Your Ultimate Guide to Marvel Release Dates: In Order, of Course!
Hey there, true believers! If you're like us, you're always on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next Marvel movie or series to hit the screen. Well, gather 'round, because we've got a treat for you! We've compiled a comprehensive list of Marvel release dates, in order, so you can plan your viewing parties and keep your Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) timeline straight. Let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and marvel release dates in order.
A Brief History of Marvel Cinematic Universe Release Dates
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's take a quick look at how it all began. The MCU kicked off in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, directed by the brilliant Jon Favreau. Since then, it's been a wild ride filled with superheroes, villains, and everything in between. So, buckle up, because we're about to take you on a journey through time (well, movie time, at least)!
Phase One: The Genesis (2008 - 2012)
Iron Man (2008)
Kicking off the MCU in style, Iron Man hit theaters on May 2, 2008. Starring the charismatic Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, this film laid the groundwork for the entire MCU and introduced us to the genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist we all know and love.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
While not part of the official MCU continuity, The Incredible Hulk was released on June 13, 2008, and featured Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. It's worth a watch to see how the character's story eventually ties into the MCU.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark was back and better than ever in Iron Man 2, which hit theaters on May 7, 2010. This time around, he faced off against the menacing Whiplash, played by Mickey Rourke, and had to deal with the consequences of his actions from the first film.
Thor (2011)
On May 6, 2011, the God of Thunder made his cinematic debut in Thor. Starring Chris Hemsworth as the titular hero, this film introduced us to the mystical world of Asgard and set the stage for many epic adventures to come.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Just a few months later, on July 22, 2011, Captain America: The First Avenger hit theaters. Directed by the incredible Joe Johnston, this film took us back in time to World War II and introduced us to Steve Rogers, the man who would become Captain America.
The Avengers (2012)
And then, on May 4, 2012, it all came together in The Avengers. Directed by Joss Whedon, this epic crossover film brought together Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to face off against the menacing Loki and his alien army. It was a cinematic event unlike any other, and it set the stage for the next phase of the MCU.
Phase Two: The Expansion (2013 - 2015)
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Kicking off Phase Two, Iron Man 3 hit theaters on May 3, 2013. This time around, Tony Stark faced off against the sinister Mandarin and had to deal with the psychological fallout from the events of The Avengers.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
On November 8, 2013, Thor: The Dark World was released. This time, Thor had to team up with his mischievous brother Loki to take on the dark elf Malekith and prevent Ragnarok from destroying the Nine Realms.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier hit theaters on April 4, 2014, and took the MCU in a darker, more political direction. In this film, Steve Rogers faced off against a mysterious foe known as the Winter Soldier, who was later revealed to be his best friend, Bucky Barnes.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
On August 1, 2014, Guardians of the Galaxy burst onto the scene and introduced us to a whole new corner of the MCU. This intergalactic adventure featured a rag-tag team of heroes, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Groot, and Rocket Raccoon, who had to come together to save the universe from the evil Ronan the Accuser.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The second Avengers crossover film, Avengers: Age of Ultron, was released on May 1, 2015. This time around, the team had to face off against the titular Ultron, an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner that sought to wipe out humanity.
Ant-Man (2015)
Rounding out Phase Two, Ant-Man hit theaters on July 17, 2015. Starring Paul Rudd as the titular hero, this heist film introduced us to the world of quantum physics and showed us that even the smallest heroes can make a big difference.
Phase Three: The Infinity Saga (2016 - 2019)
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Kicking off Phase Three, Captain America: Civil War was released on May 6, 2016. This divisive film pitted the Avengers against each other in a brutal battle over the Sokovia Accords, which sought to regulate superhuman activity.
Doctor Strange (2016)
On November 4, 2016, Doctor Strange was released, introducing us to the world of magic and the mystical arts. This film followed the brilliant but arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange as he became the Sorcerer Supreme and learned to harness the powers of the mystic arts.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The Guardians were back in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which hit theaters on April 28, 2017. This time around, the team had to come together to protect a valuable battery from a powerful alien race, all while dealing with the fallout from the first film's events.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
On July 7, 2017, Spider-Man: Homecoming swung into theaters, marking the character's return to the MCU. This film followed Peter Parker as he navigated the trials and tribulations of high school while also trying to become a hero in his own right.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok was released on November 3, 2017, and marked a significant shift in tone for the Thor franchise. This time around, the God of Thunder had to face off against his sister Hela and prevent Ragnarok, the end of Asgard, from coming to pass.
Black Panther (2018)
On February 16, 2018, Black Panther hit theaters and became a cultural phenomenon. This film told the story of T'Challa, the king of Wakanda, as he fought to protect his country from a powerful enemy and grappled with the responsibilities of his throne.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The culmination of everything that had come before, Avengers: Infinity War was released on April 27, 2018. In this epic crossover film, the Avengers and their allies had to come together to face off against the powerful Thanos, who sought to collect the Infinity Stones and wipe out half of all life in the universe.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
On July 6, 2018, Ant-Man and the Wasp hit theaters, picking up where the previous film left off. This time around, Scott Lang had to team up with Hope van Dyne, the Wasp, to rescue Janet van Dyne from the quantum realm and prevent a powerful new enemy from stealing their technology.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel hit theaters on March 8, 2019, and introduced us to the powerful heroine Carol Danvers. This film took us back to the 1990s and showed us how Carol became the hero she is today.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
And then, on April 26, 2019, it all came to an end (or so we thought) with Avengers: Endgame. This epic conclusion to the Infinity Saga saw the surviving Avengers travel through time to collect the Infinity Stones and reverse the snap that had wiped out half of all life in the universe.
Phase Four: The Multiverse and Beyond (2021 - Present)
WandaVision (2021)
Kicking off Phase Four, WandaVision hit Disney+ on January 15, 2021. This unique series took the MCU in a new direction, with Wanda Maximoff and Vision living out their lives in a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood – but all was not as it seemed.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier hit Disney+ on March 19, 2021, and followed Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they faced off against a new threat in the form of the Flag-Smashers and the mysterious Power Broker.
Loki (2021)
On June 9, 2021, Loki premiered on Disney+, following the God of Mischief as he navigated the complexities of time travel and the TVA (Time Variance Authority). Along the way, he encountered variants of himself from across the multiverse and discovered the true power of the Time Stone.
What If...? (2021)
What If...? hit Disney+ on August 11, 2021, and explored alternate realities and timelines within the MCU. This animated series took familiar characters and placed them in new and unexpected scenarios, revealing the endless possibilities of the multiverse.
Black Widow (2021)
After years of waiting, Black Widow finally hit theaters on July 9, 2021, and streaming on Disney+ on July 9, 2021. This solo film followed Natasha Romanoff as she confronted her past and the family she thought she had left behind, all while trying to take down the sinister Red Room.
The Eternals (2021)
The Eternals hit theaters on November 5, 2021,