The Only MCU Chronological Order You Need: The Complete 2025 Timeline For The Multiverse Saga
Trying to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in chronological order is a legendary challenge for any fan, new or old. As of December 2025, the sprawling narrative now encompasses over 60 titles—including films, Disney+ series, and specials—spanning decades of in-universe time, from World War II to the cosmic future of the Multiverse Saga. This guide cuts through the confusion, offering the definitive, up-to-date chronological viewing order to ensure you experience the entire story, from the origin of Captain America to the rise of Kang the Conqueror.
The key difference between release order and chronological order is simple: the latter follows the in-universe timeline, often jumping back in time for origin stories like *Captain Marvel* and *Captain America: The First Avenger*. This specific narrative viewing order is essential for understanding character motivations, the power of the Infinity Stones, and the complex fallout of The Snap and The Blip.
The Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3) Chronological Order
The first three phases of the MCU form "The Infinity Saga," the foundational story arc culminating in *Avengers: Endgame*. This era establishes the original Avengers team, introduces the six Infinity Stones, and deals with the threat of Thanos. Note that the Disney+ series *Agent Carter* and the *One-Shots* are included for a complete experience.
- 1. Captain America: The First Avenger (1942–1945)
- 2. Agent Carter (Season 1 & 2) (1946–1947)
- 3. Captain Marvel (1995)
- 4. Iron Man (2008)
- 5. Iron Man 2 (2010)
- 6. The Incredible Hulk (2011)
- 7. Thor (2011)
- 8. The Avengers (2012)
- 9. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- 10. Iron Man 3 (2013)
- 11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- 12. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- 13. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2014)
- 14. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- 15. Ant-Man (2015)
- 16. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- 17. Black Widow (2016)
- 18. Black Panther (2016)
- 19. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
- 20. Doctor Strange (2016–2017)
- 21. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- 22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018—Before The Snap)
- 23. Avengers: Infinity War (2018—Culminates in The Snap)
- 24. Avengers: Endgame (2018 and 2023—Includes the five-year Time Jump and The Blip)
The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-6) Chronological Order
The Multiverse Saga begins immediately after the events of *Avengers: Endgame*, with many projects taking place in the "present day" of the MCU, which is generally considered to be 2024 to 2027. This era focuses on the fallout of The Blip, the introduction of the Multiverse, and the new major threat: Kang the Conqueror.
Phase 4: The Aftermath and New Beginnings
Phase 4 deals with the immediate aftermath of the battle with Thanos, exploring themes of grief, legacy, and the true meaning of the Multiverse, primarily through the Time Variance Authority (TVA).
- 25. Loki (Season 1 & 2) (Takes place outside of time, but is essential for understanding the Multiverse and Variants)
- 26. WandaVision (2023—Three weeks after *Endgame*)
- 27. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2024)
- 28. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2024)
- 29. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024—Eight months after The Blip)
- 30. Eternals (2024)
- 31. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2024)
- 32. Hawkeye (2024—Christmas)
- 33. Moon Knight (2025)
- 34. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2025)
- 35. Ms. Marvel (2025)
- 36. Thor: Love and Thunder (2025)
- 37. Werewolf by Night (Special) (2025)
- 38. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025)
- 39. Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2025—Christmas)
Phase 5: The Rise of Kang and Cosmic Threats
Phase 5, which began in 2023 and continues into 2025, significantly advances the Multiverse Saga by focusing on new team-ups, political intrigue (like the Secret Invasion), and the direct threat of Kang.
- 40. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2025)
- 41. Secret Invasion (2025—Takes place in November)
- 42. Echo (2025)
- 43. Ironheart (2025—Set to take place in October)
- 44. The Marvels (2025)
- 45. Daredevil: Born Again (2025—Expected to be set in the 2025 'present day')
- 46. Captain America: Brave New World (2026)
- 47. Thunderbolts* (2026—Expected to be set in the 2027 'present day')
Phase 6: The Road to Secret Wars (Announced Titles)
Phase 6 will conclude the Multiverse Saga with two monumental *Avengers* films, but it kicks off with the long-awaited introduction of the Fantastic Four. The chronological placement of these titles is based on announced timelines and their narrative importance leading into Secret Wars.
- 48. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025—Expected to be set in the 1960s, but its placement here is based on its release date and setup for the modern timeline)
- 49. Blade (2025—Expected)
- 50. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026—Expected)
- 51. Avengers: Secret Wars (2027—Expected to conclude the entire Multiverse Saga)
Why The Chronological Order Matters: Canon and Continuity
Watching the MCU in chronological order is not just about satisfying an obsessive need for order; it’s the best way to appreciate the deep canon and continuity that Marvel Studios has painstakingly built. The timeline is a delicate web of cause and effect, where a character's appearance in a 1990s film (*Captain Marvel*) directly impacts their role decades later.
The biggest continuity challenge is the five-year Time Jump in *Avengers: Endgame*. Everything that happens after this jump, including all of Phase 4 and Phase 5, is a direct consequence of the loss and return of half the universe’s population. Watching the films out of order can severely diminish the emotional weight of moments in *WandaVision*, *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*, and *Spider-Man: Far From Home*, which all explicitly deal with the post-Blip world.
Moreover, the chronological viewing order helps you track the evolution of key Multiverse concepts. *Loki*, for instance, is placed early in the Multiverse Saga because it introduces the TVA and the concept of Nexus Events, which are foundational to understanding later films like *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*. Without this context, the entire premise of the Multiverse Saga becomes confusing. Stick to this order, and you'll be ready for the final showdown in *Avengers: Secret Wars*.
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