Source: Marvel Studios / Captain America: Brave New World
Anthony Mackie’s theatrical run as Captain America is officially underway with the arrival of Brave New World, the latest flick from Marvel Studios. The movie has only been out since Friday, and it’s already one of the most polarizing films in the MCU.
Captain America: Brave New World is Sam Wilson’s first feature-length film as Captain America, following his finally accepting the responsibility of carrying the shield and taking on the mantle of the superhero in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The film soared into theaters with some hype, but the critics have been bashing it. It currently sits at a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 245 reviews, making it one of the most poorly reviewed films in the Marvel Studios slate. It’s only rated better than Marvel’s Eternals (47%) and Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (46%).
Despite the lackluster reviews, Brave New World is having a solid run at the box office. Friday/previews saw it bring in $40 million and $23 million on Saturday, soaring to a $90-96 million opening.
It also opened to $12 million in Thursday night previews, making it the second-highest preview opening in the Captain America film franchise.
Those numbers indicate that the critics’ negative reviews are not impacting ticket sales. The movie’s audience score is at a high 80% based on 5000+ verified user reactions.
Social Media Says The Critics Are C A P P I N G
Social media is even wondering what in the world is going on because Brave New World received a CinemaScore of B- which is hard to believe because that means the film is worse than Thor: The Dark World (which surprisingly got an A-), which some feel is one of the worst films in the MCU.
Sorry but you’re never gonna convince me that this movie is worse than Thor the Dark World, which got an A-
https://t.co/NnHIwfrzIK
— captain pike-a-chu
ᐰ #EatYourEnemies
(@CaptainPikeachu) February 15, 2025
Some also feel that race is once again playing into the film’s reception because Mackie is the lead, and a Black director, Julius Onah, also made it. This is similar to what happened with Nia DaCosta’s The Marvels, which failed to live up to Marvel Studios standards at the box office.
It’s really hard to give films genuine criticism these days because you’re on the same side as just pure racists pic.twitter.com/UrpWYaYbEq
— Joe (@hzjoe03) February 14, 2025
Then there was all the talk of reshoots and poor test screenings. In an interview with Brandon Davis for Phase Hero, Onah revealed to Davis they “did one period of additional photography which is the same on all of these movies.”
Captain America 4 director Julius Onah explains the film’s reshoot process and how the strikes impacted it.
“We only did one period of additional photography which is the same on all of these movies.”
Full interview available now! pic.twitter.com/mJBUUxBlin
— Phase Hero (@PhaseHero) February 14, 2025
If you click on the Captain America: Brave New World hashtag, it’s full of reactions saying the film is not as bad as critics are making it out to be and urging people to go see it for themselves before taking the critic’s word as gospel.
I keep seeing people give reviews about this movie being “Bad” and I saw it last night and enjoyed the movie. 7/10 for me
Don’t judge movies based on what others say, go for yourself and see how you like it on your own https://t.co/Av0L3Q6VIG
— Jazzy
(@_Jazzyguns) February 14, 2025
Something definitely is afoot.
In our review of the film, we wrote:
Brave New World is not on the level of Captain America: Winter Soldier or Civil War, but it’s a solid project from Marvel Studios that allows Mackie’s Sam Wilson to make a name for himself and not just be the guy forever known as Steve Rodger’s buddy not named Bucky.
We also interviewed Mackie in a wide-ranging interview leading up to the film’s release.
EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Mackie Is Ready To Lead The MCU Into A Brave New World
Again, give Black Cap a chance; we don’t think he will disappoint you. The gallery below shows more reactions to the suspicious hate.