If youre a Marvel superfan, youll know everything from Ant Mans eye colour to what size trousers Loki wears.
That said, it can still be confusing to piece together the Marvel Universe in the order everything happens, particularly when there are so many movies.
With a few new ones out next year too, it might be worth giving all of them a watch in chronological order – but the MCU chronological order, rather than our human time.
Weve worked it out for you so you can get acquainted with the characters in a more linear format than picking whatever is on the top of your DVD shelf.
Phase One
Captain America: The First Avenger – Steve Rogers transformation into the man, the myth, the legend that is Cap is your jumping in point. It may not be the first film that introduced the MCU, but it is the logical chronological star for everything running up and into Phase Four.
Iron Man – The film which gave birth to Marvels first decade-long plan for box office domination is your next stop. As well as introducing us to Tony Stark, it also sets up Iron Mans far-reaching storyline which influences his actions and those of other Avengers throughout the coming films. It also introduces Tony to the concept of other superheroes being alive and well in the world (post-credits short), leading to a nice build-up for meeting Cap.
Iron Man 2 – The film actually begins where Iron Man leaves off, but quickly fast-forwards us to a place in time six months later. The film largely deals with Tony struggling to come to terms with his own mortality, but it also expands on his relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury and Black Widow. The concept of The Avengers is first aired in this film.
The Incredible Hulk – (Warning: Only one for the purists) Bruce Banner and his big green alter-ego. Noticeable difference from any forth-coming films are the lead actor, General Ross whole demeanour, and the way Hulk acts. It features a cameo from Tony Stark, but apart from that does little to further the overall storyline of the MCU, bar setting Banner up as a wandering recluse.
Thor – Chris Hemsworth and Lokis introduction into the MCU comes as Agent Coulson discovers a strange phenomenon in the New Mexico. Jane Foster and her team are there studying something which we later learn is the convergence, and they just happen to bump into Thor (literally). The films nicely introduces Asgard, Loki and the idea that the MCU isnt just constrained to Earth.
Marvels The Avengers – This is the first time that the team is formed to protect the Earth. It re-introduces us to a new Bruce Banner as well as the likes of Hawkeye, while we also get our first look (sort-of) at Thanos. It also provides is with an event which binds the MCU together into one tangible universe – The Battle of New York.
Phase Two
Iron Man 3 – The third Iron Man film picks up after The Avengers and sees Tony dealing with PTSD following his near-sacrifice to help close the massive gaping hole above New York. It introduces us to the Iron Legion and sees him remove the shrapnel from his chest – giving him a new lease on life.
Thor: The Dark World – Taking place roughly around 12 months after The Avengers, The Dark World introduces us properly to the concept of the Infinity Stones.
Captain America: Winter Soldier – This returns us to Earth, and sets up the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. as we know it whilst ushering in other concepts such as the Hydras plans surrounding the twins, Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. It also acts as a catalyst for Steve to grow beyond his squeaky clean image up till now, and returns Bucky Barnes to the MCU.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. One – Aside from acting as an introduction to Star-Lord and his crew, James Gunns Sci-fi epic reveals more of Thanos character and also introduces various concepts of what the Infinity Stones do and how.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. Two – Taking place just a matter of months after the Vol. One. It follows up on Peters own backstory and plumps up the history of Thanos.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron – Hurtling back to Earth we see the Avengers in action once-more hunting down the remnants of Hydra (yep, thats a nice continuity) the team are pitted against Ultron, a being created by Tony with the help of The Mind Stone, while both Wakanda, Scarlet Witch, and The Vision are all introduced. Its a pretty important film.
Ant-Man – Sees its titular hero introduced, but also fleshes out other areas of the MCU. It also ties the sees the re-discovery of the Winter Soldier and link him and Captain Americas team to the new Ant-Man, Scott Lang.
Phase Three
Captain America: Civil War – Civil War is widely known to be a bridging tool for Phase Three, ushering in two new heroes in the form of Black Panther and Spider-Man, as well as pushing the Avengers apart. It effectively banishes Captain America from the MCU for the time being.
Black Panther – Taking place outside of the sphere of the post-Civil War circus – bar Everett Ross role – the film focuses on bringing TChallas story to the fore, though it also sets up Infinity War battleground Wakanda and Buckys return.
Doctor Strange – Benedict Cumberbatchs mind-bending solo is relatively isolated – much like Black Panther – but obviously its important in that it helps to further the Infinity Stones story line and introduces us all to the Sorcerer Supreme.
Spider-Man: Homecoming – Starting off directly in the wake of the first Avengers film, Homecoming quickly splices itself back into the post-Civil War era. It also tees up Peters future entry into the Avengers.
Thor: Ragnarok – Dealing mostly with tying up the Asgardian saga, Ragnarok shows us what happened to The Hulk after Age Of Ultron and gives us an insight into whats been happening since The Dark World for Loki. It also moves the overall Marvel story on to the big pause before Infinity war.
Avengers: Infinity War – Here we see Thanos woven into the story more deeply – as although he had been shown in earlier Avengers films, they were only small parts. Hes ready to destroy the world, bringing together heroes from across the Galaxy to defend it.
Next year will see Avengers: Endgame, coming out in April.
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It will certainly take a while, but it might be worth giving the whole chronological film series a go, if only so youre fully up to date.
We wont spoil it for you, but if you havent seen Infinity War, try to do everything in order, as there is a lot left up in the air at the end of this movie, and we wouldnt want the rest of your MCU enjoyment ruined.
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