Though there may be stronger heroes in the MCU, it’s hard to say that any of them are as tough as Captain America. No matter what enemy Cap is going up against and how outmatched he is, he will not give up. He is also one of the most skilled fighters in the MCU and has been involved in some of the biggest fights.
Whenever Cap is involved in a brawl, there is always some added emotion to it. His determination has become a key aspect of the character which makes him such an easy character to cheer for, especially when he is taking a beating. Here are Captain America’s best fights in the MCU.
Back Alley Brawl (Captain America: The First Avenger)
While this is a small-scale fight compared to some of Cap’s later adventures, it is an essential moment for understanding the character. Before he gains the super-soldier powers, Steve Rogers is a skinny, weak Brooklyn kid who doesn’t like bullies. After a man is disrespectful in a movie theater, Steve steps up to set him straight.
Predictably, Steve is getting his butt kicked in the alley but we will not stay down. Even before he had the strength of a hero, Steve had the heart of a hero. It is also the first time we hear the phrase that would define the character, “I could do this all day.”
Cap Vs Cap (Avengers: Endgame)
Avengers: Endgame’s time travel science can scramble the brain if you think about it too much, but it did provide some extremely entertaining moments in the film. Seeing Cap and the others travel back to the Battle of New York from The Avengers was a real thrill and set up a great face-off.
After acquiring Loki’s scepter, Cap is making his getaway but is stopped by his younger self from 2012. Wisely, the movie doesn’t take the fight too seriously and it’s fun to see an older and world-weary Cap a little annoyed with his younger, more eager self.
Freighter Rescue (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Captain America: The First Avenger had the brilliant idea of setting Cap’s first adventure in WWII where his character might not seem so ridiculous. Once Cap reemerged in modern times, there was a question as to how the character would translate. Captain America: The Winter Soldier put those worries to rest right off the bat.
As Cap and his S.H.I.E.L.D. team infiltrate a freighter that has been taken over by pirates, we get our first glimpse at Cap’s more modern fighting style. The grounded action as Cap takes out the pirates was a breath of fresh air in the MCU and instantly made Cap a more compelling hero.
Bucky Rematch (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
The Winter Soldier is filled with exciting and amazing fight sequences, especially when Steve and Bucky faceoff with each other. While the thrilling highway fight is unforgettable, it is his climactic showdown with Bucky that stands out the most.
With millions of lives on the line, Steve is reluctant to fight his best friend, but he also knows that he has no choice. Every hit that Steve lands on Bucky hurts as much as if he was hit himself. They really make you feel the weight of the fight and it carries a much bigger impact as a result.
Battle Of New York (The Avengers)
The first time the Avengers came together as a team was a ground-breaking moment, not just for the MCU, but also for cinema in general. As Loki’s army descends on New York, we get that iconic look of the heroes standing back-to-back, ready for an epic battle.
Each hero gets their moment to shine, especially Cap. We finally get to see why he is the true leader of his team as he tells everyone where they need to be. We also see his heroic side as he jumps right into danger to defend the people of New York and get them to safety.
Battle Of Wakanda (Avengers: Infinity War)
Captain America doesn’t get a whole lot of screen time in Avengers: Infinity War, but he certainly makes good use of the time he has. His best moments come when Thanos’ forces invade Wakanda and he once again shows that he will not surrender to any enemy.
The battle kicks off with the amazing moment as Cap and Black Panther race ahead of their army straight into battle. Seeing these two badass warriors fight side-by-side is a thrill. There is also the unforgettable moment when Cap, using every ounce of his power, is able to briefly hold back Thanos which surprises even the Mad Titan himself.
Airport Brawl (Captain America: Civil War)
Captain America: Civil War does a great job of mixing the serious aspects with the story with moments of great fun. But nothing tops the fun of the extended airport sequence when all the heroes face off against each other.
While it pains us to see our favorite characters fight, this huge, chaotic brawl is a blast and gives us plenty of great moments of Cap taking on fellow Avengers. His most memorable moment is his fight against the newly recruited Spider-Man which includes a great reminder that these two are just a couple of kids from New York.
Iron Man Fight (Captain America: Civil War)
While the airport brawl put a smile on our faces, the final fight in Civil War was not a laughing matter. After Tony learns the truth that Bucky killed his parents, Cap is forced to step in and defend one friend against another.
This moment shows us a different side of Tony Stark as he truly wants to kill Bucky and is willing to hurt Steve to do so. Likewise, Steve will do what it takes to protect Bucky. This leads to a brutal brawl that leaves both heroes serious injured and their friendship shattered.
Elevator Fight (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Aside from the updated fighting style of Cap in The Winter Soldier, the sequel does a great job of showing that this new reality is much different than the world Cap knew before. Unlike in WWII, it is harder to spot your enemies and Cap soon finds himself surrounded.
The conspiracy-thriller feel of the film really comes off in the famous elevator fight. Cap literally finds himself surrounded by people he thought were allies but reveal themselves to be the enemy. The claustrophobic and chaotic fight is exhilarating and makes Cap into a complete badass.
Thanos Fight (Avengers: Endgame)
While they only briefly faced off in Infinity War, you knew Cap and Thanos would eventually meet again on the field of battle. When they finally do, it makes for one of the most epic moments in the history of the MCU.
As Cap, Iron Man and Thor take on Thanos together, they are badly beaten and look to be on the ropes, then Mjolnir rises from the ground and we see Cap finally wield the mighty hammer. He proves to be a pro with the weapon and proceeds to give Thanos the ass-kicking he deserves.
