The Ultimate MCU Timeline: All Marvel Movies In Order (Chronological & Release) For 2025

Trying to navigate the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline can feel like being caught in a Nexus Event. With nearly 40 films and TV series spanning multiple phases, time jumps, and alternate realities, knowing the "best" way to watch them all is a constant debate for both new fans and veteran enthusiasts. As of December 18, 2025, the timeline is split into two major arcs—The Infinity Saga and the ongoing Multiverse Saga—and the viewing experience fundamentally changes depending on whether you choose the original release order or the story's chronological flow. This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion, providing you with two definitive, up-to-date lists: the original Release Date Order (the way the filmmakers intended you to experience the story’s unfolding mysteries) and the Chronological Order (the true, in-universe timeline from World War II to the future of the Multiverse). Follow either path to prepare for the epic conclusion of the Multiverse Saga with *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*.

The Definitive MCU Chronological Watch Order

Watching the MCU in chronological order is the most immersive way to experience the story as it happened within the fictional universe. This order starts in the 1940s and follows the Sacred Timeline of Earth-616 up to the present day, providing a seamless narrative that explains character motivations and the slow gathering of the Infinity Stones.

The chronological placement of Phase 4 and Phase 5 films is based on the official in-universe dates, which often jump around the calendar years following the five-year "Blip" time jump established in *Avengers: Endgame*.

Phase 1: The Infinity Saga Begins

• 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (Set in WWII)
• 2. Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
• 3. Iron Man (Set in 2010)
• 4. Iron Man 2 (Set after *Iron Man*)
• 5. The Incredible Hulk (Set concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *Thor*)
• 6. Thor (Set concurrently with *Iron Man 2* and *The Incredible Hulk*)
• 7. The Avengers (Set in 2012)

Phase 2: Expanding the Universe

• 8. Thor: The Dark World
• 9. Iron Man 3 (Set six months after *The Avengers*)
• 10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
• 11. Guardians of the Galaxy
• 12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Set a few months after *Vol. 1*)
• 13. Avengers: Age of Ultron
• 14. Ant-Man

Phase 3: The Climax of the Infinity Saga

• 15. Captain America: Civil War
• 16. Black Widow (Set immediately after *Civil War*)
• 17. Black Panther
• 18. Doctor Strange
• 19. Spider-Man: Homecoming
• 20. Thor: Ragnarok
• 21. Avengers: Infinity War (The first half of the film)
• 22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (The mid-credits scene is concurrent with *Infinity War*)
• 23. Avengers: Endgame (The film jumps five years via the Time Heist)

Phase 4 & 5: The Multiverse Saga and Post-Blip World

The post-*Endgame* timeline is complex, with many films taking place within the same year (2024-2025). The following order reflects the general consensus on their in-universe placement:

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• 24. Loki (A 2012 variant is taken by the TVA outside of time)
• 25. WandaVision (Set three weeks after *Endgame*)
• 26. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• 27. Eternals
• 28. Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set eight months after *Endgame*)
• 29. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
• 30. Thor: Love and Thunder
• 31. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• 32. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Introduces Kang the Conqueror)
• 33. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
• 34. The Marvels

Why The Original Release Order is Still The Best Way to Watch

While the chronological order offers a clean timeline, the Release Date Order is the only way to ensure you experience the story exactly as the creators intended. This order preserves the post-credit scenes, reveals, and emotional impact of major events like Thanos's arrival and the introduction of concepts like the Multiverse and Nexus Events.

If you are watching the MCU for the first time, this is the definitive, spoiler-free path to follow.

The Infinity Saga (Phases 1, 2, & 3) in Release Order

This saga is the foundation of the MCU, focusing on the original six Avengers and the threat posed by Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet.

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• Phase 1: Cinematic Universe Assembled
  • 1. Iron Man (2008)
  • 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
  • 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
  • 4. Thor (2011)
  • 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
  • 6. Marvel's The Avengers (2012)
• Phase 2: New Threats and Cosmic Exploration
  • 7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
  • 8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
  • 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
  • 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
  • 11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
  • 12. Ant-Man (2015)
• Phase 3: The Beginning of the End
  • 13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
  • 14. Doctor Strange (2016)
  • 15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
  • 16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
  • 17. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • 18. Black Panther (2018)
  • 19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
  • 20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
  • 21. Captain Marvel (2019)
  • 22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
  • 23. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

The Multiverse Saga: Phase 4, 5, and Upcoming Phase 6 Releases

The current saga focuses on the fallout of the Blip, the exploration of the Multiverse, and the rise of the next major threat, Kang. Phase 4 and 5 introduced key new heroes, including Shang-Chi, the Eternals, and the new Captain America, Sam Wilson. Note that the official schedule is subject to change, but this represents the most current information for 2025 and beyond.

Phase 4 & 5 Films (Released)

• 24. Black Widow (2021)
• 25. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
• 26. Eternals (2021)
• 27. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
• 28. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
• 29. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
• 30. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
• 31. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
• 32. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
• 33. The Marvels (2023)

Phase 5 & 6: The Road to Secret Wars (Upcoming Schedule)

The following films are confirmed and are the key to understanding the final chapters of the Multiverse Saga.

• 34. Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025)
• 35. Thunderbolts* (May 2, 2025)
• 36. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025)
• 37. Blade (No longer on the 2025 schedule, date TBD)
• 38. Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
• 39. Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
• 40. Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027)

The Core Lore: Key Entities for Topical Authority

To truly master the MCU, you must understand the key concepts and entities that drive the narrative. The current Multiverse Saga relies heavily on these elements:

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• The Infinity Saga: The overarching storyline of Phases 1-3, centered on the six Infinity Stones (Space Stone, Mind Stone, Reality Stone, Power Stone, Time Stone, and Soul Stone).
• The Multiverse Saga: The current storyline of Phases 4-6, centered on alternate realities and the concept of "Variants."
• The Blip: The five-year period following Thanos's snap in *Infinity War* where half of all life in the universe was gone, and the subsequent return of those people in *Endgame*.
• The TVA (Time Variance Authority): Introduced in *Loki*, this organization monitors and prunes timelines that deviate from the predetermined Sacred Timeline.
• He Who Remains / Kang the Conqueror: The primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, a powerful variant who created the TVA to prevent a multiversal war among his own variants.
• Earth-616: The designation for the main reality of the MCU, a concept that became crucial in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*.
• Vibranium: The rare, near-indestructible metal found almost exclusively in Wakanda, central to the stories of Captain America and Black Panther.
• Cosmic Entities: Powerful beings like the Celestials (*Eternals*) and Living Tribunal, who operate outside of the standard laws of the universe.
• Thunderbolts*: A team of anti-heroes and villains forced to work for the government, set to debut in their own film in 2025.

Whether you choose the chronological path for narrative flow or the release order for the original experience, the world of Marvel is constantly expanding. Use these lists to guide your next marathon and be ready for the colossal events leading up to *Avengers: Secret Wars*.