Captain America's triumphant return! This week marks the release of his first solo film in almost a decade, a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Having debuted in Phase One, he now leads Phase Five's Brave New World, fourteen years later. This marks the first Captain America movie without Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) taking up the shield, a legacy passed down in Avengers: Endgame.
For those eager to refresh their memory (or experience the saga for the first time), here's a chronological viewing guide to Captain America's MCU journey:
Captain America's MCU Appearances:
There are eight MCU films and one TV series featuring Captain America in a significant role. This list excludes non-MCU productions. For a detailed, spoiler-filled recap leading to Brave New World, see IGN's Captain America Recap: The Messy Marvel Timeline That Led to Brave New World.
Chronological Order:
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Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Steve Rogers's origin story, his transformation from a frail soldier to a super-soldier, and his battle against the Red Skull and Hydra during World War II. This introduces Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). Streaming on Disney+.
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The Avengers (2012): Captain America joins forces with Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, and Hulk to combat Loki's invasion. Streaming on Disney+.
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): A spy thriller where Cap confronts the Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes), now a Hydra operative. Introduces Falcon (Anthony Mackie). Streaming on Disney+ or Starz.
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Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): The Avengers face Ultron (James Spader). Streaming on Disney+ or Starz.
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Captain America: Civil War (2016): A conflict divides the Avengers, pitting Captain America against Iron Man. Streaming on Disney+.
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Avengers: Infinity War (2018): The Avengers battle Thanos. Streaming on Disney+.
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Avengers: Endgame (2019): The Avengers attempt to undo Thanos's actions. Steve Rogers passes the shield to Sam Wilson. Streaming on Disney+.
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The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021): Sam Wilson's journey as the new Captain America. Streaming on Disney+.
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Captain America: Brave New World (2025): Sam Wilson confronts a global threat, with the introduction of President Ross (Harrison Ford). In theaters February 14, 2025.
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Captain America's Future:
Captain America's appearances in Avengers: Doomsday (May 1, 2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (May 7, 2027) remain uncertain, despite hints from actors. Only Robert Downey Jr.'s return as Doctor Doom has been officially confirmed.
