Introduction
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is one of the most expansive and popular franchises in film history. Since its inception in 2008 with Iron Man, the MCU has grown to include some of the highest-grossing films of all time, creating a vast and interconnected universe of characters, storylines, and plot points. With so many movies to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start – or what order to watch them in.
For those looking to get the most out of their MCU viewing experience, watching the movies in order is essential. Not only does it allow viewers to better appreciate the intertwined stories and character arcs, but it also provides a comprehensive look at how the MCU has evolved over the past decade. From Captain America: The First Avenger to Avengers: Endgame, this step-by-step guide will provide an overview of the best way to watch every Marvel movie.
Step-by-Step Guide to Watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Chronological Order
When watching the MCU in chronological order, the first movie you should watch is Captain America: The First Avenger. This movie serves as an introduction to Steve Rogers, the titular superhero who was originally a scrawny World War II soldier given superhuman abilities via an experimental serum. It also introduces us to Peggy Carter, the love interest for Steve, as well as Red Skull, the villain of the movie.
The next movie you should watch is Iron Man, which follows Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, as he is kidnapped by terrorists and forced to build a devastating weapon. To save his own life, Tony instead builds a powerful suit of armor that helps him escape his captors. This movie sets up the rest of the MCU, introducing us to S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, and the concept of a “superhero team”.
Thor follows Iron Man, introducing us to the god of thunder and his struggles to balance his responsibilities on Earth and in Asgard. His story culminates in a showdown with his adopted brother Loki, who seeks to take over Asgard and enslave humanity. The Incredible Hulk, the last movie before The Avengers, follows Bruce Banner, who is attempting to control his rage-fueled alter ego, the Hulk.
Avengers Assemble brings together all of the heroes from the previous movies, as they must band together to stop Loki’s plans for world domination. Captain America: The Winter Soldier follows, as Steve Rogers attempts to adjust to life in modern day America and uncover a conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. Guardians of the Galaxy then introduces us to a ragtag group of outlaws who must protect the universe from a powerful villain.
Avengers: Age of Ultron follows, as the Avengers must face off against a powerful artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark. Ant-Man comes next, as Scott Lang attempts to redeem himself by becoming a hero and going up against a powerful villain. Captain America: Civil War arrives after, as the Avengers are split into two factions due to ideological differences.
Doctor Strange follows, as Stephen Strange learns the mystic arts in order to protect the world from a powerful enemy. Spider-Man: Homecoming then introduces us to Peter Parker, who must juggle his responsibilities as a high school student and a superhero. Black Panther follows, as T’Challa returns home to Wakanda and must protect his people from a powerful enemy.
Thor: Ragnarok follows, as Thor must reunite with his estranged brother Loki in order to save Asgard from destruction. Avengers: Infinity War follows, as the Avengers must unite once again to prevent Thanos from wiping out half of all life in the universe. Ant-Man and the Wasp follows, as Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne must work together to save the world from a mysterious threat.
Captain Marvel then follows, as Carol Danvers discovers her true power and potential. Finally, Avengers: Endgame concludes the story arc of the MCU, as the Avengers must use all of their resources to try and undo the damage caused by Thanos.
Definitive Ranking of the Marvel Movies: What Order Should You Watch Them In?
Now that you know the chronological order of the Marvel movies, the question remains: what order should you watch them in? Depending on your preferences, there are three main ways to rank the Marvel movies: by box office performance, by critics’ ratings, and by popularity.
Ranking by Box Office Performance
According to Forbes, the highest-grossing Marvel movie of all time is Avengers: Endgame, with a worldwide gross of over $2 billion. Other top-grossing movies include Avengers: Infinity War ($2 billion), Black Panther ($1.3 billion), Avengers: Age of Ultron ($1.4 billion), and Captain America: Civil War ($1.1 billion).
Ranking by Critics’ Ratings
According to Rotten Tomatoes, the highest-rated Marvel movie of all time is Black Panther, with an impressive 97% on the Tomatometer. Other highly rated movies include Avengers: Endgame (94%), Avengers: Infinity War (85%), The Avengers (92%), and Iron Man (93%).
Ranking by Popularity
According to IMDb user ratings, the most popular Marvel movie of all time is Avengers: Endgame, with an average rating of 8.5/10. Other highly rated movies include Avengers: Infinity War (8.4/10), The Avengers (8.1/10), Black Panther (7.3/10), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (7.5/10).
Ultimate Timeline of Marvel Movies: How to Watch Every Film in Order
While the MCU officially began in 2008 with Iron Man, there are several movies set in the past that are important for viewers to watch in order to get the full picture of the franchise. These movies cover key events such as the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the creation of Captain America, as well as more personal moments such as Tony Stark’s origin story and Bruce Banner’s struggle to contain the Hulk.
Pre-Iron Man (1942-2008)
The first movie in the MCU timeline is Captain America: The First Avenger, which is set during World War II. This movie follows Steve Rogers as he is transformed into the iconic superhero and battles Red Skull and his forces. Other important pre-Iron Man movies include Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), and The Incredible Hulk (2008).
Iron Man to Avengers: Age of Ultron (2008-2015)
The next batch of movies in the timeline begins with Iron Man and ends with Avengers: Age of Ultron. During this period, we see the formation of the Avengers and their battle against numerous villains, including Loki, Ultron, and Hydra. Other important movies from this period include Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
Ant-Man to Avengers: Endgame (2015-2019)
The final batch of movies in the timeline begins with Ant-Man and ends with Avengers: Endgame. During this period, we see the Avengers attempt to undo the damage caused by Thanos, as well as the introduction of new heroes such as Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel. Other important movies from this period include Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).
How to Catch Up on the Marvel Movies Before Avengers: Endgame
If you’re looking to get caught up on the Marvel movies before Avengers: Endgame, there are several options available. The easiest and most convenient way is to stream the movies on services such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. Alternatively, you can purchase DVDs or Blu-rays of the movies, or even head to the theater to watch them on the big screen.
The Best Way to Watch the Marvel Movies: Chronologically or by Release Date?
Now that you know the chronological order of the Marvel movies and how to catch up on them before Avengers: Endgame, the question remains: what’s the best way to watch them? While there are pros and cons to both approaches, ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
Pros and Cons of Chronological Order
One of the main advantages of watching the Marvel movies in chronological order is that it allows viewers to better appreciate the intertwined stories and character arcs. Additionally, watching the movies in order provides a comprehensive look at how the MCU has evolved over the past decade. However, one downside of watching the movies in chronological order is that it can be confusing for viewers who are unfamiliar with the characters and storylines.
Pros and Cons of Release Date Order
On the other hand, watching the movies in release date order has its own advantages. For one, it allows viewers to experience the franchise as it unfolded, as each movie builds upon the events of the previous one. Additionally, it allows viewers to experience the evolution of the MCU in real time and appreciate the changes that have been made over the years. However, one potential downside of watching the movies in release date order is that it can be hard to keep track of the characters and storylines if you’re not familiar with them.
What’s the Right Order to Watch All the Marvel Movies?
Ultimately, the right order to watch all the Marvel movies depends on your individual preferences. If you want to get the most out of your viewing experience, it’s best to watch the movies in chronological order. This allows you to appreciate the intertwined stories and character arcs, as well as understand how the MCU has evolved over the years.
However, if you’re looking for a more immersive experience, it might be worth considering a hybrid approach. This involves watching some of the movies in chronological order, while also watching some of the movies in release date order. This allows you to experience both the evolution of the MCU, as well as the thrill of experiencing it unfold in real time.
Conclusion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most expansive and popular franchises in film history. With so many movies to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start – or what order to watch them in. For those looking to get the most out of their MCU viewing experience, watching the movies in order is essential. This step-by-step guide provided an overview of the best way to watch every Marvel movie, as well as the definitive ranking of the movies depending on box office performance, critics’ ratings, and popularity. Ultimately, the right order to watch all the Marvel movies depends on your individual preferences, but it’s best to watch them in chronological order to appreciate the intertwined stories and character arcs.
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