Captain America: Brave New World marks the fourth installment in the Captain America series and the 35th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Disney+ miniseries, this action-packed adventure showcases Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) fully embracing his role as the new Captain America. Releasing in theaters on February 14, 2025, as part of Phase Five of the MCU, the film delivers high-stakes drama under the direction of Julius Onah. With a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes, this PG-13 rated film combines political intrigue with superhero action in a story that challenges Wilson’s leadership while introducing new threats to the Marvel universe.
Meet the star-studded cast of Brave New World
Anthony Mackie headlines the film as Sam Wilson/Captain America, bringing depth to the former Falcon who now carries the iconic shield. Veteran actor Harrison Ford delivers a commanding performance as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, the newly elected US President who later transforms into the fearsome Red Hulk. Danny Ramirez returns as Joaquin Torres, taking up Wilson’s former Falcon mantle with impressive aerial skills.
The supporting cast brings equal star power with Tim Blake Nelson portraying Samuel Sterns/The Leader, a brilliant scientist with enhanced intelligence from Bruce Banner’s blood. Carl Lumbly delivers a powerful performance as Isaiah Bradley, the Korean War veteran and super soldier with a tragic past. The ensemble also features Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph, an Israeli former Black Widow serving as Ross’s security advisor, and Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder, the cunning leader of the mercenary group Serpent. Xosha Roquemore appears as Secret Service agent Leila Taylor, while Liv Tyler makes a brief but meaningful appearance as Betty Ross. Sebastian Stan makes a cameo as Bucky Barnes, connecting the film to previous Captain America adventures.
Plot breakdown: Sam Wilson’s first adventure as Captain America
The film opens five months into President Ross’s administration as he dispatches Wilson and Torres to Mexico to intercept illegal sales of classified technology. After successfully recovering the items but failing to capture the mercenary Sidewinder, Wilson receives an invitation to the White House. There, Ross proposes a treaty governing adamantium, a powerful metal discovered on “Celestial Island” formed from the emergence of the Celestial Tiamut.
The summit takes a dramatic turn when Isaiah Bradley and others fall under mind control triggered by the song “Mr. Blue,” launching an attack on Ross. Wilson’s investigation leads him to Sidewinder and eventually to Camp Echo One, where he discovers Dr. Sterns using advanced technology to control minds. With help from Ruth Bat-Seraph, Wilson learns that Sterns plans to destroy Ross’s reputation by manipulating pilots to attack Japanese ships near Celestial Island.
The situation escalates when Ross, who has been taking gamma-infused pills to combat heart failure, loses control and transforms into Red Hulk, devastating part of the White House. Wilson manages to reason with Ross by reminding him of cherished memories with his daughter Betty. The film concludes with Ross resigning and being incarcerated at the Raft, where Wilson and Betty visit him. A post-credits scene features Sterns warning Wilson about impending threats from other worlds.
From production to release: The making of Brave New World
Marvel Studios began production on Brave New World in March 2023, with principal photography taking place at Trilith Studios in Atlanta and additional filming in Washington, D.C. The film underwent significant reshoots between May and November 2024, with screenwriter Matthew Orton joining to craft additional material. Originally titled “Captain America: New World Order,” the production team changed the name to “Brave New World” during filming to better reflect the story’s themes.
The film’s production team includes:
- Kevin Feige and Nate Moore as producers
- Louis D’Esposito and Charles Newirth as executive producers
- Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, Julius Onah, and Peter Glanz contributing to the screenplay
- Kramer Morgenthau as cinematographer, bringing a visual style inspired by 1970s political thrillers
- Laura Karpman as composer, with additional music by Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum
Visual effects were created by several renowned studios including Wētā FX, Digital Domain, and Luma Pictures, bringing the Red Hulk and other spectacular elements to life.
Box office performance and critical reception
Captain America: Brave New World has grossed $413.3 million worldwide as of April 2025, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of the year. The movie earned an impressive $100 million during its four-day opening weekend in the United States and Canada, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Captain America character even with a new hero behind the shield.
Critical reception has been mixed, with reviewers praising Mackie and Ford’s performances while criticizing aspects of the storytelling and visual effects. The film received a 48% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 5.4/10, suggesting divided opinions among critics. Audience reactions have been similarly tepid, with CinemaScore polling resulting in a “B–” grade – the lowest for any MCU film to date.
| Performance Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Box Office | $413.3 million |
| Opening Weekend (US/Canada) | $100 million |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 48% (5.4/10 average) |
| CinemaScore Grade | B– |
When and where to watch: Theatrical and streaming release details
Captain America: Brave New World made its theatrical debut on February 14, 2025, bringing Valentine’s Day audiences a thrilling new chapter in the Marvel saga. For those who missed the big-screen experience or want to revisit Wilson’s adventure, the film will be available for digital download starting April 15, 2025. Physical media collectors can mark their calendars for May 13, 2025, when the film releases on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD.
Disney+ subscribers can expect Brave New World to join the streaming platform approximately three months after its theatrical release. Viewers looking to fully appreciate the story should first watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier miniseries, which establishes Wilson’s journey to becoming Captain America. For additional context on returning characters, The Incredible Hulk (2008) provides background on both Ross and Sterns, while Eternals (2021) introduces the Celestial Tiamut whose remains become central to the plot.
MCU connections: How Brave New World fits into the Marvel universe
Legacy characters return
Brave New World expertly weaves connections to previous Marvel properties, most notably bringing back characters from 2008’s The Incredible Hulk. Both Ross and Sterns return in dramatically evolved forms, with Ross now President of the United States before transforming into Red Hulk and Sterns fully embracing his villainous Leader persona. The film also continues story elements from Eternals by revealing that adamantium – a metal with significant implications for future MCU stories – was discovered at the site where Tiamut emerged.
Setting up future threats
- The post-credits scene with Sterns warning about multiverse dangers
- Introduction of adamantium to the MCU, potentially setting up X-Men connections
- Ross’s imprisonment at the Raft, suggesting possible appearances in future projects
- The Serpent organization remaining active despite Sidewinder’s capture
- Ruth Bat-Seraph’s introduction potentially leading to international superhero team-ups
The film maintains the political thriller tone established in Captain America: The Winter Soldier while adding new dimensions to the Avengers’ world. By focusing on geopolitical tensions rather than cosmic threats, Brave New World grounds the MCU in relatable stakes while still connecting to the broader universe.
Behind Anthony Mackie’s Captain America: Character development and legacy
Anthony Mackie’s journey as Sam Wilson spans multiple films, from his introduction in Captain America: The Winter Soldier through his reluctant acceptance of the shield in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to his confident embodiment of the role in Brave New World. Unlike Steve Rogers, who was transformed into a super soldier, Wilson relies on his military training, tactical intelligence, and winged technology to fulfill his duties as Captain America.
Mackie brings a different energy to the iconic hero, emphasizing diplomacy and empathy alongside physical prowess. Wilson’s approach to being Captain America reflects contemporary values while honoring the legacy Steve Rogers established. The film explores Wilson’s leadership style as he navigates complex political situations, forms new alliances with characters like Ruth Bat-Seraph, and confronts both external threats and internal doubts.
Through his interactions with Isaiah Bradley, Wilson acknowledges America’s complicated history while working toward a more inclusive future. This thematic exploration makes Brave New World more than just an action film – it’s a thoughtful examination of what heroism means in a changing world and how the Captain America identity continues to evolve with each new bearer of the shield.
