The Origins
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, or MCU, began in 2008 with the release of Iron Man. It was the first movie in a long line of interconnected films that follow the stories of Marvel superheroes. The subsequent films, each directed by a variety of filmmakers, further build on characters and story lines featured in the original Iron Man.
The first MCU movie, Iron Man, was directed by Jon Favreau and starred Robert Downey Jr. as the titular hero. The movie was a critical and commercial success and spawned numerous spin-offs and sequels, including The Avengers and Captain America: The First Avenger. The huge success of the series led to Marvel Studios expanding the MCU to include other Marvel characters, including Doctor Strange and Black Panther.
The Order
The MCU consists of 24 films across both the Marvel and Sony universes, as well as multiple television series, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Daredevil, The Punisher and Jessica Jones. The most straightforward way of watching the movies is in the chronological order of their release. However, this method doesn’t always provide the best viewing experience, since some of the films contain flashbacks or reference past events.
The studio has developed an alternate viewing method to guarantee a comprehensive understanding of the storylines and ensure viewers get the best possible experience. This method involves watching the movies in the so-called ‘Phase Order’. This approach means viewers will watch the movies in the same order in which Marvel Studios produced them.
The Phase Order allows viewers to experience the different arcs as a complete unit. In this method, the movies are grouped into phases based on certain events and characters introduced in each movie. Each phase contains anywhere from two to seven films, some of which are chronological prequels or sequels to other films in the series.
Phases 1-3
The first phase of the MCU, Phase 1, consists of Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers. This ‘Avengers assemble’ arc also includes ‘one-shot’ films like The Consultant, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor’s Hammer and The Avengers: Age of Ultron Prelude.
Phase 2 consists of Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man and Captain America: Civil War. This phase introduces a couple of new characters including Scarlet Witch, Vision, Ultron, and Falcon, as well as laying the groundwork for the Infinity Gauntlet story arc.
The third and final phase of the MCU includes Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man & The Wasp and the most recent release, Avengers: Endgame. This phase continues the Infinity War arc and features the introduction of new characters like Shuri, Wong and Mantis.
The Future
Marvel Studios will continue to expand the MCU with new films such as Shang-Chi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love & Thunder. They are also developing a new slate of television series for Disney+, the studio’s streaming service. These series will focus on existing characters such as The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, as well as newly introduced characters like Ms. Marvel and Hawkeye.
The MCU shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as the studio continues to churn out new films and television series. The films have grossed billions of dollars at the box office and the television shows have become some of the most watched series in the world. As the MCU continues to grow and evolve, fans are left to wonder what films and characters will be introduced in the future.
Critical Reception
The MCU has become an immensely successful franchise, both in financial and critical terms. Critics have praised the films for their ambitious storytelling and generous use of humour, while also noting the occasional misstep in the films’ execution. For the most part, the films have all been well-received by both critics and the public, with many of them becoming cultural phenomena.
The films have been nominated for and won numerous awards, including several Academy Awards and BAFTAs. The success of the films has led to increased interest in other Marvel films and comics, with many viewers now seeking out obscure characters from the Marvel universe.
The Characters
The characters in the MCU are some of the most iconic in all of pop culture. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and The Hulk have become household names and the studio has put a focus on its ‘Avengers’ team, featuring the likes of Black Widow, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch. In recent years, the studio has also introduced characters like Doctor Strange, Black Panther and the Guardians of the Galaxy into the mix.
The MCU has also developed its villains, most notably Thanos. The character first made an appearance in The Avengers and is the main antagonist in the recent Infinity War and Endgame films. He has become one of the most beloved villains in cinema, and his presence in the films has given them an added depth.
The characters of the MCU are so popular that the studio has started developing their own spin-off films, such as the upcoming solo films for Black Widow and the Eternals. It’s clear that Marvel Studios is invested in its characters and is looking to capitalize on their popularity for years to come.
Conclusion
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become one of the most successful films franchises in history. The films have grossed billions of dollars at the box office and have introduced some of the most iconic characters ever seen on the big screen. The films are beloved by both critics and audiences alike, and the studio continues to expand the universe with new films, television series, and spin-offs featuring the heroes and villains of the MCU.
