The Falcon and the Winter Soldier

After the events of Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson, who used to fly as the Falcon, and Bucky Barnes, known as the Winter Soldier, have to reckon with what comes next. Sam struggles with the symbolic weight of Steve Rogers' shield while Bucky wrestles with his violent past. When a string of new threats tied to a radical group and a controversial new government-backed Captain America forces them together, they travel across the globe chasing leads, clashing over methods, and learning to work as a team. The series keeps the action moving while testing loyalties, friendships, and how heroes fit into a changing world.

Created by Malcolm Spellman with roots in characters from Stan Lee and Ed Brubaker, the six-episode series premiered on Disney+ in 2021 as the next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on streaming.

The show stirred plenty of conversation about race, national symbols, and patriotism, especially around Sam taking on Captain America’s legacy. It inspired fan debates, social media discussion, cosplay, and renewed interest in related comic storylines.

Critics largely praised the leads, noting strong chemistry between Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, and highlighted the series' willingness to tackle political and personal themes like trauma, accountability, and legacy. Audiences gave it a solid average rating of about 7.6 out of 10, while some viewers and reviewers pointed to uneven pacing and tonal shifts across episodes.

The series attracted award attention in genre and technical categories, with particular notice for its stunt work, production design, and performances. While it wasn't an awards sweep, the show helped raise the profile of its cast and crew within television and comic-adjacent entertainment circles.