Iron Man 2 (2010) poster
Movie · Phase One · Infinity Saga

Iron Man 2 (2010)

MovieRecommended

Tony Stark faces a vengeful rival engineer while SHIELD pulls him toward a bigger mission. It was the 3rd MCU film released, part of Phase One, and it’s #6 of 81 in story order. It’s Recommended rather than essential, so it’s worth your time even if the main story doesn’t hinge on it. It runs 2h 4m and streams on Hulu in the US.

Rotten Tomatoes72%
IMDb6.9/10
Runtime2h 4m
Age ratingPG-13
Box office$624M
Directed byJon Favreau
StarringRobert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke
Release dateMay 7, 2010
Runtime2h 4m
Age ratingPG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13
Rotten Tomatoes72% critics · IMDb 6.9/10
Box office$624M worldwide
PhasePhase One
SagaInfinity Saga
Story position#6 of 81 in chronological order
Timeline settingSet shortly after Iron Man
Part ofIron Man movies in order
Post-credit sceneYes

Why it matters in the MCU

Introduces Black Widow and War Machine; teases Thor.

Post-credit scene

Yes, stay through the credits. The box below says what happens, but it gives away part of the ending.

Spoiler What happens after the credits of Iron Man 2: tap to reveal

Agent Coulson finds Mjolnir in the desert.

See all post-credit scenes →

Where it fits in your watch

Iron Man 2 FAQ

Can you skip Iron Man 2?

You can, but it’s where Black Widow and War Machine come in.

When was Iron Man 2 released?

Iron Man 2 was released on May 7, 2010.

Where does Iron Man 2 fit in the MCU timeline?

Iron Man 2 is set shortly after Iron Man and sits at #6 of 81 in story order.

Does Iron Man 2 have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Stay through the credits for at least one extra scene. What happens in it is in the spoiler box on this page.

What to watch before Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2 builds on these earlier titles, listed in release order:

  1. Iron Man (2008)

Where to watch Iron Man 2 in the US

Streaming (subscription)Hulu
Rent or buyAmazon, Apple TV, Fandango at Home

Where to watch Iron Man 2 outside the US

CountryStreamOther options
United KingdomDisney+Rent: Rakuten TV, Apple TV, Sky Store
CanadaDisney+Rent: Apple TV, Amazon, CosmoGo
AustraliaDisney+None needed
IndiaJioHotstarNone needed

Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026

All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.

Related guides

More from Phase One