The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›Captain America: Civil War
Entertainment • Film

Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War is a 2016 American superhero film based on Marvel Comics characters, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Captain America: Civil War is a 2016 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the third film in the Captain America series and a major crossover in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, focusing on a conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark over government oversight of the Avengers.

Plot premise

The film centres on the consequences of Avengers-related collateral damage and the resulting push for a system of accountability. That conflict drives a split between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark over whether the team should answer to a governing authority.

Production

Captain America: Civil War was directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. It was produced by Marvel Studios as part of the MCU.

Cast and characters

Chris Evans stars as Steve Rogers/Captain America and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The ensemble also includes other major Avengers characters, with the story dividing them into opposing factions.

Release and reception

The film was released in theatres on May 6, 2016. It became a major commercial success, earning $1.153 billion worldwide.

Key facts

  • The film follows a political dispute over accountability and oversight for the Avengers.
  • Steve Rogers leads one faction, while Tony Stark supports regulation and government oversight.
  • The story includes a split among major Avengers characters into opposing sides.
  • It was released in 2016 and is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
  • It grossed $1.153 billion worldwide.
🍁
Canadian context

The film was widely released in Canada as part of the global Marvel Cinematic Universe rollout and was a major box-office title for Canadian audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Captain America: Civil War about?
It is about a split among the Avengers after political pressure builds for government oversight and accountability following destructive missions.
Who directed Captain America: Civil War?
Anthony Russo and Joe Russo directed the film.
Who wrote Captain America: Civil War?
The screenplay was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.
When was Captain America: Civil War released?
It was released in theatres on May 6, 2016.
How long is Captain America: Civil War?
The running time is 147 minutes.

References

  1. Marvel.com — https://www.marvel.com/movies/captain-america-civil-war
    Supports: Official synopsis, directors, writers, runtime, release date, and plot premise.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/captain_america_civil_war
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, distributor, production company, and box office.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America:_Civil_War
    Supports: Basic plot premise and franchise context.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3498820/
    Supports: Runtime, rating, genre, and release year.