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Marvel Studios released Spiderman: Far From Home in 2019, and ever since then, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. WandaVision is next up. It’s slated to debut in December on Disney+. The show will follow Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff coming to grips with the traumatic events she experienced in Avengers: Infinity War.

The December release date for WandaVision means there has been a 19-month gap between major Marvel Studios releases – the longest gap in the MCU’s entire 12-year run of films. So, if you want to freshen up your memory before the next phase of movies and Disney+ shows kicks off, or if you just want to experience everything the MCU has to offer, here is your go-to watch guide.

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Sorry, Marvel comic book nerds, this guide is just for people who want to watch the Marvel films and TV shows in the correct order.

Marvel movies: Best viewing orders
Chronological movie order (spoilers)	Chronological movie order (spoiler-free)
Movies and shows order (spoiler-free)	A must-watch order (spoiler-free)
Theatre release date order (spoiler-free)	What’s next for the MCU? (Phase 5)

Every Marvel film in the right order

If you want to follow the events of the MCU, you can’t watch the Marvel films in the order they released. They’re not chronological. That’s why we’re showing you a different order – arranged by when the events in each film happen. The MCU officially started in 2008 with Iron Man, but it’s not the first Marvel film you should watch. Start with Captain America: The First Avenger.

It released in 2011 and is the fifth film from Marvel Studios. But it begins in 1942 – decades before Iron Man.

By the way… there will be a few spoilers below. If you want to avoid that, go to the bottom of this guide for an at-a-glance, bulleted list of all the movies in order. Along with that list, we’ve compiled others, including one with the TV shows.

NOTE: THERE ARE SPOILERS BELOW.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America is the fifth Marvel Studios film, with Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor all having films before Cap. But it’s the first film on our list because the events take place first – during World War II. We see the creation of the super-soldier portrayed by Chris Evans, as well as his first battle with Hydra and its leader Red Skull. The film also introduces the Tesseract, which we later discover is the first Infinity Stone, one of the powerful gems that control reality.

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Captain Marvel (2019)

The second film on our list hit theatres just last year. In Captain Marvel, which is set in 1995, we see the Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson, fall to Earth and begin a hunt for the shape-shifting Skrull aliens. There’s as much action here as there is nostalgia, especially if you’re a 90s kid, thanks to scenes with Blockbuster stores and even dial-up internet.

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Iron Man (2008)

According to the official Marvel timeline, Iron Man takes place in 2010. It’s all about genius/inventor/philanthropist/playboy Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr. He is captured by a terrorist organization, the leader of which wants the latest weapons system designed by Stark. However, Stark designs something even more powerful to help himself escape: The first Iron Man suit.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

The second Iron Man picks up where the first left off: Tony Stark grappling with his Iron Man identity being revealed. The government wants the technology behind his suit, and when Stark refuses to hand it over, another weapons manufacturer shows he’s willing to do anything to get his hands on it. This film also introduces fellow Avengers the Black Widow and War Machine.

Note: Technically, you could watch The Incredible Hulk before Iron Man 2. Marvel said The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, and Thor all happen around the same time – though The Incredible Hulk released a couple years before the others. Confusing, we know. We’ve followed Marvel’s official guidance, however, and recommend you watch Iron Man 2 first for consistency purposes.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk follows Bruce Banner on the run from General Thunderbolt Ross and the US Military. Realising he can’t ever hope to control or contain the Hulk, Ross decides to create his own version of the Hulk using another soldier, but he quickly loses control. The Incredible Hulk stars Edward Norton, but Mark Ruffalo replaced him in 2012 and has been the big green man ever since.

Thor (2011)

The God of lightning has been banished to Earth from Asgard by his father Odin, all thanks to the trickery of Loki. In order to earn his powers back and control his hammer, Thor, portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, must prove he’s worthy. Luckily, he meets a nice Earth scientist, played by Natalie Portman, who can help him set things right before Loki assumes total control of Asgard.

The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers is the culmination of the so-called “Phase 1” of the MCU. With all the main heroes having been introduced, the real challenge was finding something daunting enough to force them to work together. The combined power of Loki, the Tesseract, and an alien horde invading New York City proved to be the match that made these superheroes become friends in life and on the frontline.

Iron Man 3 (2013)

The third and final standalone Iron Man film takes place six months after the giant fight in New York City. Tony Stark is dealing with the memories of the battle that took place (and nearly killed him). The memories lead him to build an army of Iron Man suits so he can always be prepared.

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Thor: The Dark World (2013)

The second Thor film sees its hero return to Asgard after the Loki-led invasion of New York City. He doesn’t have much time to rest, however, as the ancient Dark Elves return. They were once defeated by his grandfather and thought to be extinct. They’re back now and seeking the Aether, a powerful weapon that is later revealed to be an Infinity Stone, or one six powerful gems in the MCU.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Captain America has been working for Shield, a special government agency, since the events of The Avengers, but he finds himself questioning the motives of the organization as he learns more about its plans. On top of that, his closest friend returns from the dead and becomes an adversary, the Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan. This film also introduces The Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Guardians of the Galaxy stars Chris Pratt as Peter Quill, a rogue scavenger who stumbles across an Infinity Stone hidden in the ruins of an alien world. In a race against time, he forms a ragtag group of outcasts that includes a talking raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot the talking tree, and others. Together, they must stop Ronan the Accuser from wielding the Infinity Stone.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (2017)

This sequel picks up a few months after the original. Peter Quill is falling deeper in love with Zoe Saldana’s Gamora. And he is forced to confront the mysteries of his past when he comes face to face with a godlike entity known as Ego, played by Kurt Russell. Part of the challenge of placing these Guardian of the Galaxy films in the MCU Timeline is that they seem separate and all take place in outer space.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The Avengers reunite to confront a mistake created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner: the AI known as Ultron, voiced by James Spader. If a single robotic version of Ultron is left standing, he can continue fighting the Avengers. This film also introduces new Avengers: The Scarlet Witch (played by Elizabeth Olson), Quicksilver (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and Vision (played by Paul Bettany).

Ant-Man (2015)

Ant-Man stars Paul Rudd as a cat burglar recruited by Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym to dawn the Ant-Man suit in order to stop the technology from becoming weaponized. Pym’s former prodigy (played by Corey Stoll) has recreated the technology in the form of a yellow jacket suit, and Ant-Man must battle him and ultimately save the day on the smallest scale imaginable.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Although it’s a Captain America film, Civil War features almost every single Avenger while adding two more heavy hitters to the lineup: Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Unfortunately, the Avengers are split into different factions due to Captain America wanting to save his friend Bucky Barnes, who appears to be responsible for the bombing of a UN session.

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Spiderman: Homecoming (2017)

The wall-crawling web-slinger makes his solo debut here, where he faces off with Michael Keaton’s Vulture, a construction foreman who’s become a black market weapons dealer after recovering technology from the New York City battle in the first Avengers film. On top of all that, Peter Parker is also dealing with all the usual problems that come with being a freshman in high school.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is a world-class surgeon, and he knows it. Strange is insufferable to almost everyone who has to deal with him until a tragic accident takes away the use of his hands. Strange then travels the world searching for a cure that will give him back the use of his hands – and he does find an answer, in the form of some ancient magic.

Black Panther (2018)

After the UN bombing in Captain America: The Civil War, T’Challa must return home to Wakanda and be named king. Once there, he is confronted with the continuing policy of isolation that has helped protect Wakanda. He also faces a mistake from his father’s past in the form of Eric Killmonger, who is played by Michael B Jordan and might be the best villain in any Marvel film.

Note: This film follows the events of Captain America: The Civil War, so you could watch it after that film, but Marvel prefers you watch it here.

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Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

The third solo film for Thor finds the hero jettisoned across space after the death of his father and the destruction of his hammer by his long-lost sister, Hella, played by Cate Blanchett. He finds himself stuck in gladiator fights pitted against the Hulk, who hadn’t been seen since the Avengers defeated Ultron. Together, Thor and Hulk team up with Loki and Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie to take on Hella.

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Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Scott Lang is back, but he has been placed on house arrest following his role in the Civil War and siding with Captain America. He’s been estranged from Hank Pym and Pym’s daughter, Hope. But he reluctantly agrees to help them, thinking that Pym might be able to retrieve Hope’s mother from the Quantum Realm. (Head’s up: Save the post-credits scene until after you’ve seen Infinity War.)

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*Black Widow (2021 – not in theatres yet)

Black Widow is finally getting her own self-titled film, though it’s been delayed from hitting theatres due to the coronavirus. Also, unfortunately, it took her demise in Endgame for her to get a standalone movie. Nevertheless, Marvel’s next film will follow Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanov during a period of exile in her life. It takes place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, but before Infinity War and the Snap.

Black Widow will meet some of her old friends and family as she explores her past, including a fatherly figure, played by David Harbour, who is known as the Red Guardian, or basically the Soviet Union’s answer to Captain America. Still, while this movie is being built up as a prequel to explain Black Widow’s background, it wouldn’t shock us if there’s a big reveal that factors heavily into the future of the MCU.

Note: Obviously, this film has not yet premiered, so, currently, you’d watch Infinity War (below) after Ant-Man and The Wasp. But, when Black Widow debuts, this is where you’d squeeze it into your re-watch.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

After years orchestrating things from behind the scenes in order to find all the Infinity Stones, Thanos (voiced by Josh Brolin) has decided to go get them himself. The only thing standing in his way are the Avengers, who are currently spread across the universe. To raise the stakes even more, Thanos’ only reason for seeking the power of the stones is to wipe out half of all life in the universe.

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Avengers: Endgame (2019)

After Thanos snapped away half of all life, leaving the universe in total chaos, the Avengers must try to make things right. Five years pass and a slim chance emerges for them to undo it all, but before that can happen, Captain America and Tony Stark need to make peace and reunite the Avengers one final time.

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Spiderman: Far From Home (2019)

Far From Home is the latest Marvel film and it serves as our first look at the MCU post-Infinity War, as we see everyone who was snapped by Thanos return to life five years later. The freshly unsnapped Peter Parker heads to Europe for a field trip, but he’s surprised by Nick Fury and Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio, who need his help against enemies known as Elementals.

What’s next for the MCU?

Spider-Man: Far From Home marked the conclusion of what Marvel called its “Phase 4” series of films. Phase 5 is supposed to kick off with Black Widow, which has been pushed back to May 2021 due to COVID-19. Most of the other Phase 5 films have also seen their upcoming release dates moved around. The Disney+ TV shows have played release date musical chairs, too.

That all said, we could see a rush of new Marvel films and TV series soon, starting with WandaVision in December, followed by four feature films in 2021, plus three more Disney+ TV series. Here are a few of the highlights:

WandaVision (December 2020, Disney+ TV show)
The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (2021, Disney+ TV show)
Black Widow (7 May 2021, feature film)
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings (9 July 2021, feature film)
Eternals (5 November 2021, feature film)
Loki (2021, Disney+ TV show)
Spider-Man 3 (17 December 2021, feature film)

For a complete breakdown of everything coming to the MCU, see our guide.

The complete MCU timeline at a glance

Every Marvel film in chronological order

OK, so here is the at-a-glance version of the guide above, which only features the Marvel Studios films in the MCU:

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Thor (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ant-Man (2015)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Black Panther (2018)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Black Widow (2020)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spiderman: Far From Home (2019)

Every Marvel film and show in chronological order

Once Marvel became hugely successful with its films, it began creating more Marvel content for the small screen. Its Marvel Television shows take place in the same universe as the films and usually focus on the fallout caused by the films. They’re not necessary to watch, but if you’re like us and trying to consume every last drop of Marvel before Endgame, then check them out.

However, if you’re trying to watch them in the correct chronological order, it gets a little tricky. With that in mind, here’s an expanded at-a-glance list that includes where the Marvel Television shows fit in with the Marvel Studios films. The TV shows appear below in bold.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Marvel’s Agent Carter Season 1 (2015)
Marvel’s Agent Carter Season 2 (2016)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Thor (2011)
The Avengers (2012
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 1 (2013)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Daredevil Season 1 (2015)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 2 (2014)
Ant-Man (2015)
Jessica Jones Season 1 (2015)
Daredevil Season 2 (2016)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 3 (2015)
Luke Cage Season 1 (2016)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Black Panther (2018)
Iron Fist Season 1 (2017)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 4 (2016)
The Defenders Season 1 (2017)
The Inhumans Season 1 (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
The Punisher Season 1 (2017)
Jessica Jones Season 2 (2018)
Luke Cage Season 2 (2018)
Cloak and Dagger Season 1 (2018)
The Runaways Season 1 (2017)
Daredevil Season 3 (2018)
The Punisher Season 2 (2019)
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D Season 5 (2017)
Iron Fist Season 2 (2018)
Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Black Widow (2020)
Avengers Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spiderman: Far From Home (2019)

The must-watch Marvel films before Endgame

So, if you want to quickly get up to speed before watching Avengers: Endgame, and you don’t have the time to hammer out 21 films let alone numerous Marvel TV shows, you’re in luck. You can simply watch the important films, skip the unnecessary ones (*cough* The Incredible Hulk *cough*), and you’ll still know what’s going on when you finally do watch Endgame.

We’ve compiled another at-a-glance list with all the Marvel Studios films that are crucial to understanding the plot and events in Endgame.