The Definitive MCU Timeline: Every Marvel Movie And Series In Chronological Order (2025 Update)

Are you ready to finally watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) exactly as the story unfolded in-universe? As of December 2025, the MCU has expanded into a massive, interconnected tapestry spanning three Sagas, dozens of films, and over a dozen Disney+ series, making the correct chronological viewing order more complex—and more rewarding—than ever before. Forget the old lists; the timeline has been officially updated, and the story no longer begins where you think it does, especially with new content constantly being added to the Multiverse Saga.

This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion to provide the definitive, most accurate, and updated chronological list, integrating every major film, Disney+ show, and even the crucial animated series to give you the ultimate narrative experience. Following this order is the only way to fully appreciate character arcs, understand the complex implications of the Multiverse, and track the evolution of the Infinity Stones and the rise of major threats like Kang the Conqueror. Let’s dive into the true history of the MCU, from the earliest days of Wakanda to the present-day adventures of the Young Avengers.

The New Chronological Starting Point: Eyes of Wakanda and the Infinity Saga

For years, the in-universe timeline began with Steve Rogers' origin story. However, a recent addition has officially claimed the top spot. To truly start at the beginning of the MCU's history, you must now begin with the animated series that explores the deep past of one of the franchise's most important nations.

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• Eyes of Wakanda (Animated Series, 2024): This series explores the history of the nation of Wakanda, chronologically placing it as the earliest known event in the MCU timeline.
• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): The story of Steve Rogers during World War II, establishing the foundation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the first Infinity Stone (the Tesseract).
• Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter (2013): A short film that directly follows Steve Rogers' disappearance.
• Agent Carter (Seasons 1 & 2): Follows Peggy Carter's post-war career.
• Captain Marvel (2019): Set in 1995, detailing Carol Danvers' origin and the Skrull conflict. (Note: Skip the post-credit scene until after Avengers: Infinity War).
• Iron Man (2008): The film that started it all, set in 2008.
• Iron Man 2 (2010): Occurs six months after Iron Man.
• The Incredible Hulk (2008): Takes place roughly concurrently with Iron Man 2.
• Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant (2011)
• Thor (2011): Introduces the Nine Realms and Asgard.
• Marvel One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer (2011)
• The Avengers (2012): The Battle of New York marks the end of Phase One.
• Marvel One-Shot: Item 47 (2012)
• Iron Man 3 (2013): Takes place six months after The Avengers, during Christmas.
• Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King (2014)
• 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): The film that fractures the Avengers.
• Black Widow (2021): Set immediately after Civil War.
• Black Panther (2018)
• Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Set a few months after Civil War.
• Doctor Strange (2016)
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
• Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018): Set just before the events of Infinity War.
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018): The Snap occurs.

The Multiverse Saga: Phase Four, Five, and Beyond

The Multiverse Saga, encompassing Phase Four, Phase Five, and the upcoming Phase Six, begins five years after the devastating events of "The Snap." This era introduces the Multiverse, Variants, and a plethora of new heroes and cosmic threats, making the viewing order particularly crucial for narrative coherence.

• Avengers: Endgame (2019): The time jump and the defeat of Thanos. The events of this film are the central anchor for all subsequent media.
• Loki (Season 1 & 2): This series is a crucial exception. While it starts immediately after a moment in Endgame, its events take place outside the main timeline, making it narratively best viewed here to understand the TVA (Time Variance Authority) and the threat of Kang.
• What If...? (Season 1 & 2): Animated series exploring alternate realities, best viewed after Loki to grasp the Multiverse concept.
• WandaVision (2021): Set three weeks after Endgame.
• The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021): Set six months after Endgame.
• Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019): Set eight months after Endgame.
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• Eternals (2021)
• Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022): Directly follows WandaVision and the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
• Hawkeye (2021): Set during Christmas, one year after Endgame.
• Moon Knight (2022)
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
• She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)
• Ms. Marvel (2022)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
• Werewolf by Night (2022)
• Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023): The official start of Phase Five and the introduction of Kang the Conqueror as the primary villain.
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
• Secret Invasion (2023): Set after Quantumania, dealing with the fallout of the Skrull presence on Earth.
• The Marvels (2023)
• Echo (2024)
• Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): While its exact placement is complex due to the Multiverse, it's a key entry in Phase Five.
• Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
• Thunderbolts* (2025)
• Blade (2025)
• Fantastic Four (2025)
• Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026)
• Avengers: Secret Wars (2027)

Why Chronological Order is the Ultimate Viewing Experience

While watching the MCU in release order (the sequence they premiered in theaters) is a valid option, the chronological approach offers a deeper, more satisfying narrative experience. The creators often use release dates to build anticipation, but the in-universe timeline is meticulously plotted for maximum story impact. The chronological order allows you to track the subtle evolution of key plot points and characters.

Understanding Key Narrative Threads

The major benefit of this order is the clarity it brings to three critical narrative threads:

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• The Infinity Stones: You see the Tesseract, the Aether, and the Orb introduced and tracked in the exact order they appear in the timeline, making the eventual culmination in Infinity War feel earned and inevitable.
• Character Development: Watching Captain Marvel before Iron Man, for instance, provides a complete understanding of Nick Fury's history and the origin of the Avengers Initiative. Similarly, placing Black Widow correctly after Civil War gives her character arc immediate context before her sacrifice in Endgame.
• The Multiverse: The placement of Loki is non-linear but essential. By watching it after Endgame, you understand the creation of the Multiverse and the introduction of He Who Remains, which immediately sets the stakes for the entire Multiverse Saga, including films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the upcoming Secret Wars. This is the difference between simply watching a movie and understanding the entire cosmic mythology of the MCU.

The Alternative: Release Order vs. Chronological Order

The debate between Chronological Order and Release Order is a long-standing one among fans. Each has its merits, but they serve different intentions:

Release Order (The "Original" Experience)

The Release Order is simply the sequence in which the movies and shows were released to the public. It is the order the original audience experienced the story, including all the intended surprises, post-credit scenes, and reveals. This is the best choice for a first-time viewer who wants the purest, most suspenseful experience, as it preserves the filmmakers' intended narrative pacing and reveals.

Chronological Order (The "Narrative" Experience)

The Chronological Order is a powerful tool for re-watching or for viewers who prioritize a seamless, cohesive story flow. It removes the jarring time jumps and flashbacks, allowing you to follow the lives of characters like Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson, and Wanda Maximoff in a continuous, linear fashion. This method is particularly valuable for understanding the complex Phase Four and Phase Five timeline, which often skips months or years between projects.

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Ultimately, the definitive chronological order is the superior choice for any fan seeking to master the complex, decades-spanning narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By starting with the ancient history of Eyes of Wakanda and working your way through the Multiverse Saga, you gain a new appreciation for the sheer scale and interconnected genius of this unparalleled cinematic achievement.