The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the biggest film franchise of all time.
The films include iconic superheroes such as Spider-Man and The Hulk, but also helped other comic saviours become household names in their own right.
The MCU brought new life to heroes such as Iron Man and Captain America and the Guardians of the Galaxy, along with more recent additions like Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
However, when choosing to marathon all of the films of the MCU, where do you start?
Considering the films often jump around in time frame it is probably best to stick to the production order so things such as post-credits scenes can keep their impact.
So, here's the correct order to watch the MCU in and where you can stream each film.
However, if you do fancy chronological order then we have you covered too!
How to watch the MCU films in the order
Phase One
Iron Man
The first film entry into the world's biggest movie franchise is remarkably small scale. It introduced us to defence industrialist Tony Stark, played by comeback king Robert Downey Jr., as his kidnapping leads to him becoming the armoured hero Iron Man.
The transformation leads to him facing off with his father's old friend Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges). Also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony's assistant Pepper Potts and Terrence Howard as the original James "Rhodey" Rhodes. Also contains the first post-credits scene that set up the Avengers.
Iron Man is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
The Incredible Hulk
One of the lesser remembered films in the MCU canon is Edward Norton's outing as a more brooding Hulk/Bruce Banner. On the run from General Ross (William Hurt), Bruce comes out of hiding to reunite with his ex and Ross' daughter, Betty (Liv Tyler). Tim Roth also stars as a mercenary who turns into the monstrous Abomination. Look out for a certain Mr Stark to make an appearance too!
The Incredible Hulk is available to stream on NOW TV.
Iron Man 2
The first sequel in the franchise follows Tony Stark as he gets into the groove of being a public superhero, leaving Pepper to run his company. However, a new villain named Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) wants revenge on Stark and joins forces with Stark's longtime rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) to get even. Don Cheadle takes over the role of Rhodey as he gets his War Machine armour, while Samuel L. Jackson takes a bigger role as Nicky Fury and Scarlett Johnasson makes her badass debut as Natasha Romanoff.
Iron Man 2 is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Thor
Taking the MCU to a new level of cosmic power is Kenneth Branagh's tale of the God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and how he became a hero on Earth. Banished by his Norse God father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Thor arrives on Earth and falls for physicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). However, it soon becomes clear that Thor's mischievous brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is the architect of our hero's pain. Look out for the cameo introduction of Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye!
Thor is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Taking us back to the times of World War Two, The First Avenger follows sickly and meek Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he joins friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) in the US army and joins an experiment to become America's super-soldier in the fight against the Nazis and their increasingly dangerous general, the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Along the way, Steve finds love with resourceful Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), but will they be torn apart forever?
Captain America: The First Avenger is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Avengers Assemble
The first big crossover event of the MCU sees Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye team up to take down Loki as he seizes the all-powerful Tesseract and brings an evil alien army to Earth. The Avengers assemble and change the MCU forever! Also, the end credits scene introduces us to a future Mad Titan.
Avengers Assemble is available to stream on Disney+.
Phase Two
Iron Man 3
The final film in the standalone Iron Man trilogy sees Tony Stark struggling with PTSD after the events of Avengers Assemble, despite the support of girlfriend Pepper. He soon becomes dragged into the schemes of terrorist The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) and blast from the past Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce). Can Tony survive his demons and these new foes, or could he himself need some saving?
Iron Man 3 is available to stream on Disney+.
Thor: The Dark World
The sequel to Thor sees the God of Thunder forced to protect his beloved Jane as she becomes possessed by an ancient entity, bringing her to Asgard. The Dark Elves soon come to Thor's homeworld to wreak havoc and harness what is inside Jane for their evil purposes. Could Thor's imprisoned brother Loki help out the Avenger?
Thor: The Dark World is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The second film in the Captain America sees follows his exploits as an agent of SHIELD alongside Black Widow. However, Steve soon finds his past coming back to haunt him in the form of his presumed-dead friend Bucky, who is now a killing machine dubbed The Winter Soldier. The fight for SHIELD's survival soon reveals a dastardly conspiracy right at the heart of government and the security services. Can Steve and Natasha save the world and Bucky himself? Also stars Robert Redford as SHIELD boss Alexander Pierce and Anthony Mackie as new ally Sam Wislon aka Falcon.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is available to stream on Disney+.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Taking a quirky and retro approach to some lesser known characters from Marvel Comics, director James Gunn delivers the tale of band of misfits who soon form an unlikely superhero team. Space rogue Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is united with deadly Gamora (Zoe Saldana), cocky Rocket (Bradley Cooper), strong Drax (Dave Bautista), and sweet Groot (Vin Diesel) to take on a space terrorist Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace). The killer soundtrack was also a huge hit.
Guardians of the Galaxy is available to stream on Disney+.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
The busy sequel to Avengers Assemble follows the established superhero team as they take on the remnants of Hydra and their new weapons: powerful twins Wanda (Elisabeth Olsen) and Pietro Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). However, when Tony creates an artificial intelligence to protect the world in the form of Ultron (James Spader), the robot turns evil and threatens the entire planet. The team's line-up is changed forever by the movie's end.
Avengers: Age of Ultron is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Ant-Man
Another standalone film follows one of Marvel Comics' founding Avengers, here in the form of thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) who steals equipment from scientist Dr Hank Pymm (Michael Douglas) that enables him to change size. However, the equipment is being sought by Hank's former acolyte turned enemy Darren Cross (Corey Stoll) and Scott must turn to best friend Luis (Michael Pena) and Hank's very capable daughter, Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lily). Look out for an appearance from Falcon here!
Ant-Man is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Phase Three
Captain America: Civil War
The third and final film in the Captain America trilogy sees Steve Rogers rebelling against new legislation against superheroes that forces them to become government operatives, setting them completely at odds with Tony Stark. The issue is only exacerbated when Rogers becomes a fugitive after aiding troubled friend Bucky, who has a link to Stark's past too. Forcing the Avengers to take sides, both groups soon come to clash while a villain with a grudge takes advantage of their division. This film also introduces Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Tom Holland as the MCU's version of Spider-Man.
Captain America: Civil War is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Doctor Strange
Renowned surgeon Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) goes on a downward spiral after being injured in a car crash, sending him on a journey to find the mysterious sorcerer known as The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Accessing powerful magical abilities, Strange joins an ancient order to fight the evil Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and protect his ex Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams).
Doctor Strange is available to stream on Disney+.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The second outing for the Guardians follows them as Peter Quill explores his origins in the form of his celestial father, Ego (Kurt Russell). However, Ego isn't all he appears to be. Meanwhile, Gamora is hunted down by her adopted sister Nebula (Karen Gillan), and the entire gang are pursued by a genetically-engineered race of aliens known as the Sovereign and also Quill's adopted father, Yondu (Michael Rooker). We also get to meet a new Guardian in the form of the empathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is available to stream on Disney+.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
The first solo outing for the MCU's Spider-Man sees Peter coping with daily life in High School as he deals with his crush on popular peer Liz (Laura Harrier). Soon Peter comes dragged into stopping the villainous Vulture (Michael Keaton) as he tries to prove himself worthy of being an Avenger to his new mentor, Tony Stark himself. Jon Favreau is also around as Tony's bodyguard and chauffeur Happy Hogan to keep an eye on Peter! Marisa Tomei is back as Aunt May Parker and Zendaya is introduced as student Michelle.
Spider-Man: Homecoming is not currently available to stream but is available for digital purchase from online retailers.
Thor: Ragnarok
The God of Thunder gets his own third outing in this colourful instalment from director Taika Waititi. Thor finds that Loki is up to no good once again and must find his father Odin. However, a new threat in the form of his sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) finds Thor stranded on a distant world ruled by a dictator (Jeff Goldblum). Thankfully, Thor isn't alone as he has a Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) too.
Thor: Ragnarok is available to stream on Disney+.
Black Panther
The Oscar-nominated and cultural landmark Black Panther follows King T'Challa as he gets used to ruling the advanced land of Wakanda. Flanked by spy Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), and bodyguard Okoye (Danai Gurira), T'Challa has the support he needs to rule, but soon is threatened by an outsider and a member of his own family, Kilmonger (Michael B. Jordan). This epic outing from director Ryan Coogler leaves Black Panther as a major player in the MCU.
Black Panther is available to stream on Disney+.
Avengers: Infinity War
The third Avengers film acts more as a crossover that sees all sides of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far (minus Ant-Man) converge as the evil Thanos (Josh Brolin) finally comes out of hiding to assemble all of the powerful Infinity Stones to wipe out half of the universe's population. The unprecedented scale went down a treat with fans, but the almighty cliffhanger left them breathless.
Avengers: Infinity War is available to stream on Disney+.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
In this standalone sequel to Ant-Man that is set before Infinity War, we follow Scott Lang as he teams up with Hope Van Dyne - now the heroine known as The Wasp - to face a mysterious enemy known as Ghost and do all they can to rescue Hope's mother Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) from the remote Quantum Realm. Can they succeed? And will they become victims of Thanos too?
Ant-Man and the Wasp is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Captain Marvel
This standalone adventure goes back to the 1990s to introduce the MCU's most powerful superhero in the form of Captain Marvel. We follow the Kree warrior Vers (Brie Larson) as she serves the alien space force against their mortal enemies, the Skrulls. However, the war is not as it seems and neither is Vers' past as she unravels the mystery of Carol Danvers with aid from SHIELD agent Nick Fury. Also stars Jude Law as Kree warrior Yonn-Rogg and Lashana Lynch as Carol's best friend Maria Rambeau.
Captain Marvel is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Avengers: Endgame
The epic conclusion of the long-running saga surrounding the Infinity Stones sees the survivors of Thanos' actions in Infinity War scrambling to find a way to undo his villainy and save their loved ones. Teaming up with the Guardians, Ant-Man and Captain Marvel, the Avengers undergo and elaborate heist to save the universe before fighting in the biggest battle we've possibly ever seen on screen. Sadly, the fighting comes at the cost of some beloved characters.
Avengers: Endgame is available to stream on NOW TV and Disney+.
Spider-Man: Far From Home
The sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming acts as a nice epilogue to Avengers: Endgame, following Peter Parker as he grieves for a huge loss and tries to find his way in the world as a superhero but balance his personal life too. Trying to muster up the courage to ask out MJ and going on a school trip to Europe is interrupted by the arrival of a hero from another dimension - Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) - who needs Spidey's help to fight the monstrous elementals. Can they survive?
Spider-Man: Far From Home will be available to stream on NOW TV from April 11, 2020.
Marvel movies in chronological order
However, if you are keen to watch as close to chronological order as we can tell, then do it like this!
- Captain America: The First Avenger (is during World War Two)
- Captain Marvel (set in 1995)
- Iron Man (set in 2010)
- Iron Man 2
- The Incredible Hulk
- Thor
- The Avengers (set in 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (set six months after The Avengers)
- Thor: Dark World
- Captain America: Winter Soldier
- Guardians of the Galaxy (set in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (just after first Guardians film)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (set in 2015)
- Ant-Man (set in 2015)
- Captain America: Civil War
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (set after Civil War)
- Doctor Strange (Set in 2016)
- Black Panther (Set in 2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Ant-Man and The Wasp (set before Infinity War, apart from end credits scene)
- Avengers: Infinity War (set in 2017)
- Avengers: Endgame (begins in 2017, ends in 2022)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (takes place after Endgame)
What is your favourite MCU movie? Let us know in the comments below.
