So, you want to catch up on the MCU but the timeline looks like a bowl of spaghetti that someone dropped on the floor. I get it. Honestly, trying to figure out the marvel movies in order 2024 is less about checking off a list and more about navigating a multiverse that has become increasingly chaotic.
The year 2024 was actually a bit of a weird one for Marvel. After years of being bombarded with four movies a year, the studio finally hit the brakes. Hard. We only got one big theatrical release, but boy, was it a massive one. If you’re trying to watch everything in the right sequence, you've basically got two choices: the way they came out (Release Order) or the way the history actually happens (Chronological Order).
Most people mess this up because they forget about the "Special Presentations" and the Disney+ shows that are now mandatory homework. You can't just skip to the movies anymore. If you do, you’re going to be staring at the screen wondering why a talking raccoon is suddenly depressed or how a certain witch ended up in a suburban nightmare.
The 2024 Context: Quality over Quantity
Marvel Studios spent 2024 pivoting. After some rocky reviews in Phase 4, Kevin Feige and the team decided to slow down. This meant that the marvel movies in order 2024 list is surprisingly short for the year itself, but the baggage it carries from previous years is heavy.
The crown jewel of 2024 was Deadpool & Wolverine. Released on July 26, it was the first R-rated entry in the MCU. It didn't just bring Ryan Reynolds into the fold; it effectively canonized the entire 20th Century Fox X-Men universe. That changes the "order" significantly if you're a completionist. Do you have to watch ten Fox movies now? Kinda.
Why Chronological Order is a Trap
If you start with Captain America: The First Avenger (set in 1942), you’re following the timeline. Cool. But then you jump to Captain Marvel in the 90s. The problem? You’ll miss the "Aha!" moments. You’ll see characters die before you've even met them in their prime. For a first-time viewer, chronological is a disaster. For a rewatch? It’s a fun way to see how the Tesseract moved through history.
The Definitive Watch List for 2024
Let's look at how the 2024 specific releases fit into the broader puzzle. If you are sitting down today to marathon this, here is how the new stuff fits into the existing mountain of content.
1. Echo (January 9, 2024) Technically a TV show, but it launched under the new "Marvel Spotlight" banner. This is for the folks who want gritty, street-level stuff. It picks up right after the Hawkeye series (2021). If you're watching in order, put this after Hawkeye but before Daredevil: Born Again. It’s five episodes, all dropped at once—a rarity for Disney+.
2. X-Men '97 (March 20, 2024) Okay, this one is debatable. It’s animated. It’s a sequel to a show from the 90s. Is it MCU canon? Deadpool & Wolverine suggests that everything in the multiverse is "canon" now. It’s arguably the best-reviewed thing Marvel put out all year. If you want the full 2024 experience, don't skip it.
3. Deadpool & Wolverine (July 26, 2024) The big one. In the timeline, this takes place after the events of Loki Season 2. You basically need to know about the TVA (Time Variance Authority) to understand what’s happening. It’s a meta-commentary on the film industry as much as it is a superhero flick.
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4. Agatha All Along (September 18, 2024) This spin-off from WandaVision arrived just in time for spooky season. It follows Agatha Harkness after Wanda Maximoff stripped her of her powers. In the chronological order, this is one of the "latest" entries, taking place well after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
How to Watch Everything (The "No-Nonsense" List)
If you want the marvel movies in order 2024 including the legacy of what came before, here is the streamlined path. I’ve grouped these by "Eras" because it’s easier on the brain.
The Infinity Saga (Phases 1-3)
This is the classic run. Iron Man to Endgame.
- Iron Man (2008) through The Avengers (2012): The build-up.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Still arguably the best one.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1 & 2: These are basically their own thing until they aren't.
- Avengers: Infinity War & Endgame: The big payoff.
The Multiverse Saga (Phases 4-5)
This is where 2024 lives.
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- Spider-Man: No Way Home: The bridge to the multiverse.
- Loki (Seasons 1 & 2): ESSENTIAL. You cannot understand 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine without seeing what Loki did to the timeline.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023): The emotional wrap-up for the team.
- The Marvels (late 2023): Leads directly into the "what's next" for the younger heroes.
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): The centerpiece of Phase 5.
What People Get Wrong About the Timeline
The biggest misconception is that Deadpool & Wolverine is just a comedy. It’s actually a vital piece of the "Anchor Being" concept. The film introduces the idea that if a certain person in a timeline dies, that entire universe starts to wither. This explains why the MCU has felt a bit "off" since Tony Stark died in Endgame.
Another thing? People think Madame Web or Kraven the Hunter are part of this list. They aren't. Those are Sony movies. Sure, they have Marvel characters, but they aren't in the MCU "Sacred Timeline." Don't confuse yourself by trying to fit them in between Thor and Ant-Man. It’s a waste of your afternoon.
The "Must-Watch" Prep for New 2024 Fans
If you only have time for a few movies before diving into the 2024 content, do this:
- WandaVision: To understand Agatha All Along.
- Loki: To understand the TVA in Deadpool.
- Logan (2017): Not an MCU movie, but Deadpool & Wolverine is a direct emotional sequel to it.
Honestly, the "order" is becoming more about "Vibe" than "Time." You have the "Street Level" order (Daredevil, Echo, Hawkeye) and the "Cosmic/Multiverse" order (Loki, Deadpool, Doctor Strange).
Your Next Steps
If you're ready to start your 2024 marathon, start with Loki Season 2 followed immediately by Deadpool & Wolverine. This gives you the clearest picture of where the MCU is heading as we move toward Avengers: Doomsday.
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Once you've finished the movies, dive into Agatha All Along on Disney+ to see the supernatural side of the universe. It’s a great palate cleanser after the high-octane action of the summer blockbusters.