The Marvel Cinematic Universe – a vast, interconnected web of superheroes, supervillains, and blockbuster movies that have captured the hearts of millions worldwide. With 29 movies under its belt, the MCU has become a cultural phenomenon, breaking box office records and shattering expectations at every turn. But with so many films to keep track of, it’s easy to get lost in the timeline. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to every MCU movie in chronological order – from the Big Bang to the Blip, and everything in between.
- The Most Anticipated MCU Movies Of The Next Year
- We’ve Just Witnessed A Game-Changing Shift In The Superhero Universe
- Top 10 Best Movies In The Marvel Cinematic Universe
- MCUโs Top 5 Highest-Grossing Movies Of All Time
- Ranking Every MCU Movie By Box Office Performance
The birth of the MCU began with a single film, Iron Man, back in 2008. Directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, this movie set the tone for the entire franchise – intelligent, witty, and action-packed. The success of Iron Man led to the creation of The Incredible Hulk, which was released the same year. While not as well-received as its predecessor, The Incredible Hulk laid the groundwork for the ensemble cast that would become a hallmark of the MCU.
The next few years saw the release of several standalone films, including Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. These movies introduced us to some of the most iconic characters in the MCU, including Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). But it was The Avengers, released in 2012, that truly brought the team together. Directed by Joss Whedon, this superhero extravaganza saw Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) join forces to save the world from an alien invasion.
The success of The Avengers led to a flurry of sequels, including Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. These films continued to expand the MCU, introducing new characters like the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and the villainous Ultron. But it was Guardians of the Galaxy, released in 2014, that truly shook things up. This offbeat intergalactic adventure starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista brought a fresh perspective to the MCU, injecting a much-needed dose of humor and heart.
As the MCU continued to grow, so did the stakes. Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant-Man saw the introduction of new heroes, including Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). But it was Captain America: Civil War that divided the team, pitting Iron Man against Captain America in a battle for the ages.
The next few years saw the release of Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Thor: Ragnarok – three films that pushed the boundaries of the MCU like never before. Benedict Cumberbatch brought his own brand of wit and charm to the role of Doctor Strange, while James Gunn’s Guardians sequel continued to prove that the MCU could handle a little weirdness. And Thor: Ragnarok, well, that was just a flat-out masterpiece – a visually stunning, hilarious, and action-packed ride that redefined the god of thunder.
The culmination of all these films was Avengers: Infinity War, which saw the team face off against Thanos (Josh Brolin) in a battle for the very fabric of reality. This was followed by Avengers: Endgame, which brought the Infinity Saga full circle and marked the end of an era for the MCU.
But the universe didn’t stop there. Spider-Man: Far From Home saw the web-slinger (Tom Holland) dealing with the aftermath of the Snap, while Captain Marvel introduced us to one of the most powerful heroes in the MCU – Carol Danvers (Brie Larson). Black Widow and The Eternals expanded on some of the lesser-known corners of the universe, while Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought a fresh perspective to the MCU.
More recently, we’ve seen the release of several Disney+ exclusive films, including Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Ms. Marvel. And let’s not forget the blockbuster hits, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder.
So there you have it – every MCU movie in chronological order. With so many films to keep track of, it’s easy to get lost in the timeline. But with this guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert on all things MCU.
Here’s a list of the MCU movies in chronological order:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (set during World War II)
- Captain Marvel (set in the 1990s)
- Iron Man (set in 2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (set in 2008)
- Iron Man 2 (set in 2010)
- Thor (set in 2011)
- The Avengers (set in 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (set in 2012)
- Thor: The Dark World (set in 2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (set in 2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (set in 2015)
- Ant-Man (set in 2015)
- Civil War (set in 2016)
- Doctor Strange (set in 2017)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (set in 2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (set in 2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (set in 2017)