Marvel movies have become a cultural phenomenon in recent years, with their interconnected storylines and larger-than-life characters captivating audiences around the world. With so many movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it can be overwhelming to know where to start or how to watch them in order. While there is no one “right” way to watch Marvel movies, there are some tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your viewing experience.
Chronological Order vs. Release Order
One of the biggest debates among Marvel fans is whether to watch the movies in chronological order or release order. Chronological order follows the timeline of events within the MCU, starting with Captain America: The First Avenger and ending with Avengers: Endgame. Release order follows the order in which the movies were released theatrically, beginning with Iron Man and ending with Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Chronological Order
Watching the movies in chronological order can provide a unique perspective on the events of the MCU, as they unfold in a linear fashion. This can be especially helpful for understanding character development and how certain events lead to others. However, it’s worth noting that some movies take place concurrently or overlap with others, so this approach may not always provide a clear-cut narrative.
Here is a list of the Marvel movies in chronological order:
- Captain America: The First Avenger (takes place during World War II)
- Captain Marvel (takes place in 1995)
- Iron Man (takes place in 2010)
- Iron Man 2 (takes place after Iron Man)
- The Incredible Hulk (time unspecified, pre-Avengers)
- Thor (takes place six months before Avengers)
- The Avengers (takes place in 2012)
- Iron Man 3 (takes place six months after The Avengers)
- Thor: Dark World (post-Avengers, pre-Ultron)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (post-Avengers, pre-Ultron)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (takes place in 2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (after Guardians)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (takes place in 2015)
- Ant-Man (takes place in 2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (post-Ultron, pre-Infinity War)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (post-Civil War, pre-Infinity War)
- Doctor Strange (takes place in 2016)
- Black Panther (takes place in 2017)
- Thor: Ragnarok (post-Ultron, pre-Infinity War)
- Avengers: Infinity War (takes place in 2018)Ant-Man and The Wasp(post-Civil War, pre-Infinity War/Snap)
Release Order
Watching the movies in release order can be a more straightforward approach, as it allows you to experience the films as they were released to audiences. This can provide a sense of how the MCU developed over time and how certain themes and characters evolved. Additionally, watching the movies in release order can help you avoid spoilers for later films.
Here is a list of the Marvel movies in release order:
- Iron Man (2008)
- The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Thor (2011)
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (2013)
- Thor: Dark World (2013)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)Ant-Man(2015)
The Machete Order
Another popular way to watch Marvel movies is called the Machete Order. This approach takes release order and rearranges it slightly for a more cohesive narrative. It involves watching the movies in this order:
1. Iron Man
2. Captain America: The First Avenger
3. Iron Man 2
4. Thor
5. The Avengers
6.
Iron Man 3
7. Thor: Dark World
8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
9. Guardians of the Galaxy
10. Avengers: Age of Ultron
The Machete Order aims to create a more seamless story by introducing certain characters and events in a specific order, rather than jumping back and forth between different timelines and storylines.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, there is no one “right” way to watch Marvel movies – it all depends on your personal preferences and what you hope to get out of your viewing experience. Whether you choose to watch them in chronological or release order, or try the Machete Order, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the ride. With so many movies to choose from, there’s never been a better time to dive into the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.