Thor: The Dark World is in a shared universe.
It is the sequel to 2011 's Thor and the eighth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe .	Thor	Thor (film)	the eighth film	List of Marvel Cinematic Universe films	Marvel Cinematic Universe	Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe -LRB- MCU -RRB- is an American media franchise and shared universe that is centered on a series of superhero films , independently produced by Marvel Studios and based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics .	Marvel Studios	Marvel Studios	media franchise	media franchise	shared universe	shared universe	series	film series	Marvel Comics	Marvel Comics
