TheMarvelmovies in theMCUare some of the most watched features of all time, revolutionizing the moviegoing experience for fans of the superhero genre. FromIron MantoAvengers: Endgame(and beyond), these Marvel superhero pictures are associated with many well-known (and some less recognizable) characters, and have been widely popular for the past decade.
Even when there are a couple of familiar heroes rebooted and redone again (Hulk and Spider-Man), theseMarvelcharacters never feel old for audiences because they’re always entertaining, and the actors portraying them are charismatic superstars, capable of injecting the right amount of humor and emotion into these roles. With twenty-six films and counting, spectators probably wonder if there is a certain way to watch the MCU movies. Chronological or release order? It largely depends on the stories being told, as well as the viewers and their specific tastes in Marvel superheroes.
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Release Order
Of course, it would make sense to watch every film in the MCU by release order because almost every MCU feature so far (from Phase One to Phase Three) pertains to Thanos andthe Infinity Stones. Heroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and Guardians of the Galaxy are recurring characters, both in their respective solo franchises and in theAvengersfeatures, within the MCU. While Thanos becomes the central villain in Phase Three, other villains such as Loki, Obadiah Stane, Hela, Ultron, and General Zemo are brought into the series, reflecting on the journeys of each primary hero and the enemies they face.
Certain heroes start out in their own solo film or franchise, but characters like Black Widow are introduced in another hero’s film series (in her case,Iron Man 2), which is important because Natasha’s journey is mostly with the Avengers, but her personal history is hinted at throughout the MCU (particularlyAvengers: Age of Ultron).Nick Fury is an example of a character who began his journey with a cameo inIron Man, and mostly starred in theAvengersfilms without a solo movie or series of his own, similar to Wanda Maximoff and Loki (before each of their own TV series).
One of the most transformative characters in the MCU is the journey of Bruce Banner/Hulk. From Edward Norton’s dramatic portrayal inThe Incredible Hulk,to Mark Ruffalo’s funny and energetic depiction of the role that started with his appearance inThe Avengers,it is fascinating to see how two actors have taken on the same role with conviction, but also in slightly different ways. Norton’s portrayal showed how Banner is used to working mostly alone and being on the run, with the Hulk constantly fighting against the U.S. government. When Ruffalo was given the role, Banner became more of a team player for the Avengers, and the Hulk also successfully smashed some big enemies.
It is pivotal to watch the MCU films by release order to properly understand the sequence of events that occur within each hero’s (and villain’s) story, especially depending on who lives and dies. It is especially important now (with phase four currently underway) to watch MCU films and streaming series by release order because upcoming features (such as the Spider-Man and Doctor Strange sequels) will relate to the dilemma concerning the multiverse (which started inLoki).
Chronological Order
However, if the MCU films were to be watched in chronological order, that would be fun if it meant comparing the Avengers based on who is older and younger. Viewers can also focus on one specific hero (or a few) at a time in terms of each character’s respective timelines. The best example would be analyzing Captain America’s journey since he is one of the oldest members of the Avengers (alongside Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier). This means, chronologically,Captain America: The First Avengerwould be viewed first beforeIron Man.
Captain Marvelwould be the second feature since Carol Danvers is also an older character (even though she has likely stopped aging and looks younger than most Avengers, like Steve and Bucky). While Captain America, Winter Soldier, and Captain Marvel may be three of the oldest Avengers, other heroes like Thor and Valkyrie are even older (by the thousands). Watching the films in chronological order can also lead to an argument over which Avenger is the strongest, and who would win in a fight (it would likely come down to Thor,Captain Marvel, or Valkyrie in terms of God-like strength).
Another example would be the most recent MCU film,Black Widow, which takes place afterCaptain America: Civil Warand before the last two Avengers films,Infinity WarandEndgame. Many fans believe Natasha Romanoff should’ve had her own solo film or series years ago, and it could’ve happened afterCivil Warsince that would be the right order (chronologically). Also, if Natasha’s movie was released some time ago, its emotional impact might’ve been different compared to now, considering that she dies inEndgame.
Chronological order also allows fans to look at changes based on time period. For example, the first Captain America movie takes place in the 1940s (during the World War II era), but displays some high-tech weaponry (courtesy of Howard Stark). While Steve Rogers and his army had advanced tech during that time, viewers also see (by looking at the Iron Man and Avengers films that follow) how much the tech used to protect the globe has evolved over time, and how the infinity stones have been used by particular heroes. There’s also the bond Rogers shares with Howard in his first movie, to his feud and friendship with Howard’s son, Tony Stark, in later features.
The Marvel moviescontain some of the most celebrated superheroes of all time. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a beloved series because they’re about individuals with supernatural and/or gifted abilities, but along with that comes responsibilities and obstacles. These films can be watched in various ways (depending on which superheroes and film series viewers are focused on), but if Marvel fans want coherency and consistency, it’s best to watch them by release order.
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