films, series, specials

The Complete MCUWatch Order

Every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie and series in one place — the full Marvel Studios run from Iron Man onwards, plus the Netflix Defenders saga, now canon. Switch between release order, timeline (chronological) order, phase order or shortest-first, filter down to the essentials, and see exact runtimes and total watch time — the reel up top lights up to show where your selection falls across the whole run.

The numbersLast updated 28 Jul 2026
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Everything else with Marvel on itNot part of the list above

These share characters, comics or a studio with the MCU, but they sit in their own continuities. None of them are needed to follow the run above — they're here so you know what you're skipping and why.

Sony's Spider-Man Universe

Venom (2018) · Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) · Morbius (2022) · Kraven the Hunter (2024) · Madame Web (2024) · Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

Sony's own villain-led films. Brushed against the MCU through the multiverse in No Way Home, but otherwise separate. Tom Holland's Spider-Man does not appear.

The Spider-Verse films

Into the Spider-Verse (2018) · Across the Spider-Verse (2023) · Beyond the Spider-Verse (upcoming)

Animated, Miles Morales, entirely its own continuity. Widely considered the best Spider-Man on screen — just nothing to do with the list above.

The Fox X-Men films

X-Men (2000) → Dark Phoenix (2019), plus Logan, The Wolverine, Deadpool 1 & 2 and The New Mutants

Twenty years of mutants made before Disney bought Fox. Deadpool & Wolverine treats this as a real, dying universe — so a little Logan helps there, and nothing else does.

Earlier Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four (2005) · Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) · Fant4stic (2015)

Fully replaced by First Steps. Nothing carries over.

Pre-MCU Marvel films

Blade trilogy (1998–2004) · Raimi's Spider-Man (2002–07) · Daredevil (2003) · Hulk (2003) · Elektra (2005) · Ghost Rider (2007, 2011) · The Punisher (2004) · The Amazing Spider-Man (2012, 2014)

Marvel comics licensed out to different studios before Marvel Studios existed. Two of these Spider-Men turn up in No Way Home — that cameo is the only link.

Marvel TV outside canon

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. · Agent Carter · Inhumans · Runaways · Cloak & Dagger · Helstrom · Legion · The Gifted

Made by Marvel Television rather than Marvel Studios. They reference the films freely, but the films never reference back, and none of it is required.

Common questionsMCU watch order FAQ

What is the correct order to watch Marvel movies?

There are two main ways. Release order — starting with Iron Man (2008) and following the order films and series came out — is how most fans recommend watching the MCU, because reveals and cameos land as intended. Timeline order follows the story chronologically, starting with Captain America: The First Avenger, set in WWII. Use the sort control above to switch between release order, timeline order, phase order and shortest-first.

How many Marvel movies and series are there?

This page covers every Marvel Studios film, Disney+ series and special released so far plus everything announced, along with the Netflix Defenders saga (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, The Punisher and The Defenders), which is now canon. The counters at the top show the current total, and the list is updated as Marvel announces more.

How long does it take to watch the entire MCU?

Watching the full Marvel Cinematic Universe takes hundreds of hours. The counters at the top of this page calculate the exact total runtime for whatever you filter to, and show how many nights that works out to at roughly two hours a night.

Which Marvel movies are essential?

If you want the main storyline without watching everything, use the Essentials only filter. It narrows the list to the films and series carrying the central plot — the Infinity Saga arc and the key Multiverse Saga entries — and skips the side stories.

Do I need the Netflix shows or Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

The Netflix Defenders saga is now canon, is included here, and matters if you're following Daredevil: Born Again. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Inhumans, Runaways, Cloak & Dagger and Helstrom were made by Marvel Television, sit outside official canon, and are not required.

Are Sony's Spider-Man, X-Men and Spider-Verse part of the MCU?

No. Sony's Venom and Morbius films, the animated Spider-Verse films, the Fox X-Men films and the older Fantastic Four films are separate continuities. They share characters or comics with the MCU but aren't needed to follow the story — they're listed above so you know what you're skipping and why.

Spotted something wrong, or have a suggestion?Suggestions welcome

Marvel moves dates and announces titles constantly. If something here is missing, out of order, or just plain wrong, send it across and it goes into the next update.