What counts as a Marvel movie
When people ask for all Marvel movies, they usually mean the feature films connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, along with a smaller number of earlier Marvel films not part of the MCU. This overview focuses on official theatrical releases from Marvel Studios and closely affiliated partners, excluding most short films, television series, and non-theatrical specials. The list spans movies released by Marvel itself as well as titles distributed in partnership with studios, reflecting the broad reach of the brand. Below we break them down by production order and narrative order for clarity.
How to read this list: production order vs narrative order
There are two helpful ways to look at Marvel movies: the order they were made (production order), which helps understand real-world timelines, and the order they take place in the story (narrative order), which helps follow character arcs and cause-and-effect. For new viewers, starting with narrative order within phases is often recommended, while completists and collectors often track production order to see how the universe expanded. We provide both sequences below and in a summary table.
Production order highlights
Production order reflects when cameras rolled and when films reached audiences. Early entries like Iron Man in 2008 and The Incredible Hulk in 2008 set the tone, followed by a steady stream of sequels and new introductions. Phase Three added high-profile titles such as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, culminating in multiverse-focused stories like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Later phases include both continued sagas and films intended to launch new franchises.
Narrative order highlights
Narrative order follows the internal timeline of the MCU, beginning with Phase One’s origin stories and moving through escalating threats, personal journeys, and universe-level events. Key turning points include the Sokovia Accords, time travel experiments, and shifts in leadership among heroes and villains. This sequence helps viewers appreciate callbacks, evolving relationships, and long-term consequences across multiple films.
The Marvel movie checklist: every theatrical release linked to Marvel
Below is a curated, evergreen list of feature films that are widely recognized as part of Marvel’s official cinematic portfolio. It includes mainline MCU entries and a few legacy titles often referenced in discussions of the brand’s history. Standalone films, ensemble epics, and multiverse adventures are all represented. For quick reference, each film is tagged by its primary category, such as origin story, ensemble crossover, or cosmic saga.
| Title | Year | Phase / Category | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Man | 2008 | Phase One | Origin |
| The Incredible Hulk | 2008 | Phase One | Origin |
| Iron Man 2 | 2010 | Phase One | Legacy expansion |
| Thor | 1011 | Phase One | Mythic origin |
| Captain America: The First Avenger | 2011 | Phase One | Period origin |
| The Avengers | 2012 | Phase One | Ensemble first contact |
| Iron Man 3 | 2013 | Phase Two | Solo conclusion |
| Thor: The Dark World | 2013 | Phase Two | Cosmic escalation |
| Captain America: The Winter Soldier | 2014 | Phase Two | Political thriller |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | 2014 | Phase Two | Space ensemble |
| Avengers: Age of Ultron | 2015 | Phase Two | Ensemble escalation |
| Ant-Man | 2015 | Phase Two | Heist/size shift |
| Captain America: Civil War | 2016 | Phase Three | Conflict and division |
| Doctor Strange | 2016 | Phase Three | Reality bending |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | 2017 | Phase Three | Family and cosmos |
| Spider-Man: Homecoming | 2017 | Phase Three | Teen origin |
| Thor: Ragnarok | 2017 | Phase Three | Comedic cosmic war |
| Black Panther | 2018 | Phase Three | Nation and legacy |
| Avengers: Infinity War | 2018 | Phase Three | Infinity Gauntlet climax |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp | 2018 | Phase Three | Heist sequel |
| Captain Marvel | 2019 | Phase Four | Kree-Earth origins |
| Avengers: Endgame | 2019 | Phase Three | Snap resolution |
| Spider-Man: Far From Home | 2019 | Phase Four | European aftermath |
| Black Widow | 2021 | Phase Four | Espionage origins |
| Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | 2021 | Phase Four | Ancient legacy |
| Eternals | 2021 | Phase Four | Celestial history |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home | 2021 | Phase Four | Multiverse convergence |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness | 2022 | Phase Six | Multiverse exploration |
| Thor: Love and Thunder | 2022 | Phase Four | Cosomic comedy finale |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | 2022 | Phase Four | Legacy continuation |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | 2023 | Phase Five | Quantum realm adventure |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | 2023 | Phase Five | Guardians conclusion |
| The Marvels | 2023 | Phase Five | Hero team-up |
| Deadpool & Wolverine | 2024 | Phase Five | X-Men integration |
Breaking down the phases at a glance
Each phase groups films released around the same time and advances the overarching story. Early phases focus on origin stories and team formation, while later phases tackle multiverse concepts and broader crossovers. Below is a quick scan of what to expect from each phase in terms of tone and scope.
- Phase One (2008–2012): Introduces Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and assembles the Avengers. Establishes tone and interconnected storytelling.
- Phase Two (2013–2015): Explores cosmic and espionage corners of the universe with sequels and new teams, including Guardians.
- Phase Three (2016–2019): Brings larger conflicts, franchise milestones, and pivotal character conclusions, capped by Infinity War and Endgame.
- Phase Four (2021–2022): Expands into new heroes, time, and multiverse while closing some legacy stories.
- Phase Five (2023–2024): Advances the multiverse saga and integrates X-Men properties following acquisition events.
- Phase Six and beyond (2025+): Will focus on legacy planning as the earliest MCU stories approach multiversal timelines.
Where to find Marvel movies by platform
Availability varies by region and streaming service. Many core MCU titles rotate among Disney+ and streaming partners, while some recent releases appear earlier on paid premium tiers or physical media. Always check your local catalog for the current windowing model, since carriage agreements change over time.
Common questions about Marvel movie lists
Is Deadpool part of the Marvel movies list?
Deadpool (2016, 2018) was produced by 20th Century Fox and is not part of the MCU, though it shares the X-Men film rights. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) marks the first time the character appears within the broader Marvel Studios banner.
What about The Amazing Spider-Man films?
Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man series exists outside the MCU. Spider-Man: Homecoming and its sequels integrate the character into the MCU, but the earlier standalone films are separate.
How should I watch if I’m new to Marvel
Begin with Phase One in narrative order: Iron Man → The Incredible Hulk → Iron Man 2 → Thor → Captain America: The First Avenger → The Avengers. This introduces origin stories and the central conflict clearly.
Are there any Marvel movies not made by Marvel Studios
Yes. Several films carry Marvel branding via licensing or prior rights but are produced by other studios, such as earlier Spider-Man and X-Men features. The list above focuses on titles directly tied to the shared cinematic universe.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary studio | Marvel Studios | Official |
| First MCU film | Iron Man (2008) | Release record |
| Latest MCU release | Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) | Release record |
| Total core MCU features | 30+ theatrical features (as of 2024) | Studio publication |
| Non-MCU Marvel features | Deadpool series, The Amazing Spider-Man series | Rights & production info |
Summary takeaway
Every Marvel movie can be grouped into an official MCU sequence, a handful of licensed features, and upcoming projects still in development. By reading production order, narrative order, or phase groups, you can navigate the full catalog with context about character arcs and real-world timing. The list above is curated for accuracy and maintained as an evergreen reference as new titles join the broader Marvel cinematic landscape.