Marvel Movies in Release Date Order
SEE ALSO: Marvel Movies & TV Shows In Chronological Order | All Marvel MCU Movies Ranked | The Essential Marvel Cinematic Universe Guide
We’re all about the Marvel Cinematic Universe here at Rotten Tomatoes (can you tell?), and that means making sure you’re equipped with all the tools you need to dive into the world of the MCU… and know where you’re going. Because even if you’re not the biggest Marvel fanatic, you know you’ve been a little curious. And if you are a massive Marvel fan, well, this should be a fun refresher for you, even if you are the go-to Marvel expert in your friend group.
While you might be familiar with our other articles, Marvel Movies Ranked and MCU Movies in Order, this time, we’re starting all the way back from Phase One and listing every movie by release date, from the iconic Iron Man to the audience-beloved The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Read on for the complete lineup, and be sure to explore our full slate of MCU lists above. — Stephanie Ornelas
Phase One
Six Certified Fresh films make up the list below, from Iron Man to Marvel’s The Avengers. Who can forget when the world saw RDJ step into the role of Iron Man back in 2008? Critics praised the film as “an exceptionally well-made debut for Marvel Studios.”
94%
68%
72%
77%
80%
91%
Phase Two
The next five movies make up phase two and include the critically-acclaimed Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a movie that some audiences called “undeniably one of the MCU’s best films.”
79%
67%
90%
91%
75%
Phase Three
This next phase has an epic lineup of 11 movies — all Certified Fresh. From Captain America: Civil War to Doctor Strange to Spider-Man: Homecoming, there’s no question that the films below have continued to elevate and shape the MCU.
90%
89%
85%
92%
93%
96%
85%
87%
79%
94%
91%
Phase Four
Phase Four was a phase of double badges when three epic films won over critics and audiences. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Black Widow are all Certified Fresh and Verified Hot.
79%
92%
47%
93%
73%
63%
84%
Phase Five
The world saw Deadpool & Wolverine break box office records as it became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time and the second-highest-grossing film of 2024. Also on this list are the surprisingly emotional Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Certified Fresh Thunderbolts*.
46%
82%
63%
77%
46%
88%
Phase Six
Last year, audiences were blessed with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. When Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach came together as the iconic quartet, audiences flocked to see it in IMAX and praised it as “a faithful take on the Galactus saga.” See what else is on the menu so far through 2027!
86%
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