It goes without saying that Bucky Barnes is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most popular characters. Played by Sebastian Stan, Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes made his on-screen debut in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger and fans instantly fell in love with Steve Rogers' loyal, funny, and handsome (very handsome) best friend. When he returned from the dead in 2014 sequel The Winter Soldier (as the titular antagonist), he instantly became an MCU legend. There was no going back after that.
Although Bucky is widely recognized as the former Winter Soldier, the fact that his time with the franchise began in 2011's The First Avenger makes Stan one of the longest-standing actors in the Marvel Studios franchise. There are clearly no plans on that changing in the foreseeable future, as the character is set to return in this year's Thunderbolts*.
However, that's not the only 2025 story that Bucky is involved in, for the character has just accomplished something that few were expecting.
*** This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS from Captain America: Brave New World. Don't read on if you would prefer the movie wasn't spoiled for you. ***
Bucky Barnes has surpassed both Caps by appearing in all four Captain America movies
Were you one of the many people surprised to see Sebastian Stan appear as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: Brave New World? I know I was. Although there had been rumors that the former Winter Soldier might make a cameo, this is a Marvel movie and most rumors never pan out to be true. But this one did, as Bucky showed up at Walter Reed Medical Center to support his good friend Sam Wilson when Joaquin Torres was injured in battle.
That appearance was more revolutionary than we realized (and not jut because it teased his unexpected MCU future as a congressman!) as it saw the character "outlast", if you will, both of the men who have held the title of Captain America... in the Captain America movie franchise. With this appearance, Sebastian Stan becomes the only actor in the film series to appear in all four Captain America movies - a feat that quite literally no one expected him to accomplish since he wasn't expected to appear in this one.
Original Cap star Chris Evans played the Star-Spangled Man, Steve Rogers, in The First Avenger and reprised the role in both The Winter Soldier and 2016 sequel Captain America: Civil War. Meanwhile, Anthony Mackie made his debut as Sam Wilson in The Winter Soldier as the character became Steve's right-hand man (the Falcon) and reappeared in Civil War. As the character of Steve Rogers retired in Avengers: Endgame in 2019, he handed the shield to Sam, allowing him to step into the spotlight and take on the role of the MCU's central hero in Captain America: Brave New World.
Bucky, on the other hand, appeared in The First Avenger as Steve's best friend and fellow Howling Commando, returned as The Winter Soldier in the sequel, resurfaced as the reawakened (and framed) Bucky in Civil War, and now made a surprise appearance as the future congressman in the Brave New World cameo.
Having appeared in all four Captain America movies, Bucky now holds the record for the most appearances from an MCU character in that franchise, outlasting both of the characters to hold the mantle of Captain America. It's quite the feat, and it's one that neither Steve Rogers nor Sam Wilson will ever be able to achieve. Anthony Mackie did not appear in The First Avenger as it was set in the 1940s, and Chris Evans didn't appear in Brave New World, meaning that both have now missed one movie in the franchise each. Sebastian Stan, however, holds the record for having appeared in all four.
Even though Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson were Steve Rogers' best friends from different eras, they ended up becoming best friends themselves - even if it was reluctantly, at first. The chaotic duo worked together in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as they attempted to carry on and preserve Steve's legacy as Captain America, and now Bucky roots for Sam as the new Star-Spangled Man.
It's been quite the journey for Bucky throughout the course of the MCU movies and it isn't over yet, but this unexpected cameo appearance - and the new record Bucky holds because of it - just highlights how he is equally as important to the Captain America movie series as the two men to hold that title are. Good for you, Buck. Good for you!
Captain America: Brave New World is in theaters now.