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The Ultimate MCU Chronological Viewing Order (2025 Update): How To Watch All 40+ Movies And Disney+ Series

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Welcome, True Believer, to the definitive guide for navigating the most complex, interconnected narrative in cinematic history: the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As of this updated guide in December 2025, the MCU spans over 40 feature films and Disney+ series, making a proper chronological viewing order essential for understanding the overarching story of The Multiverse Saga. Forget the simple release order; to truly grasp the character arcs, the timeline shifts, and the devastating impact of events like "The Blip," you need to watch the story unfold as it happened in-universe.

This comprehensive list is your roadmap, starting from World War II-era origins and leading straight into the current, reality-bending events of Phase 5 and the dawn of Phase 6. We break down the entire timeline, including the crucial Disney+ shows, to provide the most coherent narrative flow for both newcomers and veteran fans looking to experience the full, epic scope of the MCU.

Part 1: The Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3)

The first era of the MCU, known as The Infinity Saga, focuses on the formation of the Avengers and the ultimate battle against the Mad Titan, Thanos, for control of the six Infinity Stones. This is the foundation upon which all subsequent cosmic and multiversal events are built.

Phase 1: Assembling the Team

  • Captain America: The First Avenger (1942–1945): The definitive starting point. The story of Steve Rogers is the earliest chronological event, taking place almost entirely during World War II.
  • Captain Marvel (1995): Set decades before *Iron Man*, this film introduces Carol Danvers and the Kree-Skrull War, establishing a cosmic background for the MCU.
  • Iron Man (2008): The film that started it all, chronologically set in the year it was released.
  • Iron Man 2 (2010): Takes place six months after the first film.
  • The Incredible Hulk (2011): Generally runs concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *Thor*.
  • Thor (2011): Introduces the Nine Realms and the cosmic side of the universe.
  • The Avengers (2012): The culmination of Phase 1, bringing the core heroes together for the Battle of New York.

Phase 2: Aftermath and Expansion

  • Iron Man 3 (2012): A Christmas story set six months after *The Avengers*, focusing on Tony Stark's PTSD.
  • Thor: The Dark World (2013): Set after *The Avengers*.
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): A pivotal film that dismantled S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): A space-faring adventure that is largely separate from Earth's events but crucial for the Infinity Stone lore.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014): Set only a few months after the first film.
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): The second major team-up, leading to the Sokovia Accords.
  • Ant-Man (2015): Set shortly after *Age of Ultron*, introducing the Quantum Realm.

Phase 3: The End of an Era

  • Captain America: Civil War (2016): The defining event that splits the Avengers, set one year after *Age of Ultron*.
  • Black Widow (2016): Set immediately after *Civil War*, detailing Natasha Romanoff's time on the run.
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016): Set a few months after *Civil War*.
  • Doctor Strange (2016–2017): Stephen Strange's origin story, spanning about a year.
  • Black Panther (2017): Set one week after the events of *Civil War*.
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Runs concurrently with some events of *Doctor Strange*.
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): Set shortly before *Avengers: Infinity War*.
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018): The devastating event where Thanos snaps his fingers, causing "The Blip."
  • Avengers: Endgame (2018, then 2023): The first 20 minutes are set immediately after *Infinity War*; the rest of the film jumps five years into the future to 2023. This is the new anchor point for the entire timeline.

Part 2: The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-6)

The Multiverse Saga, encompassing Phases 4, 5, and 6, deals with the aftermath of the Blip, the rise of the Multiverse, and the introduction of the new overarching threat: Kang the Conqueror. The timeline gets significantly more complex here, with many Disney+ series filling in the gaps immediately following the five-year time jump.

Phase 4: The Blip Aftermath (2023–2024)

The following projects are all set in the years immediately following the return of the Blip victims in 2023. The world is adjusting to half its population suddenly reappearing.

  • Loki (Season 1): This series takes place outside the main timeline (the Sacred Timeline) and should be watched early, as it establishes the concept of the Multiverse and the Time Variance Authority (TVA).
  • WandaVision (2023): Set three weeks after *Endgame*, showing Wanda Maximoff's immediate grief.
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2024): Set six months after the Blip, focusing on Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes.
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024): Set eight months after *Endgame* and during a summer vacation.
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2024): Set after the Blip, but its exact placement is flexible.
  • Eternals (2024): Set roughly at the same time as *Far From Home* and *Shang-Chi*.
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2024): Directly follows the events of *WandaVision* and *Loki* Season 1, dealing with the consequences of multiversal travel.
  • Hawkeye (2024): A Christmas story set one year after the Blip, introducing Kate Bishop.
  • Moon Knight (2024): Its timeline placement is vague, but generally fits here.
  • She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2025): Set in the first half of 2025, detailing Jennifer Walters' post-Blip life.
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025): Set after the Blip, focusing on the world reacting to T'Challa's death.

Phase 5: The Dawn of Kang (Late 2025–2026)

Phase 5 accelerates the Multiverse storyline and introduces major new players, including the threat of Kang the Conqueror. The chronological order here is fluid, with many series overlapping.

  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Late 2025): The official start of Phase 5, which directly pits Scott Lang against Kang.
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (Late 2025): Set shortly after the events of *The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special*.
  • Secret Invasion (2025): This series is set after *Quantumania* and deals with the Skrull infiltration on Earth.
  • Echo (2025): Chronologically follows the events of *Hawkeye*, focusing on Maya Lopez.
  • The Marvels (2026): A cosmic team-up that deals with the fallout from *Ms. Marvel* and *Secret Invasion*.
  • Captain America: Brave New World (2026): Sam Wilson’s first solo film as Captain America, set after *Secret Invasion*.
  • Thunderbolts (2026): The super-villain team-up film, placed here due to its connection to *Black Widow* and *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*.
  • Agatha All Along (2026): A direct continuation of the magical storylines from *WandaVision*.
  • Daredevil: Born Again (Late 2026): This highly-anticipated series is set after *Agatha All Along* and a few years after the original Netflix series, cementing Matt Murdock’s place in the modern MCU timeline.
  • Blade (TBD): The timeline is currently unconfirmed, but it is expected to fit toward the end of Phase 5 or the beginning of Phase 6.

Part 3: Phase 6 and Beyond: The Multiverse Finale

Phase 6 is the grand finale of The Multiverse Saga, leading up to two massive crossover events that will reshape the entire MCU. While the exact chronological order of all projects is still being finalized, the major anchor points are set.

Phase 6: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars

The final phase of the Multiverse Saga is projected to run from late 2025 through 2027. This phase will introduce the Fantastic Four, bring back the X-Men, and culminate in a multiversal war.

  • Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025): The official start of Phase 6, introducing Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm into the main timeline.
  • Eyes of Wakanda (TV Series, August 2025): An animated series that explores Black Panther lore, fitting into the timeline after *Wakanda Forever*.
  • Ironheart (TV Series, 2026): A direct follow-up to Riri Williams’ introduction in *Wakanda Forever*.
  • Loki (Season 2): While technically outside the Sacred Timeline, its events directly impact the Multiverse Saga’s climax and should be viewed before the final two *Avengers* films.
  • Armor Wars (2027): Starring Don Cheadle as War Machine, this is set after Tony Stark's death and deals with his technology falling into the wrong hands.
  • Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2027): The first of the two climactic team-up films, dealing with the full-scale threat of Kang across the Multiverse.
  • Avengers: Secret Wars (2027): The conclusion to The Multiverse Saga, expected to be the most ambitious crossover event in MCU history, potentially merging multiple realities and timelines.

Why Chronological Order is the Only Way to Watch

Watching the Marvel Universe movies in chronological order is more than just a preference; it’s a necessity for narrative clarity. The release order often jumps forward and backward in time, which can confuse viewers about the motivations and emotional state of characters like Tony Stark, Captain America, and Scarlet Witch. For instance, watching *Captain Marvel* (set in the 90s) early explains Nick Fury's backstory and the origins of S.H.I.E.L.D., making his appearances in the Phase 1 films more meaningful. Similarly, watching *WandaVision* immediately after *Endgame* provides the necessary emotional context for her actions in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*.

The entire Multiverse Saga, in particular, relies on understanding the five-year gap caused by The Blip. Every Phase 4 and 5 project is a direct reaction to or consequence of that event. By following this updated chronological timeline, you ensure that every character reveal, every emotional beat, and every multiversal consequence lands with the intended impact, preparing you for the epic conclusion of Phase 6.

The Ultimate MCU Chronological Viewing Order (2025 Update): How to Watch All 40+ Movies and Disney+ Series
marvel universe movies in order
marvel universe movies in order

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