Captain America Movies: Watch Order Guide

This week marks the return of Captain America to the big screen with his first standalone film in nearly a decade. The iconic character has been a mainstay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since his debut in Marvel's Phase One, and now, with the upcoming Phase 5's "Brave New World," he steps into the spotlight once again. However, this time, it's without the familiar presence of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) behind the 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 back into Captain America's journey or newcomers looking to catch up, we've curated a chronological list of all the MCU movies and the TV series where Captain America plays a pivotal role. This guide will help you navigate the hero's saga as you prepare for "Brave New World."

How Many Captain America MCU Movies Are There?

There are 8 MCU movies and one TV series in which Captain America features prominently. When including non-MCU made-for-TV and animated movies, the total exceeds 20. Our focus here is strictly on the MCU canon.

For a detailed, spoiler-rich exploration of the events leading up to "Brave New World," IGN's Captain America Recap: The Messy Marvel Timeline That Led to Brave New World is an excellent resource.

Captain America Trilogy [4K UHD + Blu-ray]

This collection includes "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," and "Captain America: Civil War," along with bonus features for each film. You can find it at Amazon.

Captain America Movies in Chronological Order

*Please note, some descriptions may include spoilers for characters and plot points.

1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Captain America made his MCU debut in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, marking the end of Marvel's Phase One solo superhero films. This movie delves into Steve Rogers' origin story, tracing his journey from a rejected military recruit to a superhuman force during WWII. It introduces key characters like Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and pits Captain America against the Red Skull and Hydra.

Where to Stream: Disney+

2. The Avengers (2012)

The following year, Captain America returned in The Avengers. As hinted in the end-credits scene of "The First Avenger," he joins forces with Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, and the Hulk to stop Loki's invasion of Earth.

Where to Stream: Disney+

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Two years later, both in real life and the MCU timeline, came Captain America: The Winter Soldier. This film explores themes of espionage and conspiracy, with Captain America and Black Widow confronting the Winter Soldier, revealed to be Bucky Barnes, now a brainwashed Hydra operative. It 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 in Avengers: Age of Ultron the next year, teaming up with the Avengers to battle the villainous Ultron, voiced by James Spader. The film sets the stage for the Avengers' future conflict with Thanos.

Where to Stream: Disney+ or Starz

5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

In 2016, Captain America: Civil War was released, becoming the highest-grossing standalone Captain America movie with over $1.1 billion worldwide. 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)

In Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America is part of the ensemble cast fighting against Thanos. Despite their efforts, Thanos succeeds in his mission, but Captain America survives the Snap, setting the stage for "Avengers: Endgame."

Where to Stream: Disney+

7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame spans across time but concludes five years after "Infinity War." Captain America and the remaining Avengers work to undo the effects of the Snap, leading to the epic Battle of Earth. The film ends with Steve Rogers passing the Captain America mantle to Sam Wilson.

Where to Stream: Disney+

8. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021 – TV Series)

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson officially takes on the role of Captain America. Set six months after "Endgame," the series follows Wilson and Bucky Barnes as they confront the Flag Smashers, a group of anti-nationalist supersoldiers.

Where to Stream: Disney+

9. Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

"The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" leads directly into "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. "Brave New World" introduces Harrison Ford as President Ross, who transforms into Red Hulk, a role previously played by William Hurt. For those unafraid of spoilers, IGN's review of "Brave New World" offers 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 from Deadline suggest both Anthony Mackie and Chris Evans will feature, though Evans has denied his involvement. Additionally, Captain America is likely to appear in "Avengers: Secret Wars," set for May 7, 2027. Anthony Mackie has hinted at his participation in both films, though Marvel has only confirmed Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom for these projects.