The parts that are hard to follow from the film alone, explained with a story summary, a character map and key terms.
Released
2016
Runtime
147 min
Set in
2016
Good to know before watchingNo spoilers
It builds on everything before it
The events of The Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron are the starting point.
Both sides have a point
Neither Tony nor Steve is simply the villain. Paying attention to each one's reasoning makes it richer.
Two new heroes
Black Panther (T'Challa) and Tom Holland's Spider-Man make their debuts.
There are scenes during and after the credits
Both lead into upcoming films.
Character mapSpoilers
Who's who in Captain America: Civil War (2016), with Steve Rogers and Tony Stark at the center. Steve's side is on the left, Tony's on the right, the mastermind below.
Because of copyright, we can't use stills, posters or any other images of the characters as they appear in the film. All face photos are freely licensed photos of the actors themselves (non-human characters are original illustrations made for this site; people without a photo are shown with initials).
Drag to move, pinch (or scroll on a computer) to zoom. Tap a person to read about them.
Face photos are freely licensed photos of the actors from Wikimedia Commons, cropped to a square and resized. Non-human characters are original illustrations made for this site, and people without a photo are shown with a placeholder (initials).
In 1991, Bucky, controlled by Hydra as the Winter Soldier, attacks a car and steals what's inside.
2. The Lagos incident
The Avengers stop a terrorist, but in the process, people are killed by an explosion that Wanda's powers misdirect.
3. The Sokovia Accords
With criticism pouring in, a framework is drawn up for U.N. oversight of the Avengers. Tony, who feels responsible for Sokovia, supports it. Steve refuses.
4. The Vienna bombing
The Accords signing is bombed and the king of Wakanda is killed. Bucky is shown as the bomber, and Prince T'Challa vows revenge.
5. Two teams
The Avengers split between Steve's side, protecting Bucky, and Tony's side, following the Accords to bring him in. Tony recruits a young Spider-Man.
6. The airport battle
At a German airport, the two teams clash. Steve and Bucky escape, but Rhodey is badly injured.
7. The real mastermind
The real bomber was Zemo. Tony learns Bucky is innocent and heads to Siberia, but there Zemo shows him footage revealing Bucky killed his parents.
8. A broken team
Tony and Steve fight bitterly, and Steve leaves his shield behind as he goes with Bucky. T'Challa captures Zemo. Steve breaks his friends out of prison and sends Tony a letter.
