A character of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with some real staying power, Bucky Barnes has been part of the Marvel world since Phase One, and has had an incredible arc since his earliest appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Thanks to his longstanding relationships with characters like Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, as well as a beloved performance from actor Sebastian Stan, Bucky has continually proven himself to be a fan-favorite character — but some of his movie and television appearances have had more influence on his story than others. These appearances are ranked not only by this impact but also by Bucky’s prominence within the narrative. His brief appearance in Ant-Man‘s credit scene is not included here, as it was later incorporated into Captain America: Civil War.
What If…?
Two alternate versions of Bucky appear in Disney+’s animated series What If…?, one in the 1940s alongside Captain Carter, and a second during the zombie outbreak episode.
Among some of the unpopular opinions about What If…? on Reddit is the feeling that the Captain Carter episode of the show is one of its weakest, because it mainly retells an established MCU story rather than branching off somewhere new. Consequently, Bucky’s part in the episode has a minimal effect on his character, and though this iteration of the soldier cracks a few more jokes, he is largely unchanged from the main timeline.
Avengers: Endgame
After Avengers: Infinity War left Bucky a victim of the Blip, his storyline in Avengers: Endgame was small, and secondary to the original Avengers teams’.
Though he was seen fighting alongside Rocket in the final battle against Thanos, it wasn’t until the movie’s concluding scenes that Bucky had any real personal moments. His goodbye to Steve was divisive among fans who felt it lacked emotional impact, and though this was expanded upon in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the Endgame scene alone was disappointing. On the plus side, though, they did share a few moments, which hinted at the friendship goals Bucky and Steve would become.
Black Panther
Although he only appears in Black Panther‘s post-credits scene, the revelation that Bucky is going through recovery in Wakanda is an essential part of his saga.
After the events of Captain America: Civil War exposed the brainwashing still in his system, Bucky was last seen entering cryogenic sleep in Wakanda until a cure could be made or found, and this credits scene updated audiences on his progress, setting up his return in Infinity War.
Avengers: Infinity War
Given that Infinity War acted as the culmination of the MCU’s story so far, bringing together heroes from disparate areas of the universe to tell a single story, it was necessary that many figures would only have a small role in the movie, and though Bucky was one of them, his scenes were still illuminating.
Infinity War showed the progression of Bucky’s recovery, as he’d taken to working as a farmer in Wakanda to help settle his healing mind. Called to fight once again and gifted a new vibranium arm by T’Challa, Bucky was finally reunited with Steve before the fight against Thanos and his troops broke out.
The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Picking up Bucky’s narrative after the events of Endgame, and having been pardoned for crimes he committed under Hydra’s mind control, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw Bucky (and Sam) dealing with Captain America’s legacy and their own identities.
Given that the format of this story was a show rather than a movie, there was time for a much-needed exploration of Bucky’s emotional state after the repetitive traumas he’d endured since the 1940s, crucial for the character to be able to move forward. The series also developed Sam and Bucky’s dynamic, unified as they were by their shared experiences and Steve’s absence.
Captain America: Civil War
The third Captain America solo movie paralleled its first two installments in that it showed important milestones in Steve and Bucky’s relationship, proving the lengths the pair would go to to protect one another, even in a story with a much larger cast.
Above all else, Civil War was a vital part of Bucky’s history because it detailed how Hydra manipulated his mind and brainwashed him, leaving him in a vulnerable state which Zemo later took advantage of. It also established that the Winter Soldier project extended beyond Bucky, providing insight into Hydra’s larger machinations.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger is where it all started for Bucky Barnes, and the 2011 movie gave viewers a glimpse into his life alongside Steve prior to and during World War II.
The First Avenger showed Bucky as a charismatic and capable young man who excelled in his army training, and his connection to Steve was evident from their first scene together. Even taking into account everything Bucky has been through since his MCU debut, this movie retains its importance, providing the character with a layered and compelling starting point, later vital for motivating Captain America.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
As Steve finds himself struggling to adjust to the 21st century in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he’s confronted with a face from his past in the reappearance of Bucky, but the soldier initially has no recollection of who he is.
The Winter Soldier not only proved how dangerous Bucky became under Hydra’s control, but showed instances of him fighting against his programming, contrasting his past with his present in interesting and effective ways and displaying his depth of character. Furthermore, this movie tested Steve and Bucky’s lifelong bond, demonstrating that even decades apart and Hydra’s brainwashing couldn’t sever their unbreakable connection.
