How to watch the Marvel movies in order

No. 01 · 2008 · Film · 2h 6m · 4th in story order

Iron Man

After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.

Why it matters: Where the MCU starts: Tony Stark builds the suit, and the post-credits scene sets up the Avengers.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, and Jeff Bridges

Director

Jon Favreau

Box office

$585 million on a $140 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 94%

No. 02 · 2008 · Film · 1h 54m · 5th in story order · optional

The Incredible Hulk

Scientist Bruce Banner scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.

Why it matters: The most standalone early film; it matters mainly for General Ross, who returns years later.

Starring

Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, and Tim Roth

Director

Louis Leterrier

Box office

$265 million on a $150 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 68%

No. 03 · 2010 · Film · 2h 4m · 6th in story order

Iron Man 2

With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts and James 'Rhodey' Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.

Why it matters: Introduces Black Widow and deepens S.H.I.E.L.D., laying groundwork for The Avengers.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle

Director

Jon Favreau

Box office

$624 million on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 72%

No. 04 · 2011 · Film · 1h 55m · 7th in story order

Thor

Against his father Odin's will, The Mighty Thor - a powerful but arrogant warrior god - recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Why it matters: Brings in Asgard, Loki and the cosmic side of the universe.

Starring

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Box office

$449 million on a $150 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 77%

No. 05 · 2011 · Film · 2h 4m · 2nd in story order

Captain America: The First Avenger

During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who's transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.

Why it matters: The earliest story in the timeline: Steve Rogers in World War II and the first Infinity Stone, the Tesseract.

Starring

Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan

Director

Joe Johnston

Box office

$371 million on a $140 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%

No. 06 · 2012 · Film · 2h 23m · 8th in story order

The Avengers

When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!

Why it matters: The first team-up pays off all five earlier films and introduces Thanos in the credits.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo

Director

Joss Whedon

Box office

$1.52 billion on a $220 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%

No. 07 · 2013 · Film · 2h 10m · 9th in story order

Iron Man 3

When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

Why it matters: Tony deals with the fallout of New York; a self-contained Christmas story.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle

Director

Shane Black

Box office

$1.22 billion on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 79%

No. 08 · 2013 · Film · 1h 52m · 10th in story order

Thor: The Dark World

Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Why it matters: Introduces the Aether, an Infinity Stone; a lighter entry many viewers skim.

Starring

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston

Director

Alan Taylor

Box office

$645 million on a $170 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 67%

No. 09 · 2014 · Film · 2h 16m · 11th in story order

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

Why it matters: S.H.I.E.L.D. falls and Bucky returns; one of the most important Phase 2 films.

Starring

Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson

Director

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo

Box office

$715 million on a $170 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%

No. 10 · 2014 · Film · 2h 1m · 12th in story order

Guardians of the Galaxy

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Why it matters: The cosmic team debuts and the Power Stone appears; essential before Infinity War.

Starring

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, and Dave Bautista

Director

James Gunn

Box office

$773 million on a $170 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%

No. 11 · 2015 · Series · 35h · 64th in story order · optional

Marvel's Daredevil

Lawyer-by-day Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses from being blinded as a young boy to fight crime at night on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen as Daredevil.

Why it matters: The first Netflix Marvel series; optional, but it sets up Born Again.

Starring

Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll, and Elden Henson

Creator

Drew Goddard

Scores

IMDb 8.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

Episodes

39 across 3 seasons

No. 12 · 2015 · Film · 2h 21m · 14th in story order

Avengers: Age of Ultron

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Why it matters: Wanda, Vision and the Mind Stone arrive, and the team starts to fracture.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Mark Ruffalo

Director

Joss Whedon

Box office

$1.41 billion on a $235 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 75%

No. 13 · 2015 · Film · 1h 57m · 15th in story order

Ant-Man

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Why it matters: A smaller heist story that introduces the Quantum Realm, which becomes crucial in Endgame.

Starring

Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, and Evangeline Lilly

Director

Peyton Reed

Box office

$519 million on a $130 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%

No. 14 · 2015 · Series · 33h 50m · 65th in story order · optional

Marvel's Jessica Jones

After a tragic ending to her short-lived super hero stint, Jessica Jones is rebuilding her personal life and career as a detective who gets pulled into cases involving people with extraordinary abilities in New York City.

Why it matters: A Netflix noir series; optional for the main MCU.

Starring

Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, and Eka Darville

Creator

Melissa Rosenberg

Scores

IMDb 7.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 83%

Episodes

39 across 3 seasons

No. 15 · 2016 · Film · 2h 27m · 16th in story order

Captain America: Civil War

Following the events of Age of Ultron, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man or Captain America, which causes an epic battle between former allies.

Why it matters: Splits the Avengers and introduces Black Panther and Tom Holland's Spider-Man.

Starring

Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., and Scarlett Johansson

Director

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo

Box office

$1.16 billion on a $250 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%

No. 16 · 2016 · Series · 24h 27m · 66th in story order · optional

Marvel's Luke Cage

Given superstrength and durability by a sabotaged experiment, a wrongly accused man escapes prison to become a superhero for hire.

Why it matters: Harlem's hero on Netflix; optional.

Starring

Mike Colter, Alfre Woodard, and Simone Missick

Creator

Cheo Hodari Coker

Scores

IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%

Episodes

26 across 2 seasons

No. 17 · 2016 · Film · 1h 55m · 18th in story order

Doctor Strange

After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.

Why it matters: Magic and the Time Stone enter the MCU; sets up Strange's role in the Infinity Saga.

Starring

Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Rachel McAdams

Director

Scott Derrickson

Box office

$676 million on a $180 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 89%

No. 18 · 2017 · Series · 20h 52m · 67th in story order · optional

Marvel's Iron Fist

Danny Rand resurfaces 15 years after being presumed dead. Now, with the power of the Iron Fist, he seeks to reclaim his past and fulfill his destiny.

Why it matters: The last solo origin before The Defenders; optional.

Starring

Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick, and Jessica Stroup

Creator

Scott Buck

Scores

IMDb 6.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 38%

Episodes

23 across 2 seasons

No. 19 · 2017 · Film · 2h 17m · 13th in story order

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage.

Why it matters: Mostly about the Guardians as a family; sets up Gamora and Nebula's arcs.

Starring

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, and Dave Bautista

Director

James Gunn

Box office

$864 million on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 85%

No. 20 · 2017 · Film · 2h 13m

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Peter Parker, with the help of his mentor Tony Stark, tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture, emerges.

Why it matters: Peter Parker's first solo film, picking up right after Civil War.

Starring

Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, and Robert Downey Jr.

Director

Jon Watts

Box office

$881 million on a $175 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

No. 21 · 2017 · Series · 6h 34m · 68th in story order · optional

Marvel's The Defenders

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist join forces to take on common enemies as a sinister conspiracy threatens New York City.

Why it matters: The Netflix heroes team up; optional.

Starring

Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, and Mike Colter

Creator

Doug Petrie and Marco Ramirez

Scores

IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 78%

Episodes

8

No. 22 · 2017 · Film · 2h 11m · 21st in story order

Thor: Ragnarok

Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela.

Why it matters: Thor and Hulk on Sakaar; ends exactly where Infinity War begins.

Starring

Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Tom Hiddleston

Director

Taika Waititi

Box office

$855 million on a $180 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 93%

No. 23 · 2017 · Series · 23h 4m · 69th in story order · optional

Marvel's The Punisher

A former Marine out to punish the criminals responsible for his family's murder finds himself ensnared in a military conspiracy.

Why it matters: Frank Castle's Netflix series; optional.

Starring

Jon Bernthal, Ben Barnes, and Amber Rose Revah

Creator

Steve Lightfoot

Scores

IMDb 8.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 64%

Episodes

26 across 2 seasons

No. 24 · 2018 · Film · 2h 15m · 19th in story order

Black Panther

King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T'Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia, the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan 'special forces') and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Why it matters: Wakanda's story; it sets the stage for the Infinity War battle.

Starring

Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita Nyong'o

Director

Ryan Coogler

Box office

$1.35 billion on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 96%

No. 25 · 2018 · Film · 2h 29m · 23rd in story order

Avengers: Infinity War

As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

Why it matters: Thanos collects the stones: the first half of the Infinity Saga finale.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth

Director

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Box office

$2.05 billion on a $300 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 85%

No. 26 · 2018 · Film · 1h 59m · 22nd in story order

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Just when his time under house arrest is about to end, Scott Lang once again puts his freedom at risk to help Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym dive into the quantum realm and try to accomplish, against time and any chance of success, a very dangerous rescue mission.

Why it matters: Its credits scene ties into the Snap, and the Quantum Realm sets up Endgame.

Starring

Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas

Director

Peyton Reed

Box office

$623 million on a $140 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%

No. 27 · 2019 · Film · 2h 4m · 3rd in story order

Captain Marvel

The story follows Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Why it matters: Set in 1995; introduces Carol Danvers right before Endgame.

Starring

Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ben Mendelsohn

Director

Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden

Box office

$1.13 billion on a $152 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 79%

No. 28 · 2019 · Film · 3h 1m · 24th in story order

Avengers: Endgame

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

Why it matters: The Infinity Saga finale, built on everything before it; the MCU's biggest payoff.

Starring

Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo

Director

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

Box office

$2.94 billion on a $356 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 94%

No. 29 · 2019 · Film · 2h 9m · 35th in story order

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Peter Parker and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest - Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.

Why it matters: The epilogue to Endgame and Phase 3; ends on a cliffhanger for No Way Home.

Starring

Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Samuel L. Jackson

Director

Jon Watts

Box office

$1.13 billion on a $160 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%

No. 30 · 2021 · Series · 6h 3m · 34th in story order

WandaVision

Wanda Maximoff and Vision—two super-powered beings living idealized suburban lives—begin to suspect that everything is not as it seems.

Why it matters: The first Disney+ series; Wanda's grief leads straight into Multiverse of Madness.

Starring

Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, and Kathryn Hahn

Creator

Jac Schaeffer

Scores

IMDb 7.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

Episodes

9

No. 31 · 2021 · Series · 5h 30m · 36th in story order

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, the Falcon, Sam Wilson and the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities, and their patience.

Why it matters: Sam Wilson takes up the shield, setting up Captain America: Brave New World.

Starring

Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Wyatt Russell

Creator

Malcolm Spellman

Scores

IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 85%

Episodes

6

No. 32 · 2021 · Series · 5h 2m · 25th in story order

Loki

After stealing the Tesseract during the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” an alternate version of Loki is brought to the mysterious Time Variance Authority, a bureaucratic organization that exists outside of time and space and monitors the timeline. They give Loki a choice: face being erased from existence due to being a “time variant” or help fix the timeline and stop a greater threat.

Why it matters: Introduces the TVA and the multiverse; essential for the Multiverse Saga.

Starring

Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Creator

Michael Waldron

Scores

IMDb 8.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

Episodes

12 across 2 seasons

No. 33 · 2021 · Film · 2h 14m · 17th in story order

Black Widow

Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow, confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

Why it matters: Set after Civil War; introduces Yelena Belova, who leads Thunderbolts*.

Starring

Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz

Director

Cate Shortland

Box office

$380 million on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 79%

No. 34 · 2021 · Series · 5h 23m · 28th in story order · optional

What If…?

Taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name, each episode of this animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments.

Why it matters: Animated alternate-reality stories; optional, though a few characters return later.

Starring

Jeffrey Wright, Terri Douglas, and Matthew Wood

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 89%

Episodes

26 across 3 seasons

No. 35 · 2021 · Film · 2h 12m · 37th in story order

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

Why it matters: A largely standalone origin story whose ten rings get a mysterious credits tease.

Starring

Simu Liu, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Awkwafina

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

Box office

$432 million on a $150 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

No. 36 · 2021 · Film · 2h 36m · 38th in story order · optional

Eternals

The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

Why it matters: A standalone cosmic epic with little bearing on the main story so far.

Starring

Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, and Angelina Jolie

Director

Chloé Zhao

Box office

$402 million on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 48%

No. 37 · 2021 · Series · 4h 57m · 40th in story order

Hawkeye

Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a superhero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.

Why it matters: Introduces Kate Bishop and brings back Yelena and Kingpin.

Starring

Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, and Tony Dalton

Creator

Jonathan Igla

Scores

IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

Episodes

6

No. 38 · 2021 · Film · 2h 28m · 39th in story order

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Peter Parker is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.

Why it matters: Opens the multiverse: Spider-Men from earlier film series cross over.

Starring

Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Benedict Cumberbatch

Director

Jon Watts

Box office

$1.92 billion on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 93%

No. 39 · 2022 · Series · 5h 2m · 43rd in story order · optional

Moon Knight

When Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee, becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life, he discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.

Why it matters: A self-contained series that a catch-up can skip.

Starring

Oscar Isaac, Ethan Hawke, and May Calamawy

Creator

Jeremy Slater

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 86%

Episodes

6

No. 40 · 2022 · Film · 2h 6m · 44th in story order

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Doctor Strange, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

Why it matters: Follows directly from WandaVision and No Way Home.

Starring

Benedict Cumberbatch, Xochitl Gomez, and Elizabeth Olsen

Director

Sam Raimi

Box office

$956 million on a $295 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 73%

No. 41 · 2022 · Series · 4h 49m · 42nd in story order

Ms. Marvel

A great student, avid gamer, and voracious fan-fic scribe, Kamala Khan has a special affinity for superheroes, particularly Captain Marvel. However, she struggles to fit in at home and at school — that is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. Life is easier with superpowers, right?

Why it matters: Introduces Kamala Khan, who co-leads The Marvels.

Starring

Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, and Yasmeen Fletcher

Creator

Bisha K. Ali

Scores

IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 98%

Episodes

6

No. 42 · 2022 · Film · 1h 59m · 45th in story order

Thor: Love and Thunder

After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

Why it matters: Thor's fourth film; light on wider-universe consequences.

Starring

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Christian Bale

Director

Taika Waititi

Box office

$761 million on a $250 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 64%

No. 43 · 2022 · Series · 5h 9m · 46th in story order · optional

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Jennifer Walters navigates the complicated life of a single, 30-something attorney who also happens to be a green 6-foot-7-inch superpowered hulk.

Why it matters: A comedy series; optional.

Starring

Tatiana Maslany, Ginger Gonzaga, and Jameela Jamil

Creator

Jessica Gao

Scores

IMDb 5.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 77%

Episodes

9

No. 44 · 2022 · Series · 55m · 47th in story order · optional

Werewolf by Night

On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.

Why it matters: A standalone Halloween special; optional.

Starring

Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, and Harriet Sansom Harris

Creator

Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron

Scores

IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%

No. 45 · 2022 · Film · 2h 42m · 48th in story order

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

Why it matters: Wakanda after T'Challa; introduces Namor and Riri Williams.

Starring

Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, and Lupita Nyong'o

Director

Ryan Coogler

Box office

$859 million on a $250 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 84%

No. 46 · 2022 · Series · 45m · 49th in story order · optional

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present.

Why it matters: A short Christmas special; optional, though it reveals one fact used in Vol. 3.

Starring

Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, and Karen Gillan

Creator

James Gunn

Scores

IMDb 6.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 95%

No. 47 · 2023 · Film · 2h 5m · 50th in story order

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Super-Hero partners Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, along with with Hope's parents Janet van Dyne and Hank Pym, and Scott's daughter Cassie Lang, find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible.

Why it matters: Introduces Kang the Conqueror, a variant of Loki's He Who Remains.

Starring

Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas

Director

Peyton Reed

Box office

$476 million on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 6 · Rotten Tomatoes 46%

No. 48 · 2023 · Film · 2h 30m · 51st in story order

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

Why it matters: The Guardians' farewell; closes their trilogy.

Starring

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, and Dave Bautista

Director

James Gunn

Box office

$846 million on a $250 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%

No. 49 · 2023 · Series · 4h 22m · 52nd in story order · optional

Secret Invasion

Nick Fury and Talos discover a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating Earth for years.

Why it matters: Nick Fury and the Skrulls; mostly self-contained.

Starring

Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, and Kingsley Ben-Adir

Creator

Kyle Bradstreet

Scores

IMDb 5.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 53%

Episodes

6

No. 50 · 2023 · Series · 5h 13m · 26th in story order

Loki: Season 2

After stealing the Tesseract during the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” an alternate version of Loki is brought to the mysterious Time Variance Authority, a bureaucratic organization that exists outside of time and space and monitors the timeline. They give Loki a choice: face being erased from existence due to being a “time variant” or help fix the timeline and stop a greater threat.

Why it matters: Concludes Loki's story and reshapes the multiverse.

Starring

Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Creator

Michael Waldron

Scores

IMDb 8.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 82%

No. 51 · 2023 · Film · 1h 45m · 53rd in story order

The Marvels

When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, Carol's powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol's estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe.

Why it matters: Carol, Monica and Kamala team up; its credits tease the X-Men.

Starring

Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani

Director

Nia DaCosta

Box office

$206 million on a $275 million budget

Scores

IMDb 5.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 63%

No. 52 · 2023 · Series · 4h 49m · 29th in story order · optional

What If…? Season 2

Taking inspiration from the comic books of the same name, each episode of this animated anthology series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments.

Why it matters: More alternate-reality stories; optional.

Starring

Jeffrey Wright, Terri Douglas, and Matthew Wood

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%

No. 53 · 2024 · Series · 3h 33m · 41st in story order · optional

Echo

Pursued by Wilson Fisk's criminal empire, Maya's journey brings her home and she must confront her own family and legacy.

Why it matters: A short street-level series following Hawkeye; optional.

Starring

Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, and Tantoo Cardinal

Scores

IMDb 5.9 · Rotten Tomatoes 71%

Episodes

5

No. 54 · 2024 · Series · 10h 30m · 31st in story order · optional

X-Men '97

The X-Men, a band of mutants who use their uncanny gifts to protect a world that hates and fears them, are challenged like never before, forced to face a dangerous and unexpected new future.

Why it matters: Continues the 1990s X-Men cartoon in its own continuity; optional for the MCU.

Starring

Terri Douglas, Ray Chase, and Jennifer Hale

Scores

IMDb 8.7 · Rotten Tomatoes 98%

Episodes

19 across 2 seasons

No. 55 · 2024 · Film · 2h 8m · 27th in story order

Deadpool & Wolverine

A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.

Why it matters: Brings Fox's Deadpool and Wolverine into the MCU and sets up the multiverse finale.

Starring

Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and Emma Corrin

Director

Shawn Levy

Box office

$1.34 billion on a $200 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 77%

No. 56 · 2024 · Series · 6h 19m · 54th in story order · optional

Agatha All Along

Agatha Harkness gathers a coven of witches and sets off down, down, down The Witches' Road.

Why it matters: A WandaVision spin-off; optional.

Starring

Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, and Sasheer Zamata

Creator

Jac Schaeffer

Scores

IMDb 7.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 84%

Episodes

9

No. 57 · 2024 · Series · 30th in story order · optional

What If…? Season 3

A normal girl Xia Guo is faced with a difficult dilemma where the two choices will lead her toward two utterly different lives. Would she choose to live a home-sweet-home life with her boyfriend in her hometown or seize the opportunity to forge a successful career in a metropolitan? Which way would make her life "a little less normal"?

Why it matters: The final season of the animated anthology; optional.

Starring

Zhong Chuxi, Liu Xueyi, and Lin Shen

Scores

IMDb 7.3 · Rotten Tomatoes 80%

No. 58 · 2025 · Series · 5h 47m · 32nd in story order · optional

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Peter Parker is on his way to becoming a hero, but his path to get there is anything but ordinary.

Why it matters: An animated Spider-Man origin in its own continuity; optional.

Starring

Hudson Thames, Cathy Ang, and Arthur Ortiz

Scores

IMDb 7.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 97%

Episodes

11 across 2 seasons

No. 59 · 2025 · Film · 1h 59m · 57th in story order

Captain America: Brave New World

After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

Why it matters: Sam Wilson's first film as Captain America; follows The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Starring

Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, and Danny Ramirez

Director

Julius Onah

Box office

$415 million on a $180 million budget

Scores

IMDb 5.6 · Rotten Tomatoes 46%

No. 60 · 2025 · Series · 14h 28m · 56th in story order · optional

Daredevil: Born Again

Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.

Why it matters: Brings Daredevil and Kingpin fully into the MCU; optional for the main story.

Starring

Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Margarita Levieva

Creator

Dario Scardapane, Chris Ord, and Matt Corman

Scores

IMDb 8.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 87%

Episodes

17 across 2 seasons

No. 61 · 2025 · Film · 2h 7m · 58th in story order

Thunderbolts*

After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

Why it matters: Yelena leads a team of antiheroes; key to the road to Doomsday.

Starring

Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Director

Jake Schreier

Box office

$382 million on a $180 million budget

Scores

IMDb 7.1 · Rotten Tomatoes 88%

No. 62 · 2025 · Series · 5h 5m · 55th in story order · optional

Ironheart

After the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, technology is pitted against magic when Riri Williams, a young, genius inventor determined to make her mark on the world, returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant, but in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself wrapped up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins aka "The Hood."

Why it matters: Riri Williams' series after Wakanda Forever; optional.

Starring

Dominique Thorne, Lyric Ross, and Manny Montana

Creator

Chinaka Hodge

Scores

IMDb 4.5 · Rotten Tomatoes 76%

Episodes

6

No. 63 · 2025 · Film · 1h 11m · 60th in story order

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Marvel's First Family has arrived! Join the cast, crew, and fans live from the blue carpet at the World Premiere of Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Why it matters: Marvel's First Family in their own retro-future world; essential before Avengers: Doomsday.

Starring

Anthony Carboni, Tamara Krinsky, and Langston Belton

Scores

IMDb 6.8 · Rotten Tomatoes 86%

No. 64 · 2025 · Series · 2h 5m · 1st in story order · optional

Eyes of Wakanda

Follow the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history in this globe-trotting adventure, where they must carry out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.

Why it matters: Animated Wakandan history; optional.

Starring

Terri Douglas, Michael Woodley, and David Boat

Scores

IMDb 6.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 92%

Episodes

4

No. 65 · 2025 · Series · 2h 17m · 33rd in story order · optional

Marvel Zombies

After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world.

Why it matters: An animated horror spin-off of What If...?; optional.

Starring

Iman Vellani, Todd Williams, and David Harbour

Scores

IMDb 7 · Rotten Tomatoes 66%

Episodes

4

No. 66 · 2026 · Series · 4h 27m · 59th in story order · optional

Wonder Man

Simon and Trevor, two actors at opposite ends of their careers, chase life-changing roles.

Why it matters: A Hollywood satire series; optional.

Starring

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Arian Moayed, and X Mayo

Creator

Andrew Guest and Destin Daniel Cretton

Scores

IMDb 7.4 · Rotten Tomatoes 91%

Episodes

8

No. 67 · 2026 · Film · 2h 25m · 61st in story order

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Fighting crime full-time as Spider-Man in a world that doesn't remember him—and the pressure of seeing his old friends move on without him—sparks a change in Peter Parker he may not have the power to control. But that transformation might also be the only thing that can stop a shocking new threat to the city and those he loves - a powerful villain no one can even see.

Why it matters: Peter Parker's next chapter after No Way Home wiped the world's memory of him.

Starring

Tom Holland, Sadie Sink, and Tramell Tillman

Director

Destin Daniel Cretton

Box office

$2.52 billion on a $225 million budget

Scores

IMDb 8.2 · Rotten Tomatoes 90%

No. 68 · 2026 · Series · 4h 44m · 62nd in story order

VisionQuest

With a bounty on his head, Vision must confront his nature and resist Ultron's influence to survive.

Why it matters: The white Vision looks for who he is after WandaVision.

Starring

Paul Bettany, James Spader, and Ruaridh Mollica

Creator

Terry Matalas

Episodes

8

No. 69 · 2026 · Film · 2h 45m · 63rd in story order

Avengers: Doomsday

Why it matters: Victor Von Doom arrives and the Avengers assemble again.

Director

Joe Russo and Anthony Russo