Overview
It is 1942, America has entered World War II, and sickly but determined Steve Rogers is frustrated at being rejected yet again for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erskine recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Transformed into the super-soldier Captain America, Steve must stop the Red Skull and HYDRA from using the Tesseract to dominate the world.
Box Office Breakdown
Massive hit — earned back its budget multiple times over.
Top Stars
The Heart of the MCU
Captain America: The First Avenger is unique among MCU origin stories because it's also a period piece. Set during World War II, the film tells the story of Steve Rogers — a man too small and too sick to fight, but with a heart too big to quit. Director Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer) brought a retro adventure serial quality to the film that perfectly captured the character's old-fashioned heroism.
The Legacy
- Defined the MCU's Moral Center — Chris Evans' Steve Rogers became the conscience of the Avengers
- Introduced the Tesseract — The Space Stone that drives the plot of The Avengers
- Created Peggy Carter — Hayley Atwell's character became so popular she got her own TV series
- Set Up the Winter Soldier — Bucky's "death" paid off spectacularly in the 2014 sequel
- The Frozen Ending — Steve's sacrifice and 70-year sleep became one of the MCU's most emotional moments
Fun Facts
- Chris Evans initially turned down the role multiple times due to anxiety about long-term contracts
- The skinny Steve Rogers effect used a combination of CGI, a body double, and Chris Evans' actual face
- Tommy Lee Jones ad-libbed many of his best lines, including the steak dinner scene
- The Howling Commandos are based on actual Marvel Comics characters from the 1960s
- The film's final scene was shot first — Evans' confused awakening in modern Times Square
Viewing Context
Captain America: The First Avenger is the fifth film in the MCU by release order, though chronologically it takes place first (1942-1945). Its ending directly connects to The Avengers, with Steve Rogers waking up in the present day. The Tesseract introduced here becomes the central MacGuffin of the next film.
Card Collector's Corner
Captain America Cards: The First Avenger in Your Collection
Captain America: The First Avenger introduced Steve Rogers to the MCU and launched one of the most enduring characters in the franchise. Chris Evans would go on to define the role across 11 MCU appearances, making early Captain America cards some of the most valuable in the hobby.
Key Sets
The 2011 Upper Deck Captain America movie card set was released alongside the film. It features autographs from Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, and other cast members. The set also includes costume cards and sketch cards that remain popular.
Market Trends
Chris Evans autograph cards from early MCU sets have appreciated dramatically. His limited signing history (Evans is notoriously selective about autograph appearances) makes authenticated cards particularly scarce. Hayley Atwell cards have also risen in value due to the Agent Carter series and her continued MCU appearances. Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes cards are sleeper picks given the character's massive role in later films.
Key Cards to Collect
- 2011 Upper Deck Captain America Autograph (Chris Evans) — First Cap movie auto, extremely rare ($3,000+)
- 2011 Upper Deck Captain America Autograph (Hayley Atwell) — Peggy Carter's debut, highly collectible ($800+)
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes Auto — Sleeper pick given Winter Soldier's later importance ($1,200+)
- Hugo Weaving as Red Skull Costume Card — Screen-worn memorabilia from the villain
- 2011 Upper Deck Captain America Sketch Cards — Original 1/1 WWII-themed artwork
- 2014 Upper Deck Captain America: Winter Soldier Set — The sequel set with higher production values
Kids & Family Favorites
Who's the Fan Favorite?
Captain America: The First Avenger introduced characters that kids absolutely love. From action figures to Halloween costumes, these characters drive massive merchandise sales every year.
Product recommendations coming soon — follow us for updates when our merch picks go live.
