I. Introduction
Being a Marvel fan has its perks, but one struggle they face is knowing how to watch the movies in order. With over 20 movies and counting, it can be hard to follow the timeline and storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This article aims to solve this problem by providing different methods of watching Marvel movies, each with its advantages and examples.
II. Chronological Order
Chronological order means watching the movies based on the events’ timeline. This means starting with the earliest time period in the MCU and working your way up to the present, with Captain America: The First Avenger being the first movie and Avengers: Endgame being the most recent.
The advantage of this method is that it allows you to follow the storyline as it is meant to be told, leading to a deeper understanding of the events and character development. Additionally, it allows fans to appreciate the small details and easter eggs scattered throughout the movies.
Example: Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Avengers, etc.
III. Release Order
Release order means watching the movies based on the order they were released in theaters. This means starting with Iron Man, the first MCU movie released in 2008, and following the production’s timeline.
The advantage of this method is that it allows fans to witness the evolution of the MCU’s films and the franchise over time. Watching the movies in release order also gives you the same experience as those who watched the films as they were released, allowing you to follow the buzz and excitement around each new release.
Example: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, etc.
IV. Chronological by Character
Chronological by character means watching the movies based on a specific character’s timeline. This means watching all the movies related to one character before moving on to another.
The advantage of this method is that it allows fans to follow a specific character’s journey and development throughout the franchise. It also facilitates understanding the connections between the different Marvel movies.
Example: Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Thor, Thor: The Dark World, etc.
V. One Trilogy at a Time
One trilogy at a time means watching all the movies in one trilogy before moving to another one. This means starting with a specific trilogy, such as the Iron Man trilogy, then moving onto other trilogies, such as the Thor trilogy, the Captain America trilogy, and ultimately the Avengers series.
The advantage of this method is that it allows fans to follow a set of characters’ evolution and storyline throughout multiple movies, ultimately leading to a broader understanding of the characters and connections between the intersecting storylines.
Example: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3 before moving onto Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Thor: Ragnarok and finally the Avengers series.
VI. Games to Movies Cross-Over
Games to movies cross-over means starting with the order of events based on the video games and TV shows. For instance, watching Captain America: The Winter Soldier before or after Batman: Arkham Origins helps you appreciate the cross-over of events that occurred in the two franchises.
The advantage of this method is that it allows fans to see the relationships and connections across different mediums in the MCU.
Example: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Batman: Arkham Origins, Thor: The Dark World, and Iron Man 3.
VII. Chronological by TV Shows
If you’re a fan of TV shows set in the MCU, this viewing order is perfect. Chronological by TV shows means watching the Marvel movies following the timeline of events in the Marvel TV shows.
The advantage of this method is that it allows you to have a broader and deeper understanding of the storylines in the Marvel TV shows and how they intertwine with the Marvel movies’ events.
Example: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Daredevil, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, etc.
VIII. Top Grossing Movies
If you don’t have much time but want to experience the best of Marvel movies, this order is for you. Top-grossing movies mean starting with the most successful movies in the franchise, both critically and commercially, which can give you an exciting watchlist.
The advantage of this method is that it allows you to experience the best of the Marvel movies in a short amount of time, exposing you to the most loved and most significant movies in the franchise.
Example: Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, Iron Man 3, Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: No Way Home, etc.
IX. Conclusion
There are multiple ways to watch Marvel movies, and each has its advantages and unique experience. Whether you’re watching chronologically, by character, or top-grossing movies, there’s no right or wrong way to watch Marvel movies. So grab your popcorn and enjoy the ride!
It’s up to you to choose the order that best suits your desires and the time you have, and let the journey begin.