Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies
Like a lot of people, I enjoy the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I've watched all the movies, but have only watched some of the shows.
A lot of people recommend a certain order in which to watch the movies & while I will follow that in some cases, I prefer to place some movies in different spots (mainly if they're simultaneous with other movies).
Here is my order in which I like to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies & yes, I will explain why I put certain movies in certain spots.
Note: Since I haven't watched all the shows, I'll be leaving them out of this list.
It's been about 7 years since I've made a list here, so lets get this show on the road...
I've watched all the movies, but have only watched some of the shows.
A lot of people recommend a certain order in which to watch the movies & while I will follow that in some cases, I prefer to place some movies in different spots (mainly if they're simultaneous with other movies).
Here is my order in which I like to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies & yes, I will explain why I put certain movies in certain spots.
Note: Since I haven't watched all the shows, I'll be leaving them out of this list.
It's been about 7 years since I've made a list here, so lets get this show on the road...
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- DirectorJoe JohnstonStarsChris EvansHugo WeavingSamuel L. JacksonSteve Rogers, a rejected military soldier, transforms into Captain America after taking a dose of a "Super-Soldier serum". But being Captain America comes at a price as he attempts to take down a warmonger and a terrorist organization.Set primarily during World War II.
- DirectorAnna BodenRyan FleckStarsBrie LarsonSamuel L. JacksonBen MendelsohnCarol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.Mainly takes place in the year 1995.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Gwyneth PaltrowTerrence HowardAfter being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.I'm assuming this takes place somewhere between 2008 & 2011.
- DirectorLouis LeterrierStarsEdward NortonLiv TylerTim RothBruce Banner, a scientist on the run from the U.S. Government, must find a cure for the monster he turns into whenever he loses his temper.A lot of lists place this 1 after Iron Man 2, but I think this 1 takes place simultaneously with Iron Man 2.
With the appearance of Tony Stark in the final scene, I'd wanna watch this next 1... - DirectorJon FavreauStarsRobert Downey Jr.Mickey RourkeGwyneth PaltrowWith the world now aware of his identity as Iron Man, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy.Most lists have this 1 right after the 1st Iron Man, but I put this 1 after The Incredible Hulk because we see footage of Hulk at the campus (as shown in that movie) in addition to seeing Tony Stark at the end of that movie.
In the post credits scene, we see Agent Phil Coulson arriving in the desert & there appears to be some activity around a hammer in a crater (Thor's hammer, Mjolnir), so that would prompt me to watch the next movie on this list... - DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsChris HemsworthAnthony HopkinsNatalie PortmanThe powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.We know this had to be near the time of Iron Man 2 since we see Agent Phil Coulson here who had been reassigned to this location (as he mentions to Tony in Iron Man 2).
In the post credits scene, we see Director Nick Fury deliver a briefcase to Dr. Erik Selvig so he can study the cube inside, which leads up to... - DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansScarlett JohanssonEarth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.This 1 had to have taken place sometime after the events of Thor, since we see Dr. Erik Selvig & crew studying the Tesseract + it is mentioned that the Bifrost on Asgard was destroyed (as we see at the end of Thor).
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Guy PearceGwyneth PaltrowWhen Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.I have debate over which 1 I should watch next after The Avengers between this 1 & Thor: The Dark World.
This movie is set at Christmas time in I'm assuming 2012 (the same year Loki leads the Chitauri invasion in The Avengers). - DirectorAlan TaylorStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanTom HiddlestonWhen the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.Again, I debate over which 1 I should actually watch next after The Avengers between this 1 & Iron Man 3.
I mean, we do see Loki in shackles brought before Odin on Asgard for the crimes he committed in Thor & The Avengers.
According to Avengers: Endgame, this movie is set in 2013, but that could just be Asgard year 2013 & Earth year, 2012.
But I digress for now. - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansSamuel L. JacksonScarlett JohanssonAs Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.This 1 is simply set in the year 2014.
What more can I say? - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattVin DieselBradley CooperA group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.Most lists list both Guardians of the Galaxy movies between Captain America: The Winter Soldier & Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Well, we do see Peter Quill abducted from Earth when he was a kid in 1988 & then the movie time jumps to 26 years later (Earth year 2014). - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattZoe SaldanaDave BautistaThe Guardians struggle to keep together as a team while dealing with their personal family issues, notably Star-Lord's encounter with his father, the ambitious celestial being Ego.This 1 is also set in what would be Earth year 2014 & shortly after the events of the 1st Guardians of the Galaxy.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloWhen Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.This 1 I'm assuming is set in the year, 2015, so about a year or so after Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
- DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddMichael DouglasCorey StollArmed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, pull off a plan that will save the world.Happens after Avengers: Age of Ultron.
The post credits scene with Sam Wilson/Falcon, Steve Rogers/Captain America & Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier would have me watch the next movie on this list... - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsChris EvansRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonPolitical involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man.I'm assuming this 1 is set in either the year 2016 or 2017.
We also get to see that same post credits scene we saw at the end of Ant-Man. - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.Between this movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Black Widow & Doctor Strange, I had a tough time deciding which 1 I should watch immediately after Captain America: Civil War.
From what I heard, this 1 took place about a month after Captain America: Civil War & we get to see T'Challa/Black Panther assume the throne as King of Wakanda, following in his Father, King T'Chaka's footsteps. - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandMichael KeatonRobert Downey Jr.Peter Parker balances his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens with his superhero alter-ego Spider-Man, and finds himself on the trail of a new menace prowling the skies of New York City.Again, I wasn't 100% sure the order of this movie, Black Panther, Black Widow & Doctor Strange.
This movie is set a couple months after the events of Captain America: Civil War, so I'm assuming this 1 happened after Black Panther. - DirectorCate ShortlandStarsScarlett JohanssonFlorence PughDavid HarbourNatasha Romanoff confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises.This 1 happens after Captain America: Civil War, but I wasn't sure exactly where between this movie, Doctor Strange, Black Panther & Spider-Man: Homecoming.
So, I'm just gonna stick it here for now. - DirectorScott DerricksonStarsBenedict CumberbatchChiwetel EjioforRachel McAdamsWhile on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.I wasn't sure where exactly after Captain America: Civil War this movie happened, but if I remember correctly, there was some time jumping in this 1.
I assumed this 1 was set somewhere between 2016 & 2018.
I put this 1 here for another reason...
That reason being that in the mid credits scene, we see Doctor Strange talking to Thor, which would lead me to the next movie on this list... - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthTom HiddlestonCate BlanchettImprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.We do see that same mid credits scene from Doctor Strange & more.
I wanna say this is probably set in Earth year 2018.
In the mid credits scene, we see a gigantic spaceship cast a shadow over the smaller Asgardian refugee ship & we all know it's building up & leading into... - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris HemsworthMark RuffaloThe Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.The mid credits scene in Thor: Ragnarok built up to this movie's opening where we see the Asgardian refugee ship attacked & in ruins, several Asgardian refugees & former Sakaaran prisoners/gladiators dead (assumed), but we don't know what happened to other ones (like Valkyrie, Korg & Miek) if they died or escaped via escape pods.
Well, we didn't know what happened to those who weren't seen in the opening of this movie yet & we wouldn't know till Avengers: Endgame. - DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddEvangeline LillyMichael PeñaAs Scott Lang balances being both a superhero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past.Most lists have this 1 before Avengers: Infinity War (& some even list it before Thor: Ragnarok), but I decided to put it between Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame for a different reason...
In the mid credits scene, we see Scott Lang/Ant-Man transported into the Quantum Realm by Hope Van Dyne/Wasp & when she was supposed to release Scott from the Quantum Realm...
Hope along with her parents, Hank Pym & Janet Van Dyne were all dusted out of existence (they're among the 50% of the population wiped from existence when Thanos snapped his fingers), so Scott is still in the Quantum Realm.
So yeah, the mid credits scene happens simultaneously with the final battle in Avengers: Infinity War.
In the post credits scene, we see Scott Lang's apartment empty with the TV on & the Emergency Alert System blaring.
So while this movie may mostly take place before Avengers: Infinity War, I place it here because of the mid & post credits scenes like I've done with most movies on this list. - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloAfter the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.This movie opens with Clint Barton/Hawkeye having a picnic with his family at their homestead & all of a sudden...
Clint's wife & all 3 children are dusted out of existence & Clint's all by himself, so yeah, another moment that was simultaneous with the final battle in Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War.
Then the earlier part of the movie takes place just a few weeks after the battle against Thanos & his forces in Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, but then the movie time jumps to 5 years later, so the year 2023.
But this movie does involve time travel to 3 different points in time...
-NYC on Earth during the battle against Loki & the Chitauri in The Avengers in the year 2012.
-Asgard in the year 2013 during Thor: The Dark World.
-Morag & Vormir in the (at least Earth) year 2014 right before Guardians of the Galaxy.
On a side note, we do get to see that characters who 1st appeared in Thor: Ragnarok, like Valkyire, Korg & Miek are alive & well & along with other survivors of Thanos's attack on the Asgardian refugee ship, made a new home on Earth, known as New Asgard where they've survived & thrived for 5 years.
I was so glad to see that not only were they not killed when Thanos's forces attacked the ship, but they also survived Thanos's snap. - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsSimu LiuAwkwafinaTony Leung Chiu-waiShang-Chi, the master of weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the Ten Rings organization.I wasn't sure where exactly to stick this 1, but I read that this movie takes place in late 2023, so months after the events of Avengers: Endgame & after the Blip where the 50% of the population wiped from existence by Thanos 5 years prior was brought back into existence by Bruce Banner/Smart Hulk in Avengers: Endgame.
- DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandSamuel L. JacksonJake GyllenhaalFollowing the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.This 1 takes place in Summer of 2024 where Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Ned Leeds, MJ, Betty Brant, Jason (Betty's school news co-anchor) & Flash Thompson (all of whom were among the 50% wiped from existence by Thanos in 2018, but brought back in 2023 by Bruce Banner/Smart Hulk) along with other students completed another school year.
We learn that the 50% of the population not only missed out on 5 years, but also had to restart things like school or whatnot & even had to go through other hassles, due to their 5 year life pauses. - DirectorChloé ZhaoStarsGemma ChanRichard MaddenAngelina JolieThe saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.I wasn't sure which 1 to do immediately after Spider-Man: Far From Home between this movie & Spider-Man: No Way Home (both take place in late 2024).
So, I'll stick this 1 here for now, but it's place in my order could change. - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandZendayaBenedict CumberbatchWith Spider-Man's identity now revealed, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. When a spell goes wrong, dangerous foes from other worlds start to appear, forcing Peter to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.I know (at least the opening of) this 1 happens right after Spider-Man: Far From Home.
As for the rest of the movie...
I'm not sure, but I do know it's in late 2024, like Eternals.
This movie & Eternals could possibly switch spots in my order, but I'll have it here for now.
This is the 1st movie to introduce the concept of the multiverse as we see 2 other versions of Peter Parker/Spider-Man & some the villains they faced brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. - DirectorSam RaimiStarsBenedict CumberbatchElizabeth OlsenChiwetel EjioforDoctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl who can travel across multiverses, to battle other-universe versions of himself which threaten to wipe out the multiverse. They seek help from the Scarlet Witch, Wong and others.All I knw is this movie happens after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
This is another movie that involves the multiverse as we see other versions of Doctor Strange, Christine Palmer & Wanda Maximoff.
I'm not sure where exactly this movie falls between this 1 & the movies listed below this 1, so I'll put it here for now at least. - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsChris HemsworthNatalie PortmanChristian BaleThor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.I'm assuming that this 1 is set in (at least Earth year) 2024 or 2025, as we see Thor & Jane Foster meet up again after their breakup prior to Thor: Ragnarok.
It's implied that Jane Foster was among the 50% of the population that blipped for 5 years as she thought it's been 5 years since she last saw Thor, but Thor said it was 8.
I'm placing this 1 here for now until I learn the full chronology between this 1, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever & Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. - DirectorRyan CooglerStarsLetitia WrightLupita Nyong'oDanai GuriraThe people of Wakanda fight to protect their home from intervening world powers as they mourn the death of King T'Challa.This might be the last 1 for now, at least until the next 2 movies on this list release.
I'm gonna have it here for now, since I'm not sure the chronology between this 1, Thor: Love and Thunder as well as the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania & Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3. - DirectorPeyton ReedStarsPaul RuddEvangeline LillyMichael DouglasScott Lang and Hope Van Dyne are dragged into the Quantum Realm, along with Hope's parents and Scott's daughter Cassie. Together they must find a way to escape, but what secrets is Hope's mother hiding? And who is the mysterious Kang?This movie's not out yet (at the time of the creation of this list), so I'm not really sure where this 1 fits chronology.
I'll just put it here for now. - DirectorJames GunnStarsChris PrattChukwudi IwujiBradley CooperStill reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own - a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.Like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, this movie isn't out yet, so we don't know the full details yet, but I think it's safe to say this 1 most likely either happens simultaneous with or after Thor: Love and Thunder, if I had to venture a guess.
We do see the Guardians of the Galaxy at the beginning of Thor: Love and Thunder, but then they & Thor & some his friends part ways.
This movie could be what happens after the Guardians part ways with Thor & Korg, but that's just a guess.