Black Widow (2021)
MovieRecommended
Natasha Romanoff confronts her past in the Red Room between Civil War and Infinity War. In story order it’s #25 of 81; by release date it was the 24th MCU film, part of Phase Four. You can skip it and still follow along, but we recommend it for the characters and setup. It runs 2h 14m and streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Directed by | Cate Shortland |
|---|---|
| Starring | Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone |
| Release date | July 9, 2021 |
| Runtime | 2h 14m |
| Age rating | PG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 79% critics · IMDb 6.6/10 |
| Box office | $380M worldwide |
| Phase | Phase Four |
| Saga | Multiverse Saga |
| Story position | #25 of 81 in chronological order |
| Timeline setting | Set between Civil War and Infinity War (2016) |
| Post-credit scene | Yes |
Why it matters in the MCU
Fills in Natasha’s past and introduces Yelena Belova, who takes over as the MCU’s Black Widow and leads the Thunderbolts.
Post-credit scene
There’s more after the credits. Open the box if you want to know what happens; it gives away part of the ending.
Spoiler What happens after the credits of Black Widow: tap to reveal
A post-credit scene sends Yelena after a new target, one that ties directly into the Hawkeye series.
Where it fits in your watch
Black Widow FAQ
Can you skip Black Widow?
Technically, yes. The main story doesn’t depend on it, though it does a lot for the characters and setup.
When was Black Widow released?
Black Widow was released on July 9, 2021.
Where does Black Widow fit in the MCU timeline?
Black Widow is set between Civil War and Infinity War (2016) and sits at #25 of 81 in story order.
Does Black Widow have a post-credit scene?
Yes, there’s at least one extra scene after the credits. The spoiler box on this page describes it.
What to watch before Black Widow
To get the most out of Black Widow, these are the earlier titles it builds on, in release order:
- Iron Man 2 (2010)
- Marvel's The Avengers (2012)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Where to watch Black Widow in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home |
Where to watch Black Widow outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Disney+ | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
