The Ultimate Guide to Watching the Marvel Movies in Order

Introduction

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has taken the world by storm since Iron Man was released in 2008. It is one of the most successful film franchises ever created, spanning over 20 movies. But with so many entries in the series, it can be difficult to know where to start. This article takes an in-depth look at the best way to watch the MCU movies and provides tips on how to make the most out of your viewing experience.

Overview of the Timeline of Movies

The Marvel Cinematic Universe consists of 21 movies that have been released from 2008 to 2019. The timeline of the movies is as follows:

• Iron Man (2008)
• The Incredible Hulk (2008)
• Iron Man 2 (2010)
• Thor (2011)
• Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
• The Avengers (2012)
• 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)
• 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)

Reviewing Each Movie

It is important to note that while all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies are linked together and form one large story, each movie can also be enjoyed on its own. Here is a brief overview of each movie in the franchise:

Iron Man (2008)

The first movie in the MCU introduces us to Tony Stark, a genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist. After being kidnapped and forced to build a dangerous weapon, Tony creates a suit of armor and escapes his captors. He then uses the suit to become Iron Man and fight crime.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

This movie introduces Bruce Banner, a scientist who is exposed to gamma radiation and transforms into a giant green monster known as the Hulk whenever he gets angry. He must battle General Ross, who seeks to capture him and use him as a weapon.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

In this sequel, Tony Stark must deal with the consequences of his actions as Iron Man when rival businessman Justin Hammer tries to take control of his company. He also must face off against Ivan Vanko, a Russian physicist bent on revenge.

Thor (2011)

In this movie, Thor, the god of thunder, is banished from Asgard and sent to Earth. There, he must learn humility in order to regain his power and save his people from the villainous Loki.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Steve Rogers is a scrawny young man who volunteers for a top secret military experiment which gives him superhuman strength and agility. He becomes Captain America and leads a team of soldiers to fight the Nazis in Europe.

The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers is a team made up of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye. They must work together to stop Loki and his army of aliens from destroying New York City.

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Tony Stark must face off against an enemy known as the Mandarin. He also deals with the psychological trauma caused by his experiences in The Avengers and struggles to keep his relationship with Pepper Potts intact.

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Thor must battle an ancient race of Dark Elves led by the vengeful Malekith. He must also protect Jane Foster, a human who has been exposed to a powerful energy source.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Steve Rogers must battle a mysterious assassin known as the Winter Soldier. He also discovers a sinister conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D., the organization he works for.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Peter Quill forms an unlikely alliance with a group of intergalactic criminals in order to stop a powerful enemy from destroying the universe. Along the way, he learns the importance of friendship and family.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The Avengers must battle an artificial intelligence known as Ultron, who seeks to wipe out humanity. They must also deal with the consequences of their previous battles and find a way to defeat their new enemy.

Ant-Man (2015)

Scott Lang is a thief who is given a special suit that gives him the ability to shrink in size but increase in strength. He must use these powers to help Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, protect his technology from falling into the wrong hands.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The Avengers are divided when the government passes a law requiring superheroes to register with them. Steve Rogers must choose sides between his friend Tony Stark and the other Avengers who oppose the law.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Dr. Stephen Strange is a brilliant neurosurgeon whose career is destroyed after a car accident. He finds a mentor in the Ancient One, who teaches him the mystic arts and helps him battle the evil Kaecilius.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

The Guardians must battle a powerful enemy while also learning more about Peter Quill’s past. Along the way, they gain a new ally in the form of Ego, a living planet.

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Peter Parker, a high school student, is given a suit by Tony Stark that grants him superpowers. He must learn to use his newfound abilities responsibly while also battling the Vulture, a criminal who is determined to destroy his city.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor must battle his long-lost sister Hela in order to save his home world of Asgard. Along the way, he teams up with the Hulk and a ragtag team of allies in order to prevent Ragnarok, the prophecy of Asgard’s destruction.

Black Panther (2018)

T’Challa, the prince of Wakanda, returns home to take his rightful place as king. However, he must face off against Killmonger, a formidable enemy who seeks to use Wakanda’s resources to wage war across the world.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy in order to stop Thanos, a powerful villain who seeks to collect the six Infinity Stones and use them to wipe out half of all life in the universe.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Scott Lang must team up with Hope van Dyne, the daughter of his mentor Hank Pym, in order to search for her mother, who has been lost in the Quantum Realm. Along the way, they must battle a dangerous enemy known as Ghost.

Captain Marvel (2019)

Carol Danvers, an Air Force pilot, gains superpowers after an accident. She must use these powers to battle the Skrulls, an alien race that is trying to invade Earth.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

The Avengers must undo the damage caused by Thanos in the previous movie. They must travel back in time and gather the Infinity Stones in order to restore balance to the universe.

Reasons to Watch in Order

When watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, it is highly recommended that you watch them in order. There are several benefits to doing this, including story continuity, character development, and understanding the plot.

Story Continuity

One of the main reasons why it is important to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order is to ensure that you get the full experience. By watching them in order, you can keep track of the story and enjoy the full arc of the characters. As Robert Downey Jr. said in an interview, “It’s like a novel, you want to read it in order.” Watching the movies out of order may lead to confusion and missed plot points.

Character Development

Another benefit of watching the movies in order is that you can follow the character arcs of the various heroes. You can see how they grow and change throughout the movies, and get a better understanding of their motivations and relationships with each other. As Chris Evans said, “You get to be along for the ride and watch the characters evolve.”

Understanding the Plot

Finally, watching the movies in order will help you understand the overall plot of the franchise. Since the movies are all connected, there are certain plot points that carry over from one movie to the next. By watching them in order, you can keep track of these plot points and grasp the bigger picture.

Ways to Watch

Now that you understand the benefits of watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order, let’s take a look at the different ways you can do it.

Chronological Order

The simplest way to watch the movies is in chronological order. This means starting with Iron Man and working your way through the timeline until you reach Avengers: Endgame. This method ensures that you don’t miss any important plot points and that you get the full experience of the franchise.

Binge-Watch Marathon

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also try a marathon viewing of the entire franchise. This involves watching all 21 movies in one sitting, either in chronological order or in release order. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and really get a feel for the story and characters.

Conclusion

Watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order is the best way to experience the full story and appreciate the characters. It ensures that you don’t miss any important plot points and that you get the full arc of the characters. The two best ways to watch the movies are in chronological order or in a marathon viewing. No matter which way you choose, you’re sure to have a great time.

Summary of Benefits of Watching in Order

Watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order offers a number of benefits, including story continuity, character development, and understanding the plot. It is the best way to experience the full story and appreciate the characters.

Recap of Different Viewing Options

There are two main ways to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies in order. The first is to watch them in chronological order, starting with Iron Man and ending with Avengers: Endgame. The second is to do a marathon viewing of all 21 movies in one sitting, either in chronological order or in release order.