Anthony Mackie is one of the actors who can do just about everything: steal a scene in some small, character-driven indie; deliver pitch-perfect comedy; or suit up as a superhero in a billion-dollar franchise. And if your only exposure to him is through Sam Wilson-whether as the Falcon or as Captain America-you’ve only seen a fraction of what he’s capable of. His résumé is packed with range, charisma, and some criminally underrated performances. So let’s break down the top 10 Anthony Mackie movie roles, starting from number 10 and working our way to the career-defining turn that’s reshaped the superhero landscape.
10. We Are Marshall
Before joining the MCU, Mackie displayed some of his dramatic instincts in this affecting sports drama. As Nate Ruffin, a real Marshall University player, he lent quiet resolve and emotional weight to a community trying to process unimaginable loss. Mackie grounds the film with sincerity, proving early on that he could elevate a story with pure authenticity.
9. The Night Before
Yes, Mackie can definitely do comedy. Along with Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, he stars as an NFL star juggling fame, friendship, and some chaotic holiday hijinks. He has sharp comedic timing, his energy is infectious, and the dynamic between the three is what makes this Christmas comedy so rewatchable. Mackie’s willingness to get silly just adds to his charm.
8. Synchronic
But if you’re in the mood for something weird, atmospheric, and even, yes, emotional, this twisty sci-fi thriller does make for a perfect vehicle. As a paramedic uncovering the effects of a mysterious designer drug, Mackie carries the film with a performance that skillfully blends fear, compassion, and philosophical weight. It’s one of his standout leading roles-and proves he can hold an entire movie on his shoulders.
7. Pain & Gain
Michael Bay’s wild, chaotic true-crime comedy is a neon-soaked whirlwind, and Mackie fits right in. As Adrian Doorbal, a bodybuilder in way over his head, he manages to be both ridiculous and unexpectedly sympathetic. It’s a tricky mix, but he pulls it off, showing that his comedic instincts are just as sharp as his dramatic ones.
6. Brother to Brother
Before mainstream fame, Mackie made a name for himself in indie film with this intimate and powerful drama. He plays Perry, a young Black artist coming to terms with his identity and heritage through the lens of the Harlem Renaissance, in a performance full of vulnerability and nuance. The work he did here earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination-and it’s easy to see why.
5. Half Nelson
While going toe-to-toe with Gosling, Mackie makes what could have been a rather straightforward antagonist role multi-dimensional. He imbues the film with a sense of realism as Frank, a local drug dealer with some pretty complicated motivations himself. The story really leans into moral gray areas, and he’s really good at finding the humanity in those places.
4. Detroit
Kathryn Bigelow’s intense retelling of the 1967 Detroit uprising is relentless, and Mackie’s portrayal of Greene-a veteran swept up in real-life horrors-serves as one of the film’s emotional anchors. Gut-wrenching, honest, and pivotal to the story that investigates racism, brutality, and the human cost of injustice, his performance is urgent.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier & Civil War
It’s here that Sam Wilson really comes into his own. The charm, humor, and clarity with which Mackie imbued the role made him more than a supporting player; Sam became part of the heart of the MCU. These films let him showcase action, dramatic beats, and the deep bond between Sam and Steve, all while setting the foundation for his evolution into the next Captain America.
2. The Hurt Locker
One of Mackie’s most critically lauded roles, Sergeant J.T. Sanborn is the steadying, disciplined counterweight to Jeremy Renner’s reckless bomb tech. Mackie is taut with tension and fear, in a performance of understated strength that grounds the chaos of the movie’s war-zone setting. In an Oscar-winning movie full of intensity, Mackie stands out as one of its emotional pillars.
1. Captain America: Brave New World
This is a role that catapulted Mackie into a whole new stratosphere: the first on-screen Black Captain America, bringing depth and empathy to a character long defined by tradition. The film has undoubtedly spurred both discussion and celebration, along with debate-but undeniably, the importance of Mackie’s portrayal has been seen. He’s not just wearing the suit; he is redefining what Captain America means to a modern generation.
From tiny indie dramas to enormous superhero epics, Anthony Mackie always manages to prove he’s one of the most versatile and compelling talents in Hollywood. His career is a testament to range, grit, humor, and heart-and these performances are only the beginning.