Dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) – from the ground‑breaking Infinity Saga through the reality‑bending Multiverse Saga, in one complete, phase‑by‑phase guide.
This single post combines all parts of my MCU series from Cinema Awards Archive, covering Phases One to Six plus the major future projects shaping what comes after.
Below you’ll find:
- Infinity Saga – Phases One, Two & Three
- Multiverse Saga – Phases Four, Five & Six
- Future MCU Films – from Armor Wars to the first MCU X‑Men
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a shared film and TV universe built around Marvel Comics superheroes, produced by Marvel Studios and divided into phases that group its interconnected stories. The first three phases are collectively known as The Infinity Saga, while Phases Four through Six make up The Multiverse Saga.
Phase One of the MCU lays the entire foundation for this universe – introducing Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Nick Fury’s Avengers Initiative, culminating in the first team‑up film The Avengers. In this post, I break down every Phase One movie, its story, box office run and legacy.
This guide is based on a video from my YouTube channel Cinema Awards Archive, where I cover the complete history and box office performance of the MCU, with each part of the series focusing on a different chapter of the Infinity Saga and beyond.
As of today, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has become one of the highest‑grossing film franchises in cinema history, with a combined worldwide box office gross of around $31.9 billion across all phases.
- $12.80 billion in the United States and Canada.
- $19.11 billion in other territories.
- $31.91 billion worldwide box office total.
- Approx. $7.524 billion in total production budget across the MCU.
Phase One is where it all began – six films released between 2008 and 2012 that defined Marvel’s tone, creative formula and post‑credits storytelling style.
Phase One of the MCU consists of six films released from 2008–2012: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and Marvel’s The Avengers. Together, they build from solo origin stories to the universe’s first crossover event.
Iron Man is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.
Following his capture by a terrorist group, billionaire industrialist and genius engineer Tony Stark escapes by building a prototype armored suit, then refines the technology to become the armored superhero Iron Man. This marks the first film in Phase One of the MCU.
The film premiered in Sydney on April 14, 2008, and was released in the United States on May 2. It grossed over $585 million worldwide, becoming one of 2008’s biggest hits, and drew praise for Downey’s charismatic performance, Favreau’s direction, and its visual effects and action.
Iron Man earned Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects, and in 2022 it was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
The film launched both the MCU and a solo trilogy, followed by Iron Man 2 (2010) and Iron Man 3 (2013).
The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk, directed by Louis Leterrier from a screenplay by Zak Penn, and is the second film in the MCU.
The story follows scientist Bruce Banner, whose exposure to gamma radiation transforms him into the Hulk. On the run and trying to cure himself, Banner becomes an unwitting pawn in the military’s attempt to weaponize his condition as part of a resurrected Super Soldier Program.
The film’s action sequences were praised and it was considered an improvement over the 2003 Hulk movie, although some critics felt it lacked emotional depth. It grossed about $265.6 million worldwide.
Within the MCU timeline, its events overlap with Iron Man 2 and Thor, helping to expand the universe’s sense of simultaneous storylines.
Iron Man 2 (2010) is the sequel to Iron Man and the third film in the MCU, directed by Jon Favreau and written by Justin Theroux.
Following Tony Stark’s public reveal that he is Iron Man, the U.S. government pressures him to hand over his technology, while rival weapons manufacturer Justin Hammer and vengeful Russian scientist Ivan Vanko conspire to use his own innovations against him.
Premiering at the El Capitan Theatre on April 26, 2010, and released in the U.S. on May 7, the film received praise for its action and performances, though many critics felt it didn’t reach the heights of the original.
It grossed about $623.9 million worldwide, becoming one of 2010’s top‑grossing films and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
Iron Man’s story would continue with Iron Man 3 (2013) in Phase Two.
Thor is a 2011 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz and Don Payne. It is the fourth film in the MCU.
After reigniting a dormant war, arrogant Asgardian prince Thor is banished to Earth by his father Odin, stripped of his powers and separated from his hammer Mjölnir. While his brother Loki schemes to seize the throne of Asgard, Thor must learn humility and prove himself worthy.
The film premiered in Sydney on April 17, 2011, and was released in the U.S. on May 6. It received positive reviews for its Shakespearean family drama, performances and visual design, and earned about $449.3 million worldwide.
Thor’s corner of the MCU would later expand with three sequels: Thor: The Dark World (2013), Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) is based on the Marvel character Captain America, directed by Joe Johnston and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It is the fifth MCU film.
Set mainly in 1943, the story follows Steve Rogers, a frail but determined young man deemed unfit for regular military service in World War II. Recruited for a secret experiment, he is transformed into super‑soldier Captain America and battles Red Skull, the head of Hydra, the Nazi science division.
The film premiered at the El Capitan Theatre on July 19, 2011 and was released in the U.S. on July 22. It grossed roughly $370 million worldwide and drew praise for Chris Evans’ earnest performance, its period setting and Johnston’s pulpy, adventure‑serial tone.
The character’s story would continue in two acclaimed sequels: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016).
Marvel’s The Avengers (titled Marvel Avengers Assemble in the UK and Ireland) is a 2012 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team, written and directed by Joss Whedon. It is the sixth film in the MCU and the culmination of Phase One.
When Thor’s brother Loki arrives on Earth seeking to subjugate the planet with help from an alien army, S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury assembles Tony Stark/Iron Man, Steve Rogers/Captain America, Thor, Bruce Banner/the Hulk, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Clint Barton/Hawkeye into the Avengers.
The film premiered on April 11, 2012 and was released in the U.S. on May 4. It received widespread acclaim for its ensemble cast, sharp dialogue, humour, action and visual effects, showing that a multi‑hero crossover could work on a massive scale.
The Avengers grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming the third‑highest‑grossing film of all time at its release and the highest‑grossing film of 2012, as well as the first Marvel film to cross the $1 billion mark.
It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects and has since appeared in “greatest films” lists and retrospectives as a key turning point in blockbuster cinema. Three sequels followed: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe didn’t just introduce individual heroes – it proved that a fully interconnected, multi‑film narrative could work on a mainstream blockbuster scale, paving the way for the rest of the Infinity Saga and influencing how studios design shared universes.
From Tony Stark’s cave‑built armor to the Battle of New York, these six films set the tone, humour, and post‑credits storytelling style that would define Marvel for more than a decade.
This phase consists of six key films – Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Ant‑Man – each deepening the interconnected MCU storyline and paving the road toward Infinity War.
This guide is part of my “Complete MCU Explained” series on the Cinema Awards Archive YouTube channel, where I break down each phase’s history, box office highlights and how every chapter fits into the Infinity Saga.
Phase Two picks up after The Avengers, exploring the fallout of New York, the rise of cosmic threats and the erosion of trust in institutions like S.H.I.E.L.D., while introducing new teams and tones that broaden what an MCU film can look and feel like.
Iron Man 3 (2013) is an American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, directed by Shane Black from a screenplay he co‑wrote with Drew Pearce. It is the sequel to Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010), and the seventh film in the MCU.
Set after the Battle of New York in The Avengers, Tony Stark struggles with anxiety and PTSD as a terrorist figure known as the Mandarin leads a devastating campaign of bombings across the United States, forcing Stark to rely on his ingenuity more than his suits.
The film received positive reviews for its action, Black’s direction, and Robert Downey Jr.’s performance, though the twist involving the Mandarin’s true identity proved divisive among fans.
A major box office success, Iron Man 3 grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, making it the second‑highest‑grossing film of 2013 and the sixteenth film ever to cross $1 billion at the time. It briefly stood among the top five highest‑grossing films of all time.
The film earned Best Visual Effects nominations at both the Academy Awards and the BAFTA Awards, and serves as a personal epilogue for Tony’s first MCU trilogy.
Thor: The Dark World (2013) is an American superhero film based on Marvel’s Thor, directed by Alan Taylor from a screenplay by Christopher Yost and others. It is the sequel to Thor (2011) and the eighth film in the MCU.
In the film, Thor reluctantly teams up with his scheming brother Loki to stop Malekith and the Dark Elves from using the Aether to plunge the Nine Realms into darkness, tying Asgardian mythology more directly into the Infinity Stones storyline.
The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $644 million worldwide and becoming one of 2013’s top‑grossing films. Critics praised Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston’s performances, as well as the visual effects and action scenes, but many felt the villain and story lacked depth.
In later years, director Alan Taylor expressed dissatisfaction with the final cut, noting that Marvel significantly altered his original vision in post‑production – a point often cited in discussions of early‑MCU creative control.
Thor’s journey would continue in the more comedic and cosmic sequels Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) is a political‑thriller‑inflected superhero film based on Marvel’s Captain America, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It is the sequel to The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier, and the ninth MCU film.
Steve Rogers, now working with S.H.I.E.L.D., teams up with Natasha Romanoff and newcomer Sam Wilson (Falcon) to uncover a conspiracy within the agency, all while facing a lethal masked assassin known as the Winter Soldier, who has a shocking connection to his past.
The film was widely praised for its performances, grounded action set‑pieces, espionage‑style storyline and mature themes about surveillance and security, helping to reframe Captain America as one of the MCU’s most compelling characters.
It grossed about $714 million worldwide, making it one of 2014’s top box office hits, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
The Russos would return to direct Captain America: Civil War (2016) and eventually take charge of the crossover epics Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), later retroactively referred to as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, is based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name and is the tenth film in the MCU. It is directed by James Gunn, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Nicole Perlman.
The film follows Peter Quill (Star‑Lord), Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot – a group of misfit criminals and outcasts – who band together after stealing a powerful orb, only to discover it contains an Infinity Stone coveted by the warlord Ronan the Accuser.
A surprise breakout, Guardians of the Galaxy became a critical and commercial success, grossing about $773.3 million worldwide and ending as the third‑highest‑grossing film of 2014.
Audiences and critics praised its screenplay, direction, cast, humour, 1970s/80s soundtrack, visual effects and action – proving that even relatively obscure Marvel properties could anchor major hits.
The film received two Oscar nominations (including Best Visual Effects) and spawned two sequels: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) is the sequel to The Avengers and the eleventh MCU film, written and directed by Joss Whedon. It brings Earth’s Mightiest Heroes back together against a threat of their own making.
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner attempt to jump‑start a peacekeeping program, they inadvertently create Ultron, a powerful artificial intelligence who decides that global peace requires human extinction. The Avengers must stop Ultron while confronting the consequences of their own choices.
The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its set‑pieces, visual effects and character moments, even as some critics found it overstuffed with sequel setup and universe‑building.
Age of Ultron grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, becoming one of 2015’s biggest films and, at the time, one of the top‑grossing movies in history.
It helped set the stage for Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), deepening threads around the Infinity Stones and the fractures within the team.
Ant‑Man (2015) is an American superhero heist comedy based on Marvel’s Ant‑Man characters, directed by Peyton Reed from a screenplay by Edgar Wright & Joe Cornish and Adam McKay & Paul Rudd. It closes out Phase Two as the MCU’s twelfth film.
The film follows Scott Lang, a former thief recruited by scientist Hank Pym to don the Ant‑Man suit, which allows its wearer to shrink in size while gaining strength. Lang must help protect Pym’s shrinking technology and pull off a high‑stakes heist with global implications.
Ant‑Man grossed more than $519 million worldwide and received positive reviews, with many critics welcoming its smaller‑scale story, comedic tone and strong ensemble cast, particularly Paul Rudd, Michael Peña, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas.
The film launched a sub‑franchise with two sequels: Ant‑Man and the Wasp (2018) and Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), both of which would play into later MCU multiverse storylines.
Phase Two of the MCU took the success of Phase One and pushed it into riskier territory – embracing genre blends like political thrillers and space operas, challenging its heroes with internal conflicts, and expanding the cosmic and technological sides of the Infinity Saga.
From Tony Stark’s post‑Avengers trauma to the introduction of the Guardians and the seeds of the Sokovia conflict, these six films reshaped the MCU’s tone and structure, setting up the massive confrontations to come in Phase Three.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Three delivered the Infinity Saga’s explosive payoff, with 11 blockbuster films released between 2016 and 2019, beginning with Captain America: Civil War and ending with Spider‑Man: Far From Home.
Across team fractures, cosmic threats, and universe‑altering events, this phase redefined superhero epics with cultural milestones like Black Panther and box office record‑breakers such as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Collectively, the Phase Three films grossed over $13.5 billion worldwide, making it the highest‑earning phase of the Infinity Saga and a dominant run in modern blockbuster history.
This guide is part of my “Complete MCU Explained” series on the Cinema Awards Archive YouTube channel, where I break down each phase’s films, box office highlights and awards recognition.
Phase Three includes eleven films: Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider‑Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant‑Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame and Spider‑Man: Far From Home.
Below, we continue the numbering from the earlier phases and focus on entries 13–23 in the overall MCU film list.
Captain America: Civil War (2016) is a superhero film based on Marvel’s Captain America, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo from a screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It is the sequel to The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier, and the 13th MCU film – the official start of Phase Three.
After an international incident involving the Avengers causes collateral damage, governments push for oversight via the Sokovia Accords, splitting the team into rival factions led by Steve Rogers and Tony Stark as they clash over freedom, accountability and hidden agendas.
The film was a major commercial success, grossing over $1.1 billion worldwide and becoming the highest‑grossing film of 2016. Critics praised the performances (especially Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.), the airport battle set‑piece, and its themes of ideology and loyalty.
Civil War also introduced Tom Holland’s Spider‑Man and Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther to the MCU, setting up key arcs for later Phase Three films.
Doctor Strange (2016) is a superhero film based on Marvel’s sorcerer Stephen Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts and C. Robert Cargill. It is the 14th MCU film.
After a career‑ending car crash, brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon Stephen Strange seeks healing and instead discovers the world of the mystic arts, training under the Ancient One and learning to protect reality from inter‑dimensional threats.
The film grossed around $677.8 million worldwide and was praised for its cast, inventive visual effects and musical score, with its kaleidoscopic city‑bending imagery frequently highlighted as a standout.
Doctor Strange received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects and later returned with the sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) is the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and the 15th MCU film, written and directed by James Gunn.
The Guardians travel through the cosmos as Peter Quill meets Ego, a mysterious celestial claiming to be his father, forcing the team to confront questions of family, belonging and identity while facing new cosmic threats.
The film grossed more than $869 million worldwide, out‑earning its predecessor and ranking among 2017’s top releases. Critics praised its colourful visuals, direction, soundtrack, humour and performances, even as some felt it didn’t surpass the original.
It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects, and the story would later continue with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), preceded by The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+ in 2022.
Spider‑Man: Homecoming (2017) is a Spider‑Man reboot co‑produced by Sony and Marvel Studios and the 16th film in the MCU, directed by Jon Watts from a screenplay by multiple writing teams.
Set after Civil War, the film follows Peter Parker as he balances high school life with being Spider‑Man under Tony Stark’s mentorship, facing blue‑collar salvage worker turned arms dealer Adrian Toomes, the Vulture.
Homecoming grossed over $880 million worldwide, making it one of 2017’s biggest films and the second‑most successful Spider‑Man film at the time. Critics praised its lighter tone, focus on teen life, and performances – particularly Tom Holland and Michael Keaton.
Two sequels followed: Spider‑Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider‑Man: No Way Home (2021), with a new live‑action trilogy currently in development.
Thor: Ragnarok (2017) is the third Thor film and the 17th MCU entry, directed by Taika Waititi from a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost.
After being imprisoned on the planet Sakaar and forced into gladiatorial combat against the Hulk, Thor must escape in time to stop his sister Hela from destroying Asgard and bringing about Ragnarök.
The film grossed about $855 million worldwide, becoming the highest‑grossing film in the Thor series and one of 2017’s top box office performers.
Critics and audiences praised its bold tonal shift, comedic style, performances (including Cate Blanchett as Hela), and synth‑heavy score, with many considering it the best Thor instalment.
Thor’s story continued with the sequel Thor: Love and Thunder (2022).
Black Panther (2018) is based on Marvel’s Wakandan hero, directed by Ryan Coogler, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole. It is the 18th MCU film.
After the death of his father, T’Challa returns to Wakanda to assume the throne, but faces a challenge from Erik Killmonger, who seeks to end the nation’s isolationism and use its technology to fuel a global revolution.
The film became a cultural phenomenon, widely hailed as one of the MCU’s best entries, and was noted for its predominantly Black cast, Afrofuturist design and political themes.
Black Panther grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, breaking numerous records, including becoming the highest‑grossing film directed by a Black filmmaker and one of the top‑grossing films of 2018.
It was named one of the top‑ten films of 2018 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute, and received seven Oscar nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, winning three – the first MCU film to win Academy Awards and the first superhero film nominated for Best Picture.
A sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was released in November 2022, with Letitia Wright’s Shuri stepping into a leading role after Chadwick Boseman’s passing, and an animated series Eyes of Wakanda is due on Disney+ in 2025.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) is the third Avengers film and 19th MCU entry, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and their allies unite across Earth and space to stop Thanos from collecting the six Infinity Stones, which would give him god‑like power to wipe out half of all life in the universe.
The film was praised for Josh Brolin’s nuanced performance as Thanos, the Russo brothers’ juggling of multiple storylines, its dark tone, large‑scale action and Alan Silvestri’s score.
Infinity War became a box‑office juggernaut, grossing over $2 billion worldwide and becoming the first superhero film to reach that mark, as well as the highest‑grossing film of 2018 and one of the top‑grossing films in history at the time.
It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects and ends on a devastating cliffhanger that leads directly into Avengers: Endgame.
Ant‑Man and the Wasp (2018) is the sequel to Ant‑Man (2015) and the 20th MCU film, directed by Peyton Reed from a screenplay by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.
The film follows Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne as Ant‑Man and the Wasp, working with Hank Pym to rescue Janet van Dyne from the Quantum Realm while evading new threats and the FBI, tying the Quantum Realm more tightly to the wider MCU.
It grossed over $622 million worldwide, and critics praised its performances (especially Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly), humour, lighter tone and inventive visual effects.
The story later continued with Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), which played a key role in the Multiverse Saga.
Captain Marvel (2019) is based on Marvel’s Carol Danvers, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck from a screenplay they co‑wrote with Geneva Robertson‑Dworet, and is the 21st MCU film.
Set in 1995, the film follows Danvers as she becomes Captain Marvel after an accident leaves her with Kree powers and fragmented memories, eventually uncovering her past on Earth and becoming embroiled in a conflict between the Kree and the Skrulls.
Captain Marvel grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, becoming the first female‑led superhero film to pass the billion‑dollar mark and one of 2019’s highest‑grossing releases.
Reviews were generally positive, with praise for Brie Larson’s performance and the film’s 90s‑infused tone, though its audience score on some platforms became entangled in debates about review bombing and online backlash.
The story continued with the sequel The Marvels, released in November 2023.
Avengers: Endgame (2019) is the culmination of the Infinity Saga, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It is the 22nd MCU film and direct sequel to Infinity War.
After Thanos wipes out half of all life, the surviving Avengers and their allies attempt to undo his actions, revisiting key moments from earlier MCU films through a “time heist” and bringing long‑running character arcs to an emotional close.
The film was praised for its direction, ensemble performances, score, action and emotional weight, with many critics highlighting the challenge of concluding a 22‑film storyline in a satisfying way.
Endgame grossed around $2.799 billion worldwide, surpassing Infinity War’s total in just eleven days and setting numerous box office records, including becoming the highest‑grossing film of all time from July 2019 to March 2021.
It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects and remains a landmark in franchise storytelling. Future Avengers films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, are scheduled for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Spider‑Man: Far From Home (2019) is the sequel to Spider‑Man: Homecoming and the 23rd MCU film, directed by Jon Watts and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. It serves as an epilogue to the Infinity Saga.
On a European school trip, Peter Parker is recruited by Nick Fury and the mysterious Quentin Beck/Mysterio to battle elemental creatures, only to uncover a deeper deception that forces him to confront his responsibilities in a post‑Endgame world.
The film received positive reviews, with praise for its humour, action, visual effects and the performances of Tom Holland and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Far From Home grossed over $1.1 billion worldwide, making it the first Spider‑Man film to cross the billion‑dollar mark, one of 2019’s top‑grossing movies, and at the time Sony Pictures’ highest‑grossing film ever.
The story continued with Spider‑Man: No Way Home (2021), which further explored multiverse concepts in the MCU.
With eleven films and over $13.5 billion in global box office, Phase Three represents the creative and commercial peak of the Infinity Saga – balancing character‑driven stories, genre diversity and unprecedented crossover events.
From Civil War’s fractured Avengers to the Wakandan revolution of Black Panther and the universe‑spanning stakes of Infinity War and Endgame, this phase reshaped expectations for what a superhero franchise could achieve.
The Multiverse Saga encompasses Phases Four, Five and Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, expanding beyond theatrical releases to include Disney+ series, special presentations and animated projects that further interconnect the MCU. Phase Four launched this ambitious era with multiverse storytelling, new heroes and more diverse representation than ever before.
Phase Four’s films – from Black Widow to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – explore a post‑Endgame world dealing with loss, legacy and the consequences of the Blip, while beginning to tease the larger multiverse conflicts of the coming phases.
This guide focuses on the seven Phase Four films and continues my “Complete MCU Explained” series from the Cinema Awards Archive YouTube channel.
Phase Four’s film slate includes Black Widow, Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider‑Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Below, we continue the overall MCU numbering with entries 24–30, covering each movie’s story focus, reception and box office performance.
Black Widow (2021) is a superhero film based on Marvel’s Natasha Romanoff, directed by Cate Shortland from a screenplay by Eric Pearson. It is the 24th film in the MCU and the first theatrical entry of Phase Four.
Mostly set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the film follows Natasha on the run as she is forced to confront her past as a Russian spy and the “family” she left behind, while bringing closure to her story after her sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame.
Filmed across locations in Norway, England, Budapest, Morocco and the U.S. between May and October 2019, Black Widow was delayed multiple times from its original May 2020 date due to the COVID‑19 pandemic and eventually released with a hybrid theatrical and Disney+ model.
The movie broke several pandemic‑era box office records and grossed over $379 million worldwide, with critics praising its action, tone and performances – particularly Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh – while noting it arrived later than many fans had hoped.
Johansson later filed a lawsuit over the simultaneous streaming release that was settled in 2021, in a case widely watched across the industry.
Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) is based on Marvel’s Shang‑Chi and is the 25th MCU film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay he wrote with Dave Callaham and Andrew Lanham.
The film follows Shang‑Chi, who has built a quiet life in San Francisco under an alias, as he is drawn back into the orbit of his father Wenwu – leader of the Ten Rings organization – and into a conflict involving his sister Xialing and a mythical village tied to their family’s past.
Shang‑Chi is Marvel Studios’ first film with an Asian director and a predominantly Asian cast, and it was widely praised for its representation, martial‑arts‑inspired action and Tony Leung’s nuanced performance as Wenwu.
It grossed over $432 million worldwide, becoming one of 2021’s top‑performing films despite pandemic constraints, and set several box office records for a Labor Day opening.
The film received multiple accolades and an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects, and a sequel is in development.
Eternals (2021) is based on Marvel’s race of the same name, directed by Chloé Zhao, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Patrick Burleigh, Ryan Firpo and Kaz Firpo. It is the 26th film in the MCU.
The film introduces the Eternals, a group of immortal beings who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, and follows them as they reunite to face their ancient enemies, the Deviants, while grappling with revelations about their true purpose.
Eternals grossed around $402 million worldwide and received several awards and nominations, but became the first MCU film to receive notably mixed reviews, with criticism focused on its pacing and dense exposition.
Nonetheless, some critics praised its ambitious themes, diverse ensemble and Zhao’s visual sensibility, even if they felt it did not fully match expectations set by her earlier work or previous MCU entries.
Spider‑Man: No Way Home (2021) is the third MCU Spider‑Man film and the 27th entry in the franchise, directed by Jon Watts and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. It continues the Sony–Marvel collaboration on the character.
After Peter Parker’s identity as Spider‑Man is exposed at the end of Far From Home, he turns to Doctor Strange to cast a spell that will make the world forget who he is. When the spell goes wrong, the multiverse cracks open, bringing villains – and eventually allies – from other Spider‑Man realities into the MCU.
The film received positive reviews and became a global phenomenon, grossing about $1.921 billion worldwide. It was the highest‑grossing film of 2021, the highest‑earning Spider‑Man film, and at the time one of the top‑six highest‑grossing films ever, while also setting pandemic‑era box office records.
No Way Home earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects and was celebrated for its crowd‑pleasing multiverse crossovers and emotional payoffs to decades of Spider‑Man storytelling. An extended cut, The More Fun Stuff Version, was released theatrically in 2022.
A follow‑up, Spider‑Man: Brand New Day, is scheduled for release in July 2026.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) is the sequel to Doctor Strange (2016) and the 28th MCU film, directed by Sam Raimi and written by Michael Waldron.
The film follows Doctor Strange as he protects America Chavez, a teenager with the ability to travel between universes, from the Scarlet Witch, whose grief‑driven quest for her children threatens the stability of the entire multiverse.
It received generally positive reviews for Raimi’s horror‑tinged direction, visual inventiveness and performances, even as some viewers debated the handling of certain characters and plot choices.
Multiverse of Madness grossed roughly $955–956 million worldwide, ranking among 2022’s top box office performers and significantly out‑grossing the original Doctor Strange.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) is the fourth Thor film and the 29th MCU entry, directed by Taika Waititi, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.
As Thor attempts to find inner peace after the events of Endgame, he is drawn back into battle when Gorr the God Butcher begins a crusade to eradicate gods. Thor joins forces with Valkyrie, Korg and his former love Jane Foster, who now wields Mjölnir as the Mighty Thor.
The film drew mixed reviews, with praise for its light‑heartedness, performances (especially Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale and Natalie Portman) and some action sequences, but criticism for tonal inconsistencies, over‑reliance on jokes and uneven visual effects. Many viewed it as a step down from Ragnarok.
Despite the divided reception, Love and Thunder grossed about $760.9 million worldwide, making it one of 2022’s highest‑grossing films and the second‑highest earner in the Thor franchise.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) is the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and the 30th film in the MCU, once again directed by Ryan Coogler, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole. It serves as the final film of Phase Four.
The story follows Wakanda as it mourns King T’Challa’s passing and faces new geopolitical and undersea threats, with Shuri and other leaders fighting to protect their nation’s future while grappling with grief and legacy.
Wakanda Forever received generally positive reviews and grossed about $859.2 million worldwide, becoming one of 2022’s top‑grosser and a major late‑pandemic release.
Angela Bassett’s performance and the film’s handling of loss and cultural identity were especially praised, with the movie earning multiple awards and nominations, including five Academy Award nominations (winning for Costume Design), BAFTA and Critics’ Choice recognition, Golden Globes and SAG nods.
A third Black Panther film is in development as the Wakanda corner of the MCU continues to evolve.
Phase Four marked a transition period for the MCU – moving beyond the Infinity Saga into stories grappling with the aftermath of the Blip, introducing new heroes and diving deeper into multiverse concepts that will define the rest of the Multiverse Saga.
From the grounded spy drama of Black Widow to the cultural impact of Wakanda Forever and the multiverse event of No Way Home, these films broadened the franchise’s scope while setting up conflicts and characters that will shape Phases Five and Six.
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Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Five continues the Multiverse Saga with high‑stakes crossovers, franchise conclusions and bold R‑rated experiments, pushing the MCU into riskier territory while testing audience appetite after more than a decade of interconnected storytelling./p>
This phase currently features six films – Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts – together totalling over $3.6 billion in worldwide box office across major hits and more challenging releases.
This guide continues my “Complete MCU Explained” series from the Cinema Awards Archive YouTube channel, focusing on how Phase Five builds on Phase Four’s multiverse groundwork and sets up the road to the next Avengers event films.
Phase Five’s film slate is officially numbered as MCU entries 31–36: Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts.
Below, each film gets its own section covering story focus, critical reception and box office performance.
Ant‑Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) is the third Ant‑Man film and the 31st MCU entry, directed by Peyton Reed from a screenplay by Jeff Loveness.
The story sees Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, Cassie, Hank and Janet pulled into the Quantum Realm, where they encounter Kang the Conqueror, a powerful multiversal villain whose presence is positioned as a key threat for the Multiverse Saga.
The film received mixed reviews, with praise for Jonathan Majors’ performance and some of the world‑building, but criticism aimed at its heavy CGI, uneven tone and overreliance on setup for future projects.
With a reported production budget near $380 million and a worldwide gross of about $476 million, Quantumania was seen as a box‑office disappointment and one of the few MCU films that struggled to break even theatrically.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) is the third Guardians film and the 32nd MCU entry, written and directed by James Gunn as the conclusion to his cosmic trilogy.
The film focuses on Rocket Raccoon’s traumatic origin as the Guardians race to save his life from his creator, the High Evolutionary, an obsessive scientist determined to “perfect” the universe, forcing the team to confront their pasts and their future together.
Gunn’s involvement went through a turbulent period – he was fired in 2018 over resurfaced tweets, later rehired after cast and industry support, and completed the film after working on DC’s The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.
Vol. 3 was both a critical and commercial success, widely regarded as a heartfelt and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It grossed over $845 million worldwide, becoming one of 2023’s top‑grossing films and earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
The Marvels (2023) is the sequel to Captain Marvel (2019), a continuation of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel (2022), and the 33rd film in the MCU, directed by Nia DaCosta, who co‑wrote the screenplay with Megan McDonnell and Elissa Karasik.
The film teams Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan as “the Marvels” after their powers become entangled, causing them to swap places whenever they use their abilities, forcing them to work together to stop a Kree‑driven threat.
Critics offered mixed reviews, often praising the lead performances and some of the fun, shorter runtime, while criticizing the script, pacing and tonal inconsistencies.
With around $206 million worldwide against a large reported budget, The Marvels became the lowest‑grossing MCU film to date and one of the franchise’s most notable box‑office underperformers, frequently cited in discussions about MCU fatigue.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) is the 34th MCU film and the first R‑rated entry in the franchise, continuing the story of the previous Deadpool films under the Marvel Studios banner, directed by Shawn Levy.
The film follows Deadpool as he recruits a reluctant variant of Wolverine from another universe to help stop the Time Variance Authority from erasing his reality, using multiverse chaos to bring Fox‑era X‑Men elements into the MCU.
Critics praised the chemistry and performances of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman and the film’s self‑aware humour, though some reviews were less positive on the plotting and overall cohesion.
Deadpool & Wolverine became a box‑office phenomenon, grossing about $1.338 billion worldwide, making it the second‑highest‑grossing film of 2024, the highest‑grossing R‑rated film of all time and, at release, one of the top 20 films ever at the global box office.
Captain America: Brave New World (2025) is the fourth film in the Captain America series and the 35th MCU entry, centered on Sam Wilson’s tenure as Captain America following the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
Directed by Julius Onah from a script by Rob Edwards and writing teams including Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson and Onah & Peter Glanz, the film follows Wilson as he investigates a conspiracy linked to U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, pulling him into a politically charged thriller.
The movie has grossed around $415 million worldwide, ranking among the mid‑range box‑office performers of 2025 and reflecting ongoing debates about the MCU’s shifting theatrical draw.
Reviews have been mixed, with criticism aimed at the story’s reliance on wider MCU connections and some visual effects, while the performances – especially Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford – have been consistently highlighted as strengths.
Thunderbolts (2025) is based on Marvel’s antihero team of the same name and is the 36th film in the MCU, directed by Jake Schreier from a screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo.
The film brings together a group of antiheroes and morally grey characters who are trapped in a dangerous situation and forced to work together on a high‑risk mission, leaning into a darker team‑up dynamic compared with the traditional Avengers.
In a notable twist, the ending reveals that the Thunderbolts are rebranded as the “New Avengers”, with the asterisk in the film’s title standing for The New Avengers. After opening weekend, Marvel Studios began marketing the movie with that subtitle more prominently.
Thunderbolts received positive reviews from critics for its cast chemistry and fresh energy, and has grossed about $378 million worldwide, making it one of the lower‑grossing MCU outings but still among the higher earners of 2025’s global box office slate.
Phase Five shows an MCU in flux – balancing crowd‑pleasing send‑offs like Guardians Vol. 3 and mega‑hits like Deadpool & Wolverine with riskier swings and mixed receptions that sparked conversations about franchise fatigue and the future of Marvel’s big‑screen strategy.
As the Multiverse Saga moves toward planned event films like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, Phase Five’s wins and stumbles will likely shape how Marvel calibrates Phase Six and beyond.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Six is set to conclude the Multiverse Saga with four epic films that introduce the Fantastic Four, continue Spider‑Man’s journey and bring nearly every corner of the MCU together for a final Avengers showdown.
Scheduled through 2027, this phase promises crossovers spanning the Avengers, X‑Men, Wakanda, the Fantastic Four and New Avengers, culminating in a two‑part confrontation with Doctor Doom and a universe‑reshaping Secret Wars.
Below, we continue the film numbering (37–40) and highlight what is known so far about each Phase Six movie.
Phase Six begins with The Fantastic Four: First Steps and is currently set to conclude with Avengers: Secret Wars, with Spider‑Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday bridging the path from Marvel’s First Family to the final Avengers event.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an upcoming superhero film based on Marvel’s Fantastic Four and is planned as the 37th film in the MCU, directed by Matt Shakman. It marks the team’s full introduction into the shared universe after previous non‑MCU adaptations.
Rather than retelling the origin story, the film reportedly drops Marvel’s First Family into a 1960s‑inspired retro‑futuristic setting where they must defend their world from the planet‑devouring cosmic entity Galactus.
Development of a new Fantastic Four began under 20th Century Fox after the 2015 reboot underperformed, with rights later transferring to Marvel Studios following Disney’s acquisition of Fox. The MCU project was first announced at San Diego Comic‑Con as the launch point for Phase Six.
Jon Watts was originally attached to direct before stepping away, after which Matt Shakman came on board and new writers, including Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, began developing a script to differentiate this take from earlier film versions.
Spider‑Man: Brand New Day is an upcoming MCU Spider‑Man film planned as the 38th entry in the franchise, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously helmed Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Following the events of No Way Home, Peter Parker tries to focus on college and live anonymously, leaving Spider‑Man behind. When a new threat endangers his friends, he is forced to break that promise and suit up once more, teaming with an unexpected ally to protect those he loves.
Reports and interviews indicate that Cretton joined the project in the mid‑2020s, with Tom Holland confirming that filming would begin around mid‑2025 and that the film is scheduled for a late‑July 2026 release, currently dated for July 31, 2026 after a one‑week shift.
Early comments from Cretton have suggested the film will focus on Peter relearning how to connect with people after the cost of his secret identity being restored, positioning it as a more grounded chapter amid Phase Six’s larger multiverse stakes.
Avengers: Doomsday is an upcoming ensemble film based on Marvel’s Avengers and is intended to be the fifth Avengers movie and the 39th film in the MCU, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. It serves as the first of a two‑part Multiverse Saga finale.
In this film, the Avengers join forces with Wakanda, the Fantastic Four, the New Avengers and the X‑Men to confront Doctor Doom, who emerges as the overarching threat replacing earlier multiverse villains and driving the storyline toward Secret Wars.
Marvel initially announced Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars as Phase Six’s concluding films, with Destin Daniel Cretton attached to direct the former and Jonathan Majors set to continue as Kang, before plans evolved and release dates were re‑aligned.
Production on Doomsday has been reported at Pinewood Studios in England with a large ensemble of returning MCU actors and new additions, with location shoots in England and Bahrain. Following schedule changes, the film is now slated to be released on December 18, 2026.
The movie is expected to directly set up the climactic events of Avengers: Secret Wars, functioning similarly to how Infinity War led into Endgame.
Avengers: Secret Wars is planned as the 40th MCU film and the concluding chapter of the Multiverse Saga, once again directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and produced through their AGBO banner.
Marvel Studios officially announced the project at San Diego Comic‑Con in July 2022 as the capstone of Phase Six, with Michael Waldron initially hired to write the script before Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely – the writing duo behind several earlier MCU entries – became attached, alongside reports of Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom.
Filming is expected to begin in mid‑2026 at Pinewood Studios in England with an anticipated six‑month shoot, drawing together heroes and variants from across the multiverse, with the core Fantastic Four cast returning from Avengers: Doomsday.
After multiple schedule adjustments, Secret Wars is currently set for release on December 17, 2027, positioned as the grand finale to over 15 years of MCU storytelling from the Infinity Saga through the Multiverse Saga.
Phase Six is designed as the endgame of the Multiverse Saga – uniting legacy heroes, new teams and alternate realities across Fantastic Four, Spider‑Man and two massive Avengers crossovers that aim to rival and potentially surpass the scale of Infinity War and Endgame.
As release dates shift and details evolve, these four films remain the central pillars of Marvel’s plans through 2027, promising some of the biggest ensemble casts and crossover storytelling in MCU history.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is not stopping with Phase Six – Marvel’s future slate teases War Machine’s solo story, a third trip to Wakanda, a long‑gestating Blade reboot, a Shang‑Chi sequel and the long‑awaited arrival of the X‑Men.
These projects reflect both the ambition and the challenges of the post‑Infinity Saga era, from evolving Disney+ concepts into feature films to navigating creative resets and shifting release schedules.
This final part of my “Complete MCU Explained” series looks beyond Phase Six at the key announced or in‑development movies shaping the MCU’s next chapter.
While dates and details may shift, the projects below are at various stages of development and are expected to expand the Multiverse Saga – or kick off whatever comes next – through new characters, reboots and crossovers.
Armor Wars was first announced in December 2020 as a Disney+ series inspired by the classic Iron Man comic storyline, with Don Cheadle returning as James Rhodes/War Machine.
Yassir Lester was hired in August 2021 as head writer, and in September 2022 Marvel reworked the project from a series into a feature film, keeping Cheadle and Lester attached while pushing it further down the production slate.
Set after the events of Secret Invasion (2023), the story is expected to deal with Stark‑derived armor tech falling into the wrong hands, with Walton Goggins set to reprise his role as black‑market dealer Sonny Burch from Ant‑Man and the Wasp.
As of late 2024–2025, development has slowed and public updates have been sparse, with Lester noting that the project remains in development but its timing is uncertain – similar to the on‑again, off‑again trajectory of the Blade reboot.
Following the success of Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige discussed a potential third film as early as late 2022, with ideas for continuing Wakanda’s story after the Multiverse Saga.
By 2024, reports indicated Coogler had spoken with Denzel Washington about joining a third film, and longtime Marvel producer Nate Moore – who left Marvel in 2025 – was expected to return specifically to help produce this instalment.
In early 2025, Moore confirmed that Coogler would once again direct and that active development on Black Panther 3 would begin after Coogler completed work on his film Sinners (2025), suggesting the next Wakanda chapter will be part of Marvel’s post‑Phase Six roadmap.
Marvel Studios regained the film rights to Blade after the original New Line trilogy (1998–2004), with Kevin Feige confirming development of a new take once the character returned to the Marvel fold.
Mahershala Ali approached Marvel in 2019 about playing Blade, and the project was officially announced at SDCC that year with Ali in the lead; he later made a brief voice cameo in Eternals (2021).
The reboot has faced numerous delays, cycling through multiple creative teams and directors – including Bassam Tariq and later Yann Demange – as scripts were reworked and the start of production repeatedly pushed back.
By late 2024, Marvel removed Blade from its dated release schedule amid a strategy shift to fewer films per year, and trade reports described the project as delayed indefinitely while a new director and revised script are sought.
Despite the turbulence, Ali remains attached and industry coverage continues to frame Blade as an important, if currently stalled, piece of Marvel’s long‑term plans.
A sequel to Shang‑Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was announced in December 2021, with Destin Daniel Cretton set to return as writer‑director and Simu Liu expected to reprise his role as Shang‑Chi.
The follow‑up is expected to further explore the Ten Rings’ mysterious origins and Shang‑Chi’s role in the wider MCU, though story details and a release window have not been formally revealed.
In 2024, Cretton was tapped to direct Spider‑Man: Brand New Day, which became a higher priority on Marvel’s schedule, effectively pushing the Shang‑Chi sequel further down the line while remaining in active development.
When Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox closed, Kevin Feige confirmed at SDCC 2019 that “mutants” – including the X‑Men – would eventually join the MCU, with Marvel looking to differentiate its version from Fox’s long‑running film series.
By late 2023, Marvel began meeting with writers for an X‑Men feature, and in May 2024 Michael Lesslie entered negotiations to pen the script, later being confirmed as one of the writers helping define the MCU’s take on the team.
After positive responses to his work on Thunderbolts, Jake Schreier emerged as the leading candidate to direct the first MCU X‑Men film, with reports in 2025 and 2026 indicating he is now attached, working alongside writers like Lesslie, Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo.
As of 2026, the X‑Men film does not yet have a confirmed release date, but Marvel’s leadership continues to describe mutant integration as one of the biggest priorities for the post‑Multiverse Saga MCU.
From Armor Wars and a third Black Panther to a troubled but still‑alive Blade reboot, a Shang‑Chi sequel and the long‑awaited X‑Men, Marvel’s post‑Phase Six slate shows an MCU in transition – balancing legacy characters with new directions and reboots.
As production dates, creatives and strategies evolve, these projects will help define what the MCU looks like after the Multiverse Saga, offering plenty of material for future deep‑dives on Cinema Awards Archive.
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