Understanding the Marvel timeline is essential for fans who want to grasp the full scope of the MCU's expansive narrative. This timeline offers a comprehensive overview of every MCU film and TV show, presented in the order they chronologically occur. With over 40 individual projects to consider, piecing together the MCU's timeline is a complex task, especially given that these projects weren't released in the order of their in-universe events. Moreover, the MCU's storyline is set a few years ahead of real-time. The release of "Loki" season 2, a part of Marvel Phase 5, makes it even more pertinent for fans to stay updated with the Multiverse Saga's major happenings.
We're here to simplify this for you. Below, you'll find a detailed guide to the Marvel timeline, where each project is organized in the sequence they take place within the universe. This includes those projects whose canonical status is ambiguous, such as "Agents of Shield," along with non-MCU Spider-Man films and the alternate realities explored in "What If…?"
Marvel Chronology: 1931-1995
- Agents of Shield season 7 (1931-2019)*
- Captain America: The First Avenger (1943-45)
- One Shot: Agent Carter (1944)
- Agent Carter Season 1 (1946)
- Agent Carter season 2 (1947)
- Captain Marvel (1995)
At the outset, the Marvel timeline seems straightforward. Notably, the journey of Steve Rogers in "Captain America: The First Avenger" mostly unfolds between 1943 and 1945, during World War II, despite a scene set in 2011. For ease of understanding, we've categorized it in this earlier period (a common trend you'll notice).
Following this, the "Agent Carter One Shot" takes place in 1944, laying the groundwork for the formation of S.H.I.E.L.D. The subsequent seasons of "Agent Carter" unfold in the aftermath of this event. Fast forward about half a century, and we're introduced to "Captain Marvel" in 1995, where she dramatically enters a Blockbuster and encounters Nick Fury. After this, there's a significant chronological leap before the emergence of a well-known Iron Man.
Intriguingly, in "Agents of Shield" season 7, the team embarks on a journey starting in 1931 and traverses through to 2019, with several stops in different decades. It remains unconfirmed whether this forms a part of the core Marvel timeline or represents an alternate timeline from the multiverse. The series opted to sever most connections with the broader MCU, focusing instead on a more direct narrative path. As it stands, it functions more like a parallel multiverse narrative alongside the primary Marvel timeline.
Marvel Chronology: 2010-2012
- Iron Man (2010)
- Iron Man 2 (2011)
- The Incredible Hulk (2011)
- One Shot: The Consultant (2011)
- One Shot: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer (2011)
- Thor (2011)
- Avengers (2012)
- One Shot: Item 47 (2012)
- Iron Man 3 (2012)
In this phase of the Marvel timeline, the pace picks up. Contrary to previous beliefs, "Iron Man" is set in 2010, as revealed in the "10 Years of Marvel Studios" publication. The following year is bustling with activity, featuring "Iron Man 2," "The Incredible Hulk," and "Thor" - all occurring within the same eventful week. During this period, two One Shots emerge, bridging the gap between "The Incredible Hulk" and "Thor's" advent on Earth. These shorts were particularly popular in the early 2010s and served as an extra lure for DVD purchases. The climactic Battle of New York in "Avengers" happens in 2012, followed by "Iron Man 3" in the latter part of the same year, marking a Phase 2 film that occurred in 2012.
Marvel Timeline: 2013-2015
- One Shot: All Hail the King (2013)
- Agents of Shield season 1, episodes 1-7 (2013)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Agents of Shield season 1, episodes 8-16 (2014)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Agents of Shield season 1, episodes 17-22 (2014)
- Daredevil season 1 (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2014)
- Agents of Shield season 2, episodes 1-19 (2015)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Agents of Shield season 2, episodes 20-22 (2015)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Jessica Jones season 1 (2015)
- Daredevil season 2 (2015)
- Luke Cage season 1 (2015)
- Agents of Shield season 3 episodes 1-10 (2015)
As the timeline progresses, "All Hail the King" One Shot follows after "Iron Man 3," firmly placing it in 2013. "Thor: The Dark World" occurs concurrently with events following the eighth episode of "Agents of Shield" season 1. A similar pattern is observed with "The Winter Soldier," where Marvel TV sought to interlace their series with the films, a strategy they later abandoned. Post-Hydra revelations in "Winter Soldier" set the stage for the remainder of "Agents of Shield" season 1.
In 2014, "Guardians of the Galaxy" and its sequel, "Vol. 2," happened in quick succession. The same year saw the unfolding of "Daredevil" season 1. The year 2015 in the Marvel universe is marked by "Agents of Shield" season 2 grappling with the aftermath of "Age of Ultron" from episode 19 onwards. The year progresses with a series of releases: "Ant-Man," "Jessica Jones" season 1, "Daredevil" season 2, and "Luke Cage" season 1, which is set a few months after "Jessica Jones" according to the Luke Cage actor. The first half of "Agents of Shield" season 3 wraps up the year, leading up to a notable time jump.
Marvel Chronology: 2016
- Agents of Shield season 3, episodes 11-19 (2016)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Agents of Shield season 3, episodes 20-22 (2016)
- Agents of Shield season 4, episodes 1-8 (2016)
- Agents of Shield: Slingshot (2016)
- Agents of Shield season 4, episodes 9-22 (2016)
- Iron Fist season 1 (2016)
- The Defenders (2016)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2016)
- The Punisher Season 1 (2016)
- Doctor Strange (2016-2017)
The year 2016 marks a period of intense activity in the Marvel realm. Navigating the Marvel timeline for this year is relatively straightforward. "Agents of Shield" season 3 resumes with episode 11 showing a time leap, and the repercussions of "Civil War" come into play from episode 20. The fourth season of "Agents of Shield" is briefly interrupted by the "Slingshot" web series, which, while not crucial, adds to the storyline.
In terms of timeline placement, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" created some confusion but has been confirmed by the director to be set in 2016. In the Netflix Marvel domain, "Iron Fist" season 1 introduces the final member of the Defenders, leading up to their collaboration in "The Defenders" later the same year. "The Punisher" season 1 takes place after these events. "Doctor Strange" transcends these linear timelines, beginning his journey in 2016 and extending into 2017. Moving forward to the next segment of the timeline...
Marvel Timeline: 2017-2018
- Agents of Shield season 5, episodes 1-19 (2017)
- Black Panther (2017)
- Black Widow (2017)
- Jessica Jones season 2 (2017)
- Inhumans Season 1 (2017)
- Luke Cage season 2 (2017)
- Iron Fist season 2 (2017)
- Daredevil season 3 (2017)
- The Punisher Season 2 (2017)
- Jessica Jones season 3 (2017)
- Runaways season 1 and 2 (2017)
- Cloak and Dagger season 1 and 2 (2017-2018)
- Runaways season 3 (2018)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017-2018)
- Agents of Shield season 5, episodes 19-22 (2018)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2017-2018)
- Agents of Shield season 6 (2018*)
The pivotal year in the Marvel universe, 2017-2018, includes the momentous event of the Snap. The Marvel Netflix series continues apace, with "Luke Cage" season 2 preceding "Iron Fist" season 3, and "Daredevil" season 3 fitting thematically later in the sequence. "Cloak and Dagger" and "Runaways" also unfold pre-Snap, with the third season of "Runaways" introducing a time leap that, theoretically, coincides with the Snap, though it is not explicitly acknowledged. The season's finale jumps forward to around 2021.
"Black Widow," while part of Marvel Phase 4, actually slots between "Civil War" and "Infinity War," suggesting a 2017 setting. "Black Panther" is trickier to pinpoint, with the recent loss of T'Challa's father in "Civil War" still fresh. Marvel's official ten-year anniversary timeline places "Black Panther" in 2017, not 2016, as per Kevin Feige's guide.
Regarding "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and "Thor: Ragnarok," both occur just before "Infinity War." "Ant-Man and the Wasp's" post-credits scene coincides with Thanos’ Snap, while "Ragnarok’s" post-credits lead up to the beginning of "Infinity War." It's less confusing to watch "Thor: Ragnarok" before "Ant-Man and the Wasp."
"Agents of Shield" season 6 presents a puzzle. Season 5 directly leads to Thanos' pivotal moment, yet season 6 omits any mention of half the world vanishing. The show's creators explained this omission by their lack of knowledge on how "Endgame" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home" would handle "The Blip." In the Marvel universe, the snap happened in 2018, though it's not referenced in "Agents of Shield" season 6. This omission is best left unpondered.
Marvel Schedule: 2018-2026
- Avengers: Endgame (2018-2023)
- Agents of Shield season 7 finale (2019*)
- WandaVision (2023)
- Loki (Roughly 2023, originally from 2012)
- Loki season 2 (Approximately 2023)
- Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings (2023)
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Around 2023/2024)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2024)
- Eternals (2024)
- Hawkeye (December 2024)
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2025)
- Moon Knight (2025)
- She-Hulk (2025)
- Ms. Marvel (2025)
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2025)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025)
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2025)
- Werewolf By Night (2025)
- Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Christmas 2025)
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (2025/2026)
- Secret Invasion (2025/2026)
Breakdown
- Avengers: Endgame (2018-2023): Features a five-year-jump after the Snap (now called "the Blip"), with most events taking place in 2023.
- WandaVision (2023): Follows Scarlet Witch creating a reality bubble after Vision's demise, set after "Endgame."
- Loki (Roughly 2023, originally 2012): Operates outside normal time, with the main Loki variant from 2012. Linked to multiverse theories involving "WandaVision."
- Loki Season 2 (Approximately 2023): Continues from the first season, also transcending time.
- Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings (2023): Likely set in 2023, following "Endgame," with references to The Blip.
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Late 2023/Early 2024): Occurs six months after "Endgame."
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2024): Set eight months post-"Endgame," during the 2024 summer holidays.
- Eternals (2024): Presumably follows "Spider-Man: Far From Home," marked by a Celestial event.
- Hawkeye (December 2024): Set two years after "Endgame," around Christmas 2024.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2024): Picks up after "Far From Home," leading to Christmas 2024.
- Moon Knight (2025): Follows "Hawkeye," set in 2025.
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2025): Occurs after "No Way Home."
- Ms. Marvel (2025): Post-" "Endgame," tentatively after "Moon Knight."
- She-Hulk (2025): Follows shortly after "Shang-Chi," set after "Moon Knight" but before "Ms. Marvel."
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2025/2026): Set about eight years after "Thor and Jane's" breakup in "Thor: Ragnarok."
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2025): Coincides with "Love and Thunder" and "Quantumania," six years post-Nakia's departure in "Infinity War."
- Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2025): Set in 2025, with a minor inconsistency regarding Cassie Lang's age.
- Werewolf By Night (2025): Appears to be set in modern times, suggested by contemporary items.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Christmas 2025): Likely set post-"Endgame" and "Love and Thunder."
- Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (Late 2025/2026): Follows the Holiday Special.
- Secret Invasion (2025/2026): Post-"She-Hulk" and possibly post-"Guardians 3," set in the current MCU timeline.
- Agents of Shield Season 7 (2019):* Diverges from the MCU timeline, involving time travel to the 40s, 50s, and 60s, and ending in 2019. This led to theories of a separate Marvel timeline for non-Disney Plus TV shows.
Regarding the Spider-Man Films
"Spider-Man: No Way Home" bridges the Spider-Man movie universe with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the films starring Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield exist outside the primary MCU timeline. These narratives unfold across various strands of the multiverse, making them distinct from the central MCU storyline. For those interested in a sequential viewing experience of these Spider-Man films, our guide on the viewing order of the Spider-Man movies can be a helpful resource.
Considering 'What If...?'
The series 'What If...?' presents a unique challenge in terms of placement within the Marvel timeline. Much like the Spider-Man movies featuring actors other than Tom Holland, 'What If...?' explores the multiverse. Each episode diverges from a different Marvel film, creating alternate realities. This distinction merits a separate section in the timeline. The first season of 'What If...?' spans alternative scenarios beginning with "Captain America: The First Avenger" and extending to events around "Avengers: Infinity War.
Conclusion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe presents an intricate and thrilling journey across multiple timelines and realities. From the heroic endeavours of Captain America to the mind-bending adventures in "What If...?", each entry adds depth and complexity to an ever-expanding universe. This guide aims to streamline the experience, helping fans navigate the MCU's chronology with ease. Whether you're a long-time enthusiast or a newcomer, this timeline is your essential companion through the epic saga of the Marvel Universe.
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