Your Ultimate Guide to Marvel Movies: In Order of Release
Hello, true believers! You've found your way to the ultimate guide to Marvel movies, where we're going to take a whirlwind tour through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), watching every film in order of release. So, grab your popcorn, and let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and marvel film in order of release.
The Early Days: Phase One (2008-2012)
Iron Man (2008)
Kickstarting the MCU, Iron Man launched with a bang in 2008. This origin story introduced us to the brilliant, billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who, after being kidnapped and forced to build a weapon, decides to create a suit of armor to save himself and fight against evil. It's a fantastic start to our Marvel film in order of release journey, setting the tone for the rest of the MCU with its humor, action, and heart.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
While not part of the main MCU storyline, The Incredible Hulk is still an essential watch. This film introduces us to Dr. Bruce Banner (Edward Norton), who, after a lab accident, turns into the giant green Hulk when angry. The film also contains the first appearance of Tony Stark in the MCU, setting up the events of The Avengers.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Picking up where the first film left off, Iron Man 2 sees Tony Stark struggling with the side effects of the arc reactor powering his suit. Meanwhile, a new enemy, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), emerges, seeking revenge against Stark for his father's past actions. This film also introduces us to S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), who becomes a key player in the MCU.
Thor (2011)
Thor takes us on a cosmic adventure, following the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) as he's banished from Asgard to Earth. After crashing into a small town in New Mexico, Thor must learn to adapt to life as a mortal and team up with scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) to retrieve his powerful hammer, Mjolnir. This film also introduces us to the mischievous Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor's adopted brother and future nemesis.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger takes us back in time to World War II, where scrawny Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is transformed into the super-soldier Captain America. Joining the Howling Commandos, Cap fights against the evil HYDRA organization and its leader, the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). This film sets the stage for the Avengers Initiative, which will eventually lead to the formation of the Earth's mightiest heroes.
The Avengers (2012)
Joss Whedon's The Avengers *is the culmination of Phase One, bringing together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to face the menacing alien invasion led by Loki. This epic film is filled with action, humor, and heart, as the heroes learn to work together and become the Avengers.
Phase Two: Expanding the Universe (2013-2015)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Iron Man 3 finds Tony Stark struggling with the aftermath of the Battle of New York from The Avengers. When a new threat, the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), emerges, Stark must rely on his ingenuity and the help of a young boy, Harley (Ty Simpkins), to protect those he cares about. This film also introduces us to the intelligent AI, Friday (voiced by Paul Bettany), who would later become the Vision.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor: The Dark World takes Thor and Loki on a cosmic adventure to stop the evil Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), who seeks to plunge the universe into eternal darkness. Along the way, Thor must also deal with his growing feelings for Jane Foster, who becomes entwined in the otherworldly events. This film also introduces us to the Reality Stone, one of the Infinity Stones that will play a crucial role in the MCU's future.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier brings Cap back to the present day, where he teams up with Black Widow to take down a new threat: the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), a mysterious assassin with ties to Cap's past. This film is a political thriller at heart, exploring themes of trust, loyalty, and the changing world around Cap.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy introduces us to a ragtag group of heroes in space: Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel). When they steal a mysterious orb sought by the villainous Ronan (Lee Pace), the Guardians must work together to protect it and save the galaxy. This film is filled with humor, heart, and an awesome '70s soundtrack.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Avengers: Age of Ultron sees the Earth's mightiest heroes teaming up once again to take down the titular villain, Ultron (James Spader), an AI created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner to protect the world. Along the way, we're introduced to new heroes, including Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), a.k.a. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, and the Vision.
Ant-Man (2015)
Ant-Man introduces us to the smallest hero in the MCU, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), who joins forces with Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to pull off a heist that will save the world. With the help of Pym's shrinking technology, Lang becomes Ant-Man and must navigate the dangers of the micro and macro worlds. This film also sets the stage for the events of Captain America: Civil War.
Phase Three: The Infinity Saga (2016-2019)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Captain America: Civil War pits hero against hero as the Avengers are divided over the Sokovia Accords, a government-mandated act that would regulate superhuman activity. With Iron Man and Captain America leading opposing factions, the stage is set for an epic showdown that will have lasting consequences for the MCU.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange introduces us to the Sorcerer Supreme, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant but arrogant surgeon who, after a car accident, discovers the world of magic and becomes Earth's protector against mystical threats. This film also introduces us to the Time Stone, another Infinity Stone that will play a crucial role in the MCU's future.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 finds the Guardians protecting a battery from a powerful being, only to discover that it's the key to finding Peter Quill's long-lost father. As they embark on a journey to learn more about Peter's past, the Guardians must also deal with new threats, including the golden High Priestess Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) and her creation, the powerful Adam Warlock (Will Poulter).
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming welcomes the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Tom Holland) into the MCU. After teaming up with the Avengers in Civil War, Peter is eager to prove himself as a hero, but must first deal with the Vulture (Michael Keaton), a villain with a personal connection to Peter's mentor, Tony Stark.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok finds Thor on a cosmic adventure to prevent the prophesied destruction of his homeworld, Asgard. Along the way, Thor must deal with the mischievous Loki, the powerful Hela (Cate Blanchett), and the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), who forces Thor to participate in a gladiatorial contest against his old friend, the Hulk. This film also introduces us to the Asgardian Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and the revolutionary Korg (Taika Waititi).
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther introduces us to the African nation of Wakanda and its king, T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman), who must defend his throne and his country from the villainous Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). With the help of his allies, including the Dora Milaje (Danai Gurira) and his genius sister Shuri (Letitia Wright), T'Challa must navigate the political landscape of Wakanda and decide the future of his country.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the entire MCU to face the powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin), who seeks to collect all six Infinity Stones and bring balance to the universe by wiping out half of its population. With the fate of the universe at stake, the Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, and other heroes to stop Thanos and save the world.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp finds Scott Lang teaming up with the Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) to help Dr. Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne retrieve a powerful artifact from the quantum realm. But when a new villain, Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), emerges, the team must use their unique abilities to protect the world and save one of their own.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel introduces us to the powerful hero, Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), who must confront her past and team up with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to take down the shape-shifting Skrulls and their leader, Talos (Ben Mendelsohn). This film also reveals the origin of the MCU's Nick Fury and sets the stage for the final showdown with Thanos.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame is the epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga, as the surviving Avengers travel through time to collect the Infinity Stones and reverse the snap that wiped out half of the universe. Along the way, they must face off against past versions of themselves and the villainous Thanos, leading to an emotional and action-packed climax that brings the MCU's first decade to a close.
Phase Four: The Multiverse and Beyond (2021-Present)
WandaVision (2021)
*Wanda