Marvel MCU Films in Chronological Order 2026
Want to watch every film in the Marvel cinematic universe in order? Great idea! The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) now spans more than 30 films, spread across several phases and timelines. Between the time travel, the multiverse and the arrival of Spider-Man, it is easy to get lost.
So here is the official chronological guide to the MCU films, including every appearance of Tom Holland as Spider-Man. This list follows the order of events inside the Marvel universe, not the release dates of the films. To go even deeper into the web-slinger's timeline, you can also read our dedicated pillar page on the Spider-Man films.
Chronological order of the MCU films
This timeline follows the real order of events within the Marvel universe. It helps you understand how the MCU was built, how the Avengers evolved and the gradual arrival of Spider-Man in this shared universe.
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Iron Man (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016) – Spider-Man's first appearance
- Black Widow (2021)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- The Marvels (2023)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
👉 If your interest is mainly in the web-slinger, discover Spider-Man's full journey through the MCU, from Civil War all the way to the multiverse.
Where do the Spider-Man films fit in the MCU?
Tom Holland plays the official Spider-Man of the MCU. His story slots directly into the Avengers saga and follows a precise progression, blending learning, responsibility and the upheavals brought by the multiverse.
- Captain America: Civil War – Spider-Man's first appearance and official entry into the MCU
- Spider-Man: Homecoming – His first solo film, centred on a teenage Peter Parker
- Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: Endgame – Spider-Man takes part in the biggest events of the saga
- Spider-Man: Far From Home – A direct sequel to Endgame, with powerful emotional fallout
- Spider-Man: No Way Home – A multiverse turning point that completely redefines the character
And if you want to take the experience into real life, explore our selection of Spider-Man costumes and Spider-Man masks to become the hero 100% 🕷️
What about the MCU series?
Since Phase 4, the Marvel series are no longer simple side content. They are now a full part of the official MCU canon and directly influence the films.
- WandaVision – A major transition towards the multiverse
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier – The legacy of Captain America's shield
- Loki – The key series for understanding alternative timelines
- Hawkeye – A direct bridge to the urban world and New York
- Moon Knight – An extraordinary mystical exploration
- Ms. Marvel – A new generation of superheroes
- She-Hulk – An offbeat look at the legal world of super-humans
- Secret Invasion – Political intrigue and Skrull paranoia
Some of these series play an indirect but important role in the evolution of Spider-Man's world, particularly through the multiverse, the post-Endgame situation and the place of the heroes in New York. These themes are explored in depth in our dedicated feature on the Spider-Verse and the Spider-Man multiverse.
Marvel's new releases 2024-2026
Here are the latest releases and the upcoming films in the MCU:
2024 releases
The first R-rated film in the MCU, with Wade Wilson and Logan crossing the multiverse
A WandaVision follow-up centred on Agatha Harkness
2025 releases
Sam Wilson as the new Captain America
A team of anti-heroes led by Yelena Belova
The official introduction of Marvel's First Family
The vampire hunter joins the MCU, with Mahershala Ali
2026-2027 releases
The first film of the new Avengers, with Doctor Doom
The sequel to No Way Home, where nobody remembers Peter Parker
A massive multiverse event closing the Multiverse Saga
Alternative orders for watching the Marvel films
If you do not have time to watch the whole MCU, or you would rather focus on the most important moments, there are several alternative viewing orders depending on your goals.
1. Cinema release order (official)
Here is the exact order in which the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reached cinemas. This approach lets you relive the Marvel universe exactly as audiences discovered it.
Phase 1 – The birth of the Marvel universe
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
Phase 2 – Expansion and new threats
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
Phase 3 – The era of major upheavals
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Captain Marvel (2019)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
This phase is crucial for understanding the evolution of Peter Parker in the MCU. For a full analysis, read our dedicated page on the Spider-Man films and their place in the MCU.
Phase 4 – Multiverse
- Black Widow (2021)
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Phase 5 – Rebuilding
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
- The Marvels (2023)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
This format lets you follow the evolution of the MCU exactly as audiences lived it, with ever bigger stakes, right up to the huge openings of the Multiverse. If you are interested in the place of Spider-Man in these temporal ruptures, you can go further with our dedicated article on the Multiverse explained through Spider-Man.
2. The 'quick' order (essential films)
No time to watch everything? Here are the films you absolutely need in order to understand the central plot of the MCU:
- Iron Man
- The Avengers
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Captain America: Civil War
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
This last one is crucial: it completely redefines the identity of the web-slinger in the MCU. You can find a full analysis in our article No Way Home: a detailed analysis.
3. The special Spider-Man order (Tom Holland)
If you are here only to follow the evolution of Peter Parker in the Marvel universe, here is the official timeline:
- Captain America: Civil War
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Spider-Man: Far From Home
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
Comparison table: 3 ways to watch the MCU
| Criteria | Chronological order | Release order | Quick order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of films | 33+ films | 33+ films | 8-10 films |
| Total running time | ~70 hours | ~70 hours | ~20 hours |
| Ideal for | Rewatching the MCU, understanding the timeline | A first watch-through | A quick overview |
| Starts with | Captain America: The First Avenger | Iron Man | Iron Man |
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Conclusion
With this complete MCU timeline, you can relive the Marvel saga in the right order — whether you are a brand-new fan or a long-time devotee. And if you want to extend the experience with objects, clothing or decorations inspired by the web-slinger, explore our 100% Spider-Man collections, as well as our guides devoted to Spider-Man merchandise.