‘Secret Invasion’ breaks a frustrating Marvel trend by directly confirming where it fits in the MCU timeline

This article contains minor spoilers for the first episode of Secret Invasion.

Figuring out when a given film or series fits within the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe has been quite the challenge in these post-Endgame times we have been living in. Thankfully, in what is an unexpected turn of events, the first episode of Secret Invasion tells us, down to the exact date, when the show takes place in the MCU timeline.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been relatively disted in the past few years, with major events scarcely impacting stories in separate outings (is no one else besides She-Hulk going to mention the huge statue sticking out of the ocean from Eternals? Why is no one freaking out about Kang yet outside of the titles he’s been featured on?).

Knowing when shows like She-Hulk or films like Wakanda Forever — where threats are more localized and personal — take place exactly within the wider Marvel timeline is more about order and organization than anything else, seeing as their plots don’t cross over in any major way with other outings. But, Secret Invasion could actually change everything we thought we knew about both the past and the future of the MCU, making the placement of the most recent Disney Plus show in the MCU timeline particularly relevant.

Secret Invasion, which sees Samuel L. Jackson return to the role of Nick Fury, will follow the invasion of the Earth by the shapeshifting extraterrestrial race known as the Skrulls. Tonally, it will lean into the political thriller genre, as Fury attempts to uncover what institutions have already been infiltrated by the Skrulls and what the repercussions might be.

Vice President of Production and Development at Marvel Studios Jonathan Schwartz, had previously confirmed Secret Invasion is set in “present-day MCU”. Schwartz didn’t specify what year exactly that was, simply stating it “exists along the timeline that the shows come out in.” His insight confirms the show happens after everything that’s been released before it (namely, She-Hulk — the last Disney Plus Marvel show to hit the platform), and before most everything that will be released after it (namely, The Marvels — whose storyline will likely pick up after the events of Secret Invasion).

For most viewers, that window is concrete enough to situate them within the broader MCU storyline. For others, however, Schwartz’s statement, albeit helpful, is still way too vague. This writer happens to be included in the latter group and has already devised an attempt at a detailed timeline of events in post-Endgame MCU in the past.

However, Secret Invasion is breaking tradition and getting very specific with dates — which, frankly, is a much-welcomed change of pace. The end stretch of the episode happens during Unity Day in Moscow, Russia. That is a public holiday celebrated on Nov. 4th every year. In additional good news for those of us who obsess over these things, this doesn’t clash with the generally accepted placement of She-Hulk in the Summer of 2025, and Ms. Marvel in the Fall of that same year.

We now know for sure that Marvel’s Secret Invasion takes place in the Winter of 2025, right after the events of Ms. Marvel. Additionally, if you are happy to accept the timeline I created, the show should hopefully conclude the year 2025 in the MCU (possibly, the franchise’s busiest year yet), and move us swiftly onto 2026 for shows and films.

Secret Invasion‘s first episode is available to stream now on Disney Plus. New episodes come out every Wednesday.