We’re all about the Marvel Cinematic Universe at Rotten Tomatoes, and one of the most common ways fans revisit the saga is by release order — the same way audiences originally experienced it in theaters.
Below, you’ll find every Marvel Studios film listed by its theatrical release date, organized by phase from 2008’s Iron Man through the latest and upcoming MCU releases. This guide is designed as a straightforward reference for tracking the franchise as it expanded across movies and Disney+ series over time.
If you’re looking for the chronological story order instead, check out our Marvel Cinematic Universe watch order guide. — Stephanie Ornelas
Phase One
Five Certified Fresh films, plus one Fresh, 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.”
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.”
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.
Phase Four
Phase Four was a phase of double badges when three epic films won over boths 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.
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*.
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, viewers 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!
