PHASE I — The Infinity Saga
Captain America: The First Avenger
1942–1945
Don't watch the post-credits scene.
Aside from the prologue and epilogue, which take place in 2011 and set up Avengers, the entire movie is a flashback spanning 1942 to 1945
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because it's the first movie in chronological order, and it introduces very important characters and elements
The movie has a single post-credits scene that serves as a teaser for Avengers — there's no point in watching it
One Shot: Agent Carter
1946
The one shot takes place 1 year after the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, in March 1946
The one shot takes place in the main timeline
Because chronologically it makes sense to watch it right after
None
Agent Carter
1946–1947
The show takes place right after the events of the one shot and spans 1946 and 1947
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Captain Marvel
1995
Don't watch the post-credits scenes.
The movie mostly takes place in 1995, making it the 2nd movie in chronological order even though it was released in 2019
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because chronologically it's the second movie: it continues the Tesseract's story and introduces elements that matter later on
Do NOT, under any circumstances, watch the first post-credits scene — it's a big spoiler for Avengers: Infinity War. The second is just a useless joke
Iron Man
2008
The movie takes place in 2008, even though Marvel originally set it in 2010 — a few contradictions arise because of that, but nothing serious
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is important
Iron Man 2
2010
The movie takes place during what's known as Fury's Big Week, so in 2010, during the same week as The Incredible Hulk and Thor
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because it's better watched right after the first movie to understand Fury's Big Week
The post-credits scene is a teaser for Thor — you can watch it without worry
The Incredible Hulk
2010
The movie mostly takes place during what's known as Fury's Big Week, so in 2010, during the same week as Iron Man 2 and Thor
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because its pre-credits scene and the one shot right after work much better after Iron Man 2
It's a pre-credits scene you should watch — One Shot: The Consultant will recontextualize it
One Shot: The Consultant
2010
The one shot takes place some time after the events of Fury's Big Week
The one shot takes place in the main timeline
Because the one shot recontextualizes the post-credits scene of The Incredible Hulk
None
Thor
2010
The movie takes place during what's known as Fury's Big Week, so in 2010, during the same week as The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because it's the movie that introduces the threat of Avengers
The post-credits scene is important
Avengers
2012
The movie takes place in 2012, some time after the events of the "present-day" part of Captain America: The First Avenger
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because the movie closes out Phase I
The first post-credits scene is important; the second is a fun joke you can watch
One Shot: Item 47
2012
The one shot takes place right after the events of Avengers
The one shot takes place in the main timeline
Because it takes place right after Avengers
None
PHASE II — The Infinity Saga
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2013
The first 7 episodes take place a little over a year after Avengers, before the events of Thor: The Dark World
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because it takes place between Avengers and Thor: The Dark World
None
Thor: The Dark World
2013
The beginning of the movie is a direct continuation of Avengers, and the rest takes place in late 2013
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; the second isn't very important but you can watch it
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2013–2014
The episodes take place in parallel with and after the events of Thor: The Dark World
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes depict the events of Thor: The Dark World, and watching them earlier would be a spoiler
None
Iron Man 3
2013
Originally set at Christmas 2012, Marvel eventually moved it to Christmas 2013 for consistency; a few continuity issues remain in the movie, but nothing serious
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene isn't very important but adds an interesting new layer to the movie
One Shot: All Hail the King
2014
The one shot takes place a few months after Iron Man 3
The one shot takes place in the main timeline
Because the one shot teaches us something important for the future and wraps up the story of Iron Man 3
None
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014
The movie takes place in spring 2014
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important and teases Avengers: Age of Ultron; the second one is important too
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2014
The episodes take place in parallel with Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes depict the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and watching them earlier would be a spoiler
None
Guardians of the Galaxy
2014
The movie takes place in 2014 (but in space, so it doesn't really matter)
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The pre-credits scene is a fun joke; the post-credits scene introduces a minor character you'll see again later
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
2014
The 4th post-credits scene takes place several years in the future but spoils nothing important.
The movie takes place a few months after the events of the first movie
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is a fun joke; the second is an unimportant comics reference; the third is important; the fourth is a joke set in the future but spoils nothing; the last is a fun joke possibly tied to the What If...? show
Daredevil
2014
Season 1 takes place in late 2014, 2 years after the Battle of New York from Avengers
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Jessica Jones
2015
Season 1 takes place in early 2015, after Daredevil season 1
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2014–2015
The episodes span about a year, between early 2014 and early 2015
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes fall here chronologically
None
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015
The movie takes place in early 2015
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is important, but we don't really know where it sits in the chronology — most likely shortly before Avengers: Infinity War. You can watch it
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2015
The episodes take place during the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes depict the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, and watching them earlier would be a spoiler
None
Ant-Man
2015
The movie takes place a few months after Avengers: Age of Ultron, during summer 2015
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; the second is an excerpt from Captain America: Civil War — watching it is up to you
Daredevil
2015
Season 2 takes place in late 2015
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Luke Cage
2015
Season 1 takes place in late 2015, during Daredevil season 2
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Iron Fist
2016
Season 1 takes place in early 2016
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2016
The episodes take place in early 2016, before the events of Captain America: Civil War
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes fall here chronologically
The Defenders
2016
The show takes place a few months after the events of Iron Fist season 1
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically, and I think letting some time pass between Iron Fist and The Defenders matches the shows' logic of being a few months apart in-universe
PHASE III — The Infinity Saga
Captain America: Civil War
2016
The movie takes place in spring 2016
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2016
The episodes take place in parallel with the events of Avengers: Infinity War
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes mention the events of Avengers: Infinity War, and watching them earlier would be a spoiler
None
Black Widow
2016
Don't watch the post-credits scene.
The movie takes place right after the events of Captain America: Civil War
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because although it was released in 2021, the movie depicts events taking place right after Captain America: Civil War
Definitely don't watch the post-credits scene — it heavily spoils what happens next
Black Panther
2016
The movie takes place right after the events of Captain America: Civil War
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; the second even more so
Eyes of Wakanda
1260 BC – 1896
Each episode takes place in a distinct historical period, between 1260 BC and 1896
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because watching this first in the chronology would make no sense, and it's better to have some background on Wakanda
None
Spider-Man: Homecoming
2016
The movie starts right after the events of Captain America: Civil War and spans a few months
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; the second is a bad joke you can definitely skip
The Punisher
2016
Season 1 takes place in late 2016
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Doctor Strange
2016–2017
The movie takes place across 2016 and 2017, Stephen Strange's training at Kamar-Taj spanning several months
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first scene is a clip from Thor: Ragnarok that you can skip; the second still has no resolution to this day, but you can watch it
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2017
Season 4 takes place during spring 2017
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Jessica Jones
2017
Season 2 takes place in the first half of 2017
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Luke Cage
2017
Season 2 takes place at the end of summer 2017
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Iron Fist
2017
Season 2 takes place after Luke Cage season 2
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Daredevil
2017
Season 3 takes place 2 years after the events of season 2, probably in parallel with Iron Fist season 2
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2017
The episodes partly take place during 2017
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes fall here chronologically
None
Thor: Ragnarok
2017
Don't watch the post-credits scenes.
The movie takes place in late 2017 (but in space, so it doesn't really matter)
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is a direct prelude to Avengers: Infinity War that I don't recommend watching now; the second is a light, insignificant joke you can skip
The Punisher
2018
Season 2 takes place in spring 2018
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Jessica Jones
2018
Season 3 takes place 1 year after season 2, most likely in parallel with The Punisher season 2
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Ant-Man and the Wasp
2018
Don't watch the post-credits scenes.
The movie takes place somewhere in spring or summer 2026, even if that causes a few tiny continuity issues
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene might be important but has no resolution for now; the second is a teaser for Loki season 2 you can watch
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2018
The episodes take place during May 2018, before the events of Avengers: Infinity War
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes fall here chronologically
None
Thor: Ragnarok — First Post-Credits Scene
2018
The scene takes place a few months after the end of the movie, right at the start of Avengers: Infinity War
The scene takes place in the main timeline
Because the scene is a perfect transition into the beginning of Avengers: Infinity War
None
Avengers: Infinity War
2018
The movie takes place during May 2018
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is very important
Ant-Man and the Wasp — First Post-Credits Scene
2018
The scene takes place during the events of Avengers: Infinity War
The scene takes place in the main timeline
Because the scene takes place during the events of Avengers: Infinity War, and watching it earlier would be a spoiler
None
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2018
The episodes take place in parallel with the events of Avengers: Infinity War
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because the episodes mention the events of Avengers: Infinity War, and watching them earlier would be a spoiler
None
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2019
Season 6 takes place during summer 2019
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2020
The episodes partly take place during 2019 and 2020
The show has never been confirmed as canon, but it fits perfectly well into the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Captain Marvel — First Post-Credits Scene
2018
The scene takes place a few months after the end of Avengers: Infinity War
The scene takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where the scene falls chronologically, and watching it after Captain Marvel would feel very strange
None
Avengers: Endgame
2023
The movie takes place 5 years after the events of Avengers: Infinity War, in October 2023
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None — the movie closes out the Infinity Saga; you just hear a hammering sound as a reminder that Iron Man launched this whole universe back in 2008
PHASE IV — The Multiverse Saga
Loki
Season 1 takes place outside of time as we know it, but right after what happens to Loki in Avengers: Endgame
The show follows the adventures of the Loki from Avengers: Endgame
Because it literally follows the events of Avengers: Endgame
Episode 4 has a very important post-credits scene
What If…?
Season 1's episodes take place across different eras
The show takes place across many different universes and follows variants of characters we know
Because the events of Loki lead into the events of What If...?
Episode 9 has an important post-credits scene
WandaVision
2023
The show takes place about 1 month after the end of Avengers: Endgame
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 7's post-credits scene is important, so is episode 8's, and both scenes of episode 9 are very important
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
2024
The movie takes place in spring 2024
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; so is the second, but it has no resolution yet
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
2024
The show takes place between spring and summer 2024
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 5 has an important post-credits scene; episode 6 also has one that seems important but has no resolution to this day
Spider-Man: Far From Home
2024
The movie takes place during summer 2024
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is very important; the second matters quite a bit for future events
Eternals
2024
The movie takes place in October 2024, even though it might make you think it's set right after Avengers: Endgame
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically, and taking a little Spider-Man break isn't a bad thing
The first post-credits scene is important but has no resolution to this day; the second is in the same situation
SPIDER-VERSE SEGMENT — before Spider-Man: No Way Home
Spider-Man
2002
The movie takes place over the course of 2002
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man, who will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (between Captain Marvel and Iron Man), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Spider-Man: No Way Home
None
Spider-Man 2
2004
The movie takes place in spring 2004
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man, who will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (between Captain Marvel and Iron Man), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Spider-Man: No Way Home
None
Spider-Man 3
2005
The movie takes place during summer 2005
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man, who will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (between Captain Marvel and Iron Man), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Spider-Man: No Way Home
None
The Amazing Spider-Man
2013
The movie takes place in spring 2013
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man, who will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (between Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Spider-Man: No Way Home
The post-credits scene teases what's next
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
2014
The movie takes place between summer 2013 and late 2014
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man, who will appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (between Avengers and Captain America: The Winter Soldier), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Spider-Man: No Way Home
None
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
2018
The movie takes place in December 2018
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows different Spider-Men across the multiverse; its sequel will reference events from the main timeline
Because although it's standalone and set in 2018, the movie introduces multiverse concepts and characters (or at least their variants) that are more interesting to watch with the other Spider-Man movies' background in mind
The post-credits scene is important and teases what's next
Venom
2019
The beginning of the movie takes place in 2018, then everything else in 2019
The movie takes place in a parallel universe; its sequels clearly reference the main timeline
Because its sequel clearly references the main timeline
The post-credits scene teases what's next
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
2020
The movie takes place 1 year after the events of the first movie
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and clearly references the main timeline
Because the movie's post-credits scene clearly references the main timeline and MIGHT be important later (we still don't know to this day)
The post-credits scene references the main timeline and is the only reason the Venom trilogy is in this guide
PHASE IV CONTINUED — The Multiverse Saga
Spider-Man: No Way Home
2024
The movie kicks off after the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home but mostly takes place in November 2024
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important; if you get a second one, it's just the trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Venom: The Last Dance
2020
The movie takes place very shortly after the events of the second movie
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and clearly references the main timeline
Because it directly follows the post-credits scene of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and therefore the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home
The first post-credits scene might be important but has no resolution to this day; the second is in the same situation
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
2020
The movie takes place in spring 2020, 1 year and 4 months after the first movie, even though everything in it suggests 2023
The movie takes place in a parallel universe and follows different Spider-Men across the multiverse; it clearly references events from the main timeline
Because the movie clearly references the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and introduces important multiverse concepts
None
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
2024
The movie takes place right after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, in November 2024
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important but has no resolution to this day; the second is a meta joke you can watch if you're a really, REALLY big Sam Raimi fan
Black Widow — Post-Credits Scene
2024
The scene takes place some time before the Hawkeye show
The scene takes place in the main timeline
Because the scene takes place some time before the Hawkeye show, and watching it after its movie would be a HUGE spoiler
None
Hawkeye
2024
The show takes place around Christmas 2024
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 6's post-credits scene is really fun
Moon Knight
2025
The show takes place in spring 2025
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 6's post-credits scene is important
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
2025
The movie takes place in spring 2025
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is very important
PHASE V — The Multiverse Saga
Echo
2025
The show takes place in spring 2025, 5 months after Hawkeye
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 5's post-credits scene is very important
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
2025
The show takes place during spring and summer 2025
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 1 has a post-credits scene that's a lame, unimportant joke; episode 2's is useless; episode 3's is... peculiar but might make you smile; episode 4's is a minor joke and episode 9's is important
Miss Marvel
2025
The show probably takes place in September or October 2025
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The mid-credits scene of the first episode is important; episode 6's post-credits scene is very important and takes place during The Marvels — you can skip it if you're worried about spoiling the movie's synopsis
Thor: Love and Thunder
2025
Part of the movie takes place in spring 2025; the rest is 6 months later, around October 2025
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene is important but has no resolution to this day; the second is important
Ironheart
2025
The show takes place during fall 2025, 6 months after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 6 has a post-credits scene that's fun but has no resolution for now
Werewolf by Night
2025
The TV special takes place on Halloween, October 31, 2025
The TV special takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
2025
The TV special takes place during Christmas 2025
The TV special takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is an insignificant meta joke
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2026
The movie takes place during 2026 (but in space, so it doesn't really matter)
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically, and going straight from the TV special into the movie is satisfying
The first post-credits scene is important; the second is important too
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
2026
The movie takes place somewhere in spring or summer 2026, even if that causes a few tiny continuity issues
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first post-credits scene might be important but has no resolution for now; the second is a teaser for Loki season 2 you can watch
Secret Invasion
2026
The show takes place during summer and/or fall 2026
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
The Marvels
2026
Don't watch the post-credits scene.
The movie takes place shortly after the Secret Invasion show, at the end of 2026
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
You can watch the post-credits scene now, but I don't recommend it if this is your first MCU watch-through
Loki
Season 2 still takes place outside of time and keeps following the story of Loki and the TVA
The show follows the adventures of the Loki from Avengers: Endgame
Because this is where it falls chronologically (so to speak), but it's mostly important to watch after Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania — and it could work after the end of The Marvels
Episode 1 has an important post-credits scene; episode 5 also has one that isn't important but might please you
What If…?
Season 2's episodes take place across different eras
The show takes place across many different universes and follows variants of characters we know
Because season 2 takes place (so to speak) right after the events of the end of Loki season 2
Episode 4 has a post-credits scene that isn't very interesting
FOX SEGMENT — before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
X-Men: First Class
1962
The movie takes place in 1962
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
None
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
1979
The beginning of the movie crosses many eras, but most of it takes place in 1979
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
The first post-credits scene is fun; the second is useless
X-Men
1994
Although released in the 2000s and normally set around the same time, the X-Men universe's timeline is a glorious mess full of inconsistencies, and the movie works more logically 15 years after X-Men Origins: Wolverine, in 1994
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense, and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
None
X-Men 2
1994
Although released in the 2000s and normally set around the same time, the X-Men universe's timeline is a glorious mess full of inconsistencies, and the movie works more logically in 1994, one month after the previous movie
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
None
X-Men: The Last Stand
1999
Although released in the 2000s and normally set around the same time, the X-Men universe's timeline is a glorious mess full of inconsistencies, and the movie works more logically in 1999, 5 years after the previous movie
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense, and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
The post-credits scene is very important but hard to understand since they give zero details, so SPOILER warning: Charles Xavier had a brain-dead twin brother, and upon dying he transferred his mind into his brother's body
The Wolverine
2013
The movie takes place in 2013 — having moved the previous movies up a decade leaves a big gap between X-Men: The Last Stand and this one, but it's no more bothersome than all the saga's other inconsistencies
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense, and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
The post-credits scene is important and requires having seen the one from X-Men: The Last Stand to understand
X-Men: Days of Future Past
2023–1973
The present-day part takes place in 2023 and the past part in 1973 — altering the past, and therefore the entire timeline
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
The post-credits scene teases X-Men: Apocalypse
X-Men: Apocalypse
1983
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 1983
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
The post-credits scene is important and teases Logan
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
1992
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 1992
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
None
Logan
2029
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 2029
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because watching these movies at their actual in-universe point would make no sense (scattered between totally unrelated movies with gaps of several decades), and I think the events of Loki matter — as does having everything fresh in your head before Deadpool & Wolverine and Avengers: Doomsday
None
Deadpool
2016
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 2016
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because Deadpool is a walking spoiler who loves spoiling Logan and other movies, so you'd better have seen them first
The post-credits scene is a meta tease for what's next — pretty amusing
Deadpool 2
2018
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 2018
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and some of its characters will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as well as Avengers: Doomsday
Because Deadpool is a walking spoiler who loves spoiling Logan and other movies, so you'd better have seen them first
The post-credits scene is a huge, very funny meta joke
PHASE V CONTINUED — The Multiverse Saga
Deadpool & Wolverine
2024
The movie takes place in the new post-Days of Future Past timeline, in 2024
The movie takes place in a parallel universe but also features the TVA from Loki
Because the movie takes place after Loki season 2 and after the whole X-Men Verse mess
The post-credits scene is a fun joke
The Marvels — Post-Credits Scene
2026
The scene takes place after the movie, but there's no indication of how much time passed between the two
The scene takes place right after Monica crossed the rift at the end of the movie
Because I sincerely think watching this scene at this point is more satisfying
None
Agatha All Along
2026
The show takes place at the end of 2026, 3 years after WandaVision
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
What If…?
Season 3's episodes take place across different eras
The show takes place across many different universes and follows variants of characters we know
Because even though you could watch it right after season 2, this season introduces characters seen in other media between the two seasons, and you'll grasp the ins and outs much better
None
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
2016
The show takes place in 2016 in its own universe, in parallel with Civil War but with events unfolding differently
The show takes place in a parallel universe and follows a variant of the main timeline's Spider-Man
Because the show somewhat fits the What If...? framework, with a single element changing Spider-Man's entire destiny
None
Daredevil: Born Again
2027
Season 1 takes place between late 2026 and spring 2027
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
Episode 9's post-credits scene is important
Captain America: Brave New World
2027
The movie takes place in April 2027
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The post-credits scene is important
Thunderbolts*
2027
Don't watch the second post-credits scene.
The movie takes place in 2027
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
The first scene is important; the second is very important, and placed later in the timeline
PHASE VI — The Multiverse Saga (ongoing)
Marvel Zombies
2022
Follow-up to Season 1 Episode 5 of What If…?
The show takes place in 2022, 5 years after the events of the What If...? episode
The show is a follow-up to an episode of What If...?
Because although it follows the events of a season 1 episode of What If...?, you'll appreciate the show's characters much more having seen more movies they appear in, like Thunderbolts*
None
Wonder Man
2027
Season 1 takes place between spring 2027 and fall 2028
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Daredevil: Born Again
2027
Season 2 takes place during fall 2027, after the events of Thunderbolts*
The show takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
The Punisher: One Last Kill
2028
The TV special probably takes place in early fall 2028
The TV special takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where it falls chronologically
None
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
2028
The movie takes place in the fall of 2028, after the events of The Punisher: One Last Kill
The movie takes place in the main timeline
Because this is where the movie falls chronologically
The post-credits scene matters.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
~1964
The movie takes place in its own universe in the 60s, probably around 1964-1965
The movie takes place in a parallel universe, and the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene explains its connection to the main timeline
Because the movie takes place in a parallel universe and, to this day, only matters for the events of Avengers: Doomsday
The post-credits scene takes place 4 years after the movie's events and teases Avengers: Doomsday; the second one is useless
Thunderbolts* — Second Post-Credits Scene
2028
The scene takes place 14 months after the movie's events, i.e. in December 2028
The scene takes place in the main timeline
The scene will most likely serve as an introduction to Avengers: Doomsday — we don't know yet
None