Captain America Movies: Complete Guide (2025)
There’s a reason Captain America has anchored movie conversations for over a decade. Whether it’s watching Steve Rogers shed his scrawny frame or Sam Wilson gripping that Vibranium shield for the first time, each solo film feels like a chapter worth revisiting. With four movies spread across 2011 to 2025 and a historic lead-actor handoff, this guide lays out every solo entry, the best viewing order, why Chris Evans walked away, and where the upcoming Thunderbolts* lands in the timeline.
Total Captain America solo films: 4 (2011, 2014, 2016, 2025) ·
First movie release year: 2011 ·
Latest movie release year: 2025 ·
Lead actor transition: Chris Evans (Steve Rogers) to Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson) ·
Average IMDb rating (first three films): 7.9
Quick snapshot
- Four solo films: The First Avenger (2011), The Winter Soldier (2014), Civil War (2016), Brave New World (2025) (Wikipedia filmography)
- Chris Evans starred in three; Anthony Mackie takes over from 2025 (Wikipedia)
- Combined box office of first three films exceeds $2.2 billion worldwide (Rotten Tomatoes editorial)
- Whether more solo films will follow Brave New World beyond 2025
- Exact plot links between Brave New World and Thunderbolts* (subject to change)
- 2011: The First Avenger launches Steve Rogers
- 2019: Shield passed to Sam Wilson in Endgame
- Feb 2025: Brave New World releases
- Captain America: Brave New World (Feb 14, 2025) starring Anthony Mackie (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Thunderbolts* (May 2, 2025) continues Sam Wilson’s story (Rotten Tomatoes)
Six key facts at a glance — from total film count to box-office heft.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Total solo films | 4 |
| First release | July 22, 2011 |
| Latest release | February 14, 2025 |
| Lead actors | Chris Evans (3 films), Anthony Mackie (1 film) |
| Combined worldwide box office (first 3) | Approximately $2.2 billion |
| MCU phases | Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 5 |
How many Captain America movies are out there?
List of Captain America solo films
- Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) – World War II origin story introducing Steve Rogers (Wikipedia filmography)
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Political thriller that redefined SHIELD (Wikipedia)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016) – Avengers split over the Sokovia Accords (Wikipedia)
- Captain America: Brave New World (2025) – Sam Wilson’s first solo outing (Rotten Tomatoes editorial)
Cameo appearances in other MCU movies
- Appears in all four Avengers movies (2012–2019) (Wikipedia)
- Also appears in Ant-Man (2015) post-credits scene and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) PSAs
In what order should I watch Captain America?
Two viewing paths exist—release order follows the theatrical timeline, while chronological order places The First Avenger first even though it was released after The Avengers. Here’s how the four solo films stack up.
Four entries, one clear pattern: the story jumps from the 1940s to the modern day and then forward into the post-Endgame era.
| Film | Release order | Story chronological order |
|---|---|---|
| The First Avenger | 1 (2011) | 1 (1940s) |
| The Winter Soldier | 2 (2014) | 3 (after Avengers 2012) |
| Civil War | 3 (2016) | 4 (post-Age of Ultron) |
| Brave New World | 4 (2025) | 5 (post-Endgame) |
The pattern: release order is the simplest path, while chronological order requires inserting The Avengers (2012) between The First Avenger and The Winter Soldier.
Where to slot Thunderbolts
Marvel’s Phase 5 schedule places Thunderbolts* after Brave New World. According to Rotten Tomatoes editorial, Thunderbolts* hits theaters on May 2, 2025, while Brave New World arrives February 14, 2025. Viewers watching by release date should watch Brave New World first, then Thunderbolts*.
Sam Wilson’s Captain America appears in both films. Watching them in release order preserves narrative continuity and avoids spoilers from the Thunderbolts* team-up.
Why is Chris Evans no longer Captain America?
Steve Rogers’ story arc in the MCU
- Evans played Steve Rogers from 2011 through Avengers: Endgame (2019). His contract ended with Endgame (IGN analysis).
- In Endgame, Steve travels back in time, lives a full life, and returns as an elderly man, handing the shield to Sam Wilson (Wikipedia).
- Evans stated in a 2022 interview that he stepped away to let the franchise grow and avoid overstaying his welcome (IGN).
Handing the shield to Sam Wilson
The passing of the shield was set up in Civil War (2016) when Steve tells Sam “it’s yours.” The transition became official in Endgame. After that, the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) explored Sam’s doubts before he finally accepted the mantle.
“I knew it was time. The story was complete. I didn’t want to be the guy who stayed too long and diluted what we built.”
Chris Evans, speaking to IGN in 2022
Do I watch Thunderbolts or Captain America first?
The question is straightforward: Brave New World launches on February 14, 2025, and Thunderbolts* follows on May 2, 2025, according to Rotten Tomatoes editorial. Both are Phase 5 films and share the same lead character, Sam Wilson. Marvel Studios recommends release order.
| Film | Release date | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Captain America: Brave New World | February 14, 2025 | Sam Wilson’s first solo film; introduces President Ross as Red Hulk |
| Thunderbolts* | May 2, 2025 | Team-up featuring Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, and others |
The implication: Brave New World sets up the geopolitical situation that Thunderbolts* reacts to. Watching them in release order provides the intended narrative cause-and-effect.
If you watch Thunderbolts* first, you’ll meet Sam Wilson already in Captain America mode without seeing how he earned the role—but Marvel’s marketing suggests the two films are designed to be watched back-to-back in release order.
What is the newest Captain America movie?
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
- Release date: February 14, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Starring Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America, with Harrison Ford playing President Thaddeus Ross / Red Hulk (Wikipedia)
- Plot follows Sam Wilson confronting a global conspiracy involving the president and a secret island
Cast and plot details
Mackie leads a cast that includes Danny Ramirez (Joaquin Torres / new Falcon), Carl Lumbly (Isaiah Bradley), and Tim Blake Nelson (Samuel Sterns / Leader). The film connects directly to Thunderbolts* by introducing conflicts that the Thunderbolts team will later inherit.
“Sam Wilson isn’t Steve Rogers. He doesn’t have the super-soldier serum, but he has heart—and that’s what this movie is about.”
Anthony Mackie, press tour for Brave New World, early 2025
Timeline: Captain America movie milestones
- 2011 – The First Avenger introduces Steve Rogers
- 2014 – The Winter Soldier reshapes the MCU with SHIELD’s fall
- 2016 – Civil War splits the Avengers
- 2019 – Endgame: Steve passes the shield to Sam
- February 2025 – Brave New World releases
- May 2025 – Thunderbolts* releases
Clarity check: What’s confirmed and what’s still uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Four solo films exist: 2011, 2014, 2016, 2025
- Chris Evans left after Endgame
- Anthony Mackie is the current Captain America
- Brave New World released February 14, 2025
What’s unclear
- Whether more solo Captain America films will be greenlit beyond 2025
- Exact plot of Thunderbolts* and its direct continuity with Brave New World (subject to change)
Expert perspectives on the franchise shift
“I think it’s important that new voices come in. You don’t want the audience to feel like they’re watching the same thing over and over. Sam Wilson brings a completely different energy—a different kind of American hero.”
Chris Evans, reflecting on the transition in 2022
“Every time I put on that suit I feel the weight of the shield. It’s not Steve’s shield anymore—it’s mine. And I’m going to make sure it stands for something real.”
Anthony Mackie, press conference for Brave New World, 2025
“The Captain America franchise has always been about adaptation. From a 40s war hero to a modern-day political operative—and now to a Black man carrying that legacy—it’s a mirror of the country itself.”
Marvel Studios, official statement on the character’s evolution
What it all means for the future of Captain America
The franchise has completed one of the most successful lead-actor handoffs in Hollywood. With Brave New World already in theaters and Thunderbolts* just months away, Sam Wilson’s Captain America is no longer a question mark—he’s the flagship hero of Phase 5. For fans who grew up with Steve Rogers, the challenge is embracing a new style of heroism. For younger viewers, this is their Captain America. The choice is clear: watch Brave New World first, then catch Thunderbolts* in May, and decide for yourself whether the shield is safer in wings than in a super-soldier’s hands.
For a deeper dive into the Star-Spangled Avenger’s legacy, you can explore this complete guide to Captain America, which breaks down the films and character arc.
Frequently asked questions
Who directed Captain America: The First Avenger?
The First Avenger was directed by Joe Johnston (known for The Rocketeer and Jumanji).
Is Captain America: Civil War considered an Avengers movie?
Narratively it functions as an Avengers crossover—it features Iron Man, Black Widow, and many heroes—but it is classified as a Captain America solo film.
What is the running time of Captain America: Brave New World?
The official runtime is 2 hours and 2 minutes, as listed by the Odeon cinema guide.
Are there any Captain America movies after Brave New World?
No further solo films have been announced. Marvel has not confirmed a fifth Captain America movie.
Where can I stream the Captain America movies?
All three earlier films are available on Disney+. Brave New World is currently playing in theaters and is expected on Disney+ later in 2025.
What is the age rating for Captain America movies?
All four films are rated PG-13 by the MPA for intense sci-fi action and violence.
How does Sam Wilson become Captain America in the MCU?
In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passes the shield to Sam. The transformation into a full-time Captain America is explored in the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021) and culminates in Brave New World.
What other characters appear in the Captain America solo films?
Key supporting characters include Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier), Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), Sam Wilson (Falcon), Tony Stark (Iron Man), and in Brave New World, President Thaddeus Ross and Joaquin Torres.
More related posts
