133 titles spanning WWII to 2026 — but not all were released in story sequence. Here's everything you need to know about the MCU's two timelines.
Sorted by when events happen in the Marvel universe. Starts with Captain America in WWII, follows the universe's timeline through to 2026. Some films jump decades from their release date.
Sorted by when films and shows were actually released to the public. Starts with Iron Man (2008), follows Marvel Studios' intended storytelling sequence. Avoids early-phase spoilers.
These 6 titles have the biggest gap between their story setting and when they were released — the ones that move most dramatically between the two orders.
The MCU timeline begins here in WWII, but the film was the 5th Marvel Studios release. Watch first for chronological order.
Released in 2019 as Marvel's 21st film, Captain Marvel is set in the 1990s. In story order it belongs near the start — before Iron Man's era begins.
Released after Avengers: Endgame in 2021, but the film takes place in 2016 — between Civil War and Infinity War. It fills a gap in the timeline.
Despite releasing in 2017, Vol. 2's story takes place just months after the first Guardians film in 2014. The two films run almost in parallel.
This TV series set in 1946 didn't release until 2015 — nearly 70 years after its story period. It fits right after The First Avenger in story order.
Logan's story is set in a dystopian 2029, making it one of the furthest-future entries in the MCU timeline despite releasing in 2017.
The full MCU is organised into 13 eras — Legacy periods and numbered Phases. Each era groups titles by their story setting, not release date.
| Era | Titles | Runtime | Release Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Legacy: WWII & The 1940s | 4 | 15.8h | 2011–2016 |
| 2 Legacy: 1960s | 1 | 2.2h | 2011 |
| 3 Legacy: 1990s | 2 | 4.1h | 1998–2019 |
| 4 Legacy: 2000s | 10 | 20.6h | 2000–2014 |
| 5 Phase 1 — The Avengers Initiative (2008–2012) | 11 | 10.8h | 2008–2012 |
| 6 Phase 2 — HYDRA & The Infinity Stones (2012–2015) | 8 | 43.8h | 2013–2017 |
| 7 Phase 3A — Street Level Heroes (2015–2016) | 10 | 67.8h | 2015–2017 |
| 8 Phase 3B — Civil War & Fallout (2016–2018) | 20 | 125.2h | 2014–2024 |
| 9 Phase 3C — Ragnarok & The Infinity War (2018) | 13 | 85.7h | 2017–2020 |
| 10 Phase 4 — The Blip & New Beginnings (2023) | 11 | 47.5h | 2019–2022 |
| 11 Phase 4 — Multiverse Opens (2024–2025) | 25 | 61.8h | 2021–2025 |
| 12 Phase 5 — The Multiverse War (2025–2026) | 10 | 41.2h | 2023–2025 |
| 13 Phase 6 — Doomsday (2026) | 7 | 25.8h | 2025–2026 |
The MCU timeline is the in-universe chronological order of all 133 Marvel titles — spanning from World War II in the 1940s through to 2026. It differs from the release order in which the films and shows were published.
For first-time viewers, release order is recommended — it mirrors how the story was intended to unfold and avoids early spoilers. Story (chronological) order is better for rewatches, as it reveals connections and fills gaps like Black Widow and Agent Carter.
Captain Marvel has the largest divergence — released in 2019 as Marvel's 21st film, yet its story is set in the 1990s (#6 chronologically). Agent Carter (1940s setting, released 2015) and Black Widow (2016 setting, released 2021) are close behind.
The MCU has 9 numbered phases plus Legacy content set in WWII, the 1960s, the 1990s, the 2000s, and the future. Phase 6 culminates with Avengers: Doomsday in 2026. See the full phases guide for detailed breakdowns of each era.