How to Watch the Marvel Movies in Order: Chronological vs Release vs Machete vs Hero-Specific Order

Introduction

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a complex series of interconnected stories that has captured the imagination of audiences around the world. The MCU has introduced us to a wide range of characters, from Iron Man to the Guardians of the Galaxy, and has spawned multiple blockbuster films, TV shows and comics.

However, with so many films in the series, it can be difficult to know where to start watching the Marvel movies in order. In this article, we will explore the different options available, including chronological order, release order, the Machete order, hero-specific order and team-up order, and help you decide which method works best for you.

Chronological Order

In chronological order, the Marvel movies are ordered according to their place in the timeline of the MCU. This means that the first movie in the series will be set the earliest in the universe, while the most recent movie will be set further down the line.

The chronological order of the Marvel movies is:

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
2. Captain Marvel
3. Iron Man
4. The Incredible Hulk
5. Iron Man 2
6. Thor
7. The Avengers
8. Iron Man 3
9. Thor: The Dark World
10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
11. Guardians of the Galaxy
12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron
14. Ant-Man
15. Captain America: Civil War
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming
17. Doctor Strange
18. Black Panther
19. Thor: Ragnarok
20. Avengers: Infinity War
21. Ant-Man and The Wasp
22. Captain Marvel (post-credits scene)
23. Avengers: Endgame
24. Spider-Man: Far From Home (post-credits scene)

The biggest disadvantage of watching the movies in chronological order is that it can be confusing and might not give you the best viewing experience. Since some of the earlier films in the MCU were made before others, it can be difficult to understand certain plot points that are introduced later in the timeline.

However, if you are a stickler for the timeline of events, then chronological order might be the way to go.

Release Order

The Marvel movies were released in a specific order, and this order can be considered the “intended order” by the filmmakers. The release order of the Marvel movies is:

1. Iron Man
2. The Incredible Hulk
3. Iron Man 2
4. Thor
5. Captain America: The First Avenger
6. The Avengers
7. Iron Man 3
8. Thor: The Dark World
9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
11. Avengers: Age of Ultron
12. Ant-Man
13. Captain America: Civil War
14. Doctor Strange
15. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming
17. Thor: Ragnarok
18. Black Panther
19. Avengers: Infinity War
20. Ant-Man and The Wasp
21. Captain Marvel
22. Avengers: Endgame
23. Spider-Man: Far From Home

The biggest advantage of watching the Marvel movies in release order is that it allows you to experience the movies as they were originally intended by the filmmakers. This means you will be able to understand references to previous movies and see the natural progression of the storylines and characters.

The downside of watching in release order is that you may encounter timeline inconsistencies, especially if you are watching the movies for the first time. You may also feel like you are missing out on some crucial backstory that was introduced in a previous movie, but which has not yet been shown in the current film.

Machete Order

Machete Order is a unique way of watching the Marvel movies that was first popularized by Star Wars fans. It involves watching the movies in a specific order that highlights the most important plot points and character developments. The order of the Marvel movies in Machete Order is:

1. Iron Man
2. The Incredible Hulk
3. Iron Man 2
4. Thor
5. The Avengers
6. Iron Man 3
7. Thor: The Dark World
8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
9. Guardians of the Galaxy
10. Avengers: Age of Ultron
11. Ant-Man
12. Captain America: Civil War
13. Spider-Man: Homecoming
14. Doctor Strange
15. Thor: Ragnarok
16. Black Panther
17. Avengers: Infinity War
18. Ant-Man and The Wasp
19. Captain Marvel
20. Avengers: Endgame
21. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Machete Order is an excellent way to experience the Marvel movies as it emphasizes the most important aspects of the story and characters. It also avoids the problems of both chronological and release order, as it was designed especially for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You will be able to enjoy the movies from beginning to end, without feeling like you are missing out on important backstory or lore.

The disadvantage of Machete Order is that it is not officially endorsed by the filmmakers, so some fans may feel that it is not as “authentic” as watching the movies in release order. Additionally, the order of the movies can be confusing for first-time viewers who are not already familiar with the MCU.

Hero-Specific Order

Hero-Specific Order is a way of watching the Marvel movies that focuses on individual characters and their story arcs. This method involves watching all the movies that feature a particular character, in the order in which they were released. The Hero-Specific Order for some of the most popular Marvel characters are:

Iron Man:

1. Iron Man
2. Iron Man 2
3. The Avengers
4. Iron Man 3
5. Avengers: Age of Ultron (cameo)
6. Captain America: Civil War
7. Spider-Man: Homecoming (cameo)
8. Avengers: Infinity War
9. Avengers: Endgame

Captain America:

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
2. The Avengers
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (cameo)
5. Captain America: Civil War
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming (cameo)
7. Avengers: Infinity War
8. Avengers: Endgame (cameo)

Thor:

1. Thor
2. The Avengers
3. Thor: The Dark World
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (cameo)
5. Thor: Ragnarok
6. Avengers: Infinity War
7. Avengers: Endgame

The biggest advantage of Hero-Specific Order is that it allows you to focus on your favorite characters and experience their stories in a more cohesive and connected way. You will also be able to see how each character’s story fits into the larger context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The disadvantage of this method is that it can be difficult to decide which movies to watch, especially if you are not already familiar with the MCU. It can also be confusing to switch between characters and their respective storylines, which may not be suitable for all viewers.

Team-Up Order

Team-Up Order is a combination of the chronological and release orders, and involves watching the Marvel movies in the order they were released, but grouped together based on the teams that appear in each movie. The Team-Up Order for the Marvel movies is:

1. Iron Man
2. The Incredible Hulk
3. Iron Man 2
4. Thor
5. Captain America: The First Avenger
6. The Avengers
7. Iron Man 3
8. Thor: The Dark World
9. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
11. Avengers: Age of Ultron
12. Ant-Man
13. Captain America: Civil War
14. Spider-Man: Homecoming
15. Doctor Strange
16. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
17. Thor: Ragnarok
18. Black Panther
19. Avengers: Infinity War
20. Ant-Man and The Wasp
21. Captain Marvel
22. Avengers: Endgame
23. Spider-Man: Far From Home

The biggest advantage of this method is that it combines the best of both worlds, allowing you to see the movies as they were originally intended by the filmmakers, while also providing a cohesive narrative structure. You will be able to get to know each team and their story arcs, and how they are connected to the wider MCU.

The disadvantage of this method is that it can be confusing for first-time viewers who are not already familiar with the MCU. It can also be challenging to keep track of the different teams and their respective storylines, which may not be suitable for all viewers.

Conclusion

There are several ways to watch the Marvel movies, each with its pros and cons. Chronological order is best for those who want to understand the timeline of events, while release order is ideal for a more authentic viewing experience. Machete Order gives us the best of both worlds, emphasizing the most important aspects of the story and characters. Hero-Specific Order is perfect for those who want to focus on their favorite characters, while Team-Up Order combines the best of both worlds by providing a cohesive narrative structure.

Personally, I would recommend watching the Marvel movies in Machete order, as it allows you to experience the movies as they were originally intended, while also ensuring that you get the most out of your viewing experience.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the most popular and successful movie franchises of all time, and with good reason. The movies are action-packed, with a great cast of characters and some of the most exciting storylines in cinema today.

Whatever method you choose to watch the Marvel movies in order, you are sure to be entertained and impressed by these epic tales of superheroes and villains, love and loss, and everything in between.