How to Watch Marvel Movies in Order: 2026 Guide
This is the definitive linear path through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, combining the “Sacred Timeline” movies, the Disney+ originals, and the “Street Level” legacy shows (Daredevil, Luke Cage, etc.) which are now canon. How to use this guide: Eras 1-5 cover the “Infinity Saga” and the “Defenders Saga” (Street Level). Era 6 covers the “Multiverse Saga” and the new Phase 6 releases up to present day (Jan 2026). Era 1: The Origins & The Golden Age (1940s – 1995) The story begins with the creation of the Super Soldier and the early days of S.H.I.E.L.D. Captain America: The First Avenger (Set in WWII) Agent Carter (Seasons 1 & 2) Setting: 1946. Peggy Carter fights early Hydra threats. Captain Marvel (Set in 1995) Note: Introduces Nick Fury and the Skrulls. Era 2: The Assembly (2008 – 2012) The world discovers superheroes. Iron Man (2008) Iron Man 2 The Incredible Hulk Thor The Avengers (2012) Crucial Event: The “Battle of New York” changes the world and triggers the events of the TV shows below. Era 3: The Age of Miracles & The Defenders (2013 – 2015) While the Avengers handle global threats, “Street Level” heroes rise in New York City to fight the crime left in the Avengers’ wake. Iron Man 3 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 1, Ep 1-16) Thor: The Dark World Captain America: The Winter Soldier Watch Order: Watch this immediately after Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ep 16 to see the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. play out in real-time. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Season 1, Ep 17-22) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (Set in 2014) Daredevil (Season 1) Why here? Matt Murdock begins cleaning up Hell’s Kitchen after the Battle of New York. [Shop Amazon: Daredevil Complete Season 1 Blu-ray] Jessica Jones (Season 1) Avengers: Age of Ultron Ant-Man Era 4: Civil War & The Fracture (2016 – 2017) The Avengers split up. This period is dense with “Street Level” stories occurring simultaneously. Captain America: Civil War Black Widow (Set immediately after Civil War) Black Panther Spider-Man: Homecoming Luke Cage (Season 1) Iron Fist (Season 1) The Defenders (Limited Series) The Event: Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist team up against The Hand. The Punisher (Season 1) Doctor Strange (Spans 2016-2017) Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Seasons 3-5) Note: Deals with Ghost Rider and the Kree/Inhuman conflict. Era 5: The Infinity War (2018 – 2023) The Snap occurs, and the universe enters five years of chaos. Thor: Ragnarok Ant-Man and the Wasp Avengers: Infinity War Avengers: Endgame (Spans 2018 – 2023) Era 6: The Multiverse Saga & The New World Order (2023 – 2027) Current Timeline. The Avengers are gone, the Multiverse is breaking, and new political powers (Kingpin, Red Hulk) are rising. The Post-Endgame Shuffle (2023-2024) Loki (Seasons 1 & 2) Timeline Note: Exists outside of time, but best viewed here to understand the Multiverse. WandaVision The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Eternals Spider-Man: Far From Home Spider-Man: No Way Home The “Modern” Era (2025 In-Universe) Hawkeye Moon Knight She-Hulk: Attorney at Law Connection: Daredevil returns here with a lighter tone. Ms. Marvel Thor: Love and Thunder Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Secret Invasion The Marvels The “Now” (2026-2027 In-Universe) This is the current cutting edge of the story as of early 2026. Echo Key Event: Kingpin begins his rise to political power. Deadpool & Wolverine Note: Deals heavily with the timeline and the “Fox Universe” legacy. [Buy on Amazon: Deadpool & Wolverine 4K UHD] Agatha All Along Daredevil: Born Again (Season 1) Timeline: Set in late 2026/early 2027. Matt Murdock and Kingpin (now Mayor Fisk) clash in a city where vigilantism is being outlawed. [Read the Inspiration: Daredevil “Born Again” Trade Paperback] Captain America: Brave New World Timeline: Early 2027. Sam Wilson faces President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Red Hulk). Thunderbolts* Timeline: Mid-2027. A team of anti-heroes (Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, U.S. Agent) is assembled by Val for a black-ops mission. Ironheart Timeline: Set after Wakanda Forever and Brave New World. Timeline Divergence: The Retro-Future The Fantastic Four: First Steps Placement: Tricky. This movie takes place in an alternate universe (Earth-828) set in a retro-futuristic 1960s. When to watch: Chronologically, it happens in the “past,” but narratively it sets up the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. We recommend watching it last (after Thunderbolts*) as a prelude to the timeline collision. [Pre-order Merch: Fantastic Four “First Steps” Apparel & Comics]