Marvel Cinematic Universe

Blockbuster Series

Superhero / Action / Sci-Fi

Abbreviation: MCU | Total films: 32+

Film Series Media Franchise

Expert Tip: The MCU is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time, known for its interconnected storytelling across movies and TV shows.

Phase Overview

1Phase One (2008-2012)

Introduced core Avengers: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor.

Culminated in The Avengers (2012).

2Phase Two (2013-2015)

Expanded universe with Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man.

Featured Avengers: Age of Ultron.

3Phase Three (2016-2019)

Included Black Panther and Captain Marvel.

Concluded with Avengers: Endgame.

4Phase Four (2021-2022)

Post-Endgame stories with Shang-Chi and Eternals.

Introduced Disney+ series like WandaVision.

5Phase Five (2023-2024)

Current phase featuring Ant-Man 3 and Guardians 3.

Building toward Avengers: Secret Wars.

Expert Tip: Each phase builds toward an Avengers team-up film. Watch in release order for best continuity experience.

1Iron Man (Tony Stark)

Played by Robert Downey Jr. - Tech genius billionaire.

First MCU hero introduced in 2008.

2Captain America (Steve Rogers)

Chris Evans as super-soldier from WWII.

Moral center of the Avengers.

3Thor (God of Thunder)

Chris Hemsworth as Asgardian prince.

Brings cosmic elements to MCU.

1Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Thanos collects all Infinity Stones.

Shocking ending with The Snap.

2Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Heroes attempt time heist to undo Thanos' actions.

Emotional conclusion to Infinity Saga.

3Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Multiverse brings back previous Spider-Men.

Major crossover event film.

4Black Panther (2018)

First MCU film with Black lead and majority Black cast.

Cultural phenomenon and Oscar winner.

Expert Tip: The MCU connects through post-credit scenes. Always stay through the credits for teasers of future films.