Have a friend who you'd like to introduce to the MCU for the first time? Want to go back and watch/rewatch the movies yourself? Need a guide for the ever-expanding multiverse? Want to see all MCU content in the same place without the barriers of different streaming platforms?
These are the things that inspired me to create the site. The fact that you might share them is why this project exists.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a movie franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel Studios began producing their own television series for streaming on Disney+, starting with WandaVision in 2021 as the beginning of "Phase Four." The first three phases culminate in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, in one of the largest and most successful cinematic expiriments in history.
All of the (now over 30) MCU canon films and series intertwine with eachother, sharing characters, storylines, actors, and world. Recent films can barely be understood without having seen the dozens that preceed them. The rollercoaster, the dozens of movies that make up the MCU, is an experience that most everyone can and should enjoy- but it takes knowing which movies to watch and when. Especially with content not taking place in the same order as its release.
I decided (after fruitlessly searching for a good, well rounded, and complete MCU timeline) to make my own timeline. This timeline is detailed, inclusive, and spoiler free. The timeline was tirelessly transformed into "The Binder," one that could be personalized with ratings, and given as a gift, or used as an easy guide for someone being introduced to the universe for the first time. I still have yet to find a resource online that rivals this one, and nothing beats holding it in your own two hands. However, with the growth of the MCU and the labor and resources required to keep hard copies updated, the "binder" has been converted into this online resource for all to use and enjoy. Check here if you're interested in a physical binder, there may still be some in stock.
If you'd like to see what the binder and this website used to look like in the past, you can click this link to view what is now hidden pages of this website.
Dozens of versions, copies, iterations, styles, organizations, and formats later....
FAQ
What determines where something falls on the timeline?
While most of the films/series on the timeline have a pretty obvious and straightforward place in the chronological order, those projects that do not still have their specific places, it just takes some digging. Some might reference a date, or an event, or there might be even smaller hints. For example, in Moon Knight, the only real connection to the timeline was a bus passing by with an ad for the "GRC" on it, which is a post-endgame organization, roughly placing it in 2025. If you're seeking a better understanding of the timeline and when events unfold, you should check out my full timeline breakdown of events rather than films, but careful, it is the most spoiler-packed thing you'll probably be able to find find on the internet. Check that timeline out here, with massive spoilers.
What timeline is right for me? How do I use the Site?
Check our our First-Timer guide here to explore our timeline options, with descriptions to help you out!
Why is a movie/show missing?
Hey! Most canon projects are on the timeline, be sure you're viewing The Complete Timeline. If you are, and you think something that isn't there should be, I'd love to hear about it! If it relates to the canon MCU somehow, I'll review and add it promptly! Email that suggestion to mcu.timelineandranking@gmail.com, and then be sure to sign up for notifications here, so you don't miss it getting added! Thanks!
How can I support this project?
The MARVELxCD site and timeline project has been updated to be free to all who want to view it as of V 5.01! It's a super cool way for more folks to enjoy it, with less copyright issues! The old way of supporting would've been to purchase a binder, which there still may be stock of here.
Ways you can support now that it's become digital & free:
Share on social media! More traffic means more feedback, and more reason to grow the site! There are tools available to help do that near the bottom of the Extras page of the site. :)
Purchase something from the 'Shop' page of the site, and/or rent (non-Disney+) content from the site using the poster links!
Reach out to mcu.timelineandranking@gmail.com if you have any ideas for growth or questions! Would love to hear them!
I have a different question!
Email any and all questions to mcu.timelineandranking@gmail.com and you'll get a response ASAP! Thanks!
Version History
V 1.00 Creation of timeline
V 1.01 Added TV series
V 1.02 Added bonus content
V 1.50 Added ranking stars
V 1.51 Added End Credits
V 1.52 Added stats (Release, $, Length)
V 1.53 Modified stats for TV
V 1.60 Added images
V 1.61 Added spoiler warnings
V 1.62 Reordered Hawkeye
V 1.63 Updated Ratings
V 1.63 Updated Eternals Box Office
V 2.00 Refined Formatting
V 2.01 Added Tags
V 2.02 Added descriptions
V 2.03 Added Binder #, Tag Index, email instructions, and version history.
V 2.10 Added episodic breakdown pages to TV, & added “Levels”
V 3.00 Added Character Profile pages
V 4.00 Refined margins, added PDF contents support. Added “Found On..”
V 4.01 Corrected some articles in various titles, corrected episodic breakdown sizing >more>
V 4.01 cont. Adjusted images, updated “Twist/Shock” “Villain Quality” & “MCU Lore” to better verbiage.
V 4.02 Readjusted some of the timeline. (Black Widow’s placement) No Way Home box office added >more>
V 4.02 cont. More character profiles: Miss Minutes, Kang, Spider-Verse characters, Howard Stark, and What If…? variants.
V 4.03 Added Team Thor and team Darryl and updated & rearranged all “One Shot” pages. Changed “Netflix” shows to “Disney+”
V 4.04 Added Moon Knight, Ms.Marvel, Multiverse of Madness, Love & Thunder, and associated character tiles. Rearranged character tiles to better suit updates.
V 5.01 Total Conversion to Digital Website Format, Erasure of classic physical binder construction, creation of web-based timelines updated to Multiverse of Madness.
FAQ created, Notifications & calendar created, new headers for timelines, added streaming platform link support, streamilned look and format of site, everything now FREE.
V 5.01 cont. Added Netflix for Amazing Spider-Man, added catch up pages for StrangeMoM and Thor L&T.
V 5.02 Prioritized ThorL&T catchup, switched StrangeMoM to Disney+, split Cole's rankings and added access to non-Marvel films. Added ThorL&T, Ms.Marvel.
V 5.11 Added Amazon Affiliate links to 'rental' titles, created 'shop' page with Amazon advertisements. Corrected Thor background image. Added Stan Lee page.
V 5.11 cont. Changed scrolling header on home page. Updated Ultron's background, added signature timeline, added better end-credit spoiler functionality.
V 5.20 Added SHIELD timeline and Character Timelines, updated SHOP page to be more appealing.
V 5.21 Added 'I am Groot' shorts & Wakanda Forever Catch-Up Page
V 5.22 Created 'Welcome to the Timeline' sub-page. Added She-Hulk to timelines, added TVA footer easter egg. Added 'Extended Cut' end-credit for Spider-Man: No Way Home
V 5.30 Creation of the 'Event Timeline', 'First Timer' section, and watchtime clock on homepage, rearranged some Phase 4 titles on timeline for better accuracy
V 5.31 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, temporarily closed the storefront
V 5.32 Guardians Holiday Special, Werewolf by Night
V 5.33 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
V 5.34 Gaurdians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
V 5.35 Secret Invasion
V 5.36 Domain Transfer