Captain America returns this week for his first standalone movie in nearly a decade. The iconic character has been a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since his debut in Phase One and is now set to headline Phase 5's "Brave New World," 14 years later. This marks the first Captain America film without Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as the shield bearer, with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) stepping up to carry the mantle, a transition that occurred at the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame.
For those eager to dive into or revisit Captain America’s journey within the MCU before "Brave New World" hits the screens, we've curated a chronological list of his movies and TV series.
How Many Captain America MCU Movies Are There?
**There are 8 MCU movies and one TV series** where Captain America plays a significant role. When including non-MCU made-for-TV and animated movies, the total exceeds 20. However, our focus here is solely on MCU-related content.
For a comprehensive, spoiler-rich overview of the events leading to "Brave New World," you can explore IGN's Captain America Recap: The Messy Marvel Timeline That Led to Brave New World.
Captain America Trilogy [4K UHD + Blu-ray]
This set includes "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," and "Captain America: Civil War," complete with bonus features for each film. Available at Amazon.
Captain America Movies in Chronological Order
*Please note, some descriptions contain references to characters and plot points that could be considered spoilers.*
1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America entered the MCU in 2011 with Captain America: The First Avenger, the final solo superhero film of Marvel’s Phase One. This movie delves into Captain America’s origin, showcasing Steve Rogers’ transformation from a rejected military recruit into a superhuman war hero. The film introduces Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, who later becomes the Winter Soldier. Set during WWII, it places Captain America against Red Skull and Hydra, marking it as the earliest-set film in the MCU timeline.
Where to Stream: Disney+
2. The Avengers (2012)
Captain America made a swift return in The Avengers the following year. As hinted at in the end-credits scene of The First Avenger, Captain America joins forces with Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, and the Hulk to fend off Loki’s Earth invasion.
Where to Stream: Disney+
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Two years later, in both real life and the MCU timeline, came Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This sequel delves into espionage and conspiracy, with Captain America and Black Widow confronting The Winter Soldier – none other than Bucky Barnes, now a brainwashed Hydra operative. This film also introduces Anthony Mackie as Falcon, who later becomes the new Captain America.
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Starz
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Captain America returned the following year in Avengers: Age of Ultron, battling alongside his superhero team against the villainous Ultron, voiced by James Spader. The Avengers triumph, setting the stage for their eventual confrontation with Thanos in a mid-credits scene.
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Starz
5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
A year later, Marvel released Captain America: Civil War, the highest-grossing standalone Captain America film to date, earning over $1.1 billion globally. Civil War splits the Avengers into factions led by Captain America and Iron Man, respectively, with Helmut Zemo as the film’s main antagonist. Although a Captain America movie, it features nearly every major MCU character up to that point.
Where to Stream: Disney+
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
In Avengers: Infinity War, the first part of the Avengers' epic battle against Thanos, Captain America is part of the vast ensemble striving to prevent The Mad Titan from annihilating half of all life. The team fails, but Captain America survives the Blip, setting the stage for Avengers: Endgame.
Where to Stream: Disney+
7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame spans across time but ultimately takes place five years after Infinity War. Captain America and the remaining Avengers work to undo the effects of Thanos's Snap, culminating in The Battle of Earth, the largest confrontation in the MCU, against Thanos's forces at the New Avengers Facility. Endgame sees Steve Rogers passing his shield to Sam Wilson, marking a significant transition.
Where to Stream: Disney+
8. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021 – TV Series)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is the first MCU project featuring Sam Wilson as Captain America. Set six months after Endgame, the Disney+ series follows Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they confront the Flag Smashers, an anti-nationalist group led by Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman).
Where to Stream: Disney+
9. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" sets the stage for the upcoming "Captain America: Brave New World." Here's the official synopsis from Marvel:
*After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross, Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.*
The mention of a "newly elected U.S. President" suggests the film is set around late 2027 or early 2028, aligning with the U.S. presidential election cycle. "Brave New World" introduces Harrison Ford as President Ross, who transforms into the Red Hulk – a role previously played by William Hurt in earlier MCU films. For those unafraid of spoilers, you can read IGN's review of "Brave New World" for more details.
Where to Watch: In theaters starting February 14, 2025
The Future of Captain America in the MCU
Following "Brave New World," Captain America's next appearance is expected in "Avengers: Doomsday," scheduled for May 1, 2026. Reports from Deadline indicated both Mackie and Evans would feature, though Evans later denied his involvement. Captain America is also likely to appear in the subsequent Avengers film, "Avengers: Secret Wars," set for release on May 7, 2027. Mackie hinted at his involvement in both films during an Esquire interview, though Marvel has only officially confirmed Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom for these projects.
