One of the things that fans love most about the MCU is how relatable the characters are. These movies let you see both the positive and negative sides of favorite superheroes, and fans get to feel the triumphs and heartbreaks. Captain America is one of the most popular characters in the franchise, and he has had many ups and downs throughout his arc in the MCU. While some of his biggest moments have been heartbreaking, he’s had some heartwarming ones as well.
We’ve collected a list of Steve Roger’s most heartwarming moments throughout his MCU journey.
WHEN HE BONDED WITH SPIDER-MAN OVER BEING FROM NYC
Although Steve Rogers and Peter Parker first meet in the MCU during a battle where they are on opposite sides, they still have an adorable moment. While Spider-Man might have been on Team Iron Man in Captain America: Civil War, it’s clear that Peter looks up to Steve, too.
Steve also respects Peter Parker’s skills and asks him where he is from. When Parker replies with “Queens,” Steve is clearly pleased to have met another New Yorker here.
WHEN HE KISSED PEGGY
In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve and Peggy first meet and get to know each other. Sadly, their relationship isn’t allowed to progress much after this movie as Steve goes under the ice, but the moments they do have together are super cute.
When Steve and Peggy have their first kiss while in a moving car, it’s definitely a great cinematic moment as well as a romantic one. Even though they didn’t know each other long, it’s clear they respected and cared about each other a lot.
SAYING GOODBYE WHEN BUCKY WENT TO WAR
The relationship between Bucky and Steve is a central one to the Captain America arc in the MCU. In Captain America: The First Avenger, fans get to see some of this dynamic and how for many years it was Bucky who was looking out for Steve and protecting him from bullies. Steve spends much of his time trying to get into the war but his health won’t allow him to.
When Bucky is called overseas, it’s clear that Steve is both worried about him and also frustrated he can’t be a part of things. When they say goodbye at the World’s Fair, the interaction shows their deep friendship as well as how they like to give each other crap.
“ON YOUR LEFT”
One of the other important relationships in Steve Roger’s life is with his good friend Sam Wilson. When the two meet in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, their first interaction is both cute and hilarious. Both of them are running around the National Mall in Washington D.C., and Steve, with his super abilities, is able to outrun Sam to a large degree.
This statement that he says during the first meeting is also repeated at the end of the film when Sam is waiting next to Steve’s hospital bed.
“I UNDERSTOOD THAT REFERENCE.”
After Steve Rogers goes under the ice, he isn’t found until the 21 century. Adjusting to life is difficult for him as a man out of time, and he struggles to find his place in the Avengers at first.
When Tony, Thor, Steve, etc, are all talking in the helicarrier in the first Avengers film, Steve clearly feels out of place. However, this funny line that he says quite earnestly is pretty cute.
SEEING PEGGY IN HER OLD AGE
This moment is heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. When Peggy sees Steve again, she is an old woman, and he is still young given he was preserved in ice. Clearly, it pains both of them to meet again like this, but they still have a lot of love for each other.
Peggy encourages Steve to make a life for himself, and Steve is proud of Peggy and all of her accomplishments over her lifetime. This exchange is definitely bittersweet.
GIVING SAM THE SHIELD
In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers chooses to go back in time to be with Peggy. When he makes it back to the present as an old man, he returns to the spot where he left Sam and Bucky.
He gives Sam Wilson the Captain America shield. It’s apparent that Sam is both confused, amazed, and honored to take up this mantle. Clearly, Steve knew that Sam would take up the job with ion and honor.
"TIL THE END OF THE LINE"
This isn’t so much of one moment as a recurring theme. This quote is something that Steve and Bucky would say to each other when they were young in Brooklyn before the war. Then, it’s this quote that helps Bucky fight against his HYDRA brainwashing to recognize Steve somewhat and save him from the water.
Clearly, the connection between these two is very strong, and this quote is something that many fans have latched onto.
SAYING HE TRUSTED TONY IN ENDGAME
The relationship between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark in the MCU has been a fraught one. At times they’ve been close allies, while other times they’ve been nearly enemies.
After the events in Captain America: Civil War, the two had nothing to do with each other for a while. When they finally work together after the five-year time jump in Endgame, it’s heartwarming to see them both forgive each other and agree to trust each other again.
REUNITING WITH BUCKY IN WAKANDA
While some fans weren’t happy with how the relationship between Steve and Bucky was resolved in the films, there’s no denying that these two were happy to see each other in Wakanda when Steve returned in Avengers: Infinity War.
The smiles on their faces and gentle quipping between the two makes this clear. At least these two got this one happy moment.
