How Many Marvel Movies Are There? Your Complete Guide

By Amara Witting PhDJul 15, 2025

So, you're curious about the sheer number of Marvel movies out there, are you? It's a very good question, and one that many people ask. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, has grown quite a bit over the years, becoming a truly big collection of stories and characters. This expansive film series has really captured the attention of audiences all around the globe.

Actually, the journey of these films began a while ago, with production starting way back in 2007. Since then, Marvel Studios has been very busy, putting out a lot of films for everyone to see. It’s almost a continuous stream of new adventures, which is pretty exciting for fans, you know?

Figuring out the exact count can be a little tricky because new projects are always on the way. Plus, there are different ways to look at what counts as a "Marvel movie." We're going to help clear that up for you, though, giving you the most current numbers and some useful ways to watch them all. It's quite a collection to consider.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Big Picture
MCU Movies: The Current Count
Understanding the MCU vs. Other Marvel Films
Watching the MCU: Release Order vs. Chronological Order
Every MCU Movie by Phase (Release Order)
Upcoming Marvel Films
Frequently Asked Questions About Marvel Movies

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: A Big Picture

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, often called the MCU, is a special collection of American superhero movies. These films are brought to life by Marvel Studios, and they are based on the many characters you can find in Marvel Comics. It's a really big undertaking, so.

For your information, this group of films is known as the most successful movie franchise around. It has truly made a mark in the world of cinema. The stories connect, and the characters feel like they are part of one large story, which is pretty neat, you know?

Production for these films, as we mentioned, has been happening since 2007. That's a long stretch of time for creating such a connected series. This long production period means there are, quite naturally, many films to enjoy, or perhaps to catch up on, that.

When we talk about "many," it means a large but not exact number of things. In this case, it means a lot of movies. The word "many" just points to a big quantity, suggesting a significant collection of films for you to explore, which is that.

MCU Movies: The Current Count

So, let's get right to the main question: how many Marvel movies are there in the MCU? As of the most recent updates, after the release of films like Thunderbolts*, the franchise now stands at 36 films. That's a really big number for any fan, or for someone just starting out, to consider, isn't it?

This count of 36 films represents a huge effort in storytelling and production over many years. It makes for a tough rewatch for those who have seen them all, and it can seem like a quite big task for anyone thinking about watching them for the first time. But it's very rewarding, you know?

Beyond the films, the MCU also has a lot of television shows that add to the story. So far, the universe includes 31 seasons of TV shows, along with two special presentations, and eight one-shot short films. It's a truly big collection of content, that.

And the story isn't stopping there, either. There are at least 9 more films currently in various stages of development. This means the number of Marvel movies will keep growing, offering even more adventures in the future. It's quite a lot to look forward to, in a way.

Understanding the MCU vs. Other Marvel Films

It's important to know a key difference when we talk about Marvel movies. In short, all MCU movies are indeed Marvel movies, but not all Marvel movies are part of the MCU. This distinction is pretty important for fans to grasp, you know?

The MCU specifically refers to the films produced by Marvel Studios that share a connected storyline and world. These are the films where characters from one movie might show up in another, and events in one film affect what happens in others. It's a really cohesive universe, that.

On the other hand, there are other films based on Marvel Comics characters that were made by different studios before or outside of the MCU's shared continuity. These films might feature characters like Spider-Man or the X-Men, but their stories usually don't directly connect with the main MCU storyline. So, they are Marvel films, but not MCU films, which is a bit different.

This means that while you might see a character with a Marvel logo, they might not be part of the big, interconnected story that started with Iron Man back in 2008. Understanding this helps when you're trying to figure out which films to watch to follow the main MCU narrative. It's a subtle but important point, you know?

Watching the MCU: Release Order vs. Chronological Order

When you decide to watch all the MCU films, you have a couple of main ways to do it. You can watch them in the order they were released in theaters, or you can watch them in the order the events happen within the story's timeline. Both ways offer a somewhat different experience, actually.

Watching in release order is how most people experienced the films as they came out. This way, you see the story unfold just as the creators intended, with new characters and plot points being introduced over time. It's a very natural way to watch them, like your favorite TV show, you know?

The chronological order, however, puts the films in the sequence of events as they happen within the MCU's story. This means some films released later might actually take place earlier in the timeline. For example, Captain Marvel came out much later but is set in the 1990s, so it appears earlier in a chronological watch. This can be a bit different for first-time viewers, you know?

For your timekeeping benefit, we've listed every single MCU title, both movies and TV shows, in chronological order in our source materials. We're going to focus on the movie list for you here, though, presented in order of release and how they appear chronologically in the timeline, which is pretty helpful. This watch order was updated in November 2023, so it's quite current.

Every MCU Movie by Phase (Release Order)

The MCU films are grouped into "Phases," which represent different chapters in the overall story. Each phase typically builds towards a big event or a set of conclusions. Let's look at the films by their release order within these phases. It's a good way to see the progression, you know?

Phase 1: The Beginning

Phase 1 was all about introducing the main heroes and setting up the idea of a shared universe. These films really laid the groundwork for everything that came after. It was quite a start, actually.

Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - This one, we've listed, you know.
The Avengers (2012)

This phase brought together a group of powerful individuals, showing how they could work as a team. It was a very big step for the entire franchise, really.

Phase 2: Expanding the Universe

Phase 2 took the story further, exploring new characters and different parts of the cosmos. The universe got much bigger in these films, introducing more concepts and threats. It was a pretty interesting expansion, in a way.

Iron Man 3 (2013)
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Ant-Man (2015)

These films built on the foundation of Phase 1, adding more depth and complexity to the overall narrative. They introduced new teams and more cosmic elements, too, which was quite a change.

Phase 3: Climax and Conclusions

Phase 3 was a very big chapter, leading to some major conclusions for many of the original heroes. It featured some of the most impactful and widely discussed films in the series. It was really a culmination of many years of storytelling, you know?

Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Doctor Strange (2016)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Black Panther (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Captain Marvel (2019)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)

This phase brought many storylines to a head, with some very big battles and emotional moments. It truly felt like a turning point for the entire universe, you know, at the end of the day.

Phase 4: New Beginnings

Phase 4 started a new era for the MCU, introducing new characters and exploring different kinds of stories after the big events of Phase 3. It marked a fresh start for many things. It's kind of like a new chapter, really.

Black Widow (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Eternals (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Marvels (2023)

This phase expanded the universe in many interesting ways, bringing in new heroes and exploring different themes. It really set the stage for what's next, too, and shows how the stories keep growing.

Upcoming Marvel Films

The MCU is always moving forward, with new films constantly being worked on. As we know, there are at least 9 more films in various stages of development. This means the total count of Marvel movies will continue to rise in the coming years. It's a lot to keep track of, but also very exciting, you know?

These upcoming projects promise to introduce even more characters and expand the storylines further. Fans can look forward to new adventures and the continuation of existing character arcs. It's a pretty busy schedule for the studio, apparently.

Some of these films might be sequels to beloved stories, while others will bring entirely new heroes and concepts to the big screen. The future of the MCU looks very full of possibilities. So, suit up, because there's always more coming, you know?

Frequently Asked Questions About Marvel Movies

Here are some common questions people have about the Marvel movies, you know, the ones that often come up when you're trying to make sense of it all.

How many MCU movies are there currently?

As of recent updates, the Marvel Cinematic Universe currently has 36 films that have been released. This number includes all the movies from Phase 1 through Phase 4 and beyond, up to the release of Thunderbolts*. It's a very big collection, you know.

What's the difference between Marvel movies and MCU movies?

Basically, all MCU movies are Marvel movies, but not all Marvel movies are part of the MCU. MCU movies are specifically produced by Marvel Studios and share a connected storyline. Other Marvel movies, based on Marvel characters, might be made by different studios and don't share that same connected universe. It's a subtle distinction, but important, actually.

Is there a correct order to watch all the Marvel movies?

There are two main ways people watch them: release order or chronological order. Release order is how they came out in theaters, which is often recommended for first-time viewers. Chronological order puts them in the timeline of the story. Both ways are valid, but offer a somewhat different viewing experience, you know. You can learn more about the best watch order on our site, and link to this page for a full breakdown.

For more detailed information on the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its vast collection of films, you can check out a reputable movie database, which is often a good place to start your research, you know.

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