Marvel movies in order: Every Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movie releases so far

Over the course of a little more than a decade, the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) managed to keep its fans enthralled. The Marvel movies universe commenced with Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man and then introduced the key players of the universe, including the core Avengers, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Hulk and Black Widow. While we had to say goodbye to many favourites in this journey, the MCU brought forth new characters and has plans for more complex phases in its MCU. Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania, has kickstarted Phase 5. 

Marvel films in chronological order

Phase 1

Iron Man (2008)

It’s the film that started it all. Starring Robert Downey Jr as Iron, Man the first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe follows billionaire Tony Stark as he builds a suit of armour to escape from activity. The superhero Iron Man is born, paving the way for the rest of the MCU films. Iron Man grossed over $585 million and became the highest-grossing film of 2008.

• IMDB rating: 7.9/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Before Mark Ruffalo became the green monster that we’ve grown to love, Edward Norton took on the role of Bruce Banner. The film, also starring Liv Tyler, sees Banner becoming a reluctant pawn in the military scheme to revive the Super Soldier program. Banner escapes from the military, as he battles with the Hulk within him.

• Cast: Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler
• IMDB rating: 6.6/10
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Iron Man 2 (2010)

A sequel to the first Iron Man, the film sees Tony Stark evading calls from the US government to hand over the Iron Man technology as his health suffers a serious decline. While the film received much praise, it was considered rather inferior in quality to the first film. Nevertheless, it grossed over $623 million at the worldwide box office.

• IMDB rating: 6.9/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Thor (2011)

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Thor saw Chris Hemsworth take on the role of the powerful Norse God, who is banished from his kingdom of Asgard after reigniting a war. His brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) conspires to usurp the throne, and Thor has to prove himself worthy. The film also starred Natalie Portman.

• IMDB rating: 7/10
• Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Directed by John Johnston, the film sees Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a physically weak man, who is transformed into the super soldier Captain America and is tasked with preventing the enemy Red Skull from using the Tesseract, to overtake the world. The film also starred Hayley Atwell and Sebastian Stan.

• IMDB rating: 6.9/10
• Cast: Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

The Avengers (2012)

All the superheroes including Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) join forces to prevent Thor’s brother Loki from conquering Earth. The film grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, breaking new records at the global box office and becoming the first Marvel film to generate 1 billion in sales. 

• IMDB rating: 8/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Phase 2

Iron Man 3 (2013)

With the events of The Avengers film still fresh in his mind, Tony Stark has a new series of challenges as he has to deal with a national terrorism campaign in the United States, led by the Mandarin. Jon Favreau, who had directed the first two Iron Man films, did not return for the third film, which was instead helmed by Shane Black. 

• IMDB rating: 7.1/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Thor The Dark World (2013)

The second film in the Thor franchise, and possibly the most condemned, Thor The Dark World sees Loki being punished for his crimes in The Avengers film. However, darker forces are at play, and once again Thor and Loki need to set aside their differences as they venture to save the Nine Realms from the Dark Elves.

• IMDB rating: 6.8/10
• Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

While Steve Rogers struggles to adjust to his new life while working at S.H.I.E.L.D., he is compelled to join forces with Black Widow and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) as they uncover the truth about an assassin named The Winter Soldier. The film was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo.

• IMDB rating: 7.8/10
• Cast: Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Samuel L Jackson, Scarlett Johansson
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Leaving the Earth aside for a bit, Marvel introduced the Guardians to us – a group of intergalactic misfits, Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Groot (Vin Diesel) and Drax (Dave Bautista). Directed by James Gunn, the film sees the group going on the run after tracking down the Power Stone. 

• IMDB rating: 8/10
• Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Avengers Age of Ultron (2015)

The Avengers are back, and they encounter Pietro and Wanda Maximoff, both of whom have tragic backstories. Events spin out of control after Tony Stark and Bruce Banner’s ‘Ultron’ defence plan goes haywire as the artificial intelligence plans to eradicate the earth of all humanity.

• IMDB rating: 7.3/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Elizabeth Olsen
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Ant-Man (2015)

Starring Paul Rudd as Ant-Man aka Scott Lang, a thief, the film sees Lang trying to protect Hank Pym’s Ant-Man shrinking technology. The film also starred Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas and was the final film of Phase 2 of the MCU.

• IMDB rating: 7.3/10
• Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Phase 3

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The Avengers suffer an irreparable rift as they disagree over the international oversight in the aftermath of the Ultron debacle. As the UN plans to pass the Sokovia Accords, the Avengers are fractured into two opposing groups, one led by Tony Stark and the other led by Steve Rogers. 

• IMDB rating: 7.8/10
• Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Doctor Strange (2016)

A little bit of sorcery was missing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the introduction of Benedict Cumberbatch’s arrogant Dr Strange filled that void. The film follows Strange, a narcissistic surgeon, who suffers an accident. This life-changing incident leads him to the mystic arts. The film also stars Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams.

• IMDB rating: 7.5/10
• Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)

Directed by James Gunn, the film sees the return of the Guardians, who are more of a close-knit family now, though Gamora still struggles to understand her sister Nebula (Karen Gillian). The power-crazed Titan Thanos (Josh Brolin) assumes more significance in the film, paving the way for his role later on.

• IMDB rating: 7.6/10
• Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillian, Bradley Cooper
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Much to the joy of fans, Marvel acquired the rights to Spider-Man, the popular neighbourhood web-slinging hero. Starring Tom Holland, the film sees his training by Tony Stark as he struggles to understand his newfound powers. The film also stars Zendaya as MJ.

• IMDB rating: 7.4/10
• Cast: Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr, Zendaya, Michael Keaton
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Thor Ragnarok (2017)

Directed by Taika Waititi, the third film in the franchise was a sharp divergence from the previous films in tone and story. Thor Ragnarok sees the introduction of Cate Blanchett’s insidious Hela, Thor and Loki’s sister. The two brothers must combine forces again and escape from the planet of Sakaar and save Asguard from Hela and the impending Ragnarok.

• IMDB rating: 7.9/10
• Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, Cate Blanchett
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Black Panther (2018)

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the MCU shifted focus to the fictional African kingdom of Wakanda, where T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is crowned king. However, he faces a dire threat from Michael Jordan’s Killmonger, who has different plans for the nation.

• IMDB rating: 7.3/10
• Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Letitia Wright, Michael Jordan
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Avengers: The Infinity War (2018)

Thanos is on the hunt for the six infinity stones, as he plans to snap away half the universe. The Avengers and Guardians begin a fight to the death to stop him, but with unsuccessful results. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film received praise for its performance and emotional weight. It grossed over $2 billion worldwide.

• IMDB rating: 8.4/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Tom Holland, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)

A brief relief from the wounds caused by Avengers Infinity War, the film introduced the Quantum Realm, as the two superheroes struggle to save Janet Von Dyne from the Quantum Realm.

• IMDB rating: 7.0/10
• Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Captain Marvel (2019)

A clear set-up for the events of Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, starring Brie Larson, follows the backstory of the popular Marvel character as she struggles to piece the memories of her past together. The film sees her caught in the centre of a galactic conflict between two alien civilisations.

• IMDB rating: 6.8/10
• Cast: Brie Larson, Jude Law, Samuel L Jackson
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Avengers Endgame (2019)

The remaining Avengers grieve the loss of their teammates in the wake of Thanos’s destruction. Five years later, Scott Lang accidentally returns from the Quantum Realm and finds a new world to deal with—and decides to pull the ‘time heist’ with the rest of the Avengers and bring back the rest of the superheroes. It’s a final showdown between the Avengers and Thanos and was also the final appearance for Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man.

• IMDB rating: 8.4/10
• Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brie Larson, Josh Brolin, Zoe Saldana
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Spider-Man Far From Home (2019)

After the rather bittersweet conclusion to Avengers Endgame, the film sees Peter Parker returning to school and trying to recover from losing his mentor, Tony Stark. As he questions his capabilities as a superhero while holidaying with his classmates in Europe, a new villain is at work and has a rather devious plan at hand.

• IMDB: 7.4/10
• Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal, Samuel L Jackson
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Phase 4 

Black Widow (2021)

Natasha Romanoff finally gets her own film—though it is not quite the origins story as one would expect. The sequence of Black Widow somehow takes place just after the events of Captain America Civil War and sees Natasha coming to terms with her tragic past before she became an Avenger.

• IMDB rating: 6.7/10
• Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Shang-Chi Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Starring Simu Liu and Awkwafina, the film is a first for Asian culture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and follows Shang-chi as he gets entangled in the Ten Rings organisation. During this journey, he also confronts his past.

• IMDB rating: 7.4/10
• Cast: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

The Eternals (2021)

An ambitious project with a star-studded cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiliani, The Eternals introduces the immortal aliens who emerge from hiding to protect the Earth from ancient counterparts, named the Deviants. However, the film received poor ratings and reviews.

• IMDB rating: 6.3/10
• Cast: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Barry Keoghan, Ma Deong-Seok, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Doctor Strange returns to save the multiverse-hopping teenager America Chevez from the hands of a simmering Wanda Maximoff, who is still grieving the loss of Vision and her children. Strange travels the multiverse while Wanda unleashes destruction and murder everywhere.

• IMDB rating: 6.9/10
• Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Thor Love and Thunder (2022)

The fourth film in the Thor franchise sees Thor struggling to find peace with himself. However, there isn’t enough time for that, as he needs to find Valkyrie and Korg to prevent Gor The God Butcher from murdering all Gods.

• IMDB rating: 6.3/10
• Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film, which explores the grief in the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s death, sees Letitia Wright’s Shuri take on the mantle of the Black Panther after Namor declares war on Wakanda. 

• IMDB rating: /10
• Cast: 
• Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar