Marvel Cinematic Universe Watch Guide: Release Order vs. Timeline Order – Which Path Will You Choose in 2025?

Welcome, true believer! The Marvel Cinematic Universe has exploded into a colossal saga of over 30 films and nearly 20 series since 2008, weaving superheroes, cosmic threats, and multiverse madness into one interconnected web. With Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, and Thunderbolts* freshly in theaters, the question burns brighter than ever: Where do you even start? Should you follow the films as they hit cinemas (release order) or dive into the story exactly as it unfolds across centuries (timeline order)?

After deep dives into fan forums, critic reviews, and official MCU breakdowns, the verdict is clear: Release order is the ultimate gateway for newcomers. It preserves the magic of discovery—those jaw-dropping post-credit stingers, the slow build of Thanos’ shadow, the emotional gut-punch of Endgame—exactly as millions experienced it in theaters. Timeline order, while satisfying for rewatches, risks spoiling major twists (imagine knowing the Snap before Infinity War).

Below, you’ll find both complete orders updated to November 2025, with every film and series listed for your marathon. Whether you’re prepping for Thunderbolts* or finally tackling Phase 4, this is your spoiler-safe roadmap. Let’s assemble.

🔥  Release Order (Recommended for First-Timers): Experience the MCU as It Unfolded

This is how the world met Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Total: 50 entries (films + series/specials released by November 2025). Stream on Disney+ or catch the latest in theaters.

1. Iron Man (2008)
2. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
3. Iron Man 2 (2010)
4. Thor (2011)
5. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
6. The Avengers (2012)
7. Iron Man 3 (2013)
8. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
11. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
12. Ant-Man (2015)
13. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
14. Doctor Strange (2016)
15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
17. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
18. Black Panther (2018)
19. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
20. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
21. Captain Marvel (2019)
22. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
23. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
24. WandaVision (2021 Series) – 8 episodes
25. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021 Series) – 6 episodes
26. Loki Season 1 (2021 Series) – 6 episodes
27. Black Widow (2021)
28. What If…? Season 1 (2021 Series) – 9 episodes
29. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
30. Eternals (2011)
31. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
32. Hawkeye (2021 Series) – 6 episodes
33. Moon Knight (2022 Series) – 6 episodes
34. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
35. Ms. Marvel (2022 Series) – 6 episodes
36. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
37. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022 Series) – 9 episodes
38. Werewolf by Night (2022 Special) – 53 minutes
39. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
40. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022) – 45 minutes
41. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
42. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
43. Secret Invasion (2023 Series) – 6 episodes
44. The Marvels (2023)
45. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
46. Agatha All Along (2024 Series) – 9 episodes
47. What If…? Season 3 (2024 Series) – 8 episodes
48. Captain America: Brave New World (2025) – In theaters February 2025
49. Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (2025 Series) – Streaming March 2025
50. Thunderbolts (2025)* – In theaters May 2025

(Coming Soon: Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – stay tuned!)

🔥 Timeline Order (For Rewatch Mastery): Follow the In-Universe Chronology

Total: 56 entries – This includes 6 extra Netflix-era series (Daredevil S1–3, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Defenders) that are not in the release order because they were originally separate from the main MCU timeline. They are now canon (confirmed by Echo, She-Hulk, and Daredevil: Born Again), so timeline order adds them in their in-universe years (2015–2018). Perfect for veterans craving narrative clarity. Warning: Skip post-credits on first watch to avoid spoilers.

1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942–1945)
2. Agent Carter Season 1 (1946)
3. Captain Marvel (1995)
4. Iron Man (2008)
5. Iron Man 2 (2010)
6. The Incredible Hulk (2010)
7. Thor (2011)
8. The Avengers (2012)
9. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
10. Iron Man 3 (2013 – Christmas)
11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
12. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014 – months later)
14. I Am Groot Shorts (2014)
15. Daredevil Season 1 (2015)
16. Jessica Jones Season 1 (2015)
17. Daredevil Season 2 (2016)
18. Luke Cage Season 1 (2016)
19. Iron Fist Season 1 (2017)
20. The Defenders (2017)
21. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
22. Ant-Man (2015)
23. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
24. Black Widow (2016 – post-Civil War flashbacks)
25. Black Panther (2016)
26. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
27. Doctor Strange (2016–2017)
28. Daredevil Season 3 (2018)
29. Jessica Jones Season 2–3 (2018)
30. Luke Cage Season 2 (2018)
31. Iron Fist Season 2 (2018)
32. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
33. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018 – concurrent with Infinity War)
34. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
35. Avengers: Endgame (2018–2023 time jump)
36. Loki Season 1 (timeless – TVA)
37. What If…? Season 1 (multiversal)
38. WandaVision (2023)
39. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2024)
40. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024)
41. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2024)
42. Eternals (2024 – post-Endgame focus, 7000-year backstory)
43. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2024)
44. Hawkeye (2024 – Christmas)
45. Moon Knight (2025)
46. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2025)
47. Ms. Marvel (2025)
48. Thor: Love and Thunder (2025)
49. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2025)
50. Werewolf by Night (2025 – Halloween)
51. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025)
52. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2025 – Christmas)
53. Secret Invasion (2025)
54. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2025)
55. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2025)
56. Thunderbolts (2027)*

(Note: Loki Season 2, The Marvels, Echo, Deadpool & Wolverine, Agatha All Along, What If…? Season 3, Captain America: Brave New World, and Daredevil: Born Again fit between 2025–2027 in the timeline, but are placed flexibly due to multiverse/TVA elements. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a separate universe – watch post-Thunderbolts.)*

Why the Difference in Count?

• Release Order = 50: Only includes official MCU releases up to May 2025 (no Netflix shows in original rollout).
• Timeline Order = 56: Adds 6 Netflix Defenders Saga entries (now canon) into their in-universe years (2015–2018).

Final Verdict:

• First time? Release order. Let the MCU unfold like a 15-year comic run.
• Rewatching? Timeline order. See the grand tapestry without loose threads.

Stream on Disney+, grab popcorn, and remember: The MCU isn’t just movies—it’s a lifestyle.