Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter (2013)
SpecialOptional
Peggy Carter proves herself as a field agent in the SSR after WWII. It’s an MCU short film from Phase Two, and it’s #3 of 81 in story order. It’s Optional: a side story you can watch whenever you like. At 15 minutes, it streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Release date | September 3, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Runtime | 15m |
| IMDb rating | 7.5/10 |
| Phase | Phase Two |
| Saga | Infinity Saga |
| Story position | #3 of 81 in chronological order |
| Post-credit scene | Yes |
Why it matters in the MCU
Shows Peggy Carter after the war and teases the founding of S.H.I.E.L.D. It led directly to the Agent Carter TV series.
About Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter
Set one year after Captain America: The First Avenger, this short finds Peggy Carter stuck behind a desk at the SSR, compiling reports while the men go into the field. When a lead on the mysterious Zodiac comes in one night, she goes after it on her own, and her boss, Agent John Flynn, is not grateful.
Louis D'Esposito directed from a script by Eric Pearson, with music by Christopher Lennertz. Hayley Atwell returns as Peggy, Bradley Whitford plays Flynn, and Dominic Cooper and Neal McDonough reprise Howard Stark and Dum Dum Dugan. It was shot in five days and reused 1940s New York effects shots from The First Avenger to save money. It was released digitally on September 3, 2013, and on the Iron Man 3 Blu-ray later that month. Reviews praised Atwell's performance and the short's action.
Good to know
- It is the most direct link between the One-Shots and an MCU series: it helped inspire the Agent Carter TV show.
- Christopher Lennertz went on to score the Agent Carter series.
- Iron Man 3 director Shane Black has a voice-only cameo.
- The short shows the early days of S.H.I.E.L.D. through Howard Stark.
Spoiler Spoilers for Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter: tap to reveal
- The short ends with Howard Stark calling to tell Flynn that Peggy will co-lead the newly formed S.H.I.E.L.D., and a mid-credits scene finds Dum Dum Dugan lounging poolside with Howard.
How to watch it
Watch it right after Captain America: The First Avenger, since it takes place a year later, or after Iron Man 3 in release order. It runs just a few minutes, so it is an easy add to any rewatch. Follow it with the Agent Carter series, which builds on this short. Peggy fans will love it, and so will anyone curious how S.H.I.E.L.D. began.
Post-credit scene
Yes, there’s an extra scene after the credits, so keep watching once they start.
Where it fits in your watch
Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter FAQ
When does the Agent Carter One-Shot take place?
It is set one year after the events of Captain America: The First Avenger.
Did the Agent Carter One-Shot lead to the TV series?
Yes. The short's reception helped inspire Agent Carter, the MCU series starring Hayley Atwell.
Where was the Agent Carter One-Shot released?
It came out digitally in September 2013 and as a bonus feature on the Iron Man 3 Blu-ray.
Can you skip Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter?
Yes. Nothing major later depends on it, so we grade it Optional.
When was Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter released?
Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter was released on September 3, 2013.
Where does Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter fit in the MCU timeline?
It sits at #3 of 81 in our story order.
Does Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter have a post-credit scene?
Yes, there’s at least one extra scene after the credits, so keep watching once they start.
Where to watch Agent Carter in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|
Where to watch Agent Carter outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | None needed |
| Canada | Disney+ | None needed |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
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