The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Series, 2021, Phase 4, Set in 2024
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is #31 of 69 in release order and #36 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
Following the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, the Falcon, Sam Wilson and the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes team up in a global adventure that tests their abilities, and their patience.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier recap
Six months after the Blip, Sam Wilson hands Steve's shield to a museum, and the government gives it to a new Captain America, John Walker. Bucky Barnes, pardoned and in therapy, tries to make amends for the Winter Soldier's killings. A group called the Flag Smashers, led by Karli Morgenthau, wants a world without borders after the Blip's chaos, and its members have been given a new super soldier serum. Sam and Bucky break Helmut Zemo out of prison to track down the serum's maker and go to Madripoor, where Sharon Carter is hiding. Sam meets Isaiah Bradley, a Black super soldier the government imprisoned and experimented on for decades. Walker takes the serum, and after his partner Lemar is killed, he kills a Flag Smasher with the shield in public. He loses the title, and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine recruits him. Sam takes back the shield and gets a new suit from Wakanda.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ending explained
Sam debuts as Captain America in New York, stopping the Flag Smashers from attacking a council that votes on resettling refugees. Karli is shot dead by Sharon. Sam makes a public speech asking leaders to do better, and Isaiah Bradley is given a place in the Captain America museum exhibit. Sharon is pardoned and returns to the CIA, secretly still the criminal Power Broker. The story continues in Captain America: Brave New World.
Where to watch The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming on Disney+ in the US.
Ratings
IMDb 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 85%
Where it fits
- Release order: after WandaVision, before Loki.
- Chronological order: after Spider-Man: Far From Home, before Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
What to watch before The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
In release order, 23 Marvel Cinematic Universe essentials come before The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021), from Iron Man (2008) to WandaVision (2021).
Cast
- Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Falcon
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker
- Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau
- Daniel Brühl as Baron Zemo
- Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter
- Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres
- Adepero Oduye as Sarah Wilson
- Dani Deetté as Gigi
- Indya Bussey as DeeDee
- Desmond Chiam as Dovich
- Renes Rivera as Lennox
Created by Malcolm Spellman.