For those of you who aren't as tuned into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as you'd like to be, we've a little surprise for you: We've compiled a list of all of the film releases complete with a little snippet of what to expect from each.
That not enough for you?
We've also listed the films in chronological order so you can decide for yourselves how you'd like to watch them. Alternatively, if you're already well versed in the MCU, why not refresh your memory with the various cameo appearances?
Stick around until the end, and we'll give you our take on the best way to watch.
In the following list, the year marks the release date and, unless otherwise mentioned, the year it's set, and the names of superheroes mean they appear in some form in that film.
Phase 1
'Iron man'
- Release 2008
- Meet billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) who's using his riches for the greater good.
- Iron Man, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) , James Rhodes (Terrence Howard)
- 2008
- Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is the new Hulk. It's hinted that he first transformed into the monster after a military experiment gone wrong.
- Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America
- Set at the same time as the following two films
- 2010
- Catch up with a reluctant Tony Stark who isn't too keen on the idea of sharing his technology with the US government.
- Iron Man, James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Nick Fury, Young Peter Parker
'Thor'
- 2011
- Chris Hemsworth plays the God of Thunder, who finds himself banished to the Earth after a bout of bad behaviour.
- Thor, Loki, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), Nick Fury, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
- 2011
- Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) might be the world's first super-hero (according to Marvel, at least), but he wasn't always that way.
- Captain America, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Nick Fury
- Set 1942
- 2012
- Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor's brother presents a threat to Earth and so Nick Fury assembles of group of Superheroes to protect the planet.
- Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Loki, Nick Fury
Phase 2
- 2013
- Tony Stark struggles with PTSD, while an unknown enemy attacks his home.
- Iron Man, James Rhodes
- Six months after the events of 'Avengers Assemble'
- 2013
- Thor works on his relationships with his father, Odin and human friend, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)
- Thor, Loki, Odin, Captain America
- A year after the events of 'Avengers Assemble'
'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'
- 2014
- Steve Rogers, still adjusting to modern life, finds out his best friend is very much alive and alike him in many ways.
- Captain America, Nick Fury, Bucky Barnes, Black Widow, Falcon (Anthony Mackie) , Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson)
- Two years after the events of 'Avengers Assemble'
- 2014
- The adventures of a grown up Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) who was abducted by aliens as a child.
- Peter Quill, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel), Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Thanos (Josh Brolin), Yondu Udonta (Michael Rooker)
- Begins in 1988 but is set in 2014
- 2015
- The super-hero force reunites in order to fight off a new enemy.
- Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, James Rhodes, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Nick Fury, Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), Thanos
'Ant-Man'
- 2015
- Meet thief, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), who has the ability to shrink down and increase his strength.
- Ant-Man, Hank Pym, Hope van Dyne, Captain America, Bucky Barnes
- Six months after the events of 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'
Phase 3
- 2016
- The Avengers find themselves split into two when Captain America and Iron Man have a difference of opinion.
- Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Bucky Barnes, Falcon, James Rhodes, Hawkeye, Black Panther, Vision (Paul Bettany), Scarlett Witch, Ant-Man, Spider-Man
- 2016
- Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) becomes Doctor Strange when he seeks help to recover from a car crash.
- Doctor Strange, Thor
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2'
- 2017
- Venturing through space, the Guardians delve into Peter Quill's past.
- Peter Quill, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Baby Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Nebula, Mantis, Yondu Udonta
- Set three months after the events of 'Guardians of the Galaxy'
- 2017
- Tom Holland's Peter Parker tries to adjust back into normal life following his stint with the Avengers.
- Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America
- Set several months after the events of 'Captain America: Civil War'
- 2017
- Thor is imprisoned on a neighbouring planet and must escape to save Asgard.
- Thor, Loki, Hulk, Odin, Doctor Strange, Black Widow, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson)
- 2018
- T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to Wakanda only to find his position as King hangs in the balance
- Black Panther, Ulysses Klaue, Bucky Barnes, Shuri, Okoye (Danai Gurira), M'Baku (Winston Duke)
- Set directly after the events of 'Captain America: Civil War'
Some Marvel super-fans prefer to watch the films in chronological order to get a more authentic feel for the universe. In order to do that, you'll need to begin with 'Captain America: The First Avenger' then the first two Iron Man films, before continuing on in the above order. After 'Guardians of the Galaxy', you'll want to watch its sequel before moving on as above. As you near the end, swap 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' for 'Thor: Ragnarok', and finish as mentioned with 'Black Panther'.
At the end of the latter film, we got to see Bucky Barnes in a little post credit snippet. Whilst it didn't let on to many clues, we know for a fact he'll come into contact with Shuri (Letitia Wright) in the upcoming 'Avengers: Infinity War'. The film is set to unite the Guardians with the Avengers and bring the biggest super-hero line up yet.
The advantage of watching the films in chronological order is that you get to see the universe play out as though it were one big story. The down side to that method is that, because the films didn't premiere chronologically, there's a lot of jumping around the time line (with various flashbacks, links and cameos). Whilst it doesn't sound too complicated, it's worth mentioning just how big of a headache it was for me to get my mind around all of the inter-film connections. I mean a young Peter Parker cameo in 'Iron Man'? Come on! The MCU truly is the gift that keeps on giving, and that's not even including the continued appearance of Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter or Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury!
'Avengers: Infinity War' hits UK cinemas on 26th April.
