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Marvel's Avengers: How to watch the MCU superteam in release and chronological order

Want to get started on Marvel’s Avengers? Here’s how to do it!

The Avengers
Image credit: Marvel Studios
Joshua Lapin-Bertone avatar
How to by Joshua Lapin-Bertone Contributing writer
Published on

Avengers assemble! When the world is in danger, the Avengers are ready to dive in and save the day. Based on the long-running Marvel Comic, the team of superheroes has become one of the biggest film franchises in the world. After all, if a film with one superhero is big, then imagine the scale of a film with an entire team of heroes. The Avengers began when Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye joined forces to repel an invasion from Loki. Since then, some members have left, with exciting new heroes coming in to replace them.

The Avengers film franchise is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which can be a bit intimidating for new viewers. With multiple films and television shows, you might not know where to start, but that’s why we’re here. Watching the Avengers doesn’t have to be confusing or intimidating. In fact, we think you’ll find the experience enjoyable. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help get you started. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about watching the Avengers in release order, chronological order, and answer any burning questions you may have.

Are you ready?

How to watch Avengers in release order

Avengers: Endgame
Image credit: Marvel Studios

Does Avengers: Endgame come before Avengers: Age of Ultron? What other films have the Avengers appeared in? These are the types of questions you might be asking. Just follow this handy watch order guide, and you’ll be all set. This section lists all of the Avengers films in release order.

Please note, this list only covers films that feature the Avengers as a team. For example, Spider-Man: Homecoming features a subplot where Peter Parker wants to join the Avengers. In addition, Captain America appears on video PSAs, while Iron Man shows up in person. However, the group doesn’t appear together, so for the purposes of this list, Spider-Man: Homecoming isn’t considered an Avengers film. The same goes for projects like WandaVision.

If you’re looking for a watch order that covers all of the MCU, please refer to this guide.

Note: The Avengers only appear in the Captain Marvel mid-credits sequence. But feel free to watch the rest of the film anyway. It’s got Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and an awesome cat.

How to watch Avengers in chronological order

The Avengers
Image credit: Marvel Studios

If you prefer watching Avengers in chronological order, here is how you would do it. Please note, some films take place over multiple years. In fact, some Avengers projects don’t even take place in the same timeline. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Just follow this list, and you’ll be good to go.

  • 2012: The Avengers
  • 2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron
  • 2016: Captain America: Civil War
  • 2018: Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel (mid-credits scene), and Avengers: Endgame (prologue)
  • 2023: Avengers: Endgame (everything after the prologue)

The timeline placement for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars are currently uncertain. However, it’s safe to assume that each film will take place a few years after Avengers: Endgame. Of course, with Kang involved, the films will probably contain some time travel.

What If…? is an animated series streaming on Disney+. Each episode spotlights an alternate reality within the MCU where key events played out differently. You don’t need to watch these episodes to understand the live-action Avengers films, but if you’re a completist, it’s an enjoyable viewing experience. Don’t worry about continuity too much, because these episodes are largely self-contained.

  • Alternate reality 2010: What If…? season 1 episode 3
  • Alternate reality 2015: What If…? season 1 episode 8
  • Alternate reality 2018: What If…? season 1 episode 5

What If…? season 1 episode 9 takes place at various points across the timeline and multiple realities, however, the majority of the action takes place sometime surrounding 2010.

When is the next Avengers movie?

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty title card
Image credit: Marvel Studios

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is the next film in the Avengers franchise. The movie is expected to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. However, that date may shift due to production issues. In fact, the film was originally set for release on May 2, 2025. Destin Daniel Cretton was originally signed on as the director, but he has stepped down from the project in order to concentrate on a sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

As the title implies, the film will focus on the threat of Kang. However, there have been recent rumors that Marvel might shift away from their Kang strategy due to recent controversies surrounding the actor Jonathan Majors. If that happens, the film will most likely get a new title. If all goes according to plan, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars, which is set for release on May 7, 2027.

What should I watch before Avengers?

Loki in Avengers
Image credit: Marvel Studios

The Avengers (2012) is the first Avengers film, but it is the sixth film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As a result, the movie contains some characters and concepts that were introduced in prior MCU films. Should you watch all of them before starting The Avengers? That’s up to you. Think of it like comic books, where nobody is expected to read decades of material before diving into the latest issue.

If you’re curious, here are all the MCU films released before Avengers. (Remember, for a full MCU watch order, please refer to this guide.)

  • Iron Man (2008) – The film introduces Iron Man and sets up the world of the MCU. You don’t have to watch it before starting The Avengers, but it will enhance your experience.
  • The Incredible Hulk (2008) – Of all the films released before The Avengers, this is probably the most skippable. Not because of its quality, but because none of the supporting characters or concepts are used in The Avengers. In fact, this film has Edward Norton playing the Hulk. Norton would be replaced by Mark Ruffalo for the Avengers films. Watch this one if you’re a completist.
  • Iron Man 2 (2010) – A fun Tony Stark adventure, but if you’ve already seen Iron Man, there is no urgency to watch this one before starting The Avengers. However, this film does introduce us to Black Widow.
  • Thor (2011) – Probably the most essential film to watch before The Avengers. In addition to introducing Thor, this movie also serves as an introduction to Loki. The mischievous Loki serves as the main villain for the first Avengers film.
  • Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – This film introduces Captain America, and a powerful artifact known as the Tesseract. Due to the presence of the Tesseract, I would rate this as the second most essential film to watch before The Avengers.

Or you could just dive into The Avengers right away if you want. But if you have the time, these are all great movies to watch.

Where else have the MCU Avengers appeared?

Captain America: Road to War
Image credit: Marvel

The Avengers have also had some adventures that haven’t been captured on film. Marvel has released a series of tie-in comics set within the MCU. Some of the comics are adaptations of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, while others bridge the gap between the movies, telling untold stories. According to Marvel, each of these comics are canon. However, some of the older comics have been contradicted by recent MCU films, so take it all with a grain of salt. You don’t need to read all these comics to understand the Avengers MCU story, but they are a fun way to supplement your viewing experience.

Where can I watch the Avengers?

Avengers: Endgame still with Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
Image credit: Marvel Studios

Avengers assemble….onto Disney+! That’s right, Disney’s streaming service is home to every Avengers film. If you have a subscription to Disney+, then you’re good to good. There are no extra fees involved, making this the most economic way to watch each Avengers film.

However, if you prefer owning your films outright, then you can purchase digital versions of the Avengers films from a variety of video-on-demand platforms. The Avengers movies are available on Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes and more. If you’re looking for physical copies, most of your major home media retailers should have the films as well.

And with that, you have everything you need to start the Avengers saga! Don’t be surprised if you find yourself shouting Avengers assemble during key action scenes (I know I did).

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