Marvel fans looking to explore Disney+ will find a guide on the optimal viewing order for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the available titles on the platform. Following its launch in France in 2020, Disney+ has introduced tiered subscription plans amid recent price hikes. The MCU includes a vast array of films and series, with new additions like Deadpool & Wolverine altering the timeline. However, due to French media regulations, some recent titles remain unavailable on the platform.
Getting Started with Disney+ for Marvel Fans
If you’re gearing up to dive into the Marvel universe on Disney+, there are two essential questions to consider: What is the best viewing order for the Marvel films, and which titles are currently available on the platform?
Launched in France in April 2020, Disney+ provides an exciting opportunity for fans to enjoy content from four major subsidiaries: Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic. However, as of mid-October 2024, the platform has implemented its second price hike, now offering three distinct subscription plans: Premium, Standard, and Standard with ads, with prices ranging from €5.99 to €13.99 per month. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, Disney+ will no longer be included in Canal+ packages, ending their partnership.
Understanding the Marvel Cinematic Universe Viewing Order
Like other iconic franchises such as X-Men and Star Wars, the films, series, and short films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are often released in a non-chronological order. If you’re curious about the chronological viewing sequence, here’s the updated timeline:
Notably, we’ve recently incorporated Deadpool & Wolverine and Agatha All Along into the timeline, as Marvel has officially revised its cinematic universe chronology. This adjustment places the latest escapades of Wade Wilson and Agatha Harkness at the conclusion of the MCU saga.
In total, the Marvel franchise boasts 34 films (excluding TV series and One Shot short films), amounting to nearly 60 hours of entertainment. Additionally, you can explore Marvel series such as WandaVision, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, Hawkeye, and Moon Knight, all set within the same universe as the MCU films. The first two series occur after Avengers: Endgame, roughly aligning with Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Loki, however, travels on a slightly different timeline, focusing on the version of Loki introduced in Avengers: Endgame. Season 2 of Loki premiered in October 2023, and for those wanting to catch up, we have a comprehensive guide to the MCU and Season 1 of Loki to prepare you for the new episodes.
The animated series What If…? from 2021 stands out as each episode fits between various films or series, depending on the featured hero. For a seamless viewing experience, you can binge-watch the entire first season right after finishing Loki, maintaining continuity. This approach also applies to Season 2 of What If…, which follows directly after Loki Season 2 in the timeline.
Looking ahead, a third season of What If…? is set to debut on Disney+ on December 22, 2024, wrapping up the narrative arc of Uatu, also known as The Watcher. The exact placement of this series within the official MCU chronology remains to be seen.
Exploring Deadpool & Wolverine’s Role in the MCU
Navigating the MCU timeline can be complex, especially with Deadpool’s introduction into the universe. Spoiler alert!
The first two Deadpool films were produced by 20th Century Fox and existed outside the MCU, which is exclusively produced by Disney. However, following Disney’s acquisition of Fox, a connection between the two worlds was established, primarily through Deadpool & Wolverine (or Deadpool 3). In this film, Deadpool traverses both universes and timelines, adding to the confusion.
In the narrative, a segment of Deadpool 3 occurs in 2018, where Wade Wilson attempts to join the Avengers with Happy Hogan, set in Earth 616. He then navigates back to his universe, Earth 10005. Fast forward six years, and Deadpool finds himself captured by the TVA, witnessing Logan’s demise in 2029, likely set in a different Earth. His journey continues as he searches for a new Wolverine, blending timelines and universes, similar to the Loki series.
Ultimately, Deadpool’s escapades lead him into the Vortex, where traditional time rules don’t apply. Characters like X-23 from Logan have aged, suggesting a potential setting around 2040, but the timeline remains ambiguous. By the film’s conclusion, Deadpool returns to Earth 10005 in 2024, yet defining a clear connection with MCU events proves challenging.
Available Marvel Cinematic Universe Titles on Disney+
For those eager to enjoy the Marvel films on Disney+, it’s important to note that not all titles are accessible due to French media regulations. The platform is required to adhere to a 17-month waiting period before offering new productions, which explains the absence of recent releases like The Marvels and Deadpool & Wolverine.
As it stands, Disney+ offers a collection of 26 Marvel films and 19 Marvel series. Here’s the complete list: