MCU Timeline

Having seen a lot of timelines for the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the internet, I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring and share with you guys my (about 85% accurate) timeline. Bear in mind that this list will be spoiler heavy. Note: this list doesn’t include any of the tv shows.

Captain America: The First Avenger — 1942 to 1945

• Being set mostly during World War 2; it’s advisable to watch this first, as it serves as a good entrance into the universe.

Iron Man — 2009

• Although a lot of people say it’s set in 2008, when it was released; I would argue that it’s set in 2009, as that way it lines up 8 years before Civil War - as Vision says it’s been 8 years since Iron Man revealing himself to the world.

The Incredible Hulk — 2009

• Most fans know that The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2 and Thor all take place in one week; making “Fury’s big week”. While some of the events overlap; I’ve placed The Incredible Hulk here because Tony Stark’s cameo at the end wouldn’t make sense with the context of Fury rejecting him from the Avengers Initiative at the end of Iron Man 2, as he seems quite salty about it in Avengers.

Iron Man 2 — 2009

• Fury’s big week continues here and this film is set 6 months after Iron Man. I could’ve placed it as 2010 but in Avengers, Fury labels Thor’s arrival as “last year”; making the whole of Fury’s big week be in 2009.

Thor — 2009

• Thor’s end credits scene leads directly into Avengers, so it’s the best of the films so far to watch before.

Avengers — 2010

• Most say that Avengers is set in 2012 but Spider-Man: Homecoming’s “8 years later” tagline would give it more sense to be set in 2010, as you’ll see later on.

Iron Man 3 — 2010

• With the events of Avengers having a direct impact on Tony in this film, it makes sense for it to be set at the end of 2010; as it’s also set during Christmas.

Thor: The Dark World — 2011

• Also set after Avengers; Darcy claims that last time, Thor was gone for “like, 2 years” making 2011 the perfect candidate.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier — 2014

• This film can be set anytime in between 2011 and 2016 but I think that 2 years between it and Age of Ultron makes the most sense, as it won’t make the gap too long. It also makes space for any of the events in the tv shows, if you’re interested in watching them.

Guardians of the Galaxy — 2014

• The opening flashback in 1988 is 26 years before the main story, making it set in 2014. Placing it after Winter Soldier also makes it flow better.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 — 2014

• This time, the opening flashback is in 1980 and it then cuts to 34 years later, which makes it almost directly after the first Guardians of the Galaxy

Avengers: Age of Ultron — 2016

• This film is definitely set after Winter Solider but it’s the line in Thor: Ragnarok that Hulk was gone for 2 years, which means that the films don’t get too far from real time.

Ant-Man — 2016

• The reference to Sokovia and the inclusion of the Avengers’ facility and Falcon make this almost directly after Age of Ultron and the end credits scene leads into Civil War.

Doctor Strange — 2016 to 2017

• While Ant-Man’s end credits scene makes Civil War the most obvious choice for the next film, Doctor Strange being set over a couple of years means that the time gap can fit well and not make anything happen in. Strange’s certificate at the beginning also says 2016, so the film must start somewhere after that point.

Captain America: Civil War — 2017

• As I mentioned before, Vision’s mention of Iron Man being 8 years prior; makes 2017 the year that makes the most sense.

Black Panther — 2017

• Set one week after Civil war, as said in the opening news report, T’Chaka’s death makes Black Panther perfect in this spot.

Spider-Man: Homecoming — 2018

• The tagline of 8 years after Avengers, makes 2018 the most logical year for this film to be set in. It’s also set in the immediate months after Civil War. The only problem with this is that the Homecoming dance would be set early in the year, not later, as it normally would be.

Thor: Rangarok — 2018

• Thor mentions Hulk being gone for 2 years, so 2 years after Age of Ultron makes sense. Doctor Strange’s inclusion also means that it must be set sometime after 2017. The end credits scene, I think is a flash forward to the months after the main events of the film - more in line with when Infinity war is set.

Ant-Man and The Wasp — 2018

• Scott will is on home arrest for 2 years after Civil War and so 2018 makes sense. I also think the end credits scene is a flashback too, as it includes the snap.

Avengers: Infinity War — 2019

• Set almost directly after the end credits scene of Ragnarok, 2019 is opportune for Infinity War. The absence of Asgard for Nidavellir is because of Loki’s reign, so Thanos still got the Gauntlet in 2016, when Age of Ultron is set (in line with that film’s end credits scene). The only slight inaccuracy is Tony’s line about Thanos being in his head for 6 years after Avengers. I just right this off as Tony finding piece with himself after Age of Ultron, so the 6 years line up - just with a 3 year gap where he focuses on Pepper, the events of Civil War and Peter.

As of yet, that’s as accurate as I can make it. I’ve only seen Ant-Man and The Wasp once, so it may be wrong in places but other than that; it’s as good as I can make it. Thanks for reading and as always, live long and prosper and may the Force be with you.