Captain America returns this week with his first standalone movie in nearly a decade. A cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Captain America debuted in Marvel's Phase One and now steps into the spotlight once again in Phase 5's "Brave New World," marking 14 years since his initial MCU appearance. This upcoming film marks a significant shift, as it will be the first Captain America movie without Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wielding the iconic shield. Instead, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) takes up the mantle, a transition that was poignantly set up at the conclusion of "Avengers: Endgame."
For fans eager to dive into or revisit Captain America's journey through the MCU in preparation for "Brave New World," we've curated a comprehensive list of his movies and TV series in chronological order.
How Many Captain America MCU Movies Are There?
There are 8 MCU movies and one TV series where Captain America plays a central role. When including non-MCU made-for-TV and animated movies, the total exceeds 20. However, for clarity and relevance, this list focuses solely on the MCU entries.
For a detailed, spoiler-rich exploration of the events leading up to "Brave New World," consider checking out IGN's Captain America Recap: The Messy Marvel Timeline That Led to Brave New World.
![Captain America Trilogy [4K UHD + Blu-ray]](https://img.wehsl.com/uploads/31/173941923567ad6e6386fcd.jpg)
Captain America Movies in Chronological Order
Note: Some descriptions include spoilers for characters and plot points.
1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America's MCU journey began with "Captain America: The First Avenger" in 2011, which served as the final solo superhero movie of Marvel's Phase One. This film delves into Steve Rogers' origin story, showcasing his transformation from an undersized military reject to a superhuman warrior. It introduces key characters like Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), who later becomes the Winter Soldier. The story is set during WWII, pitting Captain America against the Red Skull and Hydra, making it the earliest entry in the MCU timeline.
Where to Stream: Disney+
2. The Avengers (2012)
The following year, Captain America returned in "The Avengers," teaming up with Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, and the Hulk to thwart Loki's invasion of Earth, as hinted at in the end-credits scene of "The First Avenger."
Where to Stream: Disney+
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
In 2014, "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" continued the saga, weaving a tale of espionage and conspiracy. Captain America and Black Widow confront the Winter Soldier, revealed to be Bucky Barnes, now a brainwashed Hydra operative. This movie also marks the introduction of Anthony Mackie as Falcon, who eventually takes on the Captain America mantle.
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Starz
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Captain America returned in 2015's "Avengers: Age of Ultron," fighting alongside the Avengers against the villain Ultron (James Spader). Their victory sets the stage for future conflicts with Thanos, as seen in the mid-credits scene.
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Starz
5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Released in 2016, "Captain America: Civil War" became the highest-grossing standalone Captain America movie, earning over $1.1 billion globally. The film splits the Avengers into two factions led by Captain America and Iron Man, respectively, with Helmut Zemo as the overarching villain.
Where to Stream: Disney+
6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
"Avengers: Infinity War" marks the first part of the Avengers' battle against Thanos. Captain America, among a vast ensemble, fails to prevent Thanos from eliminating half of all life in the universe. However, Captain America survives the Blip, setting up "Avengers: Endgame."
Where to Stream: Disney+
7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
"Avengers: Endgame" spans across time but concludes five years post-"Infinity War." Captain America and the remaining Avengers devise a plan to undo the Snap, leading to the epic Battle of Earth. The film culminates with Steve Rogers passing his shield to Sam Wilson, symbolizing the transition of the Captain America role.
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 where Sam Wilson assumes the Captain America identity. Set six months after "Endgame," the Disney+ series follows Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they tackle the Flag Smashers, an anti-nationalist group led by Karli Morgenthau (Erin Kellyman).
Where to Stream: Disney+
9. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Building on the events of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "Captain America: Brave New World" introduces Sam Wilson's new challenges as Captain America. The official synopsis from Marvel reads:
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" also introduces Harrison Ford as President Ross/Red Hulk, a character previously played by William Hurt. For those unafraid of spoilers, IGN's review of "Brave New World" provides further insights.
Where to Watch: In theaters starting February 14, 2025
The Future of Captain America in the MCU
Following "Brave New World," Captain America is expected to appear in "Avengers: Doomsday," scheduled for May 1, 2026. Reports suggest both Anthony Mackie and Chris Evans might feature, though Evans has refuted claims about his involvement. Additionally, Captain America is likely to appear in "Avengers: Secret Wars," set for release on May 7, 2027. While Marvel has only confirmed Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom for these films, Mackie has hinted at his participation in both.
