Definitive viewing order for the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

[Buzz201]

I think the definitive order is theatrical/television release date, take note that Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ties into Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so you'll probably want to watch those in the middle of MAoS...

So, I believe it works out as:

01. Iron Man (2008)
02. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
03. Iron Man 2 (2010)
04. Thor (2011)
05. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
06. Marvel's The Avengers/Marvel Avengers Assemble (2012)
07. Iron Man 3 (2013)
08. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 1-7 (2013)
09. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
10. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 8-15 (2013-4)
11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
12. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 16-22 (2014)
13. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

But it should still make sense if you watch them in any order (perhaps with the exception of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)...

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by Buzz201

I think the definitive order is theatrical/television release date, take note that Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ties into Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, so you'll probably want to watch those in the middle of MAoS...

Completely agree - if you wanted to watch them in strict chronological order (as in the timelines within the films) then you have to switch in the middle of films and that's definitely not how they should be watched. The order they were released is the definitive order and gives you all the right information and plot points when it should be given. However, the one-shots can be added in inbetween films pretty easily.

So, taking Buzz's list and adding in the One-Shots, it would be -

01. Iron Man (2008)
02. The Incredible Hulk (2008)
03. The Consultant (2011)
04. Iron Man 2 (2010)
05. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer (2011)(though, technically, this is set between the end of Iron Man 2 and the post-credit sting but it's not worth switching discs just for that)
06. Thor (2011)
07. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
08. Agent Carter (2013)
09. The Avengers (2012)
10. Item 47 (2012)
11. Iron Man 3 (2013)
12. All Hail the King (2014)
13. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 1-7 (2013)
14. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
15. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 8-15 (2013-4)
16. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
17. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episodes 16-22 (2014)
18. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

[Monkeyspoons Revenge]

Guardians of the Galaxy can go anywhere after Thor: The Dark World. It doesn't have to go at the end.

In my watch order I'd watch it after Thor 2 and before Cap 2. Thor 2 flows better into GotG and Cap 2 flows better into Avengers 2.

Thats my opinion anyway.

[Groge511]

Originally Posted by Monkeyspoons Revenge

In my watch order I'd watch it after Thor 2 and before Cap 2. Thor 2 flows better into GotG and Cap 2 flows better into Avengers 2.

I didn't realise Age of Ultron was out already

[Natty]

What's the timeline going to be when The Inhumans comes out? Depending on the context, that could potentially be one of, if not the, first to watch.

Originally Posted by Groge511

I didn't realise Age of Ultron was out already

That's what I thought haha.

[Monkeyspoons Revenge]

Originally Posted by Groge511

I didn't realise Age of Ultron was out already

The events of Cap 2 will directly affect the world in Avengers 2. The way some of the characters are left at the end of the film and that they are in Avengers 2 means that a certain amount of links will be required. GotG won't link directly to Avengers 2 that much if at all.

Also the stinger to Thor 2 features GotG characters and the stinger to Cap 2 has Avengers 2 characters.

It's pretty obvious when you think about it. Like I said I think GotG flows better after Thor 2 and before Cap 2.

[88thCrazy]

Originally Posted by Groge511

I didn't realise Age of Ultron was out already

To be fair, the

[Show spoiler]Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch

tease flows better than

[Show spoiler]Howard The Duck

.

[Groge511]

Originally Posted by 88thCrazy

To be fair, the

[Show spoiler]Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch

tease flows better than

[Show spoiler]Howard The Duck

.

Did you not hear?

[Show spoiler]Howard is a new member of the Avengers