The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a media franchise and shared fictional universe that is the setting of superhero television series based on characters that appear in Marvel Comics publications. The MCU first expanded to television with series from Marvel Television that released from 2013 until 2020 on ABC, Netflix, Hulu, and Freeform. Marvel Studios—the production studio behind the films—began releasing series on Disney+ as part of Phase Four. WandaVision began streaming in 2021, and was followed by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , the first season of Loki , the first season of the animated What If...? , and Hawkeye , while Moon Knight , Ms. Marvel , and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law were released in 2022; the phase also includes two Marvel Studios Special Presentations. Phase Five series released in 2023 include Secret Invasion , the second season of Loki, and the second season of What If...?. Echo released in 2024 and is expected to be followed that year by Agatha All Along along with the animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Eyes of Wakanda , with Daredevil: Born Again and Ironheart planned for release in 2025. Phase Six will feature an untitled Vision series in 2026. Wonder Man , Marvel Zombies , and an untitled Wakanda series are also in development. These series feature greater interconnectivity with the feature films than those from Marvel Television, with many actors reprising their roles from the MCU films and the Marvel Television series.
For Phase Four, reprising their roles are Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as Vision in WandaVision, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Falcon and Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Tom Hiddleston as the titular character in the first season of Loki, and Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye in Hawkeye, where he is joined by Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop / Hawkeye. Jeffrey Wright narrates What If...? as The Watcher, Oscar Isaac stars as Marc Spector / Moon Knight and Steven Grant / Mr. Knight in Moon Knight, Iman Vellani headlines Ms. Marvel as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel, and Tatiana Maslany portrays Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Returning actors for Phase Five include Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Ben Mendelsohn as Talos in Secret Invasion, Hiddleston in the second season of Loki, Wright in the second season of What If...?, Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez / Echo in Echo after appearing in Hawkeye, Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along after appearing in WandaVision, Charlie Cox reprising his role as Matt Murdock / Daredevil from Marvel Television's Netflix series and the films in Daredevil: Born Again after joining Maslany and Alaqua Cox in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Echo, respectively, and Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart in Ironheart. In Phase Six, Bettany will star in the untitled Vision series. Additionally, the Wakanda series will star Danai Gurira returning as Okoye, while Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will portray Simon Williams / Wonder Man in Wonder Man.
This section includes starring cast members, recurring characters, and notable guest stars, as defined by the FAQ.
This section includes starring cast members, recurring characters, and notable guest stars, as defined by the FAQ.
Character | 2026 |
---|---|
Untitled Vision series | |
Introduced in The Infinity Saga | |
The Vision | Paul Bettany S [205] |
This section includes starring cast members, recurring characters, and notable guest stars, as defined by the FAQ.
Character | 2024 | TBA | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man [lower-alpha 1] | Marvel Zombies [lower-alpha 1] | Wonder Man | Untitled Wakanda series | |
Introduced in The Infinity Saga | ||||
Okoye | Danai Gurira S [206] | |||
May Parker | Kari Wahlgren V [207] | |||
Peter Parker Spider-Man | Hudson Thames V [207] | |||
Trevor Slattery | Ben Kingsley S [208] | |||
Introduced in Marvel Television series | ||||
Nico Minoru | Grace Song V [207] | |||
Matt Murdock Daredevil F | Charlie Cox V [209] | |||
Introduced in Phase Four | ||||
Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel F | Iman Vellani V [210] | |||
Otto Octavius | Hugh Dancy V [207] | |||
Introduced in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | ||||
Lonnie Lincoln | Eugene Byrd V [207] | |||
Harry Osborn | Zeno Robinson V [207] | |||
Bentley Wittman | Paul F. Tompkins V [211] | |||
Introduced in Wonder Man | ||||
Eric Williams Grim Reaper | Demetrius Grosse [212] | |||
Simon Williams Wonder Man | Yahya Abdul-Mateen II S [213] |
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The franchise also includes television series, short films, digital series, and literature. The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
The following outline serves as an overview of and topical guide to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), an American media franchise and shared universe created by Marvel Studios and owned by the Walt Disney Company. The franchise began in 2008 with the release of the film Iron Man and has expanded to consist of various superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios and television series from Marvel Television, as well as short films, digital series, and literature, among other media. These are based on characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige produces every film and series from that studio for the MCU. The shared universe, much like the original Marvel Universe in comic books, was established by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
Loki is an American television series created by Michael Waldron for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. It is the third television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series takes place after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019), in which an alternate version of Loki created a new timeline. Waldron served as head writer and Kate Herron directed the first season, with Eric Martin and the duo Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead serving as head writer and leading the directing team for the second season, respectively.
WandaVision is an American television miniseries created by Jac Schaeffer for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Vision. It is the first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is set after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). It follows Wanda Maximoff and Vision as they live an idyllic suburban life in the town of Westview, New Jersey, until their reality starts moving through different decades of sitcom homages and television tropes. Schaeffer served as head writer for the series, which was directed by Matt Shakman.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is an American television miniseries created by Malcolm Spellman for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Sam Wilson / Falcon and Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier. It is the second television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise, and is set six months after Sam Wilson was handed the mantle of Captain America in the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). Wilson teams up with Bucky Barnes to stop anti-patriots who believe the world was better during the Blip. Spellman served as head writer for the series, which was directed by Kari Skogland.
Hawkeye is an American television miniseries created by Jonathan Igla for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the characters Clint Barton / Hawkeye and Kate Bishop / Hawkeye. It is the fifth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise and taking place after the events of the film Avengers: Endgame (2019). It sees Clint Barton as he partners with Kate Bishop to confront enemies from his past to be with his family in time for Christmas. Igla served as head writer with Rhys Thomas leading the directing team.
What If...? is an American animated anthology television series created by A. C. Bradley for the streaming service Disney+ based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is the fourth television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, and the studio's first animated series from Marvel Studios Animation. The series explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the MCU films occurred differently. Bradley serves as head writer for the first two seasons, with Matthew Chauncey for the third, and Bryan Andrews as the lead director.
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Four features all the Marvel Studios productions released from 2021 through 2022. It is the first phase in the franchise to include television series, alongside television specials marketed as "Marvel Studios Special Presentations", with Marvel Studios developing several event series for the streaming service Disney+ in addition to the feature films that it was already set to produce. Animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. Phase Four began with the series WandaVision, which premiered in January 2021, while the first theatrical film in this phase is Black Widow, which was released in July 2021 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The phase concluded with the television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in November 2022. The release schedule of Phase Four was changed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Feige produced every film and executive produced every series and special in this phase, alongside producers Jonathan Schwartz for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Nate Moore for Eternals and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Amy Pascal for Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Brad Winderbaum for Thor: Love and Thunder.
Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a group of American superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. Phase Five features all of the Marvel Studios productions set to be released starting from 2023 to mid-2025, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures distributing the films, while the series release on Disney+. Starting with Agatha All Along in late 2024, live-action series were released under Marvel Studios' "Marvel Television" label, while animation in the phase was produced by Marvel Studios Animation. The first film in the phase is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which was released in February 2023, while the first series in the phase, Secret Invasion, premiered in June 2023. The release schedule of Phase Five was changed several times due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Kevin Feige produces every film and serves as executive producer of every series in this phase, alongside producers Stephen Broussard for Quantumania; Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy, and Lauren Shuler Donner for Deadpool & Wolverine; and Nate Moore and Malcolm Spellman for Captain America: Brave New World.
The Avengers are a team of fictional superheroes and the protagonists of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963. Founded by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, the team is a United States-based organization composed primarily of superpowered and gifted individuals, described as "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", who are committed to the world's protection from a variety of threats. The Avengers are depicted as operating in the state of New York: originally from the Avengers Tower in Midtown Manhattan and subsequently in the Avengers Compound in Upstate New York. Arranged as an ensemble of core MCU characters originally consisting of Tony Stark / Iron Man, Steve Rogers / Captain America, Thor, Bruce Banner / Hulk, Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, and Clint Barton / Hawkeye, it later expands to include 16 total members. Regarded as an important part of the franchise, they are central to the MCU's first 23 films, collectively known as the Infinity Saga. The Avengers from alternate universes were depicted in subsequent MCU properties across the Multiverse Saga, including appearances in the Disney+ animated series What If...? (2021–present) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). The Avengers are set to return in Avengers 5 (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Both films will be part of the MCU's Phase Six, concluding the Multiverse Saga.
Marvel Studios: Legends is an American television docuseries created for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics characters and objects that appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Produced by Marvel Studios, each episode showcases an individual character or object with footage from past MCU films and Disney+ series, highlighting their prominent moments from the MCU.
The first season of the American television series Loki, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name, sees Loki brought to the mysterious Time Variance Authority (TVA) after stealing the Tesseract during the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), and is forced to help catch a dangerous variant version of himself. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films and television series of the franchise. The season was produced by Marvel Studios, with Michael Waldron serving as head writer and Kate Herron directing.
The first season of the American animated anthology series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, explores alternate timelines in the multiverse that show what would happen if major moments from the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) occurred differently. The season was produced by Marvel Studios Animation, with A. C. Bradley serving as head writer and Bryan Andrews directing. Animation for the season is provided by Blue Spirit, Squeeze, Flying Bark Productions, and Stellar Creative Lab, with Stephan Franck as head of animation.
Marvel Studios: Assembled is an American anthology television docuseries of specials created for the streaming service Disney+. Produced by Marvel Studios, each special goes behind-the-scenes of a Marvel Studios Disney+ series or film, particularly those within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with the creatives, exploring the process of creating each series or film.
"Glorious Purpose" is the first episode of the first season of the American television series Loki, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character Loki. It follows an alternate version of the character who is arrested by the mysterious Time Variance Authority (TVA) after creating a new timeline during the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019). The episode is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It was written by head writer Michael Waldron and directed by Kate Herron.
The multiverse is a fictional setting within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Based on the setting of the same name from the Marvel Comics, it is a collection of infinitely many alternate realities and dimensions. First explored in the film Doctor Strange (2016), it is revisited in the film Avengers: Endgame (2019) before playing a key role in Phase Four, Phase Five, and Phase Six of the franchise, which constitute "The Multiverse Saga". The MCU's Multiverse centers around a single universe called the "Sacred Timeline", which the Time Variance Authority (TVA) works to prevent any branching universes from forming. Following the death of "He Who Remains", the Timeline's secret overseer at the hands of Sylvie, the Multiverse is freed and an infinite number of universes are formed. This leads to a variant of Loki from 2012 taking his place.
Mid-credits and post-credits scenes have been used in various Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media, since the beginning of the franchise with the 2008 film Iron Man. The use of such scenes as a whole has changed movie-goer expectations, and has received both praise and criticism. Individual scenes have been widely discussed, ranked, and criticized. In some cases, MCU films have multiple mid-credits and post-credits scenes, and MCU television series have employed them after some episodes.
The fictional timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise is the continuity of events for several feature films, television series, television specials, short films, and the I Am Groot shorts, which are produced by Marvel Studios, and the group of Netflix series produced by Marvel Television.
...this post-credits scene is actually a scene from Loki season two.