When it comes to films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is often regarded as one of the best. It is many people's favorite entry in the long-running franchise. Created by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon during WWII, the Nazi-punching and justice-seeking superhero was viewed as an embodiment of the perfect American soldier.

The Vibranium shield that usually rests on Captain America’s back became a symbol of national patriotism. When the Marvel Cinematic Universe first started to take shape, Captain America was naturally bound to make the jump from the comics into the world of film.

Updated April 5th, 2023: In honor of the film's nine-year anniversary, this article has been updated with additional details regarding what makes Captain America: The Winter Soldier such a great film.

Captain America: The First Avenger was a hit, but it was not until The Winter Soldier that the character rivaled Iron Man as one of the MCU's most popular heroes. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in particular, was a one-of-a-kind movie experience for MCU fans during its initial release that has only grown in estimation as the years have gone on. Steve Rogers became emblematic of what it truly meant to be a good person, becoming the heart and soul of the MCU. Here is why Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the best MCU movie of all time.

It Was a Tonal Departure From Previous MCU Movies

Chris Evans as Steve Rodgers and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a vast departure in tone. Updating the film from the pulp action adventure serial storytelling of the first film into the modern day was obvious, but The Winter Soldier also stood apart from the rest of the MCU. The year prior, Marvel Studios released Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, which was more heightened in fantasy thanks to The Avengers. Captain America: The Winter Soldier instead went for a paired-down approach.

Related: MCU: Best Moments That Prove Sam Wilson Will Be a Great Captain America

The Captain America sequel identified not only as a superhero film but challenged itself to tread into the new generic territory: the film wove elements of psychological and political thrillers like All The Presidents Men and Three Days of the Condor. This allowed for darker elements to be featured in the MCU, drawing heavily from the then-recent comics by writer Ed Brubaker.

These elements combined make a more intimate look at the humanity within the superhero. As much as The Winter Soldier provided expertly choreographed fight scenes and larger-than-life action set pieces, the movie took pleasure in the quieter, more human moments between its characters.

The shift in tone was much needed to give Captain America: The Winter Soldier the punch that left a lasting impact. The filmmaking formula in the MCU had struggled to break out of the box that it initially forced itself into, resulting in its films feeling too familiar to each other. This is still a criticism the franchise faces to this very day. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, however, permitted itself to take itself seriously and to foremost serve its character arcs.

Its Critique of Political Structures of Power Is Relevant (Then & Today)

Robert Redford in Captain America_ The Winter Soldier
Marvel Studios
Disney

Comics, since their conception, have largely served as a political vehicle. Indeed, the political backdrop of Captain America, both as a comic book character and a movie franchise, was fundamental to its narrative. After all, the character was first introduced as a form of anti-Nazi (and pro-America) propaganda in World War II from Timely Comics. Not only does Captain America: The Winter Soldier keenly keep in stride with these themes, but it also critiques them.

For modern audiences, the thematic resonance gestures towards the consequences of government officials overreaching in citizens' lives and uncovers the sometimes dark truth behind the intentions of elected government figures. The hoarding of S.H.I.E.L.D's most powerful weaponry and the incursion of spy organizations from Hydra strike similar notes to the most poignant of political thrillers, which, in turn, raises concerns over the handling of national security, whatever your allegiance may be.

The Insight Helicarriers that watch over the world from S.H.I.E.L.D's point of view is a direct nod to the constant surveillance that nations are kept under, effectively questioning the sacrifice of privacy for the sake of protection. The reflection of fear over national security and the distrust in government leaders is echoed throughout Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Despite its comics' pro-nationalistic origins, the movie was not afraid to raise questions about the validity and morality of the political structures of power that seek to govern and supposedly protect its citizens. It is a concept that still rings true today.

There is an argument to be made that the film's reveal of HYDRA being the real threat is a cop-out. Captain America fighting S.H.I.E.L.D. and having the organization be corrupt without HYDRA would have fit the more mature tone the film is going for, making for an ethical dilemma of Captain America questioning his country. The HYDRA reveal shows that S.H.I.E.L.D. is good, but HYDRA ruined it. Captain America is still fighting the same threat all these years later.

Yet two years after the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier there was a rise in nationalism and hate speech that swept all over the globe. Fascist regimes and tactics that many thought were a thing of the past began to rise back into prominence. Sadly what was once one of the more outlandish elements of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, like the Nazi's coming back, is now more relevant.

Steve Formed Long-Lasting Relationships That Were Founded On Love & Loyalty (Not Superheroic Duty)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Captain America: The Winter Soldier was fundamentally about Steve re-evaluating what he wants for himself in the modern world. Along the way, the movie tested his limits in more than just a physical sense; his morals, values, and ethics were questioned. In the end, love and loyalty — more than nationalistic duty — dictated his choices throughout Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Indeed, the movie took the time to prioritize character relationships. Steve's love and loyalty for Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) made it paramount that he spares him, despite him being the Winter Soldier. Steve decides to give up fighting Bucky because "he's with him 'til the end of the line." After the loss of time with Peggy (Hayley Atwell), Steve could not bear to lose someone he loved. Steve was able to see through the decades of destruction done to Barnes' psyche, his surrender during the final battle between the two is an act of selflessness. Steve Rogers's belief in Bucky breaks through the Winter Soldier programming. Bucky not only saves Steve but goes out on his own to find out who he is.

Rogers' distrust of Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and his moral beliefs pitted against Nick Fury's (Samuel L. Jackson) pragmaticism is not side barred by his loyalty to them. Instead, these personal challenges build on whether trust and loyalty are important to consider in heroism.

He knows that he's a man running out of time, determined to balance his relationships with those around him with his occupational obligations. The strain put on Rogers' moral fibers over knowing he could not trust Romanoff didn't heed him from saving her from the missile strike.

Even newcomer Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) earned Rogers' trust after the pair bonded over their time in the Armed Forces, which gave way to a commentary on how veterans are perceived through Western media. From there, Wilson sided with Rogers through conflict upon conflict, earning his trust and loyalty by the end of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Might Be the Most Important Movie Behind the Scenes

Captain America with his shield
Marvel Studios
Disney

Captain America: The Winter Soldier was the ninth MCU film released, and next to Iron Man and The Avengers might be one of the most important in studios history. This film laid the groundwork for many important elements in the MCU moving forward. Joe and Anthony Russo were certainly odd picks at the time due to their work on comedy series such as Community and Arrested Development. Yet their work on Captain America: The Winter Soldier impressed Marvel Studios and fans so much that they became one of the key architects of the MCU, directing Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Related: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Why It Was the Most Underrated MCU Phase 4 Project

The film also laid the groundwork for many elements in the MCU. The dismantling of S.H.I.E.L.D. became a major plot point on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the series drastically improved. The movie introduced Sam Wilson aka The Falcon, who has now taken over the mantle of Captain America and will lead Captain America: New World Order.

While Bucky Barnes was introduced in Captain America: The First Avenger, The Winter Soldier truly defined the character and has gone on to have one of the best arcs in the MCU and was even paired with Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He is now set to join Thunderbolts. The movie also introduced Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp), who was revealed to be The Power Broker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and seems to be a major villain for future projects.

Numerous elements introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier have paid off in the MCU. The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who stood up to Crossbones later returned for a fun cameo in Avengers: Age of Ultron. The ominous backstory behind Nick Fury's missing eye was paid off with a subversive joke in Captain Marvel. Even the song "It's Been A Long Time" which concluded Avengers: Endgame, was first established in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is so great it is still influencing the MCU.