Who Sam Wilson is
Sam is a former Air Force pararescue airman who now counsels veterans. Steve Rogers meets him on a morning run, and the two bond over what it is like to come home from war. When Steve needs help, Sam joins him, using a winged flight harness from his military days. That is Falcon.
He is the MCU's most grounded hero: no serum, no genius billions, just skill, courage and a strong moral compass. The bio line about him inheriting the shield from Steve is the arc of his whole story, and it takes many films to earn it.
Sam Wilson's titles in order
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (essential)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (essential)
- Ant-Man (recommended)
- Captain America: Civil War (essential)
- Avengers: Infinity War (essential)
- Avengers: Endgame (essential)
- What If...? (series, optional): an alternate-universe animated appearance
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (series, recommended)
- Captain America: Brave New World (recommended)
- Avengers: Doomsday (upcoming)
- Avengers: Secret Wars (upcoming)
His part in Age of Ultron is small, and Ant-Man features him in one memorable fight. Avengers: Doomsday has not been released yet, and Mackie is part of its announced cast; plot details have not been revealed. Secret Wars appears on our timeline too, with no story details announced.
Turning points, spoiler-light
It is The Winter Soldier that makes him Steve's partner. Civil War tests that loyalty when the Avengers split over government oversight. At the end of Endgame, Steve passes the shield to Sam, and that one moment drives everything after it.
On Disney+, Sam finally becomes the lead. He struggles with whether a Black man should carry a symbol of a country that has not always treated people like him fairly, and the show takes that question seriously. Brave New World then shows him in the role, figuring out what kind of Captain America he wants to be.
His closest allies
Steve Rogers is his mentor and friend. Bucky Barnes starts as a rival for Steve's attention and becomes a grudging, funny partner in the series. Natasha Romanoff fights beside him from The Winter Soldier onward, and Tony Stark is on the other side during the Civil War split.
About the actor: Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie gives Sam an easy humor and warmth that makes him instantly likable, then lets the weight of the shield show in quieter scenes. His chemistry with Chris Evans and later Sebastian Stan is a big part of the character's appeal. Beyond Marvel, Mackie is known for The Hurt Locker, 8 Mile, the sci-fi series Altered Carbon and Twisted Metal.
How to watch Sam's journey
For the essential path, watch The Winter Soldier, Civil War, Infinity War and Endgame, followed by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Brave New World. Add Age of Ultron and Ant-Man for completeness; they are short appearances but fun. More heroes are in our MCU character list.