Main MCU Watch Orders
New to the MCU? Familiar with the MCU, but want to do a rewatch? Or maybe you’re just confused about the proper order for everything you’ve seen already. Whatever the case, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled numerous MCU watch orders so you can choose what’s best for you.
The MCU Release Date Watch Order is very straight forward and there’s not really any dispute about it. The Timeline Watch Order and Complete Timeline Watch Order, however, can be hotly debated on the finer points.
For the two timeline orders listed below, all of the Marvel Studios/Disney content is placed in the order designated by Disney via Disney+. The ABC, Netflix, and Hulu properties are ordered based on context cues within the narrative, and confirmed after reviewing discussion online regarding the proper order. Some sources disagree about certain placements, so we made a judgement call as best as we could. If there’s a context clue we missed that disputes a certain order (besides the well known Spider-Man issue), please leave a comment!
Release Date Watch Order | Timeline Watch Order
Complete Timeline Watch Order (Includes ABC, Hulu, Netflix)
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Special Watch Orders: Phase Four For Newbies
The following watch orders are intended for people who want to watch something coming out in Phase Four, but may not have time to watch the much longer watch orders. Within each watch order you can choose one that fits your specific needs. Each suggested order will usually contain Long, Medium, and Short options, and occasionally other specialized choices. There are even a few specialized watch orders for specific characters where needed.
WandaVision Watch Order
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Watch Order
Loki Watch Order
Black Widow Watch Order
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Hawkeye Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Spider-Man: No Way Home Watch Order
Moon Knight Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Watch Order (Coming Soon)
She-Hulk Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Thor: Love and Thunder Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Ms. Marvel Watch Order (Coming Soon)
Secret Invasion Watch Order (Coming Soon)
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Marvel Cinematic Universe
Release Date Watch Order
This Watch Order Contains:
All Marvel Studios MCU films and Disney+ content. The order is based on the DIsney+ categorization and additional research for films not yet available on the streaming platform.
This Watch Order Excludes:
ABC, Hulu, Netflix shows, and Sony content.
Who Should Watch This:
This order is good for first time viewers as it will introduce them to it in the same order long time fans were introduced to the series.
This is also great for repeat viewers wishing to relive the original release order.
MCU Phase One
Phases One focuses on the introduction and formation of the Avengers. Phases 1-3 are known as the Infinity Saga as they focus on the impact and consequences of the Infinity Stones.
Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk * (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
The Avengers (2012)
*The Incredible Hulk is not available on Disney+ at this time. Viewing is not necessary to understand the larger MCU.
MCU Phase Two
Phase Two focuses on the continued development of the Avengers, as well as expanding the universe to include more alien and space focused elements. Together with Phase One and Phase Three, this is part of the Infinity Saga.
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)
MCU Phase Three
Phase Three is the final portion of the Infinity Saga. Most films in this phase are designed to lead to the final confrontation with Thanos, the ultimate antagonist to the Avengers and wider universe.
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)
**The Spider-man films are not yet on Disney+, but they should be in 2022.
MCU Phase Four
This is the first Post-Infinity Saga phase. Thus far, most films and Disney+ shows have focused on the fallout of Endgame as well as the establishment and exploration of the Multiverse. Some of the upcoming projects listed below may ultimately be part of Phase Five. The list will be updated accordingly.
WandaVision (2021)
Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Black Widow (2021)
Loki (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Eternals (2021)
What If…? (2021)
Hawkeye (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
UPCOMING PHASE FOUR/FIVE
Moon Knight (2022)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
The Marvels (2022)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Fantastic Four (20??)
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Timeline Watch Order
This Watch Order Contains:
All MCU films and Disney+ content.
The order is determined based on Disney+ categorization and additional research from various sources. Where sources conflict. we made the best determination we could based on available information.
This Watch Order Excludes:
ABC, Hulu, Netflix shows, and Sony content.
Who Should Watch This:
This order is good for second time viewers as it explores the series in a way that gives new insights into the plot and character development.
This is only recommended for first time viewers if they have someone who can assist them with avoiding the spoilers in the mid- and post-credit scenes. These scenes are placed at the end of films based on release order. Watching them with the films that are placed in timeline order will spoil future plot points.
1943-1945
Captain America: The First Avenger
1995
2010
Iron Man
2011
Iron Man 2
The Incredible Hulk **
Thor
2012
The Avengers
Iron Man 3
2013
2014
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
2015
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Ant-Man
2016
Captain America: Civil War
Black Widow
Spider-Man: Homecoming ***
Black Panther
2016-2017
2017
Thor: Ragnarok
Ant-Man and the Wasp *
Avengers: Infinity War
Add: Ant-Man and the Wasp and then Captain Marvel mid-credit scenes.
2018/2023
2023
Spider-Man: Far From Home ***
Loki *****
What If…? *****
WandaVision
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Eternals ******
Shang-Chi
2024
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Hawkeye
*The mid-credit scene should be watched after Infinity War. The post-credit scene is safe to watch without being spoiled.
**The Incredible Hulk is not available to watch on Disney+ at this time. Viewing is not necessary to understand the larger MCU. It’s also unclear exactly which year it takes place, with estimates ranging from 2005-2011. I’ve placed it here because post-credit scene takes place after Iron Man 2.
***The Spider-man films are not yet on Disney+, but they should be in 2022.
****We aren’t including the time travel periods included in Endgame.
*****Loki and What If…? focus on time travel, but you need to watch through Endgame to understand them. See the Loki Watch Order for additional time travel details.
******Some scenes from Eternals take place as late as 5000 BC, but they are interspersed with scenes from 2023 and difficult to isolate without a complete recut of the film.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Complete Timeline Watch Order
This Watch Order Contains:
All Marvel Studios films, Netflix, Hulu, ABC, and Disney+ canonical MCU content.
The order is determined based on Disney+ categorization and additional research from various sources. Where sources conflict. we made the best determination we could based on available information. Please take note of the annotations at the end for context for this order and places where it can be adjusted.
This Watch Order Excludes:
Sony Content. We will address the inclusion of Sony content in an upcoming Spider-Man watch order.
Who Should Watch:
This watch order is not recommended for first time viewers due to the complexities involving the ABC, Hulu, and Netflix properties and its extreme length. This is great for repeat viewers who want the full experience. This is also great for viewers who may have missed some content along the way and want context for where these properties fit within the story.
1943-1945
Captain America: The First Avenger
1946
Agent Carter (ABC) – Seasons 1&2
1995
2010
Iron Man
2011
Iron Man 2
The Incredible Hulk **
Thor
2012
The Avengers
Iron Man 3
2013
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 1 Episodes 1×1: Pilot to 1×7: The Hub
Thor: The Dark World
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 1 Episodes 1×8: The Well to 1×16: End of the Beginning
2014
Captain America: Winter Soldier
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 1 Episodes 1×17: Turn, Turn, Turn to 1×22: Beginning of the End
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2
2015
Daredevil (Netflix) – Season 1
Jessica Jones (Netflix) – Season 1
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 2 Episodes 2×1 Shadows to 2×19 Dirty Half Dozen
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 2 Episodes 2×20 Scars to 2×22 SOS Part 2
Ant-Man
Daredevil (Netflix) – Season 2
Luke Cage (Netflix) – Season 1
2016
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 3 Episodes 3×1 Laws of Nature to 3×19 Failed Experiments
Captain America: Civil War
Black Widow
Spider-Man: Homecoming ***
Black Panther
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (ABC) – Season 3 Episodes 3×20 Emancipation to 3×22 Failed Ascension
2016-2017
2017
Hulu^
Cloak and Dagger – Season 1 & 2
The Runaways – Season 1, 2, & 3
Netflix^
Iron Fist – Season 1
The Defenders
The Punisher – Season 1
Jessica Jones – Season 2
Luke Cage – Season 2
Iron Fist – Season 2
Daredevil – Season 3
The Punisher – Season 2
Jessica Jones – Season 3
Films/ABC
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – Season 4 & 5
The Inhumans ^
Thor: Ragnarok
Ant-Man and the Wasp *
Avengers: Infinity War
Add: Ant-Man and the Wasp and then Captain Marvel mid-credit scenes
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D – Season 6 & 7 ^^
2018/2023
2023
Spider-Man: Far From Home ***
Loki *****
What If…? *****
WandaVision
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Eternals ******
Shang-Chi
2024
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Hawkeye