Spoiler Alert: This list includes spoilers for multiple movies.If you’ve just seen Captain America: Brave New World and found yourself not getting enough of Sam Wilson’s Captain America being thrust into a world of political intrigue, you must be looking for more movies in the same vein. While the film blends Marvel spectacle with themes of corruption, trust, and power struggles, it’s part of a long tradition of thrillers that explore conspiracies and moral dilemmas on a grand scale.
We’ve rounded up ten movies that capture the same spirit as the latest Marvel film. They provide a fascinating look at conspiracies and governmental power plays that feel just as relevant today. Sharp-eyed audiences may identify some elements from these movies that served as inspiration for Anthony Mackie‘s first big-screen outing as an MCU leading man.
10
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), now adjusting to modern life, finds himself in a web of conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. when an assassin known as the Winter Soldier targets him. Joined by Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) and Sam Wilson (Mackie), Rogers uncovers a sinister plot orchestrated by HYDRA, hidden within S.H.I.E.L.D. itself, as well as the truth that the Winter Soldier is his childhood friend, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan).
Chances are, if you’re watching the new Sam Wilson adventure, you must have seen this film. This film is practically the blueprint for Captain America: Brave New World, and it remains a high point in the MCU, balancing political intrigue with thrilling action sequences. The introduction of Steve and Sam’s partnership mirrors the dynamic between Sam and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) in the new film. Much like Brave New World, it dives into the murky waters of corruption and conspiracy. Where Sam Wilson grapples with taking on Steve’s mantle in Brave New World, The Winter Soldier explores Steve questioning his faith in seemingly trusted institutions and his role as a soldier.
9
‘Enemy of the State’ (1998)
Directed by Tony Scott
Directed by Tony Scott, Enemy of the State follows Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith), a lawyer who unwittingly becomes entangled in a deadly government conspiracy. After a whistleblower slips him evidence of a political assassination orchestrated by a corrupt NSA official, Dean’s life is threatened. Dean is forced to team up with a reclusive ex-intelligence operative (Gene Hackman) to expose the truth and clear his name.
An underrated spy film, Enemy of the State revolves around themes of surveillance, political corruption, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding government power, similar to Brave New World. Both films depict protagonists who must navigate webs of deceit and betrayal to expose dangerous truths while dealing with their personal vulnerabilities. With its sharp commentary on surveillance culture and an intense sense of paranoia, Enemy of the State resonates as a cautionary tale about the cost of transparency and accountability—qualities that echo the political elements of the new Marvel film.
8
‘Watchmen’ (2009)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Set in an alternate 1985 where the tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union escalate toward nuclear war, Watchmen follows a group of retired vigilantes as they uncover a sinister conspiracy when one of their own, The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), is murdered. The masked vigilante Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) begins investigating, uncovering secrets that implicate powerful figures like the rich and resourceful Ozymandias (Matthew Goode) and the literal superhuman Doctor Manhattan (Billy Crudup).
Captain America: Brave New World shares Watchmen‘s fascination with moral ambiguity and politically charged stakes, which was directly inspired by the political climate during the Cold War when the graphic novel was released. Both movies show how fragile peace between nations is. It takes a global catastrophe to unite the nations in Watchmen, while it takes a single misstep to turn the US and Japan to war in Brave New World. While the Zack Snyder-directed film leans into a more cynical and deconstructive take on heroism, the new Marvel adventure uses its setting to make Sam Wilson settle into his new role as a leader.
7
‘Salt’ (2010)
Directed by Phillip Noyce
Salt follows the titular Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), a CIA operative whose loyalty is thrown into question when a Russian defector accuses her of being a sleeper agent with a plan to assassinate the U.S. president. Forced to go on the run, Salt evades capture while trying to save her innocent husband and unraveling a web of conspiracies that links her to a covert Russian operation.
With its themes of shifting alliances and a protagonist caught in the crosshairs of political manipulation, Salt is perfect to watch if you like Captain America: Brave New World. In this underrated spy film, Evelyn Salt’s journey mirrors both Sam Wilson and Isaiah Bradley’s (Carl Lumbly) arc in the Marvel film. The difference is, Salt takes everything into her own hands, clearing her name and uncovering the true masterminds of the plot. Both stories explore the weight of duty and personal sacrifice in a world rife with corruption, making Salt a thrilling companion to Captain America’s latest chapter.
Salt
- Release Date
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July 23, 2010
- Runtime
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100 Minutes
6
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight follows Batman (Christian Bale) as he faces his nemesis: the anarchic Joker (Heath Ledger), who wreaks havoc all across Gotham City. Together with District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) and Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), Batman cleans up the city from mobsters, but the Joker continues his terror, testing the heroes’ moral limits, which culminates in Dent’s tragic transformation.
The Dark Knight thrived on its exploration of gritty moral dilemmas within a political framework, which is a theme that Captain America: Brave New World tried to emulate. Both films center on heroes navigating crises that challenge their values and leadership. Bruce Wayne and Sam Wilson find themselves caught in manipulation and have to balance personal responsibility with the broader stakes. Additionally, both films show how powerful, bold characters can be corrupted given enough pressure, with Harvey Dent paralleling the struggles of President Ross (Harrison Ford). They also show how those characters take accountability into their own hands, albeit with different methods.
5
‘The Sum of All Fears’ (2002)
Directed by Phil Alden Robinson
In The Sum of All Fears, CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) uncovers evidence of a sinister plot that threatens to push the United States and Russia to the brink of war. Working directly under CIA Director William Cabot (Morgan Freeman), Ryan races against time to piece together the clues and expose the true perpetrators behind the rising conflict before a catastrophe hits home.
Much like Captain America: Brave New World, The Sum of All Fears explores the fragility of international relations and the devastating consequences of miscommunication and manipulation. Both films feature protagonists caught in the middle of global political machinations, forced to act quickly to prevent a full-scale disaster. Jack Ryan’s role as a sharp but initially underestimated figure mirrors Sam Wilson’s rise as Captain America, who has to fill Steve Rogers’ big shoes. With its grounded tone and exploration of political distrust, The Sum of All Fears offers an intense, politically charged story that audiences might crave after the latest MCU entry.
4
‘Syriana’ (2005)
Directed by Stephen Gaghan
Syriana follows intersecting stories surrounding the world of global oil politics. From a veteran CIA operative (George Clooney) uncovering dangerous secrets, to an ambitious lawyer (Jeffrey Wright) navigating a corporate merger, an energy analyst’s (Matt Damon) business deal with an Emir, and a young Pakistani worker drawn into terrorism, the film explores how ambition and international greed collide in the pursuit of energy dominance.
Much like Captain America: Brave New World‘s focus on the newly discovered adamantium and the global tensions it sparks, Syriana delves into the lengths nations, corporations, and individuals will go in order to secure dominance over a valuable resource. Both films explore how resource control becomes a catalyst for geopolitical conflict. In Syriana, the shadowy dealings and ruthless power plays surrounding oil display a high level of intrigue and complexity compared to the conflict for adamantium in Brave New World. If the political play for control of Celestial Island interests you, Syriana offers a real-world example.
Syriana
- Release Date
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November 23, 2005
- Runtime
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128 Minutes
3
‘The Manchurian Candidate’ (2004)
Directed by Jonathan Demme
In The Manchurian Candidate, Ben Marco (Denzel Washington), a Gulf War veteran, begins to suspect that his former platoon mate Raymond Shaw (Liev Schreiber)—now a congressman and vice-presidential candidate—has been brainwashed as part of a sinister corporate and political conspiracy. As Marco digs deeper, he discovers a web of psychological manipulation and shady power plays from a mysterious corporation known as Manchurian Global.
Much like Brave New World, this remake of the 1962 classic dives into the themes of political corruption and the manipulation of public figures. Samuel Sterns’ (Tim Blake Nelson) use of mind control to create chaos mirrors the corporate-backed programming of Raymond Shaw, and both films ask how far those in power will go to maintain control. While the MCU is obliged to have superhero action, The Manchurian Candidate maintains a haunting tone to examine the personal cost of betrayal and political plays. This and the original film are must-watch movies for those interested in this aspect.
The Manchurian Candidate
- Release Date
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July 30, 2004
- Runtime
-
129 Minutes
2
‘The Bourne Ultimatum’ (2007)
Directed by Paul Greengrass
In The Bourne Ultimatum, Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne, the rogue CIA operative trying to put the final pieces to his shattered memory. In a globe-trotting chase across London and Tangier, he evades relentless pursuit from the CIA as he uncovers the secrets of Operation Treadstone and its successor, Blackbriar. He will stop at nothing to find out who created him and turned him into a killing machine.
The Bourne Ultimatum is akin to a grounded superhero film as Jason Bourne deploys his ability and instinct to survive and fight any assets the CIA unleashes on him. Much like Sam Wilson, Bourne doesn’t have any superpowers. Wilson’s wings and shield are simply tools to help him assume his role. Both protagonists face secrets that are bigger than themselves. Bourne has to deal with an institution-wide conspiracy at the CIA, while Wilson has to unearth the consequences of President Ross’ actions that put him in control. If the shadowy conspiracies and personal stakes in Brave New World captivate you, The Bourne Ultimatum delivers a higher dose of espionage and action.
The Bourne Ultimatum
- Release Date
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August 3, 2007
- Runtime
-
115 minutes
1
‘Air Force One’ (1997)
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
In Air Force One, Harrison Ford stars as U.S. President James Marshall, a former soldier turned commander-in-chief who must protect his family, staff, and the nation when Russian terrorists hijack his plane. Refusing to leave the plane, Marshall takes matters into his own hands, facing off against the terrorists led by the ruthless Korshunov (Gary Oldman). Ford’s first tenure as a cinematic president was both a critical and commercial success during its release.
President Marshall draws some parallels to his role as President Ross in Captain America: Brave New World. In both films, Ford commands attention as a leader facing intense pressure, though the roles put them in different situations. In Air Force One, Marshall embodies the action-hero archetype, perfect to show America’s strength in the 1990s. Meanwhile, Ross tries to carefully navigate modern politics by ensuring successful cooperation between countries, although his questionable methods ultimately turn him into the Red Hulk. If you like seeing Harrison Ford as the commander in chief, Air Force One is definitely your next watch.
Air Force One
- Release Date
-
July 25, 1997
- Runtime
-
124 minutes
