MCU Multiverse War: 616 or 199999? Full History Explained

Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe Earth-616 or Earth-199999? Erik Voss finally resolves the debate! Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉. Get up to 60% off your subscription ➡️ Here:

The Marvel film universe of the MCU has long been given the numerical designation of "199999," a separate universe alongside the primary comics universe of "Earth-616." But in recent years, titles like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Loki, Avengers Endgame, and Spider-Man Far From Home have suggested that the main film universe is actually 616 as well, creating a debate among Marvel fans that recently got referenced in the Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse trailer by Miguel O'Hara. Erik Voss looks into the real history of this debate to explain where these numbers came from, and dispelling several myths!

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Written by: Erik Voss
Producers: Zach Huddleston & Brandon Barrick
Head of Production: John Costa
Post Production Supervisor: Riley Auskelis
Staff Editors: Drew Coombs, Joshua Steven Hurd
Editor: Cody Kenner
Camera Operator: Dashiell Hamingson

[Firelance]

Perhaps it’s because different multiversal organizations have different numerical designations for different universes.

[Darkstormsun]

I think it being is better. In the grand scheme of the multiverse it all exists together. they should take pride in creating their own universe instead just copying from the comics when there is way too much difference between.

[ImmortalAbsol]

If two realities haven't made contact yet they're going to make different numbering systems.

[keyshawnwatkins]

I always just assumed that, in-universe, the MCU would refer to itself as Earth-616. But, within the larger Multiverse, it would be seen as No matter how popular the MCU is, Earth-616 will forever be the main Marvel Comics Universe. The source of which the MCU will base its stories on. Maybe calling the MCU “616” is just Marvel’s way of calling the MCU the main live action Marvel Universe, where all the Marvel heroes reside.

I do agree that, by the time we get to Secret Wars, the MCU might soft reboot its universe and make it more like the Marvel Comics Universe. The X-Men, the Fantastic Four, the Inhumans, hopefully more access to Spider-Man’s characters, as well as characters that have yet to be introduced like Nova, or Rick Jones, or Amadeus Cho. Maybe even soft reboot certain characters to match their comic counterparts, like Zendaya’s MJ.

[itsxpluto]

I believe that is in reference to the Mcu in real life with the comics but in the films it is perceived as 616 because it is the main universe

[ComeWhatMay]

I'm just simply glad we're in the multiverse now.

[TrunkFilms]

this was a well thought out research video on a topic i didn't really care about but now i understand the importance of not just throwing around the 616 number as a non comic book reader

[georgeandrews]

I've always thought that it was because, in sony canon, Peter B's universe was 616 in ITSV
But, in disney canon, it is recognised as 616

[jardex]

I think that refers to the entire MCU, while the 616 seen within the films refer to that specific universe within So when the MCU is referenced in other Marvel media, it's When The Watcher in What If... is saying how events in a universe diverged, he's using his version of Earth-616 as a base point.

[mewmewuniverse]

616 is the designated home dimension for readers/viewers. It creates sense of home and ownership to characters from this dimension as the "original" version, and that they are of utmost importance. might be how Feige interprets it.

[gijoe]

I agree with what he says about interpretation, it's very likely that each universe has just labeled the main MCU as another number because it just depends on who interprets or labels the universe at that time and in that universe.

[fazeer]

Also remember that Raimi confirmed that Defender Strange is from 617.

[ray]

What if:
For Comics, they will always saw themself as 616, and perceive live action movies as
And on the opposite, movie will saw themself as 616, and perceive comics as

[rondiggity]

The best trick Kang ever pulled was convincing the universe he didn't exist.

[DrewTrox]

I'd imagine every universe would create their own numbering scheme.

[bouhhgz]

I want to know just how they came up with these variant earth designations.
Who, exactly decides which system they were going to follow for naming each world.
I know that's probably a whole 'nother movie to make, but it would answer soo many questions.

[trystinlindsay]

I don’t think it really matters but the comics and movies being a separate universes is fun.

[salvatoremartell]

What if we find out that we have been slowly experiencing an incursion of the two universes, 616 and 19999?? That would explain the inconsistencies

[grizzlebees]

You're missing a HUGE point here. The 616 designation in comics is used in universe by the Captain Britain corps, who have representation in every reality. So there is an organization that officially exists in the MCU and comics that designates the core comic universe as 616. While we may not have seen the Captain Britain Corps representative from the MCU on the screen yet, canonically they exist (much like the Web of Destiny covers all realities).
Also, this matters for more than just "nerd whining." These designations are essentially addresses, and are needed for understanding location in cross-universal/cross-media stories. Spider-Maguire and Spider-Garfield have canonically appeared in the core comics universe during Spiderverse stories, so when I mention them appearing in the 616, that should make it easy for people to know what I am talking about....but now the MCU calling themself the 616 has confused that issue. Similarly, if a multiversal comic story wants to send a character to the MCU...how do they convey that?? They typically just give the earth designation in the corner of the panel....but now they are both 616, so which universe is the panel referring to??

[sololay]

This is how I see it. is from our prospective. The entire MCU as a whole is But within that universe, they have their own 616, 838 universes. The primary focus is the main mcu timeline 616. You can’t say MCU is 616 coz MCU contains many multivurse stories now. So MCU