watch avengers movies in order

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of heroes, villains, explosions and confusing continuity. Sure, the MCU officially started in 2008 with the release of "Iron Man," but that doesn't mean that's the first film that you should watch.

We may have reached peak superhero. Only a few weeks after DC united six of its biggest crime-fighters in “Justice League,” Marvel has struck back by releasing the trailer for “Avengers: Infinity War,” featuring more than 20 superhuman characters, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), all of whom have headlined their own stand-alone films.

There’s also Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Captain America (Chris Evans), who ditched his trademark accessory at the end of “Captain America: Civil War” in 2016. “Get this man a shield!” Black Panther growls.

Worlds collide as the Avengers meet another Marvel franchise, the Guardians of the Galaxy, led by Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). “Who the hell are you guys?” asks Mr. Hemsworth’s Norse god, still missing the eye he lost in “Thor: Ragnarok” but not his newfound sense of humor.

The legions team up to fight Thanos, an interstellar tyrant on a mission to collect the six Infinity Stones, which will make him omnipotent. He’s voiced by Josh Brolin, who’ll embody another Marvel figure, Cable, in the forthcoming “Deadpool 2.” Apparently, Hollywood is running out of stars to play all these mutants and super villains and has started to recycle.

“This does put a smile on my face,” Thanos declares of his quest, and Disney hopes audiences will be equally happy when “Avengers: Infinity War” reaches theaters on May 4. A sequel is already set for May 3, 2019. It appears the Marvel universe is infinite.

Avengers fans weren't the only ones who tuned in to the long-awaited "Infinity War" trailer this week. A certain rival group of superheroes also watched, and a new mashup video shows DC's Justice League reacting to Marvel's crew.

"There's something we need to talk about, and I don't think that you're going to like it," says Commissioner Gordon (J.K. Simmons) as the DC heroes gather and then watch the preview. From then on out, young Flash (Ezra Miller) steals the show, as he nervously watches Thanos appear invincible against Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

YouTuber DrMachakil posted this video and also the reverse version back in March, showing the Avengers assembling to watch the League go to work. You've always gotta keep an eye on the competition, after all.

"Avengers: Infinity War" is scheduled for release on April 25 in Australia, April 27 in the UK and May 4 in the US.