The Most Important MCU Movies And Shows To Watch Before Seeing Captain America: Brave New World

After a nine-year hiatus, the Captain America movies are back with Captain America: Brave New World, starring Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford. The fourth chapter in the series continues Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, as a result, there is a lot of history for newcomers to get caught up on or for longtime fans to rewatch for a refresher course.

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A straightforward approach would be to watch all the films and shows in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, some entries are more relevant to Captain America: Brave New World than others. Some films and shows provide essential context for certain plot elements, while others introduce beloved characters who will play a significant role in the new film.

9

Captain America: The First Avenger

When A Good Man From Brooklyn Became The Hero Of The 20th Century

One of the biggest struggles that Sam Wilson has to deal with is living up to the legacy of Captain America. That is why it is best to start with Captain America: The First Avenger, to see why Steve Rogers is not only the first Avenger but also one of the best—showing how he went from a scrawny nobody from Brooklyn to the face of America during World War 2.

The first film not only shows the origins of Captain America but also the rise of Hydra. The villainous organization’s actions go on to be such a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that the stories are still being affected by them. Additionally, Captain America: The First Avenger is important in establishing how Cap2 ends up joining the Avengers in the modern day.

8

The Incredible Hulk

Thaddeus Ross And Samuel Sterns Are Returning In Brave New World

The Incredible Hulk

Release Date

June 13, 2008

Runtime

112 minutes

On top of being the introduction of the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredible Hulk introduces multiple characters who will be vital to Captain America: Brave New World. The big one is Thaddeus Ross, originally portrayed by the late William Hurt, who was a big fan of the comics, which led to him owning the role for many years. Now the torch has been passed to Harrison Ford, who plays Ross, and his version takes on a new alter ego, the Red Hulk.

The Incredible Hulk also introduces Samuel Sterns, Bruce and the Hulk’s ally in the film, but comics readers know that he transforms into the villain known as The Leader, a puppet master villain in Brave New World. There have also been rumors of Liv Tyler returning as Ross’ daughter Betty, which could lead to her becoming the Red She-Hulk.

7

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Falcon Made His Cinematic Debut To Fight Hydra

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson was first introduced as Steve Rogers’ friend and partner, the Falcon, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The sequel not only showed Steve getting adjusted to modern-day life but also cemented how much of a threat Hydra was, as it was embedded into every government, amassing power under the cover of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the World Council.

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Falcon quickly became a beloved character due to his loyalty as a friend and his dedication as a soldier. Captain America: The Winter Soldier also introduced the titular Winter Soldier, who would later experience a lengthy redemption arc throughout various MCU movies and shows.

6

Eternals

Adamantium Is The Result Of The Celestials

In terms of the actual story, Eternals sticks to being a standalone tale about the lives of several superpowered immortals who helped shape society for thousands of years. The Eternals were the first superheroes and, once human civilization rose, they went into hiding, forbidden to interfere with Earth’s crises unless the monsters known as Deviants were involved.

The lack of any major ties to the MCU caused controversy, with Eternals being criticized as a pointless entry. However, it still provided a fascinating look at the pros and cons of immortality. However, the final battle featuring a Celestial partially rising out of the Earth will be a major part of Brave New World, as the plot will focus on that Celestial’s body being harvested for adamantium, an ore even stronger than vibranium.

5

Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Ultron’s Actions Are Still Being Felt In The M.C.U.

Avengers: Age Of Ultron is an important piece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s timeline, as it was the beginning of the end for the Avengers. Tony Stark’s guilt and trauma led to him recklessly creating artificial intelligence designed to wipe out crime before it even happens. The result is Ultron, who decides to just wipe humanity off the planet and start over.

The moment Ultron rises, there is a clear divide in the Avengers, with the team becoming of two different ideals. This is explored even more in future movies. Avengers: Age Of Ultron was the first film to turn Falcon into an Avenger, even if his role is small, and the war against Ultron would leave scars on the universe as a whole that are still present.

4

Captain America: Civil War

The Destruction And Deconstruction Of The Avengers

Because of the many battles they fight and the resulting destruction, the Avengers are no longer a beloved organization in the world. In Captain America: Civil War, the aforementioned divide is widened even more when the Avengers are forced to either sign themselves over to the government and only act when called upon, or go to prison.

It is rare for movies to discuss the moral and political ideals of heroes with such significant and realistic consequences, but Captain America: Civil War does just that. As a result, it is a rather depressing film that shows friends becoming enemies, with heroes fighting each other when they should be united. The Avengers fall apart, which leaves them exposed and vulnerable to the next major event.

3

Avengers: Infinity War

Everything In The Universe Changed When Thanos Won

As if the timing couldn’t be more perfect, Avengers: Infinity War is where Thanos finally becomes the threat that the first three phases built up to. With the Avengers torn apart, the universe becomes Thanos’ playground to track down the Infinity Stones and commit genocide, and it’s because the Avengers were not all assembled as one that they eventually lost the battle to the Mad Titan.

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The ending of Avengers: Infinity War was a jaw-dropping event because Joe and Anthony Russo were bold enough to tell a superhero story where the heroes lose. Thanos won and wiped out half of the universe’s population, which included many beloved superheroes. It left fans with their minds blown and a lust for the next movie, which they had to wait a whole year for.

2

Avengers: Endgame

The Avengers Assembled And Ended The Infinity Saga

Avengers: Endgame

Runtime

182 Minutes

Director

Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

It would be a daunting task for any director to follow up Infinity War, but the Russos came out swinging with Avengers: Endgame to give fans a payoff for what was eleven years of build-up at that point. Not only did it effectively follow the shocking events of the previous film, but built on it in such a way that the universe is still being impacted by it.

Avengers: Endgame concluded the Infinity Saga with a bang, mixing the aftermath of mass genocide with time travel to create an epic final chapter. The climactic and iconic third act featured hundreds of characters from across the MCU—both major and supporting—fighting against Thanos, and ended with many iconic characters either dying or retiring. Steve Rogers would go on to live a happy life and pass the signature shield onto Sam Wilson, making him the next Captain America.

1

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier

How Sam Wilson Evolved Into The Next Captain America

Even though everyone who died in Thanos’ genocidal plot was restored, the world in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still not the same as it once was. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier shows Sam Wilson and the redeemed Bucky Barnes as they struggle to live without Steve Rogers in their lives. Sam himself is not even sure if he is worthy of being Captain America.

The Falcon And The Winter Soldier explores the world’s reaction to Thanos’ snap, with some viewing it as an improvement, and others not so much. The key focus is on Sam overcoming his insecurities to become the next Captain America, while his friend Joaquín Torres steps up as the new Falcon, setting the stage for Captain America: Brave New World.

Captain America: Brave New World

Release Date

February 14, 2025

Director

Julius Onah

Writers

Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman

Prequel(s)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War

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  Anthony Mackie

  Sam Wilson / Captain America

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  Harrison Ford

  Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross / Red Hulk

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  Giancarlo Esposito

  Sidewinder