Marvel Timeline – Movies & Shows in Chronological Order

Over 10 years ago, the Marvel Cinematic Universe started with one man, a metal suit of armor, and an unconventional self-rescue. 

But the earliest dates and storyline of the Marvel timeline predate the heady days of 2008. 

So, we looked into the timeline to work out how to watch all MCU movies and TV series (including the Netflix and Disney Plus shows) in chronological order (with dates).

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It’s not perfect, as some movies and shows in this popular saga have flash-forwards and confusing post-credit scenes, while others span long gaps of time. 

But based on how the bulk of them take place, we’ve prepared an MCU timeline starting with Captain America: The First Avenger all the way to The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

1. Captain America: The First Avenger

Takes place: 1943-1945

If you truly want to watch these Marvel movies and series in story order, start with The First Avenger. 

At the height of the Second World War, Hydra, the scientific arm of the Third Reich has gone rogue with plans to usurp Germany and take over the world. The only thing standing in the way of the sinister superman Red Skull is Steven Rogers – an American patriot who takes an experimental procedure to become a super-soldier. 

The film’s post-credit scene might feature an Avengers trailer, but according to the chronological timeline, those events don’t occur until years later…

2. One-Shot: Agent Carter

Takes place: 1944

Released as part of the Iron Man 3 DVD in 2013 and set one year after the incredible events of The First Avenger, this fourth ‘One-Shot’ installment follows the struggles of Peggy Carter at the Strategic Scientific Reserve, tackling sexism and setbacks to uncover the mysterious serum known as the Zodiac. 

3. Agent Carter – Season One 

Takes place: 1946

The war is finally over, and Peggy Carter returns to work at the Strategic Scientific Reserve, without the man she loves.  

Peggy must balance her work/office life at the SSR with the monumental task of helping Howard Stark clear his name, who stands accused of selling powerful weapons to America’s enemies. 

Assisted by Edwin Jarvis (remember that last name!) and others, Peggy fights her way through the post-war world to uncover who’s responsible.  

4. Agent Carter – Season Two 

Takes place: 1947

Following the events of season one, Peggy leaves New York for LA, to investigate new threats in the Atomic Era from the mysterious, Hydra branched group known as the ‘Council of Nine’, led by Whitney Frost. 

The season explores the contrasting lives of Frost and Carter, with the latter SSR agent uncovering new mysteries, new friends and new love.  

5. Captain Marvel

Takes place: 1995

Although released in 2019 following all the major MCU events, Captain Marvel actually takes place way, way, way before any titan giant blew the world to dust.

In 1995, the nefarious Skrull Empire have designs for Earth. Intending to stop them and deny an advantage, the Kree Empire sends a human agent and veteran star-cop, Carol Danvers, to foil them. But Carol has memories of Earth and when encountering a young Nick Fury, she must discover who she is in order to save the planet.

6. Iron Man

Takes place: 2010

This was the first of the MCU movies to hit the silver screen, but in fact, it comes sixth if you plan on watching them in order of events.

On a business trip to Afghanistan, billionaire playboy Anthony Edward ‘Tony’ Stark is captured by terrorists and forced to make weapons for them. 

Designing a powered suit of armor to escape, Tony returns to America with a new outlook on life and a plan to change his company for the better. Something is rotten within Stark Industries however, as Tony finds out during his first heroic misadventure.

7. Iron Man 2

Takes place: 2011

Tony’s newfound limelight gets him in trouble when his Arc Reactor idea gets noticed by an old rival of his father’s.

Compounding his issues are some rather drastic side effects of the metal reactor in his chest, which Tony must find a fix for before he poisons himself to death. That is if Ivan Vanko, a former engineer and son of the old friend, doesn’t end him first.

Keep your eyes peeled for the post-credits scene in Iron Man 2 as it leads directly into Thor which is said to take place in the same week alongside The Incredible Hulk, The Consultant and A Funny Thing Happened (so it doesn’t *really* matter which order you view these).

8. The Incredible Hulk

Takes place: 2011

For several years now, Bruce Banner has been on the run. Hiding as a line worker in Mexico, Bruce’s cover gets blown when the American military finds him, and he must continue his mission to find a cure for his Hulk condition. 

Were that not a problem enough, General Ross has a new ace: America’s newest super-soldier, Emil Blonsky.

9. One-Shot: The Consultant

Takes place: 2011

Happening around the same time, or after The Incredible Hulk, this first installment of the ‘One-Shot’ series sees the return of Phil Coulson, who plots with fellow S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jasper Sitwell to stop Emil Blonsky from being released from prison by the World Security Council.  

Released as a feature on the Thor DVD, Coulson decides to send ‘The Consultant’ (a.k.a Tony Stark) to see Thunderbolt Ross who we saw push him to his limits during The Incredible Hulk post-credits. 

10. One-Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer 

Takes place: 2011

Released as a feature on the Captain America: The First Avenger DVD, the second installment of the ‘One-Shot’ series is said to take place during the events of The Incredible Hulk, and in between the events of Iron Man 2 and Thor.

It stars Phil Coulson fulfilling the basic human craving of buying snacks at a gas station, while on his way to investigate Thor’s hammer, with trouble lurking down the candy aisle.  

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11. Thor

Takes place: 2011

After a rather disastrous stunt adventure nearly causes a war between Asgard and the planet Jotunheim, Thor, son of Odin Allfather is banished to Earth. 

Although told he can only come back when he learns what it means to be a king, his brother Loki has other plans that threaten the peace and the future of Asgard.

Excuse us as we wait for the Avengers to assemble…

12. The Avengers

Takes place: 2012

Having become fairly acquainted with the lead Avengers in earlier films, viewers should now be ready to dive into The Avengers.

Loki has arrived on Earth. With the power to take over the minds of others, S.H.I.E.L.D. must gather a better counter – a team of exceptional people to hunt him down and stop him before he begins his plan of world conquest. 

A god from the sky (Thor), a living legend (Captain America), a genius engineer (Iron Man) and a great green colossus (Hulk) must work together if they are to become Earth’s mightiest heroes.

13. One-Shot: Item 47

Takes place: 2012

Set after the events of The Avengers, and released on the movie’s DVD, Item 47 is the third installment of the ‘One-Shot’ series. 

This short film follows a down on their luck couple, Bennie and Claire, who discover a Chitauri gun after the Battle of New York. They use the item to their benefit, but must deal with the consequences that follow.  

14. Iron Man 3

Takes place: 2012

Taking place six months after the huge fight in The Avengers, an old adversary comes to haunt Tony Stark. The Ten Rings, initially thought to have fallen into obscurity, have returned. The airwaves are hijacked by the sinister ‘Mandarin’ with a plan to collapse the United States. 

Meanwhile, an old acquaintance of Tony’s returns with a brilliant idea that may have something dark behind its miraculous presentation…

15. One-Shot: All Hail the King

Takes place: 2013

The fifth and final installment of the ‘One-Shot’ series follows Iron Man 3 fan-favorite Trevor Slattery, as he lives the life of luxury while locked up in Seagate Prison. 

Slattery must deal with the consequences of his pretending to be the Mandarin, whilst uncovering the true intentions of The Ten Rings. Oh, and Justin Hammer is back too!  

16. Thor: The Dark World

Takes place: 2013

Asgard is still rebuilding from the foiled efforts of the Frost Giants. But from the shadows of time and space, the sinister Dark Elves have returned. 

Thought defeated during the early eras of Asgard, these aliens have the Aether, a mysterious substance with which they plan to plunge the universe into eternal night.

The end-credits scene of this film may tease a character from Guardians of the Galaxy, but hold on – don’t watch that one just yet. Captain America’s got a few issues to deal with first…

17. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Takes place: 2014

Steve is adjusting to life in the modern world and as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. But something is rotten when Nick Fury finds himself hunted by the Winter Soldier, an urban myth among spies. 

It’s up to Steve and Black Widow to get to the bottom of what’s going on at S.H.I.E.L.D., and work out just who this mysterious assassin is.

18. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season One 

Takes place: 2013-2014

Coulson is back! Tasked with a young and bright group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Coulson and his team undertake the mission of traveling around the world, solving a handful of mysterious, interlinked cases, including a S.H.I.E.L.D. secret that dates back to the war.   

On top of all this, Coulson must uncover the secrets being kept from him, including the murky circumstances of his resurrection.  

19. Daredevil – Season One 

Takes place: 2014

Even though Netflix’s shows rarely hint at the MCU, they do indeed take part in the same universe. But don’t worry, you won’t mess up the Marvel timeline if you skip past them… 

Before the time of Spider-Man, New York had the Daredevil. Blind lawyer by day, vigilante by night Matt Murdock uses his heightened senses to fight crime that plagues the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. 

Whilst attempting to balance the two sides of his life, Murdock is confronted by the challenges of an ongoing criminal underworld conspiracy that threatens to permanently affect his career and relationships.  

20. Guardians of the Galaxy

Takes place: 2014

If you want to break up this Marvel movie and show timeline with a bit of a laugh, or even a dance, turn on Guardians of the Galaxy. 

Space pirate and treasure hunting abductee from Earth, Peter Quill finds his life taking a turn for the hairy when a very valuable artifact brings all kinds of attention onto him and a Kree zealot named Ronan the Accuser is on the pursuit. 

A rag-tag team including an alien tree (Groot), a cybernetically enhanced raccoon (Rocket), a bitter warrior (Drax) and the most dangerous woman in the universe (Gamora) must stop Ronan before he goes on a bitter rampage across the planet Xandar.

21. Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2

Takes place: 2014

The chronology of the MCU gets a little less confusing around this time, as you can watch the great sequel to GotG straight after the first!

After offending the aloof Sovereign, the Guardians are rescued by Ego – an ancient man with great power and a special connection to Peter Quill. But there’s more to the ancient than he lets on. 

Yondu, meanwhile, has his secret deal outed and gets banished from the Ravagers. As one of the few people who knew about Ego, he’s got to trust Rocket and Groot to get to Ego’s planet and save his adopted son.

22. I Am Groot – Season One

Takes place: 2014

This fabulous Flora colossus is undoubtedly one of the best Guardians characters, and thanks to the MCU, you can now tuck into a TV series all about him. Vin Diesel reprises his role as Groot as he gets up to fun, mischief and adorable adventures.

While Episode 1 of I Am Groot actually takes place before the events of GotG Vol. 2, Episodes 2-5 happen between the end of GotG Vol. 2, and the GotG Vol. 2 post-credits scene which gives us a glimpse of a Teenage Groot.

23. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Takes place: 2015

For the last few years, the Avengers have been searching the globe for the remnants of Hydra. 

The final blow in the Eastern European country of Sokovia becomes the seed for a greater crisis when a paranoid Tony Stark creates Ultron, a sinister AI with a low opinion of humanity and an even lower desire to do what his creator planned for him. 

Ending one threat, the Avengers assemble to stop another.

24. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Two 

Takes place: 2014-2015

After the events of The Winter Soldier, director Phil Coulson is tasked with rebuilding the new S.H.I.E.L.D. with his rag-tag team of agents.  

Not all is as it seems though, as the weight of Coulson’s secrets, coupled with new threats both outside and inside the organization, threaten to topple S.H.I.E.L.D. for good.  

25. Ant-Man

Takes place: 2015

Scott Lang, a disgruntled tech-turned-to-crime wants one last job to stay out of prison. Very few thieves get to actually do good for good pay, but Scott finds himself earning both when he tries to rob the house of Henry ‘Hank’ Pym – a former colleague of Howard Stark who doesn’t like the headway being made in shrink technology by the less-than-reputable Cross Industries. 

It’s up to Scott to pull one last big caper and keep Hank’s technology out of evil hands. 

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26. Jessica Jones – Season One 

Takes place: 2015

Netflix is back with another hit, this time featuring retired superhero turned private investigator; Jessica Jones.  

Gifted with superhuman strength, Jones suffers from PTSD after experiencing the mind-controlling wrath of Kilgrave, who forced her to commit murder. 

Upon learning of Kilgrave’s return, after she believed he was dead, Jones must drop everything to stop her arch-nemesis, even if it means losing the people she cares for.  

27. Daredevil – Season Two 

Takes place: 2015

Nelson & Murdock is back, yet without clients! 

A now red-suited Matt Murdock continues to balance his not-so-successful law firm with the responsibilities of the Daredevil, but new challenges from the deadly vigilante Frank Castle, as well as the re-emergence of an old flame, threaten to throw both his lives into disarray as he continues to protect the people of Hell’s Kitchen.  

28. Luke Cage – Season One 

Takes place: 2015

After being subjected to a deliberately sabotaged experiment, Luke Cage is left with the gifts of superhuman strength and unbreakable skin.  

Following the events of Jessica Jones season one, Cage trades off Hell’s Kitchen for Harlem, hoping to build a new life for himself. Unfortunately, for guys like Cage, this is no longer possible, as he becomes embroiled in a war grasping Cottonmouth.

Framed for crimes he didn’t commit, Cage must fight to clear his name, all whilst confronting a past that refuses to stay buried.  

29. Captain America: Civil War

Takes place: 2016

After a botched mission in Lagos, Nigeria, the United Nations and Tony Stark hand the Avengers an ultimatum. When Bucky Barnes resurfaces and bombs a UN summit in Vienna, the team is split in two. 

Steve, determined to clear his friend’s name, goes rogue, while Tony gathers his resources to bring Captain America in. Little do they know, there is a third player in the shadows.

30. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Three 

Takes place: 2015-2016

S.H.I.E.L.D. is now unified and Inhuman Terragen is spreading across the ecosystem, so Coulson and his team must do what they do best; travel around the world to stop people from hurting themselves and others. 

With new threats running rife, including a new Inhuman interment organization, an Inhuman killer and the mysterious, ancient leader of Hydra, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. definitely have their hands full in this epic third season.  

31. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Four 

Takes place: 2016

S.H.I.E.L.D. is back (well, officially anyway)! 

Coulson has stood down as director and returned to fieldwork to allow for a new, public face to swing the bat in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s favor. Leading on from the dramatic ending of season three, Coulson and his agents continue to track down enhanced individuals, all of which accumulates in an epic confrontation with the Ghost Rider!  

Brewing in the background is the creation of the LMD (Life Model Decoy) programme and a new virtual world that will challenge the team like never before! 

32. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot

Takes place: 2016

After Daisy Johnson returns to S.H.I.E.L.D. in season four, both she and Elena Rodriguez (or as Mac calls her; Yo-Yo) discuss a secret mission they undertook together before the organization became legitimized.  

This digital short series dives into that mission, with Elena conflicted between her responsibility to the Sokovia Accords, and her determination to find the man who murdered her cousin.  

33. Iron Fist – Season One 

Takes place: 2016

If you love epic martial arts fight sequences, then this popular show is for you!  

We follow the story of Danny Rand, who returns to New York City for the first time in 15 years, having been presumed dead. Rand returns to reclaim his family company after his parents were killed during a plane crash in the Himalayan mountains.  

Rand, who was also in the crash, was taken to the city of K’un-Lun, where he learns their ways and eventually becomes the Immortal Iron Fist.  

34. The Defenders – Season One 

Takes place: 2016

You’ve seen the Avengers on the big screen and all the Netflix shows, now get ready to see New York’s and Netflix’s finest team up to take down an overarching foe.  

Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist all join forces to combat the Hand, an ancient and powerful ninja organization that seeks to unlock the secrets of immortality. 

Can The Defenders put aside their differences and save New York City from a threat that seeks to destroy their lives as they know it? 

35. The Punisher – Season One 

Takes place: 2016

Frank Castle returns as The Punisher in this hit spin-off show from the Daredevil series.  

Set after the events of season two of Daredevil, Castle continues his hunt for the men responsible for his family’s murder, after uncovering a conspiracy that runs deep throughout the CIA.  

Teaming up with another victim of this conspiracy, Castle must face off against government forces as he attempts to take down his friend turned foe; Agent Orange.  

36. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Takes place: 2016

Six months after his trial run in Germany, Peter Parker is coming to terms with being the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. His luck couldn’t be better (or worse) when he stumbles across an underground arms trade in alien technology.

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Tony Stark doesn’t seem interested, so it’s up to the Web-Head to expose the arms dealer in charge before he causes too much havoc.

37. Doctor Strange

Takes place: 2016-2017

Steven Strange is a neurosurgeon at the top of his game. But when a moment of carelessness costs him his career, he travels the world looking for a cure. 

In doing so, he stumbles across the mystical sorcerers of Kamar-Taj, and finds himself in the middle of a secret war that could doom the world into an extra-dimensional terror.

This is where things get super complicated. Many have debated Doctor Strange’s position in the MCU timeline, considering he’s mentioned briefly in The Winter Soldier. But we’ve decided to place the film here because it’s been confirmed that the events took place in 2016.

38. Black Panther

Takes place: 2017

Nailing down these Marvel movies and TV shows in chronological order is a challenging task, but the official timeline helps out a little, especially when it comes to Black Panther. 

It’s believed that Black Panther is happening at the same time as Homecoming and the events of Doctor Strange, and soon after Civil War, but to make the viewing order less complicated and more enjoyable, we’ve decided to place the Wakanda blockbuster here in our list.

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After the incident in Vienna (Civil War), T’Challa has been adjusting to his new role as the Panther King, and what it means for him. 

The true test however comes with the emergence of Erik ‘Killmonger’ (one of the best movie villains ever), an American-born claimant for the throne with a desire to see revenge for T’Chaka’s murder of his father. Since T’Challa is the son of T’Chaka, that puts him in the Killmonger’s crosshairs.

39. Black Widow 

Takes place: 2017

Also set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, we see Natasha Romanoff on the run from the US government, having violated the Sokovia Accords.  

Her journey leads her into the conspiracy of the Red Room, where she must confront her past and reunite with her old family to take down a near 90-year-old Soviet secret.  

The post-credit scene sees us return to the present, where a woman by the name of ‘Val’ assigns Yelena Belova her next target; Clint Barton (cues Hawkeye)! 

40. Jessica Jones – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Jessica Jones returns to her detective lifestyle after her time with The Defenders, but she is now known throughout New York City as a deadly superpowered vigilante after killing her former tormenter Kilgrave.  

Jones now attempts to rebuild her life from the ground up, but an intriguing new case leads to her uncovering more about her past than she liked.  

41. Inhumans – Season One 

Takes place: 2017

The story of the Inhumans was told vaguely throughout the run of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., so get ready for an in-depth dive into one of the most powerful families in existence; the Royal Family of Inhumans. 

After a military coup sees the family split in half, those who follow the rule of King Black Bolt and Queen Medusa are forced to trade the city of Attilan for Hawaii, where their interactions with humanity may be the very thing that saves them.  

42. Luke Cage – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Having finally cleared his name, Luke Cage has become something of a celebrity throughout the streets of Harlem.  

With word of his powers spreading, Luke feels responsible for the people of his city, but with the rise of a new enemy known as the Bushmaster, our hero must tread carefully across the fine line that separates him from a villain.  

43. Iron Fist – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Danny Rand returns with more epic fight sequences than you could imagine. 

After the incredible conclusion of The Defenders, Rand feels the true weight of responsibility for the people of Hell’s Kitchen left on him by Matt Murdock. 

However, a sinister foe lurking in the depths of Chinatown will threaten Rand’s own identity and the very people that he holds dear.  

44. Daredevil – Season Three 

Takes place: 2017

After his supposed sacrifice in The Defenders, Matt Murdock returns having been missing for months, a shell of the man we once knew.  

With his career in tatters and the legacy of the Daredevil soiled, Murdock must decide between hiding in the shadows or embracing his destiny as the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen when an old foe returns for vengeance.  

45. The Punisher – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Following the events of season one, Frank Castle attempts to live the quiet life that he’s always dreamed of. 

Unfortunately, his new reality is shattered once he becomes entangled in the attempted murder of a knowledgeable young girl. 

As this new mystery sucks him in further, Castle must decide if he will embrace his destiny as ‘The Punisher’ in order to defeat his foes.  

46. Jessica Jones – Season Three 

Takes place: 2017

With the rise of a new, psychotic villain, Jones must rebuild her broken relationship with her adoptive sister Trish in order to take him down. 

However, following a devastating loss that affects them both deeply, conflicting ideas of what it takes to be a hero result in a showdown that will permanently change both their relationship and themselves forever. 

47. Runaways – Season One 

Takes place: 2017

Imagine a world where kids believe their parents to be evil, and the parents know about it? Well, welcome to Runaways. 

When six LA teenagers discover their parents are involved in a ritualistic cult, they must band together to uncover their true intentions, before their parents uncover what they are up to. 

The stakes are high, the consequences are deadly, but can these kids find the strength to take down the very people who raised them? 

48. Runaways – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Following the events of season one, the Runaways have managed to escape the grasp of PRIDE and must learn to fend for themselves. 

The kids are now stuck together on the run, fighting for each other and for survival. However, the group becomes fractured when they learn that one of them sent a mysterious message to Jonah, who has his own dangerous plans in motion. 

Is there a mole hidden within the Runaways?  

49. Cloak & Dagger – Season One 

Takes place: 2017

Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson couldn’t be more different, yet they both share a secret so big that it makes them more alike than they know. 

In order to save the city of New Orleans, this dynamic duo must set aside their differences to join forces, as their powers were made to be harnessed together.  

50. Cloak & Dagger – Season Two 

Takes place: 2017

Tandy and Ty return for the second season of Cloak & Dagger, allowing the pair to learn about their place in the world, and what type of heroes they want to be. 

The duo act as the guardians of New Orleans as they combat a heartless vigilante by the name of Mayhem, as well as trying to unearth an evil that prays on the lives of young women.

51. Thor: Ragnarok

Takes place: 2017

Odin’s never been the honest sort. But after going missing for several years, the Allfather father reveals a deadly secret – that the Son of Odin has a sister who would very much like to see a new Asgardian empire. 

The fight to stop her sends Thor to the planet Sakaar, where he must convince an old ‘friend’ that they need to escape and save not just Asgard, but the Nine Realms once again.

Stay awake for the post-credit scene – it leads directly into Infinity War (kinda)!

52. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Five 

Takes place: 2017 & 2091 (briefly)

After the events of season four and the selfless sacrifice by director Mace, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been decommissioned, with Coulson and the team labeled as fugitives.  

However, having been transported to a S.H.I.E.L.D. bunker known as the Lighthouse in 2091, our fugitive agents must help save the last human colony from the Kree, before they can return to the present to save themselves and the rest of the world from a future they have already seen.  

Jed Whedon confirmed that the “last few episodes [of Season 5] take place during [Infinity War],” but save that movie for later…

53. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Six 

Takes place: 2017 or 2018?

Phil Coulson is dead, again, but this time for good. Or is he? 

Set a year after the events of season five, our team is split in two. One team resides in the Lighthouse bunker, continuing S.H.I.E.L.D. operations in the shadows. They must deal with a brand new, ancient threat, a threat that wears the face of Phil Coulson. 

The second team resides in space, searching for the lost Leo Fitz, while combating new and mysterious enemies that lead them back to Earth. 

Note: The timeline really gets messy here, because if season six takes place a *year* after season five (which was in 2017, during Infinity War), it would mean its events are post-Snap. But there’s no mention of that in the sixth season.

According to Agents actress Ming-Na Wen, “All this is happening pre-Snap,” and “At this point it’s safe to say that we have departed from following the [Marvel] cinematic universe in that sense, and are just telling our own stories.” For that reason, just watch season six after season five for fun. Don’t bother questioning the madness.

54. Ant-Man and the Wasp

Takes place: 2017

Let’s pro-con Scott’s life after Civil War. Pro – he’s now merely under house arrest. Con – he’s not contacting Captain America any time soon. Pro: Hank and Hope have been busy building a private security firm and Scott can help. Con: There’s a ninja using phasing technology to steal Hank’s stuff. Pro: Janet van Dyne might not be entirely dead. Con: The ghost-lady isn’t helping.

Bear in mind that Ant-Man and the Wasp takes place before the events of Infinity War, but its post-credits scene occurs after the events of the third Avengers movie. Confusing, right? We recommend saving the short clip till after Infinity War…

55. Avengers: Infinity War

Takes place: 2017

After watching several solo superhero movies, you’ll be pleased to know that every Marvel character features in this mega blockbuster!

The final series comes for Team Hero. Thanos has ravaged Xandar and now heads to Earth with his armies; the Infinity Stones are under threat; and the Avengers are still disassembled. 

They’re not ready for a showdown with the Mad Titan, but he’s not going to wait until they are. The stones must be protected for the sake of the whole universe.

56. Runaways – Season Three 

Takes place: 2017-2019

The third and final season of Runaways is here, and the kids are in even more trouble than ever. 

In the face of a seemingly unstoppable force that hits close to home, the Runaways launch their frantic search for their captured friends, before it’s too late. They must overturn every rock and every stone, even journeying into the terrifying Dark Dimension, to reunite and finally find peace.  

57. Avengers: Endgame

Takes place: 2018-2023

Prepare yourselves – the curtain closes for the Marvel-ous Avengers series. The mega-blockbuster of the MCU and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time is of course, Avengers: Endgame which sees Earth’s Mightiest Heroes try to turn back time and bring back those who fell in Infinity War. 

This installment has a five-year-jump after Thanos’ Snap in Infinity War, so much of the movie takes place in 2023.

Our favorite heroes go up against Thanos, say goodbye to a few beloved faces and fight what is possibly Marvel’s largest and most epic battle yet.

Grab a box of tissues – this is the end of an era, after all!

58. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season Seven 

Takes place: 2019

Coulson is back (again!) but this time as an LMD, as the team races through time to save the Earth from the alien race known as the Chronicoms. 

In this final season, the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. must fight to preserve the history of Earth and the history of SHIELD, in order to stop the Chronicoms from establishing Earth as their new home.  

Don’t look at this one as part of the official Marvel timeline, because the show pretty much confirmed that season seven is set in a separate timeline, entirely.

59. WandaVision  

Takes place: 2023

Welcome to Westview (and the most expensive TV show ever)! 

Picking up right after the devastating events of Endgame, a grief-stricken Wanda Maximoff has locked herself and the people of Westview away in a warped reality, where she attempts to play out the perfect life. 

However, threats both inside and outside of the ‘Hex’ force Wanda to snap back to life, and only by confronting her past can she become who she is meant to be.  

60. Loki – Season One 

Takes place: 2023

Following the events of Endgame, the God of Mischief is back on the timeline, or is he? 

After stealing the Tesseract from the Avengers in 2012, Loki is confronted by the mysterious Time Variance Authority, who capture him for ‘crimes against the sacred timeline.’ 

This sets the God of Mischief on an incredible adventure, where he must learn about himself before he can unravel the conspiracy of the TVA.  

61. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings  

Takes place: 2023

The first Asian superhero lead is here, and he’s here with a pretty big bang! 

Shang-Chi, or Shaun, is a master of martial arts. More importantly, he is the master of the Ten Rings; ten mystical weapons that grant its user the powers of immortality and immense power.  

He must use his powers to confront a past that he believed was buried before the organization of the Ten Rings can take him down for good.  

62. She-Hulk – Season One

Takes place: 2023

Although this Marvel TV show hasn’t received the highest critical acclaim, it’s still worth binging if you’re totally determined to complete the entire MCU in chronological order.

She-Hulk chronicles the adventures of Bruce Banner’s cousin, Jennifer Walters, who also happens to have the same Hulk-tastic superpowers as our favorite green giant.

Seen as Bruce appears with a healed arm following the damage he received after wielding the Infinity Gauntlet in Endgame, the story takes place after the events of Avengers 4 as well as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

63. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier  

Takes place: 2023

Struggling to accept the loss of his best friend and partner, six months after Endgame, Sam Wilson gives up an international treasure to the US government, sparking a series of events that will change both himself and his reluctant new partner Bucky Barnes.  

With a new, unstable Captain America, and a radical terrorist group rising up, Sam and Bucky must set aside their issues to preserve the legacy of the man they both valued, while taking down a group that threatens the very stability he built.  

64. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Takes place: 2024

Ranked as one of the best Spider-Man movies, Far From Home picks up approximately eight months after the dramatic events of Endgame. 

In an attempt to get his mind off of all that has happened, Peter Parker heads to Europe for a well-deserved vacation. Getting together his best Spidey skills, Spider-Man is assigned an ever-important mission from none other than Nick Fury where he teams up and eventually battles the iconic Mysterio.

65. Spider-Man: No Way Home 

Takes place: 2024

Critics call it the best MCU film to date, so you definitely won’t want to skip past this one. 

With his identity now revealed to the world, Peter Parker must find a way to protect his friends and family from the consequences of being Spider-Man. 

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However, as a result of a botched spell that cracks open the Multiverse, he must now find a way to protect his loved ones, and the world, from old, vengeful foes who seek to destroy the life and legacy of Peter Parker.  

66. Eternals 

Takes place: 2024

Before time itself, the Celestials created the foundations for all of existence to begin. These Gods are unequivocally important to the progression of life in the universe and are served by the all-powerful Eternals. 

This is where this story begins. The Eternals have been sent to Earth, to protect humanity from a predatory race known as the Deviants. Fast forward to the present, when a secret uncovered by the Eternals threatens to ruin the very fabric of life and creation. 

With the lives of everyone on Earth in the balance, can the Eternals complete the impossible, or are they doomed to oversee the destruction of the very people they were sent to protect? 

67. Hawkeye 

Takes place: 2024

Set two years after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Clint Barton is now retired and living the quiet life with his family. 

However, when a young, eager Hawkeye protégé, Kate Bishop, starts to masquerade as the Ronin, Barton is forced out of retirement to confront his past and take down his demons once and for all.  

Throw in a Black Widow assassin, an infamous crime lord and a Russian mafia group, Clint Barton is going to have his hands full for Christmas.  

68. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 

Takes place: 2025

It’s post-WandaVision and Wanda Maximoff is in full Scarlett Witch mode, triggered by her dark tendencies and tempted to do anything to bring her children back – even if it means pursuing a young girl, America Chavez who has the ability to travel across the multiverse.

Doctor Strange must do all that he can to protect Chavez while fighting the terrible threat that looms over humanity. Taking place right after No Way Home, it seems the Doctor has a lot more on his plate than ever before…

69. Moon Knight

Takes place: 2025

Disney Plus confirmed that the latest Marvel series takes place after Hawkeye, leading us to assume its events occur somewhere around 2025.

Moon Knight chronicles the adventures of Marc Spector, a former U.S. Marine with dissociative identity disorder, who also holds the powers of an Egyptian moon god. With enemies coming his way, this mercenary must learn to use his newfound powers and face a menacing mystery among Marvel’s Egyptian gods…

70. Ms. Marvel

Takes place: 2025

16-year-old Kamala Khan is a die-hard superhero fan and like any teen, aspires to be like her favorite hero, Captain Marvel. Her wish is granted when she gains superpowers and lives the fantastical life she’s always dreamed of.

The show’s writer and producer Sana Amanat mentioned that the Disney Plus series is set approximately two years after the events of Endgame, placing it in 2025.

71. Thor: Love and Thunder

Takes place: 2025-2026

We’re a little confused about when Thor 3 takes place, but our wildest guess is that it happens somewhere in 2025 or 2026.

At first, director Taika Waititi suggested that Love and Thunder is four years after Endgame, placing it in 2027. But the movie suggests otherwise.

When Thor and Jane are reunited, they say that it has been “eight years, seven months, and six days” since they broke up. In Ragnarok, which occurs in November 2017, Thor’s break up with Jane is referenced. Do the math and that pretty much places Thor: Love and Thunder in 2026.

We don’t know when exactly the pair officially called it quits though, so it means the movie could actually be set anytime between 2025 to 2026. 

72. Special Presentation – Werewolf by Night

Takes place: Uncertain

Although released as part of Phase Four of the MCU and situated within the timeline of the MCU, Werewolf by Night is actually a stand-alone mini movie, so you can watch it whenever you please.

A horror treat and something unlike anything the MCU has ever given us, this black and white ‘special presentation’ sees a group of monster hunters team together to fight for a powerful relic against a dangerous monster.

73. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Takes place: 2025

In the Black Panther sequel, T’Challa’s family and friends fight to protect their nation following his passing.

It’s been confirmed by Marvel Studios Vice President Nate Moore that Wakanda Forever takes place during the events of Thor: Love and Thunder. This places the movie somewhere in 2025.

74. Special Presentation – The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Pat yourself on the back – you’ve made it to the end of this complicated chronological timeline! 

Yet another standalone story from Disney+, this Holiday Special gives us an insight to what the Guardians have been doing since the events of Endgame. A fun adventure where Drax and Mantis hunt for Quill’s Christmas gift, this sweet teaser for Vol.3 (coming in 2023) is a feel-good way to close your chronological viewing!

Our sequence is great to follow should you ever be brave enough for a timeline-happy (but puzzling) marathon. 

What would your chronological viewing order be? Let us know where you would place each movie and TV show in the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline in the comments below…

There are sections of this article that were written by Mark Stamp.
This post was originally published in March 2019.

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