'The Marvels' and more: A look at the MCU, so far

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,' the animated sequel to 'Into the Spider-Verse' (2018), hit theaters in June 2023. The stories exist in the same multiverse as the rest of the Spider-Man adventures, and the live-action 'No Way Home' was the first evidence of that. The second piece of evidence is seeing Miles Morales pit against the multiverse in this sequel which featured multiple iconic variants of Spider-Man, and at least six different universes.

1 / 41 Fotos

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022) -

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ smashed the record for biggest November opening ever with US$180 million domestic debut and US$330 million global launch, reports Variety. It was also the second best opening of 2022 (behind the US$187.4 million launch of 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'), the fourth-best opening for a solo MCU hero title, and cracks the top 15 biggest openings ever at No. 13. It's an especially incredible feat considering the franchise lost its main actor, Chadwick Boseman who plays King T’Challa, before creating its sequel. Critics have even dared to call the film the 'Godfather' of Marvel films, meaning the sequel is even better than the first film.

2 / 41 Fotos

'Ms. Marvel' (2022) -

A new superhero is making history, as Marvel Studios has launched the streaming series 'Ms. Marvel,' featuring Kamala Khan, the universe's first Muslim superhero. A Pakistani American teenager from Jersey, Kamala receives the superpowers of shapeshifting and self-healing from a mysterious bangle. As she begins her journey, which continues in the 2023 film 'The Marvels,' Arian Moayed's Agent Cleary takes an interest in her.

3 / 41 Fotos

'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022) -

In this film, Thor embarks on a journey for inner peace, but his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (played by MCU newcomer Christian Bale). Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, the new Lady Thor played by Natalie Portman.

4 / 41 Fotos

'El Muerto' (2024) -

Marvel is continuing to expand and diversify its range of superheroes and villains with groundbreaking casting. The Latin Grammy-winning artist Bad Bunny is set to star in the upcoming movie 'El Muerto.' The character El Muerto, AKA Juan Carlos, appears in Marvel comics as an ally to Spider-Man. The new project marks the first-ever Latin superhero to get his own movie in the MCU and is predicted to premiere in January of 2024.

5 / 41 Fotos

'Spider-Man: No Way Home' (2021) -

The third installment in Marvel's 'Spider-Man' reboot picks up where 2019's 'Far From Home' left off, as Peter Parker's secret superhero identity is revealed to the world and he enlists Doctor Strange's help. Naturally, things go wrong, and Spider-Man is visited by a myriad of pre-MCU Spider-Man villains, including the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), and Electro (Jamie Foxx).

6 / 41 Fotos

'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' (2021) -

Marvel had its first Asian lead in Simu Liu, who plays the titular hero Shang-Chi. Critics couldn't praise it enough! The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, also stars Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and Benedict Wong. Cretton also confirmed when the movie takes place in the MCU timeline. Speaking to Fandango, he said that the second film in MCU's Phase 4 (after 'Black Widow') is set "in the present day in the MCU timeline," meaning that it occurs after the Blip, "when the Hulk wore Tony Stark's Nano Gauntlet to resurrect the victims of Thanos' Snap across the universe, with Shang-Chi following on from the events of 2019's Avengers: Endgame," Digital Spy reports.

7 / 41 Fotos

'Black Widow' (2021) -

After delaying the release several times, 'Black Widow' finally hit theaters in July 2021. Scarlett Johansson joins David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, and O-T Fagbenle, with Cate Shortland directing. The movie is set after 'Captain America: Civil War,' but before 'Avengers: Infinity War,' and follows Natasha Romanoff as she, "separated from the now-fractured Avengers, confronts the dark path she took to becoming a spy and assassin, as well as events that followed."

8 / 41 Fotos

'Captain America: The First Avenger' (2011) -

'The First Avenger' takes place during World War II, with the frail Steve Rogers becoming the almighty Captain America. In the end, he is approached by Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson.

9 / 41 Fotos

'Captain Marvel' (2019) - 'Captain Marvel' takes place in the '90s, with Brie Larson playing the all-powerful Captain Marvel.

10 / 41 Fotos

'Captain Marvel' (2019) - The film also sets up the backstory of Nick Fury, who assembles the rest of the Avengers in the following films.

11 / 41 Fotos

'Iron Man' (2008) - Introducing Tony Stark, the billionaire who becomes Iron Man. Like Captain America, Iron Man is asked by Nick Fury to join the Avengers.

12 / 41 Fotos

'The Incredible Hulk' (2008) - In this film, 'The Incredible Hulk' was played by Edward Norton, who was later replaced by Mark Ruffalo. Tony Stark appears in one the final scenes.

13 / 41 Fotos

'Iron Man 2' (2010) -

'Iron Man 2' features footage from 'The Incredible Hulk,' and Thor's hammer appears in an end scene. Scarlett Johansson stars as Stark's assistant, who is secretly Black Widow, an employee of Nick Fury.

14 / 41 Fotos

'Thor' (2011) -

Fury is close to having every Avenger in place. 'Thor' introduces the titular god of thunder, as well as other important characters like Loki and Heimdall.

15 / 41 Fotos

'The Avengers' (2012) - The Avengers finally team up and fight against Loki and his alien army. This film concludes Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

16 / 41 Fotos

'Iron Man 3' (2013) - 'Iron Man 3' takes place six months after 'The Avengers.' Tony Stark copes with the events of the last film, while battling the mysterious Mandarin.

17 / 41 Fotos

'Thor: The Dark World' (2013) - 'The Dark World' takes place a year after 'The Avengers.' The concept of the Infinity Stones is introduced, along with The Collector, who reappears in 'Guardians of the Galaxy.'

18 / 41 Fotos

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' (2014) - Two years after 'The Avengers,' Captain America battles with his former friend Bucky, who has become the villainous Winter Soldier.

19 / 41 Fotos

'Guardians of the Galaxy' (2014) - This sci-fi spectacular introduces Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and his fellow Guardians. Despite the brief flashback to 1988 in the first part of the film, most of the plot does actually take place in 2014. The importance of the Infinity Stones is finally explained.

20 / 41 Fotos

'Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2' (2017) - Three months later, the Guardians struggle with personal issues and working with each other.

21 / 41 Fotos

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2014) - Here, the Avengers start to create rifts and clash with each other, and Thanos (the powerful villain) appears in a post-credits scene.

22 / 41 Fotos

'Ant-Man' (2015) - 'Ant-man' concludes Phase 2 of the MCU. This film introduces Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd. He's not part of the Avengers as of yet, and the film is set a few months after the events of 'Age of Ultron.'

23 / 41 Fotos

'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) - Set a year after 'Age of Ultron,' this film follows Iron Man and Captain America as they battle each other, each with their own team from the Avengers. The film also introduces Spider-Man and Black Panther.

24 / 41 Fotos

'Black Panther' (2018) - After 'Civil War,' Black Panther returns to Wakanda, where he's faced with new challenges.

25 / 41 Fotos

'Black Panther' (2018) - The superhero must battle with Ulysses Klaue, as well as Erik Killmonger (played by Michael B. Jordan), who is trying to usurp his throne.

26 / 41 Fotos

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' (2017) - Tom Holland stars as a young Spider-Man, who must battle the Vulture in 'Homecoming.' It's set in the months following 'Civil War.'

27 / 41 Fotos

'Spider-Man: Homecoming' (2017) - Despite Spider-Man's presence at one of the battle scenes in 'Civil War,' Tony Stark tells Peter Parker throughout the film that he's not ready to become a full Avenger quite yet.

28 / 41 Fotos

'Doctor Strange' (2016) - Doctor Strange was a neurosurgeon until a career-ending injury led him to become a superhero. Most of the film takes place in real time (2016). The story sets up the third Thor film, 'Ragnarok,' with Doctor Strange deciding to help Thor with a new challenge.

29 / 41 Fotos

'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017) -

'Ragnarok' picks up right where 'Doctor Strange' left off. Thor and Hulk team up with Doctor Strange to thwart the evil Hela (Thor's sister) and find Thor's father, Odin.

30 / 41 Fotos

'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017) - Spoilers ahead! The film ends with Thor becoming king of Asgard, taking his people away from their home country to safety.

31 / 41 Fotos

'Ant-Man and the Wasp' (2018) - The Ant-Man action continues with 'Ant-Man and the Wasp.' The sequel takes place after 'Civil War,' and in the run-up to 'Infinity War.'

32 / 41 Fotos

'Ant-Man and the Wasp' (2018) - The film introduces Evangeline Lilly as the Wasp, who helps Ant-Man against the evil Ghost. A post credits scene teases the events of 'Infinity War.'

33 / 41 Fotos

'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018) - Four years after 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2,' the Guardians join forces with the Avengers to battle Thanos.

34 / 41 Fotos

'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018) -

Thanos is trying to collect all of the Infinity Stones. If he succeeds, he has the power to wipe out half of all life in the universe.

35 / 41 Fotos

'Avengers: Endgame' (2019) -

It all came to a head in 'Endgame.' This film follows the Marvel characters after the tragic events of 'Infinity War,' and they must battle Thanos for half of the life on Earth.

36 / 41 Fotos

'Spider-Man: Far From Home' (2019) -

Spider-Man must fight a new enemy, all the while still reeling from the impacts of 'Endgame.'

37 / 41 Fotos

'The Eternals' (2021) - 'The Eternals' boasts an all-star cast, including talent like Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Kumail Nanjiani, and Lauren Ridloff, Marvel's first deaf superhero. The supposed defenders of the Earth, the Eternals will likely battle their enemies, the Deviants.

38 / 41 Fotos

'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' (2022) - 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' was the top release of 2022 and sees Doctor Strange team up with a mysterious teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across multiverses. They battle other-universe versions of himself and several others who threaten to wipe out millions across the multiverse.

39 / 41 Fotos

'Loki' and more -

There are also five different TV series, including 'Loki,' 'WandaVision' (the hugely successful series that centers around the Scarlet Witch), 'The Falcon and Winter Soldier,' and 'Hawkeye.' There's the series 'What If...?' which is based on a specific Marvel comic set that ponders what would have happened if certain events hadn't unfolded the way that they did in the MCU.

'The Marvels' and more: A look at the MCU, so far

Marvel drops the official trailer for 'The Marvels' at Comic-Con

21/07/23 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Marvel

Brie Larson's Captain Marvel is set to make a dramatic return to the MCU this November. The official trailer for the new movie, titled 'The Marvels' was released on July 20, 2023, and shows Larson's space-traveling superhero team-up with superfan Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) and Captain Monica Rambeau, played by Iman Vellani and Teyonah Parris. Samuel L. Jackson will return in his role as Nick Fury, along with favorites Gemma Chan and Zawe Ashton. Ashton features heavily in the trailer, suggesting her villainous Dar-Benn will take a leading role in the film. It's slated for release on November 10 and will mark the MCU's 33rd feature film!

The trailer release occurred at this year's underwhelming Comic-Con event, possibly as a peace offering to fans who bought tickets expecting to see their favorite stars. The SAF-AFTRA strike, which began on July 14, prevents actors from attending conventions, awards ceremonies, premieres, and any other promotional or press events.

Click through this gallery to find out the existing movies' chronological order, as well as to learn all about the recent and upcoming films.