For fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), watching the Marvel movies in order can be a bit daunting. With over 20 films released since 2008, the MCU has become a complex and interconnected web of stories, characters, and plotlines. However, watching the movies in the correct order can enhance the viewing experience and provide a deeper understanding of the universe and its characters. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to watch the Marvel movies in order, including the release order, chronological order, and a brief summary of each film.
Release Order vs. Chronological Order
There are two ways to watch the Marvel movies: in release order or in chronological order. Release order refers to the order in which the films were released in theaters, while chronological order refers to the order in which the events of the films take place within the universe. While watching the movies in release order can provide a sense of nostalgia and familiarity, watching them in chronological order can provide a more coherent and cohesive viewing experience.
Release Order
The release order of the Marvel movies is as follows:
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Chronological Order
The chronological order of the Marvel movies is as follows:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (set during World War II)
- Captain Marvel (set in 1995)
- 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)
- Captain America: Civil War (set in 2016)
- Doctor Strange (set in 2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (set in 2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (set in 2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (set in 2017)
- Black Panther (set in 2017)
- Avengers: Infinity War (set in 2017)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (set in 2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (set in 2023)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (set in 2023)
Main Story Arcs
The Marvel movies can be divided into several main story arcs, including the Infinity Saga, which spans from Iron Man to Avengers: Endgame, and the Marvel One-Shots, which are a series of short films that explore the backstories of certain characters. The Infinity Saga is further divided into three phases, each of which culminates in an Avengers film.
Phase 1
Phase 1 includes the first six films in the MCU, including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers. This phase introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the rest of the saga.
Phase 2
Phase 2 includes the next six films in the MCU, including Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Ant-Man. This phase expands the universe and introduces new characters, including the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers.
Phase 3
Phase 3 includes the final six films in the Infinity Saga, including Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, and Black Panther. This phase culminates in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which bring together the entire cast of characters in a battle against Thanos.
Character Development
One of the key strengths of the MCU is its character development. The films take the time to explore the backstories and motivations of each character, making them feel more relatable and human. The characters also undergo significant development throughout the saga, as they face challenges and overcome obstacles.
Tony Stark/Iron Man
Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, is one of the main characters in the MCU. He is a billionaire inventor and philanthropist who creates a suit of armor to save his life and later becomes a superhero. Throughout the saga, Tony faces numerous challenges, including the loss of his friends and allies, and ultimately sacrifices himself to save the world.
Steve Rogers/Captain America
Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, is another main character in the MCU. He is a super-soldier from World War II who is frozen in ice and thawed out in the present day. Throughout the saga, Steve faces numerous challenges, including the loss of his friends and allies, and ultimately goes back in time to live with the love of his life.
Thor
Thor is a god from the planet Asgard who becomes a superhero on Earth. Throughout the saga, Thor faces numerous challenges, including the loss of his home and family, and ultimately becomes the king of Asgard.
Themes and Motifs
The Marvel movies explore a number of themes and motifs, including sacrifice, friendship, and power. The films also explore the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control and the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a major theme in the Marvel movies. Many characters, including Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, are willing to sacrifice themselves to save others. This theme is explored in depth in Avengers: Endgame, which culminates in a massive battle against Thanos.
Friendship
Friendship is another major theme in the Marvel movies. The films explore the bonds of friendship between characters, including Tony and Steve, Thor and his friends, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. These friendships are a key part of the saga and provide much of the emotional resonance.
Impact and Legacy
The Marvel movies have had a significant impact on popular culture and the film industry as a whole. The films have inspired countless fans around the world and have helped to establish the MCU as a major force in the entertainment industry.
Box Office Performance
The Marvel movies have been incredibly successful at the box office, with many of the films grossing over 1 billion worldwide. The highest-grossing film in the MCU is Avengers: Endgame, which grossed over 2.79 billion worldwide.
| Movie | Release Year | Box Office Gross |
|---|---|---|
| The Avengers | 2012 |
