# The Best Approach to Enjoy Marvel Movies and Shows in Sequence – If You Can Handle It
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has reached an age where it can legally purchase a drink in most nations, and if you’re determined to view everything in the correct sequence, I have one piece of advice: good luck. Since 2008, Marvel has been releasing films, TV series, web series, and one-shots as if they aim to set a Guinness World Record for the highest number of interconnected narratives in a single franchise.
Even for the most dedicated fans who’ve been onboard since Tony Stark debuted his shiny suit, tracking the timeline can be a daunting task. But fear not, I’ve compiled a chronological guide to Marvel’s chaos, ensuring you don’t accidentally watch *Avengers: Endgame* before *Captain America: The First Avenger* and leave yourself thoroughly bewildered.
If you prefer a straightforward approach and wish to view everything in its original release order, I’ve addressed that as well.
Let’s dive right in.
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## Marvel’s Official Timeline (A.K.A. The Version They Struggle to Uphold)
Before we dig into my suggested viewing order, Marvel themselves have assembled an official timeline featured in a publication titled *Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years*. The catch? Even their timeline contains contradictions. Classic, right?
Nonetheless, here’s how they assert the events should connect (up to *Captain Marvel* and *Avengers: Endgame*):
– **1943-1945:** *Captain America: The First Avenger*
– **1995:** *Captain Marvel*
– **2010:** *Iron Man*
– **2011:** *Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor*
– **2012:** *The Avengers, Iron Man 3*
– **2013:** *Thor: The Dark World*
– **2014:** *Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2*
– **2015:** *Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man*
– **2016:** *Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming*
– **2016/2017:** *Doctor Strange*
– **2017:** *Black Panther, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man & The Wasp*
However, before you give Marvel too much credit, they’ve seriously muddled their own timeline with *Spider-Man: Homecoming*, which mistakenly claims it’s set “eight years after *The Avengers*,” placing it in 2020… despite *Avengers: Infinity War* supposedly occurring in 2017. Seriously, Marvel. Get it together.
So, take this “official” timeline with a grain of salt. Or perhaps an entire shaker.
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## Watching the Marvel Movies and TV Shows in Chronological Order (To the Best of Our Ability)
Alright, here’s my attempt to arrange everything in sequence without frying your brain. Keep in mind, Marvel continues to tinker with their own continuity, so try to watch it in roughly this sequence.
### **Phase One: 1943-2012**
– **Captain America: The First Avenger**
– *Agent Carter* (Seasons 1 & 2)
– *Agent Carter* (One-Shot)
– **Captain Marvel**
– **Iron Man**
– **Iron Man 2**
– **The Incredible Hulk**
– *A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Thor’s Hammer* (One-Shot)
– **Thor**
– *The Consultant* (One-Shot)
– **The Avengers**
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### **Phase Two: 2012-2015**
– *Item 47* (One-Shot)
– **Iron Man 3**
– *All Hail the King* (One-Shot)
– *Agents of Shield* (Season 1: Episodes 1-7)
– **Thor: The Dark World**
– *Agents of Shield* (Season 1: Episodes 8-16)
– **Captain America: The Winter Soldier**
– *Agents of Shield* (Season 1: Episodes 17-22)
– **Guardians of the Galaxy**
– *I Am Groot* (Season 1, Episode 1)
– **Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2**
– *I Am Groot* (Season 1, Episodes 2-5)
– *I Am Groot* (Season 2)
– *Daredevil* (Season 1)
– *Jessica Jones* (Season 1)
– **Avengers: Age of Ultron**
– **Ant-Man**
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### **Phase Three: 2015-2023**
– **Captain America: Civil War**
– **Black Widow**
– *Black Panther*
– **Spider-Man: Homecoming**
– **Doctor Strange**
– **Thor: Ragnarok**
– *The Punisher* (Season 1)
– **Avengers: Infinity War**
– **Ant-Man and The Wasp**
– **Avengers: Endgame**
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### **Phase Four: 2023-2025**
– *WandaVision*
– **Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings**
– **Deadpool and Wolverine**
– *The Falcon And The Winter Soldier*
– **Spider-Man: No Way Home**
– **Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness**
– *Hawkeye*
– *Moon Knight*
– **Black Panther: Wakanda Forever**
– *Ms. Marvel*
– **Thor: Love and Thunder**
– *Werewolf By Night*
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### **Phase Five: 2025 and Beyond**
– **Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania**
– **Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3**
– *Secret Invasion*
– **The Marvels**
– **Captain America: Brave New World***
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## Upcoming Marvel Movies and TV Shows – AKA, The Ones We’ll Be Eagerly Anticipating
### **The Conclusion of Phase Five**
– *Daredevil: Born Again* (4 March 2025)
– **Thunderbolts** (2 May 2025)
– *Ironheart* (24 June 2025)
### **Phase Six & Onward**
– **Fantastic Four: First Steps** (25 July 2025)
– **Avengers: Doomsday** (1 May 2026)
– **Avengers: Secret Wars** (7 May 2027)
Marvel Zombies and Blade? Who knows when they’ll make an appearance. Probably when Kevin Feige finally gets around to it.
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## **Conclusion – The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Lengthy, Confusing Yet Mostly Enjoyable Journey**
There you have it. If you’re courageous (or reckless) enough to tackle the entire MCU in chronological order, you’ve got a substantial journey ahead. But really, it’s still simpler than deciphering the X-Men timeline.
If you want my suggestion? Just select a movie or show that looks entertaining and start from there. At the end of the day, it’s all about witnessing superheroes engage in increasingly dramatic battles.
Oh, and if Marvel announces another 20 projects this year? Don’t hold me responsible when this list becomes outdated by the time you finish reading it.
For more brutally honest perspectives on technology, visit [GadgetLad.co.uk](https://gadgetlad.co.uk).
