The Avengers are a team of fictional superheroes and the protagonists of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1963. Founded by S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury, the team is a United States-based organization composed primarily of superpowered and gifted individuals, described as "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", who are committed to the world's protection from a variety of threats. Initially arranged as an ensemble of core MCU characters consisting of Tony Stark / Iron Man, Steve Rogers / Captain America, Thor, Bruce Banner / Hulk, Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, and Clint Barton / Hawkeye, and later expanding to 16 members. The Avengers are central to the MCU's first 23 films, collectively known as the "Infinity Saga", which included four Avengers films: The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019). The franchise is the sixth highest-grossing film series of all-time, grossing more than US$7.7 billion at the worldwide box office. The Avengers are set to return in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Both will be part of the MCU's Phase Six, concluding the "Multiverse Saga".
