Phase 1 - The Avengers Initiative (2008 - 2012) · MCU timeline #6
Iron Man 2
- runtime with credits
- 2h 4m
- release date
- May 7, 2010
- #23 in release order
- #6 timeline
- Movie
- Essential
Why it is here
Tony dying of palladium poisoning, the government trying to take the suit, and Black Widow debut in one film. Busier than the first, still the one with the best racetrack sequence.
How to watch it
The post-credit scene sits right before Thor. Our list places it there as its own entry so the handoff plays correctly.
What it sets up
Show spoilers for Iron Man 2
Nick Fury hands Tony his father recovered film, Howard turns out to be a founding S.H.I.E.L.D. figure, and the post-credit scene shows Mjolnir in New Mexico.
Position in the MCU timeline
8h 29m of Marvel screen time comes before this. Another 13d 51m follows it in this sequence. It sits inside Phase 1 - The Avengers Initiative.
Where to stream it
Currently on Disney+. Availability shifts by region; our data notes say when this was last checked.
Viewers rate it 6.9/10 across 22,639 votes on TMDB.
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Open the trackerCommon questions
Where does Iron Man 2 fit in the Marvel timeline?
Position #6 in the MCU timeline, inside Phase 1 - The Avengers Initiative (2008 - 2012). It is #23 in factual release order.
Is Iron Man 2 essential watching?
Yes. The main timeline does not work without it.
How long is Iron Man 2?
2h 4m including credits.