The Best Order to Read and Watch All Marvel Comics and Shows

Marvel's expansive cinematic andcomic universe is a treasure trove for fans, but it can be overwhelming to decide where to start. This article will guide you through the best order to read and watch Marvel's comics and shows, ensuring that you get the most out of your experience without feeling overwhelmed.

Marvel Movies: Release Order

For the movies, it's generally best to watch them in the order they were released. While it can be fun to watch them in chronological order, doing so means you'll miss out on some of the humor and enjoyment from the later movies, which contain spoilers for earlier ones. Here’s a suggested order for the main MCU films:

2008 – The Incredible Hulk 2010 – Iron Man 2010 – Iron Man 2 2012 – The Avengers 2013 – Thor 2014 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 2015 – Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 – Ant-Man 2016 – Doctor Strange 2017 – Guardians of the Galaxy 2017 – Spider-Man: Homecoming 2017 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War 2019 – Captain America: Civil War 2019 – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 2021 – Thor: Love and Thunder 2022 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 2023 – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania 2023 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 2023 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

This order is recommended for both new and returning viewers, as it provides the best context and flow for the storylines and characters. However, if you prefer to watch them in chronological order, choose the one that suits your viewing habits and allows you to enjoy the movies the most.

Marvel Shows: Release Order

For the TV shows, the general rule is also to watch them in the order they were released. While there are some shows that tie into the MCU movies, others can be enjoyed independently. Here’s a suggested order for the main MCU TV shows:

2013 – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. 2015 – Agent Carter 2015 – Daredevil 2015 – Jessica Jones 2016 – Luke Cage 2016 – Iron Fist 2017 – Punisher 2017 – Tombstone 2017 – The Defenders 2018 – Cloak Dagger 2019 – Ironheart 2019 – WandaVision 2020 – The Falcon and the Winter Soldier 2021 – Loki 2022 – Moon Knight 2022 – Ms. Marvel 2022 – She-Hulk: Attorney at Law 2022 – Ironheart 2022 – Hawkeye 2023 – Secret Invasion

Again, while watching in chronological order can be fun, it's not necessary for enjoyment. Each show has its unique stories and characters that intertwine with the broader MCU narrative. You can choose to watch them in the order of their release or in chronological order, depending on your preference.

Marvel Comics: What to Read

Reading all of Marvel's comics is an immense undertaking that could take a lifetime. Some comics are more significant than others, and not every single appearance of each character is essential for a complete understanding of the MCU. Here are some key characters and what to focus on:

Captain America: Reading all of Captain America's comics is indeed a significant challenge. From his first appearance in Patriot #1 (1941) to the Alamatos Annihilation storyline, it would take years of consistent reading. Defining works include Bucky, Avengers: The Initiates, and Favorite Son. The Avengers: Core titles like Avengers and Civil War are essential, as are supporting characters like The Vision and Wanda Maximoff. Spider-Man: Key Spider-Man stories include Amazing Spider-Man, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Silk: Lighting the Silk. Thor: Be sure to read Thor and Thor: God of Thunder. Iron Man: Iron Man and Ultimate Iron Man are important titles.

While it might be physically impossible to read all comics, focusing on the key stories and characters will provide a well-rounded understanding of the universe. Marvel has an official app that can help you track your reading progress and discover what comics are must-reads.

Conclusion

While it can be tempting to dive into all of Marvel's rich content, a methodical approach is key to enjoying your experience. Whether you're a new or returning fan, starting with the movies and shows in the release order is a great way to immerse yourself in the Marvel universe. For those dedicated comic readers, focus on the key stories and characters to avoid the immense challenge of reading them all. Happy reading and watching!