Your Ultimate Guide to Watching Avengers Films in Order
Hello, fellow Earth's mightiest heroes! If you've found your way here, it's probably because you're ready to assemble your viewing plan for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) Avengers films. Well, you've come to the right place! We're going to break down the best way to watch all the Avengers movies in order, so you can follow the epic storylines and character arcs that have made this franchise a cultural phenomenon. So, grab your popcorn, and let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and avengers films in order.
The Infinity Saga: A Brief Overview
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of watching Avengers films in order, let's quickly talk about the overarching story that connects all the movies in the MCU. The Infinity Saga, as it's known, is divided into three phases, each culminating in an Avengers film. These phases follow a loose structure of introducing characters, building up to a big team-up, and then dealing with the consequences of their actions. With that out of the way, let's get into the main event!
Phase One: The Assembly
Iron Man (2008)
Kicking off the MCU is everyone's favorite genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist – Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. This film introduces us to the world of superheroes, supervillains, and the overarching threat that will eventually bring all our heroes together. Plus, it's got a fantastic soundtrack and Robert Downey Jr. at his charismatic best.
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
While not strictly an Avengers film, this solo outing for the big green guy is essential viewing for understanding the MCU's version of Bruce Banner and his Hulk alter-ego. Plus, it features a memorable post-credits scene that sets the stage for the first Avengers film.
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark is back, and this time, he's got some new friends – and enemies. This film introduces us to the Black Widow program, which will eventually lead to the recruitment of Natasha Romanoff, and sets the stage for the eventual formation of the Avengers.
Thor (2011)
From the streets of New Mexico to the halls of Asgard, Thor takes us on a wild ride through the Nine Realms, introducing us to the god of thunder and his mischievous brother Loki. This film is also crucial for understanding the cosmic side of the MCU and the threat posed by the Infinity Stones.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Step back in time with Steve Rogers as he's transformed from a scrawny kid with a big heart into the peak human specimen known as Captain America. This film not only introduces us to the star-spangled Avenger but also sets the stage for the eventual thawing of his frozen body and his recruitment into the Avengers.
The Avengers (2012)
And here it is, the film that brought together Earth's mightiest heroes for the first time! Loki's schemes to conquer Earth bring together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye for an epic battle that sets the stage for the rest of the MCU.
Phase Two: The Fall and the Rise
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Tony Stark is back, and this time, he's dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of New York. This film explores the psychological toll that the Avengers' battles have taken on our heroes and sets the stage for some major character development in the next phase.
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thor and Loki are back, and this time, they're facing off against the dark elf Malekith. This film introduces us to the Reality Stone, one of the Infinity Stones that will eventually be used to power Thanos' Infinity Gauntlet.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Steve Rogers and the Falcon team up to take on a Hydra-infested S.H.I.E.L.D. and an old enemy from Cap's past – the Winter Soldier. This film is a masterclass in spy movie action and has some major implications for the rest of the MCU.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Get ready to dance, dance, dance, as Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot join forces to take on Ronan the Accuser and his search for an Infinity Stone. This film introduces us to the cosmic side of the MCU and some of its most beloved characters.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers are back, and this time, they're facing off against an AI created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. This film explores the consequences of the Avengers' actions and sets the stage for some major character developments in the next phase.
Ant-Man (2015)
Paul Rudd joins the MCU as Scott Lang, the thief with the power to shrink and grow at will. This film introduces us to the Quantum Realm, which will become incredibly important in the next phase of the MCU.
Phase Three: The Endgame
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The Avengers are divided as the Sokovia Accords force our heroes to choose sides in a battle that will have far-reaching consequences. This film introduces us to the Black Panther and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Benedict Cumberbatch joins the MCU as the titular sorcerer, who must defend Earth from the forces of the Dark Dimension. This film introduces us to the multiverse and the Time Stone, which will become crucial in the fight against Thanos.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The Guardians are back, and this time, they're facing off against Kurt Russell's Ego the Living Planet. This film explores the origins of Star-Lord and sets the stage for some major events in the next Guardians film.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Tom Holland swings into action as everyone's favorite wall-crawler, who must balance his high school life with his newfound powers. This film introduces us to the Vulture and sets the stage for some major events in the next Spider-Man film.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor, Hulk, and Loki join forces to take on Hela, the goddess of death, and her plans to destroy Asgard. This film introduces us to the Grandmaster, the Collector, and the Sakaar, and sets the stage for some major events in the next Thor film.
Black Panther (2018)
T'Challa takes the throne of Wakanda and must defend his kingdom from Erik Killmonger's plans to weaponize vibranium and overthrow the Wakandan government. This film introduces us to the Dora Milaje, the Jabari, and the Border Tribe, and sets the stage for some major events in the next Black Panther film.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The Avengers, the Guardians, and the rest of the MCU's heroes join forces to take on Thanos and his quest to collect all six Infinity Stones. This film features some of the most shocking and emotional moments in the MCU and sets the stage for the final battle in the next Avengers film.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne join forces to take on Ghost and her plans to steal a powerful new technology. This film introduces us to the Quantum Realm and sets the stage for some major events in the next Avengers film.
Captain Marvel (2019)
Brie Larson joins the MCU as Carol Danvers, the titular hero who must defend Earth from the Skrulls and their plans to invade. This film introduces us to the Kree, the Skrulls, and the Tesseract, and sets the stage for some major events in the next Avengers film.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The Avengers are back for one last battle against Thanos and his army. This film features some of the most emotional and satisfying moments in the MCU and brings the Infinity Saga to a close.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Tom Holland swings back into action as Peter Parker, who must defend Europe from the Elementals and the Mysterio. This film introduces us to the multiverse and sets the stage for the next phase of the MCU.
The Multiverse Saga: A New Beginning
Black Widow (2021)
Scarlett Johansson returns as Natasha Romanoff, who must confront her past and take down the Red Room once and for all. This film introduces us to the Taskmaster and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase of the MCU.
Eternals (2021)
The Eternals join the MCU as they must defend Earth from the Deviants and their plans to destroy all life on the planet. This film introduces us to the Celestials and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase of the MCU.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Simu Liu joins the MCU as Shang-Chi, who must confront his father and the Ten Rings organization. This film introduces us to the multiverse and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase of the MCU.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange, who must defend the multiverse from the forces of the Darkhold and their plans to unleash a terrible evil. This film introduces us to the Illuminati and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase of the MCU.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, who must defend the Golden Realm from Gorr the God Butcher and his plans to destroy all the gods. This film introduces us to the Guardians of the Galaxy and sets the stage for some major events in the next phase of the MCU.
Conclusion: The Future of the Avengers
And there you have it, folks! Your ultimate guide to watching Avengers films in order. Whether you're a seasoned MCU veteran or a new recruit, we hope this guide has helped you assemble your viewing plan and prepare for the next phase of the MCU. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and get ready to join Earth's mightiest heroes on their epic journey through the cosmos. Until next time, true believers!