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 include Secret Invasion , the second season of Loki, and the second season of What If...? in 2023, with Echo , Agatha All Along , and the third season of What If...? being released in 2024, while the first season of the animated Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man , the first season of Daredevil: Born Again , and Ironheart are scheduled to be released in 2025. Phase Six will include the animated series Eyes of Wakanda and Marvel Zombies , and Wonder Man also releasing in 2025, with Vision Quest planned for 2026. An untitled Wakanda series is 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 and third seasons 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, Hudson Thames as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man after voicing the character in What If...?, Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again after joining Maslany, Alaqua Cox, and Thames in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Echo, and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, respectively, and Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart in Ironheart. In Phase Six, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will portray Simon Williams / Wonder Man in Wonder Man, and Bettany will star in Vision Quest. Additionally, the untitled Wakanda series will star Danai Gurira returning as Okoye.
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 | 2025 | 2026 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Eyes of Wakanda | Marvel Zombies [a] | Wonder Man | Vision Quest | |
Introduced in The Infinity Saga | ||||
Wanda Maximoff Scarlet Witch | Elizabeth Olsen V [235] | |||
Trevor Slattery | Ben Kingsley S [236] | |||
Ultron | James Spader [237] | |||
The Vision | Paul Bettany S [238] | |||
Jimmy Woo | Randall Park V [235] | |||
Introduced in Phase Four | ||||
Yelena Belova | Florence Pugh V [235] | |||
Kate Bishop | Hailee Steinfeld V [235] | |||
Katy | Awkwafina V [235] | |||
Kamala Khan Ms. Marvel F | Iman Vellani V [239] | |||
Xu Shang-Chi | Simu Liu V [235] | |||
Alexei Shostakov Red Guardian | David Harbour V [235] | |||
Riri Williams Ironheart | Dominique Thorne V [235] | |||
Introduced in Eyes of Wakanda | ||||
Lion | Cress Williams V [240] | |||
Introduced in Wonder Man | ||||
Neal Saroyan | Ed Harris [241] | |||
Eric Williams Grim Reaper | Demetrius Grosse [242] | |||
Simon Williams Wonder Man | Yahya Abdul-Mateen II S [243] |
This section includes starring cast members, recurring characters, and notable guest stars, as defined by the FAQ.
Character | TBA |
---|---|
Untitled Wakanda series | |
Introduced in The Infinity Saga | |
Okoye | Danai Gurira S [244] |
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 several 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 since expanded to include various superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios, television series from Marvel Television, short films, digital series, literature, and 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.
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) from Marvel Studios, the first animated series from the studio, and the first series produced by 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 served as head writer for the first two seasons, with Matthew Chauncey taking over 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 Hollywood labor disputes. Kevin Feige produces every film and serves as executive producer of every series in this phase, alongside producers Stephen Broussard for Quantumania; Lauren Shuler Donner, Ryan Reynolds, and Shawn Levy for Deadpool & Wolverine; and Nate Moore 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 Odinson, 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). A new incarnation of the Avengers are set to return in Avengers: Doomsday (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.
Echo is an American television miniseries created for the streaming service Disney+, based on Marvel Comics featuring the character of the same name. A spin-off from the series Hawkeye (2021), it is the 10th television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It sees Maya Lopez return to her hometown where she must come to terms with her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community. Marion Dayre and Amy Rardin serve as head writers and Sydney Freeland leads the directing team.
"What If... Zombies?!" is the fifth episode of the first season of the American animated television series What If...?, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It explores what would happen if the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) occurred differently, with members of the Avengers becoming zombies and initiating a worldwide zombie apocalypse, while a group of survivors search for a cure. The episode was written by story editor Matthew Chauncey and directed by Bryan Andrews.
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 Phases Four, Five, and Six of the MCU, which constitute "The Multiverse Saga". The MCU's multiverse centers on a universe called the "Sacred Timeline". Alternative universes are generally "pruned" by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), until Sylvie kills TVA's leader, "He Who Remains", allowing new universes to form.
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 and shared universe 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, as well as a group of Netflix series produced by Marvel Television.
...this post-credits scene is actually a scene from Loki season two.