Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Best Way to Watch Your First MCU Journey

Whether you're a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) who has been waiting for the next big release or someone who has never caught a single Marvel movie before, beginning with the right order can make a significant difference in your experience. In this article, we will explore the best way to watch the MCU movies, whether it be in release order, chronological order, or an optimal order that makes understanding the complex narrative easier. Join me on this journey to discover the magic of the MCU.

Why Start Your MCU Journey?

It’s a common dilemma for new fans or those who are catching up. Should you watch the MCU in the order they were released, the order in which the events unfold, or a combination of both? If you were in the same boat just two years ago, you might appreciate the approach taken by the many in the field. Personally, I started with the release order, which has allowed me to go back and watch the movies again in chronological order, noticing new details and fully understanding the development of characters and plotlines across the MCU timeline.

Watching in release order provides a definitive starting point, but it can be a bit like entering a game and immediately jumping into the last level. In comparison, watching the MCU in chronological order is akin to following the storyline of a book or a series of episodes, ensuring that you experience the saga in the correct sequence and unravel the mysteries along the way. However, for a more coherent and phased understanding, an optimal order is often the recommended choice.

Optimal Order for Binge-Watching the MCU

If you're looking for the most comprehensive and understandable way to watch the MCU, the optimal order is your best bet. Following this sequence, you will be able to fully appreciate the interconnectedness of the movies and the growth of the characters, leading to a cohesive experience.

Chronological Order

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Captain Marvel (2019) Iron Man (2008) Iron Man 2 (2010) The Incredible Hulk (2008) Thor (2011) The Avengers (2012) Iron Man 3 (2013) Thor: The Dark World (2013) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) Ant-Man (2015) Captain America: Civil War (2016) Black Widow (2021) Black Panther (2018) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Doctor Strange (2016) Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018) Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Avengers: Endgame (2019) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Eternals (2021) Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

This sequence ensures a linear narrative progression that ties together the overarching storyline of the MCU, making it easier to follow and appreciate the deep connections between the movies.

Release Order

While release order is only one of the three recommended methods, it offers an unforgettable experience. Starting with the initial movies and concluding with the most recent releases allows you to immerse yourself in the evolving universe created by Marvel Studios. Here is the release order for those who wish to follow this path:

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Iron Man (2008) Iron Man 2 (2010) The Incredible Hulk (2008) Thor (2011) Iron Man 3 (2013) The Avengers (2012) Thor: The Dark World (2013) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Captain America: Civil War (2016) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Doctor Strange (2016) Captain Marvel (2019) Ant-Man (2015) Black Panther (2018) Black Widow (2021) Avengers: Infinity War (2018) Avengers: Endgame (2019) Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 (2019) Captain America: Civil War (2016) (repeated for clarity) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Eternals (2021) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) (repeated for clarity)

Optimal Order

The optimal order is structured to provide the clearest narrative flow, making it easier to understand various storylines and character arcs. This sequence is designed to help new viewers appreciate the MCU's connected narrative and the growth of its characters. Here is the optimal order:

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Spider-Man 2 (2004, with Tom Holland in 2019) Spider-Man 3 (2007, with Andrew Garfield in 2019) Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) Iron Man (2008) Iron Man 2 (2010) The Incredible Hulk (2008) Thor (2011) The Avengers (2012) Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) Thor 2 (2013) Iron Man 3 (2013) Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) (repeated for clarity) Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) Ant-Man (2015) Black Panther (2018) Captain America 2 (2014) Doctor Strange (2016) Thor 3 (2017) Ant-Man 2 (2018) Infinity War (2018) Endgame (2019) Dr Strange 2 (2022) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Eternals (2021) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

This order breaks down the complex narrative into smaller, more digestible pieces, making it easier to understand and follow the journey of the MCU.

Other Ways to Experience the MCU

While the above three methods will provide a solid foundation for experiencing the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are a few other ways to dive into the MCU. The What If... series, for example, offers alternate narratives that can be watched whenever, as they do not follow the main timeline. Other series like LOKI, WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and the Secret Invasion series can also be enjoyed separately but offer fascinating tie-ins and additional depth to the overall story.

Conclusion

No matter which order you choose, the key is to enjoy the journey and get lost in the vast and intricate world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Whether you're a hardcore fan or a newcomer, the MCU has something for everyone. So grab your popcorn, and let's embark on this thrilling odyssey together!

Happy watching!