Your Ultimate Guide to Watching the MCU: The Best Order to Follow

Hello there, true believers! If you're here, you're probably wondering, "What's the best way to dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?" Well, buckle up, because we're about to take you on an epic journey through the cosmos, the multiverse, and everything in between. Let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and mcu order to watch.

The Phases of the MCU

Before we dive into the viewing orders, let's quickly talk about the phases of the MCU. The MCU is divided into phases, with each phase containing a set of films that are connected through storylines and events. The phases are as follows:

- Phase One (2008-2012): The beginning of it all, with Iron Man kicking things off. - Phase Two (2013-2015): Expanding the universe with more heroes and storylines. - Phase Three (2016-2019): Culminating the Infinity Saga and introducing new heroes. - Phase Four (2021-present): The beginning of a new era, with the Multiverse and new heroes taking center stage.

The Recommended Watch Order

Now, let's get to the meat and potatoes. Here's the recommended watch order for the MCU:

1. 1. Iron Man (2008)
2. 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
3. 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
4. 4. Thor (2011)
5. 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
6. 6. The Avengers (2012)
7. 7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
8. 8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
9. 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
10. 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
11. 11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
12. 12. Ant-Man (2015)
13. 13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
14. 14. Doctor Strange (2016)
15. 15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
16. 16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
17. 17. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
18. 18. Black Panther (2018)
19. 19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
20. 20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
21. 21. Captain Marvel (2019)
22. 22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
23. 23. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

This order follows the release order of the films, with a few adjustments to ensure the best storytelling experience. It's the most widely recommended order by fans and critics alike.

The Release Order

If you're a purist and want to watch the MCU in the order they were released in theaters, here's the release order:

1. 1. Iron Man (2008)
2. 2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
3. 3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
4. 4. Thor (2011)
5. 5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
6. 6. The Avengers (2012)
7. 7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
8. 8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
9. 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
10. 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
11. 11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
12. 12. Ant-Man (2015)
13. 13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
14. 14. Doctor Strange (2016)
15. 15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
16. 16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
17. 17. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
18. 18. Black Panther (2018)
19. 19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
20. 20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
21. 21. Captain Marvel (2019)
22. 22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
23. 23. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

The Chronological Order

If you're a stickler for timelines and want to watch the MCU in the order the events actually happened, here's the chronological order:

1. 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1940s)
2. 2. Agent Carter (TV series, 1940s-1950s)
3. 3. Captain Marvel (1989-1995)
4. 4. Iron Man (2010)
5. 5. Iron Man 2 (2011)
6. 6. The Incredible Hulk (2011)
7. 7. The Consultant ( Agent Carter, 2011)
8. 8. Agent Carter (TV series, 2014-2015)
9. 9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
10. 10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
11. 11. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014)
12. 12. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
13. 13. Ant-Man (2015)
14. 14. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
15. 15. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
16. 16. Black Widow (2016)
17. 17. Doctor Strange (2016)
18. 18. Thor: Ragnarok (2016)
19. 19. Avengers: Infinity War (2017)
20. 20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2017)
21. 21. Avengers: Endgame (2023)
22. 22. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024)

Phase Four and Beyond

Phase Four and beyond introduce new heroes, storylines, and even the Multiverse. The viewing order for these films and TV shows can vary, as they often intersect and overlap with each other. Here's a suggested order for Phase Four and beyond:

1. 1. WandaVision (TV series, 2021)
2. 2. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (TV series, 2021)
3. 3. Loki (TV series, 2021)
4. 4. Black Widow (2021)
5. 5. What If...? (TV series, 2021)
6. 6. Hawkeye (TV series, 2021)
7. 7. Eternals (2021)
8. 8. Moon Knight (TV series, 2022)
9. 9. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
10. 10. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
11. 11. Ms. Marvel (TV series, 2022)
12. 12. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (TV series, 2022)
13. 13. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
14. 14. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (TV special, 2022)
15. 15. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
16. 16. Secret Invasion (TV series, 2023)
17. 17. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
18. 18. Armor Wars (TV series, 2023)
19. 19. Ironheart (TV series, 2023)
20. 20. Agents of Atlas (TV series, 2023)
21. 21. Echo (TV series, 2023)
22. 22. Daredevil: Born Again (TV series, 2024)
23. 23. Thunderbolts (Film, 2024)

Wrapping Up

And there you have it, folks! Whether you're a seasoned MCU veteran or a new recruit, we hope this guide has helped you navigate the vast and ever-expanding universe of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, grab your popcorn, get comfortable, and let the adventure begin!

Happy watching, and remember: Avengers, assemble!