Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Movies: Story Timeline
This chronological watch order arranges the MCU films according to their in-universe timeline rather than release dates. The story begins in the 1940s with Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain Marvel set in the 1990s, before moving to the modern era starting with Iron Man.
While this timeline approach offers a unique narrative experience, it's important to note that Marvel Studios crafted these films with specific audience expectations in mind. Many reveals, character introductions, and plot developments were designed to build upon knowledge from previously released films. For the intended viewing experience that preserves narrative surprises and emotional impact, consider the Release Order or individual Phase orders instead.
This chronological order works best for rewatches or viewers who want to experience the MCU's events as they unfold within the fictional universe, rather than their original theatrical release order.
There are 11 other watch orders available – see the links up above.

Captain America: The First Avenger
During World War II, a frail young man from Brooklyn is transformed into the super-soldier Captain America and must stop the Red Skull, a ruthless Nazi leader who plans to use a mysterious powerful device for world domination.

Captain Marvel
Set in the 1990s, Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth gets caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.

Iron Man
Billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a high-tech suit of armor and becomes the superhero Iron Man after a life-changing experience as a captive in Afghanistan.

Iron Man 2
Billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces mounting pressure from the government and public to share his Iron Man technology while confronting new enemies who threaten his legacy.

The Incredible Hulk
Scientist Bruce Banner searches for a cure to his condition that transforms him into the powerful Hulk when enraged. When military forces pursue him to exploit his abilities, he must confront both his inner demons and a dangerous new enemy.

Thor
The arrogant Asgardian god Thor is banished to Earth by his father Odin as punishment for recklessly starting an ancient war. Stripped of his powers and forced to live among humans, Thor must learn humility and what it truly means to be a hero.

The Avengers
When an unexpected enemy threatens global security, Nick Fury assembles a team of superheroes including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and others to save the world from disaster.

Iron Man 3
Tony Stark faces his most personal challenge yet when a mysterious terrorist known as the Mandarin threatens everything he holds dear, forcing the armored hero to rely on his ingenuity rather than just his technology.

Thor: The Dark World
Thor must face an ancient enemy led by the vengeful Malekith who threatens to plunge the universe into darkness. When even Odin and Asgard prove powerless against this threat, Thor embarks on a dangerous journey that reunites him with Jane Foster.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
After the events of The Avengers, Steve Rogers tries to adjust to modern life in Washington D.C. until a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. forces him and Black Widow to uncover a far-reaching plot that threatens global security.

Guardians of the Galaxy
A group of unlikely heroes including a human outlaw, a raccoon, and a tree-like humanoid must band together to stop a powerful villain from destroying the galaxy. This Marvel adventure combines humor, heart, and spectacular space action as the misfits learn to work as a team.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The Guardians of the Galaxy face new challenges as they explore the mystery surrounding Peter Quill's father while trying to stay together as a family.

Avengers: Age of Ultron
When Tony Stark's peacekeeping program goes wrong, the Avengers must unite to stop the villainous artificial intelligence Ultron from carrying out his destructive plans for humanity.

Ant-Man
A master thief named Scott Lang is recruited by scientist Hank Pym to become Ant-Man, gaining the ability to shrink in size while increasing in strength. Together they must protect the revolutionary shrinking technology from falling into the wrong hands.

Captain America: Civil War
When the world's governments attempt to regulate superhuman activity, the Avengers are divided into two opposing factions led by Iron Man and Captain America. This ideological split forces former allies into an epic confrontation that threatens to tear the team apart forever.

Black Widow
Natasha Romanoff confronts her dark past when a dangerous conspiracy forces her to deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships from before she became an Avenger.

Black Panther
After becoming king of the technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, T'Challa must embrace his role as the Black Panther to defend his throne from challengers and protect his country from being drawn into global conflict.

Spider-Man: Homecoming
Peter Parker struggles to balance his life as a high school student with his responsibilities as Spider-Man, while facing a new threat called the Vulture with guidance from his mentor Tony Stark.

Doctor Strange
A brilliant but arrogant surgeon discovers the world of magic and mystical arts after a career-ending accident, training to become a powerful sorcerer who must defend Earth from supernatural threats.

Thor: Ragnarok
Thor finds himself imprisoned on the other side of the universe and must race against time to return to Asgard and prevent Ragnarok, the prophesied destruction of his homeland at the hands of the ruthless Hela.

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Scott Lang teams up with Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym to embark on a dangerous rescue mission into the quantum realm. Racing against time, they must risk everything to save someone trapped in the microscopic dimension.

Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers face their greatest threat yet when the powerful titan Thanos seeks to collect all six Infinity Stones to reshape reality according to his twisted vision. With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, Earth's mightiest heroes must unite for an unprecedented battle.

Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of Infinity War, the surviving Avengers must assemble once more to undo Thanos' actions and restore the universe.

Spider-Man: Far From Home
Peter Parker's European vacation is interrupted when Nick Fury recruits him to investigate mysterious creatures causing natural disasters across the continent.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
When Shang-Chi is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization, he must confront the past he thought he had left behind.

Eternals
A team of ancient aliens called the Eternals, who have secretly protected Earth for thousands of years, must reunite to face their ancient enemies the Deviants when an unexpected tragedy forces them out of hiding.

Spider-Man: No Way Home
When Peter Parker's secret identity as Spider-Man is revealed to the world, he seeks help from Doctor Strange to restore his anonymity, but the spell goes dangerously wrong. As chaos ensues, Peter must confront what it truly means to be a hero while facing unprecedented threats.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange teams up with mystical allies to navigate dangerous alternate realities across the Multiverse while facing a mysterious new threat.

Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor must come out of retirement to face Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer seeking to destroy all gods. He teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who has become the Mighty Thor, to stop this cosmic threat.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Following the death of King T'Challa, Queen Ramonda and the people of Wakanda must unite to protect their nation from external threats while determining the future of their kingdom.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne venture into the mysterious Quantum Realm with their family, where they encounter strange creatures and face challenges that test the limits of their abilities.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Peter Quill and the Guardians must embark on a dangerous mission to protect one of their own while still grieving the loss of Gamora. The fate of their team and possibly the universe hangs in the balance.

The Marvels
When Carol Danvers' powers become mysteriously entangled with those of Ms. Marvel and Captain Monica Rambeau, the unlikely trio must learn to work together to face a cosmic threat and save the universe.

Deadpool & Wolverine
When Wade Wilson's world faces destruction, the retired Deadpool must team up with a reluctant Wolverine to save everything he holds dear.

Captain America: Brave New World
After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam Wilson finds himself caught in an international incident and must uncover a dangerous global conspiracy.

Thunderbolts*
Seven unlikely antiheroes find themselves trapped together and must undertake a perilous mission that forces them to face their troubled histories.
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Mortal Kombat
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Pacific Rim
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Superman
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