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The Ultimate MCU Movies In Order: The Definitive 2025 Guide To The Infinity And Multiverse Sagas

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As of late 2025, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become the most expansive, interwoven narrative in cinematic history, spanning over 35 films and numerous Disney+ series. For new fans hoping to start their journey or veteran viewers planning an epic Marvel movie marathon, knowing the correct viewing order is crucial to fully grasp the overarching story of the Infinity Saga and the current Multiverse Saga.

The debate over whether to watch the films by their theatrical release date or their internal chronological timeline continues to rage, but this definitive 2025 guide provides both lists, including all completed Phases and a look ahead at the monumental Phase 6, ensuring your viewing experience is perfectly structured and up-to-date with the latest official announcements.

The Two Essential MCU Viewing Orders: Release vs. Chronological

The sheer number of entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe means you have two primary ways to watch. The "Release Order" is generally recommended for first-time viewers as it preserves the intended pacing, major reveals, and post-credit scenes exactly as Marvel Studios designed them. The "Chronological Order," however, is a fantastic choice for re-watches, offering a seamless narrative flow based on the in-universe timeline, starting in the 1940s and jumping to the 1990s before settling in the modern era.

The Definitive MCU Release Order (The Filmmakers' Intention)

Watching the films in their original theatrical release order is the best way to witness the organic growth of the franchise, from the introduction of Tony Stark in Iron Man to the epic conclusion of the Multiverse Saga. This list is organized by the official MCU Phase structure, providing essential topical authority.

Phase One: The Infinity Saga Begins (2008–2012)

  • Iron Man (2008)
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008)
  • Iron Man 2 (2010)
  • Thor (2011)
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
  • The Avengers (2012) — *The first major crossover event.*

Phase Two (2013–2015)

  • Iron Man 3 (2013)
  • Thor: The Dark World (2013)
  • Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) — *Introduces the cosmic side of the MCU.*
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
  • Ant-Man (2015)

Phase Three: The Infinity Saga Conclusion (2016–2019)

  • Captain America: Civil War (2016)
  • Doctor Strange (2016) — *Introduces the concept of the Multiverse and magic.*
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
  • Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
  • Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
  • Black Panther (2018)
  • Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — *The infamous Snap/Decimation.*
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
  • Captain Marvel (2019)
  • Avengers: Endgame (2019) — *The epic conclusion of the Infinity Saga.*
  • Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) — *The first film post-Blip.*

Phase Four: The Multiverse Saga Begins (2021–2022)

  • Black Widow (2021)
  • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
  • Eternals (2021) — *Introduces the Celestials and a new cosmic threat.*
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — *A major Multiverse event.*
  • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
  • Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Phase Five: Building the New Avengers (2023–2025)

  • Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) — *The formal introduction of Kang the Conqueror.*
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
  • The Marvels (2023)
  • Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
  • Thunderbolts* (2025)
  • Blade (2025)

Phase Six: The Multiverse Saga Conclusion (2025–2027)

Phase Six is set to be shorter but more impactful, culminating in two massive crossover events that will define the future of the MCU, much like Infinity War and Endgame did for the Infinity Saga. While the full slate is still being finalized, these are the confirmed theatrical releases:

  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025) — *The official start of Phase Six.*
  • Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026)
  • Avengers: Doomsday (December 18, 2026)
  • Avengers: Secret Wars (2027)

The MCU Chronological Order (The Timeline Experience)

For a deep-dive marathon that follows the in-universe timeline events, the chronological order is the way to go. This order often separates films from their release phase, offering a unique perspective on the narrative flow, such as the placement of Captain Marvel and Captain America: The First Avenger early in the sequence. This viewing method prioritizes the story of the Infinity Stones and the rise of new heroes.

Note: This list focuses strictly on the major theatrical films, excluding the Disney+ series, which further complicate the timeline.

  1. Captain America: The First Avenger (Set in WWII, 1940s)
  2. Captain Marvel (Set in 1995)
  3. Iron Man (The official start of the modern-day MCU, 2008)
  4. Iron Man 2
  5. The Incredible Hulk
  6. Thor
  7. The Avengers
  8. Thor: The Dark World
  9. Iron Man 3
  10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
  11. Guardians of the Galaxy
  12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
  13. Avengers: Age of Ultron
  14. Ant-Man
  15. Captain America: Civil War
  16. Black Widow (Mostly set after Civil War)
  17. Black Panther
  18. Doctor Strange
  19. Spider-Man: Homecoming
  20. Thor: Ragnarok
  21. Ant-Man and the Wasp (Pre-Snap events)
  22. Avengers: Infinity War (The Snap/Decimation occurs)
  23. Avengers: Endgame (Starts five years after the Snap, following the Blip and the final battle)
  24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (Set months after Endgame)
  25. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
  26. Eternals
  27. Spider-Man: No Way Home
  28. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
  29. Thor: Love and Thunder
  30. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
  31. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
  32. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
  33. The Marvels
  34. *All subsequent Phase 5 and 6 films follow in their release order.*

Key Plot Threads and Entities to Track for Topical Authority

To truly understand the depth of the MCU, a viewer must track the major recurring entities and plot threads that connect the entire saga. These elements are the scaffolding of the universe, providing context for every major event.

The Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3)

The core of the first 23 films revolves entirely around the six Infinity Stones: Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Time, and Soul. Each stone was introduced gradually across the films, serving as the ultimate goal for the supervillain Thanos, the Mad Titan. Tracking the stones is the most important element of the Infinity Saga viewing experience. Key moments include the Tesseract (Space Stone) in Captain America: The First Avenger, the Aether (Reality Stone) in Thor: The Dark World, and the Mind Stone's role in creating Vision and empowering Scarlet Witch.

The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-6)

Following the defeat of Thanos and the "Blip," the MCU shifted its focus from cosmic gems to alternate realities and timelines, ushering in The Multiverse Saga. This new phase introduces complex concepts like the Sacred Timeline, the Time Variance Authority (TVA) (primarily in the *Loki* series), and the threat of variants of Kang the Conqueror. The events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness are crucial turning points, as they rip open the fabric of reality, setting the stage for the massive crossover events: *Avengers: Doomsday* and *Avengers: Secret Wars*.

Essential Recurring Entities to Note

A successful Marvel movie marathon requires recognizing the key players and groups that influence the narrative across decades:

  • S.H.I.E.L.D.: The strategic homeland intervention, enforcement, and logistics division, which was a central entity in Phases 1 and 2, and whose collapse in Captain America: The Winter Soldier reshaped the political landscape.
  • The Celestials: Ancient, powerful beings introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy and given a deeper backstory in Eternals, revealing their role in the creation of life and planets.
  • Wakanda and Vibranium: The technologically advanced African nation and its unique resource, which became a vital global player following Black Panther.
  • The Fantastic Four: Their long-awaited introduction in *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* in 2025 is a Phase 6 tentpole, promising to bring in new multiversal concepts and scientific frontiers.

Why The Release Order is Still Best for New Viewers

While the chronological order seems tempting for its timeline purity, the release order is designed to maximize the viewing experience for a reason. Key reveals, such as the emergence of Thanos in the post-credit scene of *The Avengers*, or the introduction of the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers: Age of Ultron, only work when viewed in the order the films were released. Furthermore, the emotional impact of the Blip and the five-year time jump is best felt when watching the films in the order they were presented to the world, preserving the intended narrative shock and subsequent character development.

Whether you choose to start with the 2008 classic Iron Man or jump straight into the 1940s with Captain America: The First Avenger, this updated 2025 guide ensures you have the definitive roadmap to one of the most ambitious cinematic undertakings ever attempted.

mcu movies in order
mcu movies in order

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