Should I Watch Marvel Movies in Order of Release Or Chronological?
Marvel fans – especially new ones – often get confused as to how the movies in the franchise are supposed to be watched. With the MCU having grown to feature 32 films over 15 years, it’s not easy keeping track of everything. And when you factor in the fact that the TV shows and shorts also feature within this universe, things can become even more complicated.
To help you out, we’ve put together the go-to place for easy-to-follow guides in order to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whether you’re just starting out on this journey or are an established fan, this will make the experience much easier.
For those who are just starting out, it’s probably best to go with release order. After all, that’s the official MCU timeline and it will allow you to see how each movie fits in with the overall narrative. Plus, most of the MCU movies have a post-credits scene that reveals hints about what’s to come. That’s not the case when you watch the movies in chronological order.
Should I Watch Marvel Movies in Order of Release Or Chronological?
The first film to start with is Iron Man, RDJ’s world-making turn as the man behind the suit. It’s followed by Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which takes place in the aftermath of CIVIL WAR and kicks off a big phase of the MCU’s history. Next up is the big space adventure that is GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. It’s a perfect follow-up to the previous installment, as it explores more of the cosmic side of the MCU and introduces viewers to an important character named the Collector. Plus, it sets up a key piece of the Infinity Stones plot.
After that, it’s time for Spider-Man: Homecoming, which reveals the early adventures of our friendly neighbourhood hero. This is well placed before Black Panther, which picks up directly from where CIVIL WAR left off. This allows the story of T’Challa’s rise to Wakandan throne to be seen in context of the Avengers divide.
CAPTAIN MARVEL then comes in and kicks off Phase Two of the MCU. This ties into the events of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY as it tells the origin story of Carol Danvers, while also setting up elements that are reintroduced in the subsequent film. Plus, it establishes the Kree (as introduced in THOR: THE DARK WORLD) and reveals an important element of the Infinity Stones plot that is explored in further detail in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR.
This is where the chronology really starts to break down as a lot of the MCU movies are very different in terms of tone and theme from one another. That said, there’s no harm in watching Thor Ragnarok and Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 in this order, as both are fun and feature a very different tone to the rest of the MCU. Just be aware that you’ll miss a few key references to the MCU’s past when you go this route. That’s a risk you may be willing to take, depending on how much you love baby Groot and Howard the Duck.
