Marvel has debuted 3 new MCU timelines on Disney Plus, and I couldn’t be happier

Time for another Marvel movie marathon

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If you’ve grown tired of the increasingly complex nature of theMarvelCinematic Universe (MCU), do I have some good news for you.

Yesterday (February 8), Marvel announced that it had added a bunch of newMCUtimelines toDisney Plus– but don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. The launch of three new timelines actually makes it easier for long-time fans and newcomers alike to enjoy each Marvel flick (read ourbest Marvel moviesguide while you’re here) and shows theywantto watch.

So, what are these new timelines? PerMarvel.com, the first is the MCU Infinity Saga. It comprises Marvel Phases 1 through 3, which is made up of the first 21 movies and a bunch of TV spin-off shorts known as One Shots. The second timeline is the MCU Multiverse Saga, which is currently ongoing, and containsMarvel Phase 4andMarvel Phase 5. It’ll also includeMarvel Phase 6when that lineup of films and TV series eventually begins.

The final addition is the MCU Movie Timeline. As the name suggests, this collection includes every Marvel movie to date, beginning with 2008’sIron Manand currently ending with 2023’sThe Marvels. You can learn more about watching all 31 films either chronologically or by their release dates by reading ourMarvel movies in orderguide.

As for the MCU’s so-called Sacred Timeline, which existed prior to the Multiverse Saga’s genesis, and was the only timeline to exist on Disney Plus until recently, it’s been renamed. It’s now known as the Complete Timeline, and it contains everything Marvel Studios has ever made (or had a hand in developing). That means you’ll find all 31 movies, 10 MCU TV shows, every single One Shot, and theNetflixMarvel TV shows, which will be music to the ears of anyone (me included) who adored Netflix’s Marvel output, such asDaredevilandJessica Jones.

A victory for MCU accessibility

The debut of three new MCU timelines on Disney Plus, aka one of the world’sbest streaming services, is sure to be welcomed by new and old fans alike.

Indeed, if you’re a first-time viewer who’s daunted by the prospect of working your way through over the gamut of MCU productions, you don’t have to stream everything off the bat. For example, you could start with the Infinity Saga Timelines, which ‘only’ comprises 21 movies. Okay, there are eight One Shots included in this timeline but,Agent Carteraside, they don’t really add to the experience, so you can skip them.

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Alternatively, diehard MCU fans can watch every single MCU and MCU-adjacent project in ‘ultimate order’ fashion with the Complete Timeline. This is the first time that Marvel has officially confirmed Netflix’s TV offerings arecanonin the MCU, althoughShe-HulkandEchohad already all-but-confirmed this to be the case. If you’re planning the Marvel marathon to end all marathons, you can finally do so with Marvel and Disney Plus' help. Once you’re done, you’ll want to read ourbest Disney Plus moviesandbest Disney Plus showsguides to see if you agree with the MCU films and series we picked out.

Some people might say these additions make things even more confusing. Personally, though, I couldn’t be happier with their arrival. Marvel’s cinematic juggernaut has becoming increasingly unwieldy and, for newcomers to the franchise, almost impossible to get into and/or follow. The debut of this trio makes the studio’s library of content easier to consume for first-time viewers, with the hope they’ll stick around for the foreseeable, rather than feel daunted by how many projects they have to catch up on. Established fans, meanwhile, can stream the Infinity Saga Timeline with greater ease, too, if they’re simply after a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Marvel has got a number of things wrong in recent times, but this is one of those instances where it should be applauded for making the MCU more accessible. So, hats off to you, Marvel – you’ve made streaming your movies and TV shows easier, even for veterans like me.

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As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.

An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.

Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.

Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.

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