Captain America 4 Now Streaming: Here’s Where to Watch & Whether You Should

For fans eager to revisit Sam Wilson’s journey, the previous Captain America films (The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier, Civil War) and the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier remain available on Disney+.

Box office and critical reception: A mixed shield

Despite its status as the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2025, Brave New World faced lukewarm critical and audience reception. It holds a 48% Rotten Tomatoes score and a “B–” CinemaScore, the lowest ever for an MCU title. Critics praised Anthony Mackie’s earnest portrayal of Sam Wilson and Harrison Ford’s gravitas as President Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk but lambasted the film’s “convoluted” plot and reliance on MCU homework, including ties to The Incredible Hulk (2008) and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

The story, which pits Wilson against geopolitical conspiracies involving the newly discovered metal Adamantium, attempts to channel The Winter Soldier’s political thriller vibe but falters with “underdeveloped villains” and a “fragmented narrative”. Critics noted its struggle to balance thematic ambition with Marvel’s trademark spectacle, leaving intriguing ideas, like the role of the US in global politics, underexplored.

Fan reactions: Divided loyalties

Audience reviews reflect a split. While some appreciated Mackie’s “humanity-first” Captain America and Ford’s scene-stealing turn as Red Hulk, others criticized the film’s lack of stakes and “empty” action sequences. The final showdown between Wilson and Red Hulk, which hinges on emotional persuasion rather than superpowered combat, polarized viewers for stretching believability.

On IMDb, fans lamented the film’s “messy” pacing and overstuffed cast, including wasted roles like Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder. One user quipped, “It’s not the worst MCU entry, but it’s a far cry from the glory days of Winter Soldier”.

How does it stack up against the MCU?

Brave New World ranks as the weakest entry in the Captain America series, trailing behind Evans-led classics like The Winter Soldier (2014) and Civil War (2016). While it avoids multiverse gimmicks, its attempt to blend espionage thrills with superhero action falls short, earning comparisons to “a Manchurian Candidate knockoff” with Hulk-adjacent lore.

That said, the film sets up future MCU threads, including Adamantium’s introduction (a nod to Wolverine) and Thunderbolt Ross’ incarceration, teeing up his potential mention in Thunderbolts*. For completionists, these breadcrumbs may justify a watch.

Should you watch it?

If you’re seeking a self-contained MCU story with minimal ties to the broader universe, Brave New World offers a serviceable, if flawed, experience. Mackie’s charismatic performance and Ford’s gruff charm provide highlights, though the film’s “disjointed” execution and lackluster CGI (critics called Red Hulk’s White House rampage “cartoonish”) may frustrate.

For casual viewers, it’s a middling Easter break diversion—better than Quantumania but far from Marvel’s peak. As Screen Rant argued, it’s “not the MCU’s worst, but a missed opportunity”. Die-hard fans, however, will want to tune in for its Phase 5 setup and Sam Wilson’s evolving legacy.

Verdict: Stream it for Mackie and Ford, but temper expectations. The shield’s legacy deserves sharper storytelling.

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