Phase Three is the third part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as the third and final part of The Infinity Saga. From 2016 to 2019, the Phase Three films grossed $13.504 billion worldwide, surpassing the Phase Two films.

Overview[]

Phase Three is set during a time of discord generated from the aftermath of Ultron's attack against the Earth. With public opinion of superheroes becoming increasingly divided, the Avengers become fragmented. In the midst of the Avengers' turmoils, a number of new heroes are introduced, such as Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Mantis, Spider-Man, Valkyrie, Okoye, Shuri, and Captain Marvel. Thanos' plot to collect all of the Infinity Stones, which began late in Phase One, is drawn to a close in this saga.

Films[]

Captain America: Civil War (2016)[]

Marvel's Captain America: Civil War finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark's surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.^[1]

Doctor Strange (2016)[]

From Marvel Studios comes Doctor Strange, the story of the world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place - a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange -- armed with newly acquired magical powers - is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.^[2]

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)[]

Set to the backdrop of "Awesome Mixtape #2", Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team's adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill's true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.^[3]

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)[]

A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man, who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging superhero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May, under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark. Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.^[4]

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)[]

In Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarök – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk!^[5]

Black Panther (2018)[]

Marvel Studios' Black Panther follows T'Challa who, after the events of Captain America: Civil War, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T'Challa's mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.^[6]

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)[]

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios' Avengers: Infinity War brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.^[7]

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)[]

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: Ant-Man and the Wasp. In the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.^[8]

Captain Marvel (2019)[]

Set in the 1990s, Marvel Studios' Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that follows the journey of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes. While a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth, Danvers finds herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of the maelstrom.^[9]

Avengers: Endgame (2019)[]

The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, Avengers: Endgame.^[10]

Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)[]

Peter Parker returns in Spider-Man: Far From Home, the next chapter of the Spider-Man: Homecoming series! Our friendly neighborhood Super Hero decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter's plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent!^[11]

Marvel One-Shots[]

Team Thor: Part 1 (2016)[]

This short satirical doc, directed by Taika Waititi (Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok), suggests what Thor might have been doing while the rest of the Avengers were battling each other in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War.

Team Thor: Part 2 (2017)[]

See more of the hilarious partnership between Thor and his roommate Darryl in this satirical short.

Team Darryl (2018)[]

With Thor gone, Darryl begins the search for a new roommate. Unfortunately, only one person responds to his ad… the Grandmaster.

Gallery[]

Marvel Studios' original Phase Three schedule.

Trivia[]

• Several, though not all, Phase Three films feature at least one character having an arm removed as a throwback to Phase Two's homage to The Empire Strikes Back:
  • Captain America: Civil War - Iron Man destroys Winter Soldier's Prosthetic Arm with his Unibeam.
  • Doctor Strange - Dr. Stephen Strange has his left arm engulfed by hands in his illusion.
  • Black Panther - Black Panther removes Ulysses Klaue's Prosthetic Arm while restraining him.
  • Avengers: Infinity War - Wong cuts off Cull Obsidian's left arm by closing his Sling Ring portal.
  • Avengers: Endgame - Thor cuts off Thanos' left arm to stop him from using the Infinity Gauntlet while the Avengers were attacking him on the Garden.
• Ant-Man was originally slated as the first film of Phase Three, but it was changed to be the last film of Phase Two.
  • Similarly, Spider-Man: Far From Home was originally slated as the first film of Phase Four, but it was later changed to be the last film of Phase Three.
• Spider-Man: Homecoming and Ant-Man and the Wasp were added to Phase Three after the initial announcement, which changed the original release dates of Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Captain Marvel.
• Spider-Man: Far From Home is the only Phase Three movie to not have a Stan Lee cameo due to Lee not being well enough to film one prior to his passing in November 2018.^[12]
• Phase Three is the first phase to:
  • Include more than 6 films, 11 films in total, which makes the phase have the most films in it so far.
  • Have two Avengers films (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame), two Spider-Man films (Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home), and no Iron Man solo films.

Blu-Ray Box Set[]

Part One[]

Captain America: Civil War

Doctor Strange

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Thor: Ragnarok

Part Two[]

Black Panther

Avengers: Infinity War

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Captain Marvel

Avengers: Endgame

Spider-Man: Far From Home

References[]

External Links[]

• Phase Three on Wikipedia