Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Kernel Score: 77% · 22,509 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Released: 2011-07-22
Runtime: 124 minutes
Is Captain America: The First Avenger worth watching?
Worth watching. A fun period origin story with a clear hero, a warm romance and an old-fashioned adventure feel. It's a shade lightweight, but it sets up one of Marvel's best characters well.
Watch it if you
- like old-fashioned adventure
- want to start Captain America's story
- enjoy World War II settings
Skip it if you
- want a grittier war story
- dislike big CGI finales
Best for: Easy start-the-series night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Captain America: The First Avenger
- Stream: Disney+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
During World War II, Steve Rogers is a sickly man from Brooklyn who's transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull – Adolf Hitler's ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.
Captain America: The First Avenger parents' guide: ages 10+
Parents need to know that this Marvel superhero film includes wartime action violence but centers on heroism and sacrifice.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Wartime action violence including gunfights and explosions typical of a PG-13 superhero film.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Captain America: The First Avenger
If you liked Captain America: The First Avenger, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) — 86%: The sequel, a sharper political thriller.
- Captain America: Civil War (2016) — 85%: Heroes torn apart in a deeply felt story.
- The Avengers (2012) — 87%: The first team-up with Cap.
- Iron Man (2008) — 85%: Where the Marvel universe began.
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — 90%: Large-scale team-up with serious stakes.
- Avengers: Endgame (2019) — 91%: The last big chapter for these characters.
Director
Cast
- Chris Evans as Captain America / Steve Rogers
- Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
- Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes
- Tommy Lee Jones as Colonel Chester Phillips
- Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt / Red Skull
- Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
- Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger
- Stanley Tucci as Dr. Abraham Erskine
- Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
- Toby Jones as Dr. Arnim Zola
Captain America: The First Avenger FAQ
Is Captain America: The First Avenger worth watching?
Worth watching. A fun period origin story with a clear hero, a warm romance and an old-fashioned adventure feel. It's a shade lightweight, but it sets up one of Marvel's best characters well.
Where can I watch Captain America: The First Avenger?
In the US you can stream Captain America: The First Avenger on Disney+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Captain America: The First Avenger OK for kids?
Captain America: The First Avenger is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 10+. Parents need to know that this Marvel superhero film includes wartime action violence but centers on heroism and sacrifice.
What movies are like Captain America: The First Avenger?
If you liked Captain America: The First Avenger, try Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, The Avengers and Iron Man.