When Does 'Black Panther' Happen in the Marvel Movie Timeline?

Since Black Panther’s introduction in Captain America: Civil War Marvel has gone to other realms, taking a return trip to space and dabbled in magic. So, with Black Panther on its way, the question is where, or more fittingly when, does it fit in with the other movies.

On Friday, February 16, Marvel Studios will release Black Panther. But what do you need to know before you see it? The simple answer is, not much. But if you want to be a completist, probably best to watch 2016’s Captain America: Civil War as a refresher. Pretty much everything in Black Panther will pick-up right after the events of that movie.

Very little time has passed since viewers last saw T’Challa. Black Panther picks up right after Captain America: Civil War, according to Black Panther Executive Producer Nate Moore.

T’Challa mission in Captain America: Civil War was avenging the death of his father T’Chaka after he was killed during a summit to pass the Sokovia Accords. Those are the laws which the UN established to regulate superheroes, including The Avengers. Bucky Barnes was framed for the murder T’Challa was thrown into the world of Captain America and the other Avengers. Everybody remember that? Black Panther, was briefly, on team Iron Man as a result.

Black Panther will find T’Challa returning home after his father’s death and ascending to the throne. It will provide him the opportunity to grieve the loss of his father, which he did not have time for during his initial Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance. Being next in line for the throne means T’Challa next chapter should include his journey what happened once he returns home.

This is the perfect chance for viewers to actually get to know Black Panther. Civil War has a lot of movie parts and included many of the Avengers, so going into Black Panther we don’t now T’Challa very well. His trip home will surely include him leaning on his family and friends, which is a great entry point to better understanding the Marvel hero.

“The film’s from his perspective and he’s surrounded by people who he loves and cares for. It’s just a much more personal perspective on him. You see him go through the journey of taking on the greatest responsibility that a person can have, the responsibility of leading a country. You see him go through the full weight of that in the film,” Director Ryan Coogler told to ComicBook.com.

Black Panther is the final piece of the Marvel puzzle ahead of the epically huge Avengers: Infinity War. The trailers and sneak peaks at the film have heavily shown Wakanda and the Black Panther characters. So, not only will Black Panther take place after Civil War it will set up Infinity War too.

Black Panther hits theaters February 16, 2018.