MCU: Phases at a glance - info and explanations

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is moving forward and also has big plans for 2021. Due to the abundance of films and series, an overview is helpful. Here, the phases play a central role.

A growing universe: the MCU is becoming more complex and extensive with each phase.

It's hardly apparent to outsiders, but the films and their sequels are clearly structured within the MCU. We are talking about phases, which divide the series into rough time periods.

MCU: These phases exist so far

The beginning of 2021 marked the start of the fourth phase of the MCU. This logically builds on the past:

• The first phase began in 2008 with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Iron Man 2 followed in 2010, and Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger hit the big screen in 2011. In 2012, the first phase came to an end with Marvel's The Avengers - the emergence of the hero grouping was thus the theme of the first phase.
• The second phase followed from 2013 to 2015, continuing the stories that had begun (Iron Man 3, Thor - The Dark Kingdom, Avengers: Age of Ultron) and also brought more protagonists and storylines into play (Guardians of the Galaxy, Ant-Man).
• The third phase began in 2016 with The First Avenger: Civil War and ended in 2019 with Spider-Man: Far From Home. Introduced the MCU variant of Spider-Man back in 2017 with Homecoming. Also in Phase 3, there were new parts to Thor, The Avengers, Guardians oft he Galaxy, Ant-Man, as well as with Doctor Strange, Captain and Black Panther more new heroes who were already known from the comics.
• The fourth phase began in 2021 initially with a series on Disney+, in the form of the original WandaVision. More series are to follow on the streaming service later this year, such as The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Loki. In terms of theatrical movies, things kick off in May with Black Widow. The end of Phase 4 is planned for 2022 with Thor: Love and Thunder.

A fifth phase - and more after that - are likely given the popularity. The more than 20 films so far are thus only the foundation for everything that follows, and for MCU newcomers, moreover, a mandatory program.