There are currently 32 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – with many more on the way. Even for diehard fans, that's a lot of superheroes and timelines to keep track of! The MCU is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, and the Marvel movies, with their intersecting storylines, familiar comic book characters, and high-stakes action, are beloved by comics fans and film buffs alike. For newcomers, however, knowing where to start with the Marvel movies can be a challenge. You might have heard of the Marvel phases – but what are they, exactly? How many Marvel phases are there? And do you have to watch the movies in order?
The audio versions of each Marvel phase make great introductions to the MCU. You'll meet Captain America and the Incredible Hulk in the Phase One Box Set; Ant-Man in the Phase Two Box Set; and Doctor Strange in the Phase Three Box Set. And when you're ready to dive into the movies, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Marvel phases and how best to enjoy them.
What is a Marvel “phase”?
Since the release of the first MCU movie (Iron Man) in 2008, MCU films have been divided into phases. Each phase includes a group of loosely linked movies that share an overarching story arc and group of characters. Marvel phases are a way to organise the movies; each phase consists of a group of movies released over a period of years. Phases are determined both by release dates and subject matter. Though each Marvel movie can be enjoyed as a standalone, movies in each phase build upon each other, with overlapping characters and plot points.
Ready to dive in? Below you'll find a handy guide to the Marvel phases in order, including the movies included in each phase, the characters introduced, and the key storylines that define each particular phase.
Marvel Phase One (2008 to 2012)
Phase One primarily concerns the Avengers, with movies that focus on these superheroes both individually and as a group. Major characters include Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, and Captain America, each of whom got their own movie. Black Widow and Hawkeye are also important characters in this phase; we meet Black Widow in Iron Man 2 and they are both in the final film, The Avengers. Taken as a whole, Phase One introduces viewers to each of the Avengers – their backstories, skills, and powers – culminating in the final film, which brings them all together in an epic battle against a formidable villain, Loki.
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man introduces Tony Stark, a brilliant inventor who is captured and forced to build a deadly weapon. He rebels against his captors and, drawing on his considerable intelligence and resourcefulness, builds a dazzling suit of armour for himself and escapes, vowing to defend the world as Iron Man.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Exposure to gamma radiation causes scientist Bruce Banner to transform into the Hulk, a monster with tremendous and dangerous power. He goes on the run, isolating himself from everyone he loves and seeking a cure for his condition.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Iron Man 2 revisits Tony Stark, now revealed to the whole world as Iron Man. The film takes place six months after the end of Iron Man, and simultaneously with The Incredible Hulk and Thor. Facing pressure from world governments to share the technology behind his suit, Iron Man struggles to stay true to his ideals.
Thor (2011)
This film introduces Thor, son of Odin and heir to the throne of the kingdom of Asgard. After being exiled to Earth, Thor encounters enemies, both old and new.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger takes a jump backward in time. It tells the story of Steve Rogers, a young man who volunteers to participate in a 1940s military experiment that turns him into a super soldier known as Captain America.
The Avengers (2012)
The final film in Marvel Phase One brings the stars of all the previous movies together. They team up in a fight against Thor's brother Loki and his evil plot to dominate the world.
Marvel Phase Two (2013 to 2015)
The movies in Marvel Phase Two deal with the consequences of the events of The Avengers. The movies continue following the adventures of the Avengers’ superheroes, including Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and Black Widow. Phase Two introduces several new superheroes as well, including Ant-Man, Falcon, Quicksilver, and Star-Lord. Like those in Phase One, the films in Phase Two each contain individual story arcs, but they build on the events of prior Marvel movies. Now united as a team, the Avengers once again must work together to defeat an evil threat in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Iron Man 3 finds Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, fighting to rebuild his life after his world is destroyed by his cunning enemy, the Mandarin.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
In the second movie starring Thor, the otherworldly superhero teams up with a brilliant astrophysicist to save the world from a new threat: an ancient race of dark elves seeking a weapon that could destroy all of humanity.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, works alongside Black Widow and Falcon to expose a deadly conspiracy involving an assassin known only as the Winter Soldier.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
This film introduces a new character, Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord, who, aided by a team of misfits, attempts to keep a mysterious weapon from the hands of a villain intent on destroying the entire universe.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
In this follow-up to The Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye once again team up – this time to defeat the techno-powered villain, Ultron.
Ant-Man (2015)
In the final film of Phase Three, Marvel superhero Ant-Man finally gets his chance to shine. Scott Lang is a skilled thief with one incredible and highly-coveted skill: a suit that allows him to shrink in size while increasing in strength. With the help of his mentor, Ant-Man fights to keep this technology out of the hands of those who would use it for evil.
Marvel Phase Three (2016 to 2019)
The films in Phase Three continue to follow the exploits of the Avenger superheroes, with the stakes growing even higher after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. In addition to movies centering now-familiar characters such as Captain America and Thor, Phase Three includes a slew of movies that brought other Marvel heroes to the big screen: Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, and Black Panther. Like the previous phases, Phase Three includes a climatic ensemble film which pits the Avengers against a world-destroying threat. Together, Phases One, Two, and Three are known as the Infinity Saga, and the final movie in Phase Three, Spider-Man: Far From Home, wraps up the major plot lines from the first 23 Marvel movies.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
This film is set a year after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, and explores a rift between the newly-formed superhero group. Steve Rogers (Captain America) and Tony Stark (Iron Man) have different ideas about the best way to protect humanity.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange introduces a new superhero, neurosurgeon Stephen Strange. After a career-ending car accident, Stephen embarks on a healing journey that introduces him to ancient powers.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, and his motley crew are back in this follow-up to Guardians of the Galaxy. As they delve into the mysteries of Peter Quill's past, they must also fight to keep their ragtag family safe.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
In the first MCU Spider-Man film, Peter Parker struggles to balance his high school life with his secret identity as a friendly neighbourhood superhero. He leans on Iron Man for help.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
In the third Thor film, Thor is trapped on a distant planet. He's desperate to escape in time to save Asgard from a new evil threat, but first he's forced into a deadly duel against a fellow Avenger: the Incredible Hulk.
Black Panther (2018)
When T’Challa returns home to the technologically brilliant African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king, he finds his claim disputed by an old enemy.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
In this epic crossover film, the Avengers team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop the deadliest threat the universe has yet seen: the evil ruler Thanos and his quest for unprecedented power.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
In the midst of trying to balance fatherhood with his life as a superhero, Ant-Man is presented with a mission he can't refuse.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel jumps backward in time, exploring the Marvel Universe in the 1990s. It tells the story of Carol Danvers and her rise to become Captain Marvel, one of the world's most powerful superheroes.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In this explosive conclusion to all the previous Avengers movies (and, indeed, all the Phase One, Two and Three Marvel movies), the Avengers must deal with the aftermath of their battle with Thanos in Infinity War. With half of all life in the universe extinguished, it's up to the Avengers to save what's left of humanity, once and for all.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Set eight months after Avengers: Endgame, the second Spider-Man movie follows Peter Parker on a school trip to Europe, where he gets involved in a battle against the Elementals.
Marvel Phase Four (2021 to 2023)
Phase Four includes several sequel films starring Doctor Strange, Thor, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Ant-Man. Phase Four also introduces several new characters, as well as marks the beginning of new overarching story arcs, following the conclusion of the Infinity Saga storyline in Phase Three. What's more, Phase Four was the first of the Marvel phases to officially include several original TV series, including WandaVision , Loki and Ms Marvel.
Black Widow (2021)
This is the first solo film starring Avengers member Black Widow. While investigating a dangerous conspiracy, Natasha Romanoff is forced to confront her past.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
The first Phase Four film to introduce a major new superhero, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings follows the exploits of Shang-Chi as he becomes deeply immersed in the mysterious Ten Rings organisation.
Eternals (2021)
In this ensemble film, viewers are introduced to the Eternals, an immortal race of aliens who have been secretly living on Earth for thousands of years. They emerge from hiding to protect Earth from another secret – and evil – alien race, the Deviants.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Peter Parker deals with the fallout after his identity as Spider-Man is exposed by the villain Mysterio while encountering some familiar foes from other universes.
Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Doctor Strange teams up with Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme, and Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) to try and restore a world where everything is changing. But a terrible threat – one that looks exactly like Doctor Strange – might mean their power is not enough.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
After the fallout from Avengers: Endgame, Thor is on a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher. To beat Gorr, Thor enlist the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who — to Thor's surprise — can wield his magical hammer, Mjølnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Grieving the loss of King T'Challa, his mother Queen Ramonda, sister Shuri and allies M'Baku, and Okoye fight to protect Wakanda from intervening world powers.Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Doctor Strange teams up with Wong, the Sorcerer Supreme, and Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) to try and restore a world where everything is changing. But a terrible threat – one that looks exactly like Doctor Strange – might mean their power is not enough.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
After the fallout from Avengers: Endgame, Thor is on a quest for inner peace. But his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher. To beat Gorr, Thor enlist the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who — to Thor's surprise — can wield his magical hammer, Mjølnir, as the Mighty Thor.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Grieving the loss of King T'Challa, his mother Queen Ramonda, sister Shuri and allies M'Baku, and Okoye fight to protect Wakanda from intervening world powers.
Marvel Phase Five (2023 to 2025)
Currently, we’re in Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Two films have been released so far, with a third to come in 2023. Familiar and new faces will appear during Phase Five, as Marvel continues to expand its films and television presence.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Superhero partners Ant-Man (Scott Lang) and the Wasp (Hope van Dyne) – together with Hope's parents Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, and Scott's daughter Cassie – explore the Quantum Realm, embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Guardians are settling into life on Knowhere when echoes of Rocket's turbulent past cause uncertainty. The team must band together to save Rocket's life, as he comes to terms with his upbringing, and the grief and loss he's suffered.
Marvel Phase Five (2023 to 2025)
Currently, we’re in Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Two films have been released so far, with a third to come in 2023. Familiar and new faces will appear during Phase Five, as Marvel continues to expand its films and television presence.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Superhero partners Ant-Man (Scott Lang) and the Wasp (Hope van Dyne) – together with Hope's parents Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, and Scott's daughter Cassie – explore the Quantum Realm, embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Guardians are settling into life on Knowhere when echoes of Rocket's turbulent past cause uncertainty. The team must band together to save Rocket's life, as he comes to terms with his upbringing, and the grief and loss he's suffered.
Future Phase Five Films
Late 2023 will see the release of The Marvels, a sequel to Captain Marvel, which will also feature Kamala Khan from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ms Marvel television show. And into 2024 and 2025, there’ll be a return to the Deadpool and Captain America franchises, plus new heroes introduced in Thunderbolts and Blade.
Late 2023 will see the release of The Marvels, a sequel to Captain Marvel, which will also feature Kamala Khan from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Ms Marvel television show. And into 2024 and 2025, there’ll be a return to the Deadpool and Captain America franchises, plus new heroes introduced in Thunderbolts and Blade.
