You can skip 25 of the 69 titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise and still follow the main story: The Incredible Hulk, What If…?, Eternals, Moon Knight, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Werewolf by Night, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Secret Invasion, What If…? Season 2, Echo, X-Men '97, Agatha All Along, What If…? Season 3, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies, Wonder Man, Marvel's Daredevil, Marvel's Jessica Jones, Marvel's Luke Cage, Marvel's Iron Fist, Marvel's The Defenders, and Marvel's The Punisher. The essentials (44 titles) take about 117 hours instead of 346 hours.
- Skippable
- 25
- Essentials
- 44
- Time saved
- 229 hours
Safe to skip
- The Incredible Hulk2008 · Film · 1h 54m · optionalThe most standalone early film; it matters mainly for General Ross, who returns years later.
- What If…?2021 · Series · 5h 23m · optionalAnimated alternate-reality stories; optional, though a few characters return later.
- Eternals2021 · Film · 2h 36m · optionalA standalone cosmic epic with little bearing on the main story so far.
- Moon Knight2022 · Series · 5h 2m · optionalA self-contained series that a catch-up can skip.
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law2022 · Series · 5h 9m · optionalA comedy series; optional.
- Werewolf by Night2022 · Series · 55m · optionalA standalone Halloween special; optional.
- The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special2022 · Series · 45m · optionalA short Christmas special; optional, though it reveals one fact used in Vol. 3.
- Secret Invasion2023 · Series · 4h 22m · optionalNick Fury and the Skrulls; mostly self-contained.
- What If…? Season 22023 · Series · 4h 49m · optionalMore alternate-reality stories; optional.
- Echo2024 · Series · 3h 33m · optionalA short street-level series following Hawkeye; optional.
- X-Men '972024 · Series · 10h 30m · optionalContinues the 1990s X-Men cartoon in its own continuity; optional for the MCU.
- Agatha All Along2024 · Series · 6h 19m · optionalA WandaVision spin-off; optional.
- What If…? Season 32024 · Series · optionalThe final season of the animated anthology; optional.
- Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man2025 · Series · 5h 47m · optionalAn animated Spider-Man origin in its own continuity; optional.
- Daredevil: Born Again2025 · Series · 14h 28m · optionalBrings Daredevil and Kingpin fully into the MCU; optional for the main story.
- Ironheart2025 · Series · 5h 5m · optionalRiri Williams' series after Wakanda Forever; optional.
- Eyes of Wakanda2025 · Series · 2h 5m · optionalAnimated Wakandan history; optional.
- Marvel Zombies2025 · Series · 2h 17m · optionalAn animated horror spin-off of What If...?; optional.
- Wonder Man2026 · Series · 4h 27m · optionalA Hollywood satire series; optional.
- Marvel's Daredevil2015 · Series · 35h · optionalThe first Netflix Marvel series; optional, but it sets up Born Again.
- Marvel's Jessica Jones2015 · Series · 33h 50m · optionalA Netflix noir series; optional for the main MCU.
- Marvel's Luke Cage2016 · Series · 24h 27m · optionalHarlem's hero on Netflix; optional.
- Marvel's Iron Fist2017 · Series · 20h 52m · optionalThe last solo origin before The Defenders; optional.
- Marvel's The Defenders2017 · Series · 6h 34m · optionalThe Netflix heroes team up; optional.
- Marvel's The Punisher2017 · Series · 23h 4m · optionalFrank Castle's Netflix series; optional.
Why each one is optional
What each skippable title is, what it adds if you do watch it, and who is in it.
No. 01 · 2008 · Film · 1h 54m · 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. 02 · 2015 · Series · 35h · 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. 03 · 2015 · Series · 33h 50m · 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. 04 · 2016 · Series · 24h 27m · 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. 05 · 2017 · Series · 20h 52m · 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. 06 · 2017 · Series · 6h 34m · 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. 07 · 2017 · Series · 23h 4m · 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. 08 · 2021 · Series · 5h 23m · 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. 09 · 2021 · Film · 2h 36m · 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. 10 · 2022 · Series · 5h 2m · 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. 11 · 2022 · Series · 5h 9m · 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. 12 · 2022 · Series · 55m · 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. 13 · 2022 · Series · 45m · 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. 14 · 2023 · Series · 4h 22m · 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. 15 · 2023 · Series · 4h 49m · 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. 16 · 2024 · Series · 3h 33m · 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. 17 · 2024 · Series · 10h 30m · 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. 18 · 2024 · Series · 6h 19m · 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. 19 · 2024 · Series · 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. 20 · 2025 · Series · 5h 47m · 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. 21 · 2025 · Series · 14h 28m · 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. 22 · 2025 · Series · 5h 5m · 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. 23 · 2025 · Series · 2h 5m · 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. 24 · 2025 · Series · 2h 17m · 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. 25 · 2026 · Series · 4h 27m · 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
The essentials, in release order
- Iron Man2008 · Film · 2h 6mWhere the MCU starts: Tony Stark builds the suit, and the post-credits scene sets up the Avengers.
- Iron Man 22010 · Film · 2h 4mIntroduces Black Widow and deepens S.H.I.E.L.D., laying groundwork for The Avengers.
- Thor2011 · Film · 1h 55mBrings in Asgard, Loki and the cosmic side of the universe.
- Captain America: The First Avenger2011 · Film · 2h 4mThe earliest story in the timeline: Steve Rogers in World War II and the first Infinity Stone, the Tesseract.
- The Avengers2012 · Film · 2h 23mThe first team-up pays off all five earlier films and introduces Thanos in the credits.
- Iron Man 32013 · Film · 2h 10mTony deals with the fallout of New York; a self-contained Christmas story.
- Thor: The Dark World2013 · Film · 1h 52mIntroduces the Aether, an Infinity Stone; a lighter entry many viewers skim.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier2014 · Film · 2h 16mS.H.I.E.L.D. falls and Bucky returns; one of the most important Phase 2 films.
- Guardians of the Galaxy2014 · Film · 2h 1mThe cosmic team debuts and the Power Stone appears; essential before Infinity War.
- Avengers: Age of Ultron2015 · Film · 2h 21mWanda, Vision and the Mind Stone arrive, and the team starts to fracture.
- Ant-Man2015 · Film · 1h 57mA smaller heist story that introduces the Quantum Realm, which becomes crucial in Endgame.
- Captain America: Civil War2016 · Film · 2h 27mSplits the Avengers and introduces Black Panther and Tom Holland's Spider-Man.
- Doctor Strange2016 · Film · 1h 55mMagic and the Time Stone enter the MCU; sets up Strange's role in the Infinity Saga.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 22017 · Film · 2h 17mMostly about the Guardians as a family; sets up Gamora and Nebula's arcs.
- Spider-Man: Homecoming2017 · Film · 2h 13mPeter Parker's first solo film, picking up right after Civil War.
- Thor: Ragnarok2017 · Film · 2h 11mThor and Hulk on Sakaar; ends exactly where Infinity War begins.
- Black Panther2018 · Film · 2h 15mWakanda's story; it sets the stage for the Infinity War battle.
- Avengers: Infinity War2018 · Film · 2h 29mThanos collects the stones: the first half of the Infinity Saga finale.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp2018 · Film · 1h 59mIts credits scene ties into the Snap, and the Quantum Realm sets up Endgame.
- Captain Marvel2019 · Film · 2h 4mSet in 1995; introduces Carol Danvers right before Endgame.
- Avengers: Endgame2019 · Film · 3h 1mThe Infinity Saga finale, built on everything before it; the MCU's biggest payoff.
- Spider-Man: Far From Home2019 · Film · 2h 9mThe epilogue to Endgame and Phase 3; ends on a cliffhanger for No Way Home.
- WandaVision2021 · Series · 6h 3mThe first Disney+ series; Wanda's grief leads straight into Multiverse of Madness.
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier2021 · Series · 5h 30mSam Wilson takes up the shield, setting up Captain America: Brave New World.
- Loki2021 · Series · 5h 2mIntroduces the TVA and the multiverse; essential for the Multiverse Saga.
- Black Widow2021 · Film · 2h 14mSet after Civil War; introduces Yelena Belova, who leads Thunderbolts*.
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings2021 · Film · 2h 12mA largely standalone origin story whose ten rings get a mysterious credits tease.
- Hawkeye2021 · Series · 4h 57mIntroduces Kate Bishop and brings back Yelena and Kingpin.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home2021 · Film · 2h 28mOpens the multiverse: Spider-Men from earlier film series cross over.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness2022 · Film · 2h 6mFollows directly from WandaVision and No Way Home.
- Ms. Marvel2022 · Series · 4h 49mIntroduces Kamala Khan, who co-leads The Marvels.
- Thor: Love and Thunder2022 · Film · 1h 59mThor's fourth film; light on wider-universe consequences.
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever2022 · Film · 2h 42mWakanda after T'Challa; introduces Namor and Riri Williams.
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania2023 · Film · 2h 5mIntroduces Kang the Conqueror, a variant of Loki's He Who Remains.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 32023 · Film · 2h 30mThe Guardians' farewell; closes their trilogy.
- Loki: Season 22023 · Series · 5h 13mConcludes Loki's story and reshapes the multiverse.
- The Marvels2023 · Film · 1h 45mCarol, Monica and Kamala team up; its credits tease the X-Men.
- Deadpool & Wolverine2024 · Film · 2h 8mBrings Fox's Deadpool and Wolverine into the MCU and sets up the multiverse finale.
- Captain America: Brave New World2025 · Film · 1h 59mSam Wilson's first film as Captain America; follows The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
- Thunderbolts*2025 · Film · 2h 7mYelena leads a team of antiheroes; key to the road to Doomsday.
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps2025 · Film · 1h 11mMarvel's First Family in their own retro-future world; essential before Avengers: Doomsday.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day2026 · Film · 2h 25mPeter Parker's next chapter after No Way Home wiped the world's memory of him.
- VisionQuest2026 · Series · 4h 44mThe white Vision looks for who he is after WandaVision.
- Avengers: Doomsday2026 · Film · 2h 45mVictor Von Doom arrives and the Avengers assemble again.
Common questions
Do I need to watch every Marvel Cinematic Universe title?
No. You can skip 25 of the 69 titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise and still follow the main story: The Incredible Hulk, What If…?, Eternals, Moon Knight, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Werewolf by Night, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Secret Invasion, What If…? Season 2, Echo, X-Men '97, Agatha All Along, What If…? Season 3, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Daredevil: Born Again, Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, Marvel Zombies, Wonder Man, Marvel's Daredevil, Marvel's Jessica Jones, Marvel's Luke Cage, Marvel's Iron Fist, Marvel's The Defenders, and Marvel's The Punisher. The essentials (44 titles) take about 117 hours instead of 346 hours.
How long are the Marvel Cinematic Universe essentials?
About 117 hours for 44 titles, in release order starting with Iron Man.
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