Marvel Cinematic Universe 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 M arvel Comics . The franchise also includes television series, short films, digital series, and literature. Marvel Studios releases its films in groups called "Phases", with the first three phases collectively known as "The Infinity Saga" and the following three phases as "The Multiverse Saga". The first MCU film, Iron Man (2008), began Phase One , which culminated in the 2012 crossover film T he Avengers . Phase Two began with Iron Man 3 (2013) and concluded with A nt-Man (2015). P hase Three began with C aptain America: Civil War (2016) and concluded with S pider-Man: Far From Home (2019). P hase Four began with B lack Widow ...