Steve Rogers made a splash as Captain America with one of the first films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the first-period piece, Captain America: The First Avenger told a true origin story of the character, beginning before he became a Super Soldier. The film makes the audience fall in love with Steve Rogers as a person before it ever allows the viewer to see him as a superhero. The Super Soldier serum enhances what already exists in Steve Rogers as a person. Because so much time is devoted to discovering his values, it makes sense when the traditional superhero elements of him appear.
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continued to grow, Steve had to adjust to a changed world, and in doing so, had to face several of the same problems he had left behind in the ice. Steve's war never quite ends as while time has passed, Steve's concern still must surround the Tesseract ending up in the wrong hands. Steve Roger's Captain America was an anchor to the franchise in his morals, actions, and how his solo films impacted the overall storylines and character relationships in the following MCU movies.
10 His Origin Story Sets Up The Avengers Film
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
While Iron Man is the start of the MCU and Thor shows a world beyond Earth, Captain America: The First Avenger comes directly before The Avengers when the understanding of the Tesseract is still fresh in everyone's minds, as well as knowing what it cost Steve. Everyone's perspectives of how to go about the Tesseract and Nick Fury differ, and as a soldier, Steve wants to respect authority. But he refuses to fight for those who wish to cause harm, and he is not thrilled with SHIELD's plan to weaponize the Tesseract.
9 Each Solo Movie Feeds Into The Larger Franchise Plot
Captain America: The First Avenger gives a tease into SHIELD, HYDRA, the Tesseract, Super Solider Serum, and Bucky Barnes. Each element comes together in future MCU movies outside of Captain America. Even the conclusion of the first solo film brings Steve Rogers into the present, teasing his involvement in the future of the MCU. Captain America: The Winter Soldier sees the official fall of SHIELD. Natasha's involvement, along with introducing Sam Wilson and understanding what truly happened to Bucky, all play a role in the relationships that grow outside the trilogy. Captain America: Civil War is integral to understanding why the Avengers have broken up in preparation for Infinity War, while teasing Black Panther and Spider-Man as playing more prominent roles in the franchise.
8 Civil War Is an Avengers Movie
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Although Thor and Bruce Banner are missing, Captain America: Civil War features enough other heroes to count as an Avengers movie. Tony Stark plays just as massive a role in the plot as Steve, and their brewing arguments from Avengers: Age of Ultron carry over to Civil War. Steve's relationships with Natasha and Tony play a crucial role in understanding how he feels, and the funeral Steve must go to for the woman he loves also feels like it is bringing Steve's trilogy to an end.
Opening Civil War to so many heroes allows some to meet for the first time while expanding the world by showing how even the closest teams can end but still be there for each other when the moment calls for it.
7 Strong Beliefs Prevent Him from Signing the Accords
Tony signs the Accords because he believes the Avengers need to be put in check. The aftermath of Avengers:Age of Ultron and the destruction of Sokovia still weighs on him. He understands being told they must step back because of the destruction the Avengers bring to whichever city they are saving. However, Steve refuses to sit back and sign a document that prevents him from coming to someone's rescue if they need it.
His decision against signing also comes from his wish to protect Bucky. Although it results in Steve going on the run, he keeps to his morals even when it divides the team.
6 Brings Bucky Back to Himself
Bucky's brainwashing prevents him from remembering that Steve is his best friend. Instead, he sees Steve as the enemy. But Captain America is not deterred, desperate to remind Bucky of the truth and save him from the brainwashing he endured. While under HYDRA's control, Bucky is the fatal Winter Solider, cold-heartedly taking lives without a second thought. Bucky was never the type of person who would choose to do that if in control of his mind and body. Steve eventually finds a way to help Bucky gain control of himself again.
5 Captain America PSAs
Although Steve does not have a massive role in Spider-Man: Homecoming, he appears in Captain America PSAs, which play in moments such as detention or gym class. While his influence is not massive in this film, having him continue to play a role reinforces his overall importance to the story, even though it follows him being a fugitive. It keeps him involved in the story and continues to ground the franchise.
Although Steve does not appear in Spider-Man: Far From Home, there is a moment when Peter takes inspiration from Captain America and Thor by crafting a makeshift shield and Hammer for himself. A massive statue of him is added in Spider-Man: No Way Home​​​​.
4 Fighting for Another Chance to Bring Everyone Back
While Tony succumbs to the reality that half the universe may never return and focuses on raising his daughter, Steve Rogers continues to get out in the world. He hosts support groups for those still struggling with their loved ones being gone. Getting Steve on board with a plan that could bring everyone back after Scott Lang comes to the Avengers Compound takes no convincing at all. During the time travel scheme, Steve must face off against a younger version of himself in a fan-favorite moment.
3 Wielding the Hammer
One of the most unexpected moments came when Thor's Hammer soared right passed him and landed in Steve's hand. Proving yourself to be worthy was one of the most significant things in the franchise. Although there was a brief moment where Steve could have potentially shown signs of lifting Mjölnir in Avengers: Age of Ultron, he had gone through so much development since then that it showed when Mjölnir placed itself quickly into his hand. Other than Thor, Steve is the only Avenger to prove himself as being worthy of holding the Hammer.
2 Avengers Assemble
Everyone finally reunites through the portals, arriving at the Avengers Compound and proving that the time travel scheme had worked is one of the most emotional payoffs of the franchise. As everyone lines up beside and behind Captain America, Steve finally gets to deliver the "Avengers Assemble" line in preparation for the greatest battle in the MCU.
1 Passing on the Shield
Returning the Infinity Stones and Mjölnir have Steve make one last change. Rather than return home, he chooses to have the life he never got the chance to have and reunite with the love of his life. He grows old with her, and when he reunites with Sam and Bucky as an older man, Steve passes on the shield to Sam. It is a sign that while Steve is moving on, Captain America will remain an integral part of the MCU and an anchor for the franchise. While Steve may not be the iconic hero anymore, Sam will step into Captain America's shoes as the next man to take on the title.