MCU: Every Captain America Appearance Ranked Worst To Best

So here we go again, and now many of you are likely thinking, "First Age of Ultron over Infinity War, and now The First Avenger over Civil War? This guy's insane." But hear me out, because even though Cap's origin story may not have been as financially or critically successful as Civil War, or even the other films on this list, The First Avenger is an incredibly important piece of the character's legacy in the MCU that cannot be understated.

Back in 2011, Marvel Studios had to introduce two characters to the world who could've fallen flat on their face if mishandled: Thor and Captain America. If their two films hadn't clicked with audiences, The Avengers - which by that point was already in production - wouldn't be the film it was, nor would the MCU be what it is today. In Cap's case, the character could've easily been a jingoistic joke, a hero with values only "red-blooded Americans" could get behind were he to be mishandled even slightly, and yet he wasn't, the character making his cinematic debut in an earnest, pulpy adventure that showcased someone we could all get behind: A little guy trying to do the right thing who truly earns the power to change the world.

Chris Evans embodied the character so effortlessly right out of the gate that it's too easy to take for granted how badly it all could've gone. The First Avenger highlights Captain America in his purest form, one whose clear-cut ideals about right and wrong fit the period he thrived in, setting the stage for the fantastic journey he's been on ever since.