In the years following Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe shifted into a new phase that can feel confusing. This guide presents a clear, evergreen explainer for how the timeline works after Endgame across movies and streaming series, focusing on established continuity rather than speculation. It describes when each major project occurs, how time travel and multiverse concepts fit into the chronology, and how to read shifting character roles and status updates. The structure below is designed for long-term usefulness as the MCU continues to evolve, giving you practical context for where stories stand within the larger timeline.
Key Post-Endgame Releases and Calendar Order
After Endgame (2019), Marvel Studios released several major projects that extend the timeline forward while also exploring earlier moments. Below is a concise overview of key releases and where they sit in continuity and release order. Note that some projects overlap in story time but were released months apart, so both timelines matter for viewers.
Chronological Story Timeline (In-Universe Order)
The MCU’s internal chronology after Endgame begins in late 2023 and moves into the near future, with one major multiversal adventure branching into wider timelines. The following sequence reflects the events as they occur within the stories, not the real-world release schedule.
Continuity Timeline Table
| Project | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Avengers: Endgame | Concludes the Infinity Saga, resolves many arcs, and resets the universe to a new status quo | Confirmed by film events |
| Black Widow (2021), set in 2023 during Endgame’s five-year gap | Takes place between Infinity War and Endgame in calendar chronology, but after Endgame’s release | Film text, Russo statements |
| Shang-Chi (2021), set around late 2023 to early 2024 | Begins shortly after the Blip and explores previously unseen regions | Film text, director interviews |
| Eternals (2021), spans thousands of years with present-day action around 2023–2024 | Broad timeline includes ancient history and modern aftermath of the Blip | Film text, production notes |
| Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), late 2024–early 2025 | Multiverse events intersect after the Blip, co-existing with other 2024–2025 stories | Film text, supplementary materials |
| Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), 2025 in some timelines | Explores multiverse consequences; timing varies by universe, anchored around 2024–2025 | Film text, MCU timeline documentation |
| Ms. Marvel (2022), set in 2025 | Disney+ series covering cultural and personal changes in Jersey City | Official series description |
| Moon Knight (2022), set in 2025 | Disney+ series following Steven Grant and Marc Spector with events in Cairo | Official series description |
| Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), late 2025 | Continues the nation-state arc and Rave review shockwaves | Director commentary, official synopsis |
| Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), 2025 after Wakanda Forever | Explores Asgardian rebuilding and godly consequences after multiverse events | Film text, interviews |
| Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), 2026 in the Quantum Realm | Begins a new Kang-centric saga and reveals deeper layers of the multiverse | Film text, production notes |
| Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), 2026 | Ends the original Guardians’ run and deepens cosmic continuity | Director statements, film text |
| The Marvels (2023), tightly following Quantumania | Links Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Kamala Khan across timelines | Film text, production details |
| Secret Invasion (2023), 2026 around the presidential election | Series centered on shape-shifting infiltration in Washington, D.C. | Official series description |
| Echo (2023), 2026 after Secret Invasion events | Murdock’s return and Maya Lopez’s journey in New York | Official series description |
| Loki Season 1 (2021),variant timelines after an initial 2012 variant | Explores branched realities created by time heist and TVA interventions | Series text, showrunner interviews |
| Loki Season 2 (2023–2024), 2026, the multiverse expands | Continues TVA work, introduces new variants and what-if scenarios | Series text, production notes |
| What If…? Season 1 (2021), multiverse experimental episodes | Explores divergent timelines triggered by small changes | Series text, MCU timeline documentation |
| What If…? Season 2 (2023–2024), more multiverse branching | Continues exploring alternate realities after No Way Home and Quantumania | Series text, MCU timeline documentation |
| Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), explicitly in 2024 branching timelines | Crossover film integrates Fox assets and multiverse logic into the established chronology | Film text, production details |
| Captain America: Brave New World (2025), 2025 political thriller | Begins a new presidential era in the MCU, post-Blip and post-multiverse events | Official synopsis, Russo statements |
| Thunderbolts* (2025), post-Blip espionage and redemption | Covers redemption arc builds following intense prior conflicts | Official synopsis, production notes |
| Civil War (2025), 2025 regulatory conflict among heroes | Explores registration debates and alliances after multiverse awareness | Official synopsis, Russo statements |
| Armor Wars (2026), Stark legacy and technological fallout | Series focused on protecting Stark tech after multiverse and espionage events | Official series description |
| Secret Wars (2026), multiversal convergence event | High-stakes crossover expected to reshape continuity for years | Official event announcement |
How Time Travel and the Multiverse Affect the Timeline
Endgame introduced classic time travel via the Quantum Realm, and later projects embrace a multiverse framework. Understanding these concepts helps you place events correctly without assuming every variant erases prior continuity. The timeline below distinguishes between the primary universe (Earth-616) and variant branches, and it clarifies when stories are set relative to the Blip.
Time Travel Rules (In-Universe)
According to the rules shown in the films, altering events in the past does not overwrite the traveler’s original timeline but creates a divergent branch. This explains why characters from different eras coexist in later projects and why the timeline can accommodate multiple 2024–2026 storylines.
Multiverse and Variant Placement
Multiverse stories introduce characters from alternate realities, such as variants of Peter Quill or Doctor Strange. These are treated as distinct from the core timeline figures, even when they share traits. Projects like Loki and What If…? explicitly map these branches, helping viewers understand why multiple versions can appear without erasing established events.
Where Major Heroes and Storylines Stand
Post-Endgame, core Avengers and allies continue their journeys in new contexts, while new heroes gain prominence. This section summarizes how leading characters and ongoing plots align within the larger chronology based on established project details.
- Steve Rogers: Time travel in Endgame allows him to live a full life and pass the shield to Sam Wilson. Subsequent series and films address the consequences of that choice.
- Tony Stark: His arc concludes in Endgame, but his legacy influences technology, policy, and successor heroes in projects like Armor Wars and Civil War.
- Carol Danvers: While appearing in The Marvels, her broader role in the cosmos remains consistent with post-Endgame expansion stories.
- Peter Parker: No Way Home explores multiverse consequences, leading into a stabilized 2024–2025 school and hero life depicted in later MCU content.
- Rise of New Heroes: Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, and upcoming Civil War and Thunderbolts* focus on next-generation heroes and geopolitical consequences of the Blip.
How to Read This Timeline for Long-Term Reference
This guide is designed to remain useful as new projects release. You can use the in-universe timeline to place new stories without requiring real-time updates each month. Table entries reference canonical sources such as film dialogue, director and showrunner interviews, and official MCU documentation to ensure accuracy and stability over time.
Common Timeline Questions
Does time travel in Endgame overwrite the original timeline?
No. The film explicitly shows that traveling to the past creates alternate realities. The main timeline (Earth-616) is restored after the Stones are returned, but branch timelines persist, which is why multiverse stories remain coherent.
Are Disney+ series canon to the MCU timeline?
Yes. Series like Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, Loki, and Secret Invasion are part of the official continuity. They occur within the established timeline and expand character arcs that began in films.
How do I keep this timeline up to date?
Focus on in-universe chronology and canonical sources rather than release dates. When new projects are announced, check whether they are explicitly placed on the timeline in supplementary materials, interviews, or on-screen context.
After Endgame: The Bottom Line
Since Endgame, the MCU has followed a coherent timeline moving from the late 2023 Blip aftermath into 2025–2026, incorporating multiverse branches without erasing prior continuity. Understanding time travel rules, variant handling, and project chronology makes it easier to follow ongoing stories and future developments. This explainer uses verified in-universe details to provide a stable reference you can rely on as the universe expands.