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Captain America: The First Avenger

Play trailer Poster for Captain America: The First Avenger PG-13 2011 2h 4m Action Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 274 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America's armed forces, but the military rejects him because of his small stature. Finally, Steve gets his chance when he is accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a super soldier called Captain America. Joining forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain America leads the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization.
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Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger

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Critics Consensus

With plenty of pulpy action, a pleasantly retro vibe, and a handful of fine performances, Captain America is solidly old-fashioned blockbuster entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/08/2017
A-
Captain America is a truly humble story that fortifies the character both physically and morally. Go to Full Review
David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) 07/14/2015
3.5/5
It's very, very well done. Go to Full Review
Matthew Lickona San Diego Reader 07/14/2015
2/5
The story squanders its own fine setup. Go to Full Review
Grant Watson Fiction Machine Jun 17
5/10
There is entertainment value in The First Avenger, but there is a lot more frustration and disappointment. This was a missed opportunity that Marvel was never able to recover. Go to Full Review
Patrick Cavanaugh The Wolfman Cometh Sep 9
5/5
Director Joe Johnston's gamble of making a Marvel movie set during World War II paid off in droves, thanks to his own style and an impressive ensemble of performers. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson 07/17/2025
5/5
You won't find a more grounded, selfless comic book movie hero like him, outside of Christopher Reeve's Superman. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Joseph F @RT26657058 2d great first movie for Cap very simple but still amazing i already like war movies and this was another one of them See more Kacper W @VorenSlarge 3d Worst from the best Captain America has 3 great films. And even tho I think this film is very good, it's still the worst. As I said, that doesn't mean it's bad; no, it's an amazing, grounded WW2 story. I like the theme of a rogue inner nazi secreat organisation that takes its roots from myths and legends. Overall, it's a great 'founding movie' of the MCU. See more Jonathan L @RT94294151 4d The First Avenger succeeds almost entirely on the quiet dignity of its character work. Chris Evans makes Steve Rogers compelling before a single drop of serum touches him—not a generic patriot, but an obstinate kid from Brooklyn whose moral clarity sits right on the surface. The script shines in tiny, economic moments of dialogue that respect your intelligence rather than lecturing you. Where it falters is the clock. The Brooklyn genesis and the bitter irony of the war-bond tour have room to breathe, but the actual war is reduced to a ninety-second montage of exploding pillboxes. Bucky’s fall and Steve’s final sacrifice would have hit ten times harder if we’d had a whole film in the European mud with the Howling Commandos. Add in a muddy sepia wash that flattens the contrast, and an out-of-character moment where Peggy fires live rounds into an untested shield over jealousy, and the seams show. Still, it has genuine heart, tactile sets, and a brilliant score. A very solid 8/10. See more Nick F @NickMovieGuy Aug 29 I forgot how good this movie is. It’s not my favorite marvel movie but it definitely aged well. It is a great origin story. See more Carter S @RT24394739 Aug 25 Really solid all round movie See more Blake E @RT42094650 Aug 23 Absolute fucking perfection See more Read all reviews
Captain America: The First Avenger

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Movie Info

Synopsis It is 1941 and the world is in the throes of war. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to do his part and join America's armed forces, but the military rejects him because of his small stature. Finally, Steve gets his chance when he is accepted into an experimental program that turns him into a super soldier called Captain America. Joining forces with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain America leads the fight against the Nazi-backed HYDRA organization.
Director
Joe Johnston
Producer
Kevin Feige
Screenwriter
Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Sci-Fi Violence|Action)
Genre
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 22, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 25, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$176.6M
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, SDDS, Datasat
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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