How to watch every Marvel Cinematic Universe film
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of heroes, villains and explosions -- and some confusing continuity.While the MCU officially started in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, that doesn't mean that's the first film that you should watch. In fact, now the MCU encompasses over 20 movies and more than 10 TV shows (including the ill-fated Inhumans), with even more of both still coming. Instead of watching the multitude of Marvel movies in the order they were released, we've created our own handy guide to viewing the MCU the right way, along with where you can stream them all online, be it on Netflix or elsewhere.
Let's start with the Infinity Saga. (And a warning: spoilers ahead.)
How to watch every Marvel Cinematic Universe film in the perfect order
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
The events of the second Hulk film take place simultaneously with those of Iron Man 2 and Thor. The Edward Norton-led movie also features an end-scene, precredits cameo from Tony Stark.In the alternative opening to the film, Captain America is shown frozen in ice in a "blink or you'll miss it" cameo, nearly three years before his own big-screen outing.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
Because it includes footage from The Incredible Hulk and a postcredits scene featuring Thor's hammer, the second entry in the Iron Man franchise fits snugly between Incredible Hulk and Thor.
IM2 also introduces Stark to a world that knows his "superhero" identity, complicating matters. It brings in Natalie Rushman as Stark's assistant, who in reality is Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), sent by Fury to keep an eye on the eccentric billionaire.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
With nearly the entire Avengers crew assembled, the only major character missing is the crown prince of Asgard. The first Thor movie introduces the god of thunder (Chris Hemsworth) and other characters essential for The Avengers.
The postcredits scene, directed by Joss Whedon, helps set the stage for the 2012 ensemble superhero movie.
Thor (2011)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
The third Iron Man movie, directed by Shane Black, is set six months after the events of The Avengers. In the film, Stark is still dealing with PTSD-like symptoms following the Battle of New York.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
The sequel to Age of Ultron is set four years after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, according to Marvel President Kevin Feige. And even though that totally contradicts what the directors have said, we're inclined to believe it.
In Infinity War, the Avengers team up with the Guardians to battle Thanos, who is trying to procure the powerful Infinity Stones, including the Soul Stone, introduced here.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
Endgame was the culmination of 10+ years of heroes and villains onscreen, and left us shaken to our core -- with some Avengers gone forever.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
You’ve probably seen most of Marvel’s films, but what about the TV shows? Timelines in the world of comics and movies can be more than a little confusing. And now, as we approach the culmination of more than a decade of movies and Phase 3 of the Infinity Saga, things may very well become even more confusing. Will Marvel Studios ever slow down? (Should it?) Marvel Editors’ note, July 24, 2019: We’re past the Endgame now. At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Marvel announced Phase 4 movies and TV shows through 2021. While we don’t think they’ll change anything below, we do expect this timeline to keep expanding. Check out the Infinity Saga timeline below and then the new projects of Phase 4. Please continue to sound off in the comments about how great or terrible it is! And if you’re looking to stream some MCU movies, we can help. Think you’ve found a mistake? Let us know in the comments. So to either help you fill in the gaps before Endgame, to just watch all the shows for fun, or even merely try to impress your friends, we’ve created a timeline of what Marvel President Kevin Feige has now dubbed The Infinity Saga in the perfect viewing order. Or maybe you just care about where Captain Marvel fits in (hint: it’s not where you think!). The Marvel Cinematic Universe, as the entire franchise is called, also sometimes includes connected properties such as movie tie-in comics or shorts. For the graphic, we’ve left out smaller properties and stuck to the big two of films and shows, but there are more goodies below.
After more than a decade of movies, TV shows, shorts, and post-credits scenes, there’s a lot to work through in the MCU.
