
  24. Daredevil: Born Again (2025 series, connecting characters from Netflix to the main MCU.)

Key Entities and Concepts to Master the Multiverse

To truly master the *Multiverse Saga* timeline, you must understand the new entities that drive the story. The complexity of Phase 4 and Phase 5 is rooted in these concepts, which will be critical for the upcoming Phase 6 films.

Kang the Conqueror and the TVA

The primary antagonist of the *Multiverse Saga* is not a single person, but a multitude of variants of Kang the Conqueror, a time-traveling genius. His introduction in *Loki* (as He Who Remains) and his pivotal role in *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania* establish him as a threat far greater than Thanos. The TVA (Time Variance Authority), introduced in *Loki*, is the organization responsible for pruning alternate timelines, a concept that directly impacts every subsequent multiversal event.

The Fantastic Four and Mutants

The announcement of *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in 2025 and the growing presence of mutants (like Ms. Marvel and the character in *Black Panther: Wakanda Forever*) signal a massive shift. The Fantastic Four are considered the First Family of Marvel, and their arrival, possibly set in the past, will reshape the known history of the MCU. Furthermore, the inclusion of the X-Men's core concept, the mutants, is expected to play a central role in the narrative leading up to *Avengers: Secret Wars*.

Upcoming Phase 6 Milestones (2025–2027)

The conclusion of the *Multiverse Saga* will be marked by two monumental films. The setup for these events is already underway with the introduction of Kang and the breakdown of the sacred timeline.

  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025): The official start of Phase Six, introducing the iconic team.
  • Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026): A continuation of the Spider-Man story arc.
  • Avengers: Doomsday (2026): The first of the two climactic *Avengers* films, likely dealing with the immediate threat of a major Kang variant.
  • Avengers: Secret Wars (2027): The final film of the saga, expected to be a massive, universe-colliding event that reboots or fundamentally reshapes the entire MCU, potentially bringing in characters from alternate universes and timelines.

Following this chronological viewing order is the best way to prepare for the massive, universe-altering events of Phase 6. By understanding the journey of characters like Sam Wilson (Captain America), Doctor Strange, and the legacy of the Infinity Saga, you will be fully equipped to appreciate the complex narrative of the *Multiverse Saga* as it unfolds over the next few years.

The Definitive MCU Timeline: How to Watch All Marvel Movies and Series in Chronological Order (Updated December 2025)
order of marvel movies
order of marvel movies

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