The first wave of reviews for Captain America: Brave New World suggested a rocky start for Sam Wilson’s first solo adventure under the Cap mantle, and as more verdicts roll in, the overall consensus remains lukewarm at best.
The film debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a 47% score, and while additional reviews have nudged it up to 52%, it still remains dangerously close to being one of the lowest-rated Marvel Studios films ever—only Eternals (47%) and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (46%) have fared worse. Whether this reception will impact the film’s box office haul is unclear, though early projections indicate a possible $200 million global opening over the President’s Day weekend. Note that the Popcornmeter, the audience score, is at 79%, so there is a lot of good will from the public, as with anything, it’s best to judge for yourself.
What the Critics Are Saying
IGN wasn’t sold on the film, giving it a 5/10 and remarking, “Captain America: Brave New World feels neither brave, nor all that new. Recycling The Winter Soldier’s political thriller structure and even specific plot points is no way to set Sam Wilson apart from Steve Rogers on the big screen, but the actors are here to save the day.”
Pete Hammond of Deadline had a more positive take, saying, “Director Julius Onah Luce and a boatload of writers provide plenty of opportunity for Mackie to show his strengths, although Evans’ Steve Rogers is a tough act to follow. That fact is even alluded to at one point, but watching Mackie taking Sam Wilson into the big leagues is a game effort with room to grow.”
The Hollywood Reporter did not hold back its disappointment, stating, “Unfortunately, Captain America: Brave New World proves a lackluster Marvel entry that feels as if its complicated storyline has been painstakingly worked out without a shred of inspiration.”
Collider echoed this sentiment, arguing that the film “has more in common with Sony’s disastrous attempts to make its own Marvel movies than it does with the prior entries that turned the MCU into what it is today.”
UK critics were particularly harsh. The Daily Telegraph rated the movie 2 stars, writing, “It’s hard to imagine Brave New World rallying the Marvel fanbase, not least because it gives them so little to rally behind. It feels less like a film than something you make when you can’t think of one, but your deadline is looming regardless.”
Meanwhile, The Times awarded just 1 star, declaring, “The MCU has eaten itself into a bloated, constipated stupor. The possibility for clear and uncomplicated storytelling has been neutralized by the kind of relentless exposition that 34 previous movies and 11 MCU TV shows now, unfortunately, require.”
On a more positive note, Empire Magazine gave Brave New World 3 stars, stating, “Pacy and punchy, this is a promising first official outing for the new Captain America, even if some awkward and inconsistent moments hold it back from greatness.”
The Road Ahead for the MCU
Captain America: Brave New World follows Sam Wilson as he navigates political intrigue, international crises, and the legacy of his predecessor. Featuring a star-studded cast including Harrison Ford, Giancarlo Esposito, and Liv Tyler, the film aims to chart a new course for the MCU’s post-Endgame era. However, if these reviews are any indication, the franchise might need more than a new Captain America to reclaim its former glory.
