Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes is one of the last-standing MCU OGs. Stan’s Bucky Barnes first appeared in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, the fifth film in Marvel’s line-up which now reaches 36. And even though his “I’m-with-you-until-the-end-of-the line” bestie Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers has long since departed from the MCU, 14 years later, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes continues to star in Marvel movies. From best friend to weapon to lost soul to maybe a leader in his own right, Bucky Barnes has had quite a journey in his long MCU career. In that time, he’s had many characterizations, many roles to play, and… most importantly, many haircuts.
Bucky’s signature hair has been the cause of much debate and discussion through his one and a half decades in Marvel projects. Is it better long? Short? Messy? Clean? Well, to help answer all questions related to Bucky’s hair once and for all, we present to you the definitive* ranking of Bucky’s MCU haircuts, in order from worst to best.
*Definitive here meaning conducted with the utmost science and vibes.
10. Bucky’s WORST Haircut: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s Unfortunate Short Hair
There were quite a few issues with the way Bucky’s story was handled in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but one of the Marvel TV series’ most significant sins was definitely giving Bucky a short haircut that no one asked for. By that point in the MCU, Bucky Barnes’ longer locks had become something of a signature look. And while there was definitely a valid story that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier could have told about Bucky reclaiming his own agency by changing the look that Hydra forced upon him, the show did NOT in fact tell that story at all. Instead, it felt much more like Bucky’s short haircut was an attempt to homogenize him, to make him look and seem more like the rest of the MCU’s masculine set of heroes.
But it turns out one can be a man, a hero, and in possession of long hair. The haircut made Bucky Barnes read more like Sebastian Stan than Bucky in the TV series, and it did not work at all. Ultimately, even Marvel had to admit it was not successful, and thankfully, Bucky’s short haircut was a one-hit wonder. Hopefully, it will never darken our doorstep again.
9. Bucky’s Thunderbolts* Mid-Length, Greasy Haircut Gave Triangle
We really wanted to love Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts* haircut. You know, to show our support for the return of a proper length of hair for Bucky. But alas, Bucky’s Thunderbolts* hairstyle did not do him any favors. We blame his senatorial publicist for this somehow. But Bucky Barnes’ haircut in his latest movie was by turns greasy, poofy, and kind of… triangular. We guess they just don’t pay public servants the big bucks… Or Bucky simply has no interest in taking care of his hair these days. Either way, it wasn’t great.
8. Bucky’s Captain America: Brave New World* Mid-Length Bob-Like Hair (But Clean!)
Bucky Barnes turned up in Captain America: Brave New World looking better than he did in most of Thunderbolts*. Bucky’s cameo haircut was still a little too short for our tastes; it kind of had that awkward air that suggested he was in the middle of growing out his hair. There was also a little bit of a bob energy to it, which we’re not sure is totally Bucky’s vibe. However, and this is rare for Bucky, it seemed pretty clean and very kempt, so we give him points for putting in the effort.
7. Bucky’s Thunderbolts* Post-Credits Scene Blowout
Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts* post-credits scene hair might not be good, but it is AMAZING. In it, we see Bucky in his new role as one of the “New Avengers” and to celebrate this position change, it looks like Bucky finally did get himself a stylist. Since we don’t yet have visuals, I would define Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts* haircut and style as “blown-out poodle” or “volume galore.” A blow dryer and possibly some large heated rollers were absolutely taken to Bucky’s mop. I literally cackled out loud in the theater when I saw it. Go off, Bucky.
6. Captain America: Civil War Bucky’s Post Winter Soldier Haircut Sometimes Hit and Sometimes Missed
Poor Bucky Barnes. In Captain America: Civil War, he was on his own for the first time in a century. And so, we forgive him for his haircut being a little touch and go, although we’ll call this look the turning point for Bucky haircuts we favor. We did love the length of it here, and at times it really worked. But at other points, it felt like Bucky had taken a straightening iron to it or something similar. Ultimately, Bucky Barnes’ haircut really worked in some Captain America: Civil War sequences, and in others, it really did not.
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Walk, Walk, Fashion Baby)
Did Hydra wash and cut the hair of their pet assassin? We will never know. But what we do know is that Bucky’s Winter Soldier hair was actually a very good look. Yes, it was messy. Yes, it did not in fact seem like it was brushed. But it worked for Bucky’s brainwashed, mad-dog energy in the movie and set off the character in exactly the right ways. Seeing the new vision of Bucky in full as he slow-mo flips his hair and turns to meet Steve’s horrified recognition truly sets the tone for what’s to come. If The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s haircut diminished Bucky’s characterization in the MCU, his The Winter Soldier haircut established it. And so we applaud its existence and mark it as good.
4. Captain America: The First Avenger Bucky’s Short ’40s Haircut
Listen, even though we do not want it back because it belonged to a DIFFERENT Bucky Barnes, Bucky’s ’40s haircut was a good look, and it worked for that version of Bucky. In the ’40s, Bucky was a self-assured, charming cad, and his haircut, both clean and more or less well-kept, helped support that vision. We love seeing him rock this ruffled hairstyle, and we love the juxtaposition of it against the vast transition he undergoes.
3. Avengers: Endgame Bucky’s Emo Hair of Sorrow and Sadness
I’ll drop the “we” because this is a personal opinion, but I, personally, hate to rank Avengers: Endgame as top three anything (except worst MCU movie). However, undeniably, in his five minutes of screen time in Endgame, Bucky’s haircut looked good. We guess sad puppy is Bucky’s truest form. In Avengers: Endgame, Bucky’s hair was a good length, a good style, and a good level of combed, and it had nice synergy with his beard, which was extra bushy. And all that, for what? So his boyfriend (best friend, whatever) could just leave him? That’s a big thumbs down from me. If Bucky is having a good hair day, I want to enjoy it. But, I guess, if Steve Rogers was going to just ditch, Bucky may as well have shown up looking his absolute best. Hope you think about that a lot, Old Steve.
2. Avengers: Infinity War Saying Hello to the Boyfriend Haircut and Shower
And that brings us to happier times. Even though Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers had almost NO scenes together in Avengers: Infinity War, Bucky made sure to blow out his hair (nicely, this time) in celebration of their reunion. Steve’s hair, we might add, was also looking immaculate. Everyone just had excellent hair in Avengers: Infinity War. But we digress. Earlier in Infinity War, Bucky looked a little worse for wear, which suggests he took special care with his hair for his main sequence. And when it was washed and brushed, it sure did look nice. Just look at it swooshing in the wind as Bucky prepares for battle.
1. Bucky’s BEST Haircut: God Tier Wakanda Bucky Glow-up Hair in Black Panther Post-Credits Scene
And so we have Bucky Barnes’ best haircut in the MCU—his god-tier look in the Black Panther post-credits scene. Clean hair, check. Perfect length, check. Man-bun, check. A couple tendrils loose in the front for fashion, check. Wow. We were ROBBED of seeing more of Bucky in this state because it is easily the best haircut Bucky Barnes has ever had at any time during his long Marvel life. I remember being thrilled to see this scene and delighted with Bucky’s hair evolution in it. But alas, it was not to be. Still, we celebrate this, Bucky Barnes’ best MCU haircut, with all the applause it deserves.
Bonus: What If…? Bucky Totally Rocks His Long and Short Haircuts!
Although What If…? is not technically in canon and also animated, we had to give it a shoutout here. Whether he’s appearing as ’40s Bucky or current MCU Bucky, whether he has his short haircut or long locks, the animators of What If…? did Bucky Barnes and his glorious hair total justice. MCU proper, take note!
Content shared from nerdist.com.