Honestly, if you try to sit down and watch all movies of Captain America in one go, you’re basically signing up for a masterclass in how to change a franchise's DNA every three years. It’s weird. We started with a skinny kid in Brooklyn getting injected with glowing blue goo and somehow ended up with a political thriller involving a Red Hulk and Adamantium. Most people think it’s just a straight line from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson, but the reality is much messier and, frankly, way more interesting.
The World War II Experiment That Actually Worked
Back in 2011, Captain America: The First Avenger felt like a bit of a gamble. At the time, superhero movies were trying to be "dark and edgy" (thanks, Christopher Nolan), but director Joe Johnston went the opposite way. He made a pulpy, earnest war movie.
Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, wasn't a hero because he was strong; he was a hero because he was a "good man." That’s the core of the whole thing. You’ve got Hugo Weaving chewing the scenery as Red Skull and Hayley Atwell basically stealing the movie as Peggy Carter. It grossed about $370 million, which is "cute" by today’s Marvel standards but was enough to prove the shield had legs.
Then everything changed.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
When the Shield Became a Weapon of Choice
If The First Avenger was a period piece, Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) was a 1970s conspiracy thriller wearing a spandex suit. This is where most fans agree the series peaked. The Russo Brothers took over, threw out the bright colors, and gave us some of the best hand-to-hand combat in cinema history.
Basically, Steve Rogers finds out his own government is spying on everyone. Sound familiar? It felt grounded.
- The Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) wasn't just a villain; he was a tragic ghost from the past.
- Black Widow finally got something real to do.
- The Elevator Scene is still arguably the best 2 minutes in the MCU.
Then came Captain America: Civil War in 2016. Some people call it Avengers 2.5, and they aren't totally wrong. It’s got Spider-Man, Black Panther, and almost everyone else. But at its heart, it’s a Captain America movie because it forces Steve to choose between his loyalty to his friend Bucky and his loyalty to the law. It’s the one where he finally drops the shield.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
The Sam Wilson Era: A Brave New World
Fast forward to late 2024 and early 2025. Steve Rogers is "away" (depending on who you ask, he’s either dead or on the moon), and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has the shield. Captain America: Brave New World finally hit theaters in February 2025, and it’s been a bit of a roller coaster.
The movie focuses on Sam investigating a global conspiracy involving President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, played by the legendary Harrison Ford. It also brings back characters we haven't seen in forever, like Samuel Sterns (The Leader) from the 2008 Hulk movie.
Critics were kinda mixed on this one, though. It currently sits at a 46% on Rotten Tomatoes. Some people loved the political tension, while others felt it tried to do too much at once. It’s definitely darker than the Steve Rogers movies. It deals with the discovery of Adamantium on "Celestial Island" (the dead giant guy from Eternals) and features a literal fight with a Red Hulk.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
The Timeline Nobody Can Keep Straight
If you want to watch all movies of Captain America in the order the story actually happens, it looks a lot different than the release dates.
- The First Avenger: Sets the stage in the 1940s.
- The Avengers / Age of Ultron: Team-up movies that bridge the gaps.
- The Winter Soldier: The modern-day awakening.
- Civil War: The breakup of the band.
- Infinity War / Endgame: The final stand for Steve Rogers.
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The TV show you have to watch to understand Sam’s transition.
- Brave New World: The current state of affairs in 2026.
What's Next for the Shield?
As we head into 2026, the future is looking a bit crowded. We know Avengers: Doomsday is coming later this year, and Anthony Mackie is expected to lead the charge alongside the new generation.
There are rumors—always rumors—that Steve Rogers might pop up again via the multiverse, but for now, Sam Wilson is the guy. The stakes have shifted from "stopping Hydra" to "managing a world that has too many heroes and not enough trust."
If you’re planning a rewatch, skip the 1990 movie. Seriously. It’s bad. Just stick to the MCU entries and maybe keep a wiki page open to track all the political subplots.
Actionable Next Steps
- Start with Winter Soldier: If you’ve never seen these, don't start at the beginning. Start with the second movie to see if you like the tone.
- Watch the Show: You cannot skip the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier before watching Brave New World. The movie doesn't explain how Sam got the shield, the show does.
- Check Local Listings: Brave New World is still making the rounds in second-run theaters and streaming platforms as of early 2026.
The legacy of the shield isn't about being the strongest guy in the room anymore. It’s about who can hold the room together when everything is falling apart. That’s been the constant through every single one of these films, regardless of who is wearing the star on their chest.