Start Watching The Avengers
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been around for a decade and a half, and it’s bigger than ever before. With 23 movies and counting, it’s easy to get lost, with plot lines overlapping each other, different timelines and a whole lot of aliens involved. But don’t fret – we’re here to help you figure out the best way to watch this mammoth saga in order, so that you know where everything falls into place and can get up to speed before the epic finale, Avengers: Infinity War.
If you’re a first-time Marvel viewer, there are two main ways to approach the series: Watch the films in release order or chronologically within their own canonical timeline. Watching the MCU in chronological order is definitely the recommended option, as the films build on each other and give viewers a more comprehensive understanding of what’s going on from one film to the next, including key details from post-credit scenes.
In the ever-expanding landscape of digital content, finding the perfect guide to watch your favorite shows and movies can feel like navigating a labyrinth without a map. With the proliferation of streaming platforms and a seemingly endless array of choices, many viewers crave a single, reliable destination the go-to place for easy-to-follow guides in order to watch to help them discover their next binge-worthy obsession.
How Do I Start Watching The Avengers?
After he saves the world in Age of Ultron, Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Tony Stark have an argument over whether the government should control the Avengers, setting the stage for the next film – the resolutely patriotic Civil War. When HYDRA masquerades as Nazi soldiers to ambush the team, they split up, but when they reunite, they face a threat that’s more powerful than any other before it.
Next up, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) completes the origin story trifecta and sets out to inherit his father Odin’s throne in Asgard – but he’s constantly at odds with his scheming adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Meanwhile, arrogant New York doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) travels to Kamar-Taj to learn more about the mystic arts and battles Mads Mikkelsen’s evil magical baddie Kaecilius.
First up is Iron Man, the 2008 film that kicked off the MCU and introduced the world to billionaire playboy-turned-hero Tony Stark. After he’s captured by terrorists using weapons he created, Stark is forced to reveal his identity and become a hero. Along the way, he gets befriended by SHIELD agent Phil Coulson and faces off against a variety of villains, including Mickey Rourke’s Russian bad guy Ivan Vanko and Sam Rockwell’s shady industrialist Whiplash.
The Guardians of the Galaxy take on their biggest challenge yet in this space-set blockbuster, as they try to stop Hela (Emily Blunt), the vengeful sister of Thor and Odin, from unleashing Ragnarok upon their homeworld of Asgard. Meanwhile, Hulk and Thor return to Earth after being separated in Civil War, where they’re joined by his love interest Valkyrie (Jennifer Lawlor) and her brother Loki – who’s attempting to steal the Infinity Stones from them. This is the climax of the MCU’s first overarching saga, so it’s sure to be an emotional ride as the heroes come together to face off against Thanos.
