Sebastian Stan is a Romanian-American actor whose film career has developed across independent dramas, thrillers, comedies, action films, and major superhero franchises. After early screen appearances in the 1990s and 2000s, he became widely recognized for playing James “Bucky” Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His work outside Marvel has also demonstrated considerable range, including acclaimed performances in I, Tonya, The Devil All the Time, Fresh, A Different Man, and The Apprentice. Stan has regularly moved between large studio productions and more character-driven independent films, allowing him to explore very different kinds of roles. His performance as Donald Trump in The Apprentice and his dual work in A Different Man further established him as an actor capable of leading challenging dramatic material. This complete guide to Sebastian Stan movies by year covers his released feature-film appearances chronologically, including notable cameos and other non-standard movie roles.
1994 — 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance
Sebastian Stan’s earliest credited film appearance came as a child in Michael Haneke’s 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance, a 1994 Austrian drama. Stan appears as a kid in a subway sequence in the fragmented film, which examines several interconnected lives before a violent event. The movie is an early example of the European art-house cinema that preceded Stan’s later Hollywood career. Although his appearance is very small, it represents his earliest known feature-film work.
2004 — Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding
Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding marked Sebastian Stan’s return to feature films after his childhood appearance. He played Johnny Nunzio in the comedy, directed by Roger Paradiso and based on the interactive stage production of the same name. The film follows an Italian-American wedding that spirals into family disagreements, romantic complications, and comic chaos. It was one of Stan’s earliest professional movie roles and helped establish his presence in American independent cinema.
2005 — Red Doors
In 2005, Stan appeared in the family drama Red Doors as Simon. Directed by Georgia Lee, the film follows the lives and relationships of a Chinese-American family in suburban New York. Stan’s role was part of an ensemble story centered on family expectations, romance, and generational differences. The film was another early independent production that allowed him to build experience before moving into larger studio projects.
2006 — The Architect
Stan played Martin Waters in Matt Tauber’s The Architect, a drama focused on an architect and the residents of a housing project who become caught up in a conflict over redevelopment. The film starred Anthony LaPaglia, Isabella Rossellini, and Hayden Panettiere alongside Stan. His role was relatively small but placed him in a serious ensemble drama dealing with social and personal tensions. The Architect was one of the first films Stan made after completing his acting studies at Rutgers University.
2006 — The Covenant
Later in 2006, Stan took on a much more prominent role in Renny Harlin’s supernatural thriller The Covenant. He played Chase Collins, one of a group of young men descended from families possessing supernatural powers. The film combined teen drama, horror, fantasy, and action, with Stan appearing alongside Steven Strait, Taylor Kitsch, Chace Crawford, and Toby Hemingway. The Covenant gave Stan greater exposure with a mainstream young-adult audience before his career expanded into television and major films.
2007 — The Education of Charlie Banks
Stan played Leo Reilly in Fred Durst’s directorial debut The Education of Charlie Banks. The coming-of-age drama centers on a college student whose past connection to a troubled older man continues to affect his life. Jesse Eisenberg, Jason Ritter, and Chris Marquette led the cast, with Stan playing an important supporting character. The film represented another move toward character-focused drama during the early stage of Stan’s career.
2008 — Rachel Getting Married
Jonathan Demme directed Rachel Getting Married, an acclaimed family drama starring Anne Hathaway, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Debra Winger. Stan played Walter, appearing as part of the extended group surrounding the wedding at the center of the story. The film explores addiction, family resentment, reconciliation, and the emotional pressures surrounding a wedding celebration. Its ensemble-driven style gave Stan an opportunity to work in a highly regarded dramatic production.
2009 — Spread
In David Mackenzie’s comedy-drama Spread, Stan played Harry, appearing alongside Ashton Kutcher and Anne Heche. The film follows a charismatic young man who lives a carefree lifestyle in Los Angeles before his relationships and circumstances become increasingly complicated. Stan’s role is part of the supporting ensemble surrounding the film’s central character. Spread was one of his early appearances in a contemporary Hollywood comedy-drama before he moved into more varied genres.
2010 — Hot Tub Time Machine
Stan joined the cast of Hot Tub Time Machine as Blaine, a character connected to the film’s comic time-travel storyline. Directed by Steve Pink, the science-fiction comedy stars John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, and Clark Duke as friends who accidentally travel back to the 1980s. Stan’s role places him within the film’s deliberately exaggerated world of retro comedy and outrageous situations. The movie became a recognizable studio comedy and gave Stan another opportunity to work outside serious drama.
2010 — Black Swan
Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller Black Swan featured Stan as Andrew, also referred to as the Suitor. Natalie Portman stars as ballet dancer Nina Sayers, whose pursuit of perfection becomes increasingly disturbing as she prepares for a production of Swan Lake. Stan’s role is small but memorable within the film’s intense and psychologically charged environment. Black Swan became one of the most acclaimed films of the year and earned Portman the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2011 — Captain America: The First Avenger
Stan’s career changed dramatically with Captain America: The First Avenger, in which he played James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes. Directed by Joe Johnston, the Marvel superhero film stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, with Stan portraying Rogers’ childhood friend and wartime companion. Bucky’s apparent death and later transformation into the Winter Soldier became an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s larger story. The role eventually became Stan’s signature film character and led to appearances across multiple Marvel movies.
2012 — Gone
Stan appeared opposite Amanda Seyfried in the psychological thriller Gone, directed by Heitor Dhalia. He played Billy, a character connected to the disappearance at the center of the story. The film follows a woman who believes her sister has been kidnapped and becomes convinced that the same person who abducted her may have returned. Gone allowed Stan to take on a darker contemporary thriller following his breakout as Bucky Barnes.
2012 — The Apparition
In the supernatural horror film The Apparition, Stan played Ben, one of several young people who become involved in an experiment intended to prove the existence of paranormal phenomena. Todd Lincoln directed the film, which also starred Ashley Greene and Tom Felton. The story blends supernatural horror with psychological tension as the experiment unleashes a dangerous entity. It was one of Stan’s more prominent horror roles before his Marvel career became increasingly dominant.
2014 — Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Stan returned as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The film revealed that Bucky had survived and had been transformed into the Winter Soldier, a highly trained assassin controlled by HYDRA. Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, and Samuel L. Jackson led the ensemble cast. The movie was a major turning point for Stan’s character, transforming Bucky from a supporting figure into one of the MCU’s most important recurring characters.
2015 — Ant-Man
Stan made an uncredited appearance as Bucky Barnes in Ant-Man. Directed by Peyton Reed, the superhero comedy stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and features Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly in major roles. Stan’s brief appearance occurs after the main story and connects the film to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is best classified as a cameo rather than a conventional supporting performance.
2015 — Ricki and the Flash
In Jonathan Demme’s musical comedy-drama Ricki and the Flash, Stan played Joshua Brummel, the son of Meryl Streep’s title character. The film follows a rock musician who returns home to reconnect with her family after years of putting her music career first. Stan appeared alongside Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, and Rick Springfield. The film provided a sharp contrast to his increasingly action-oriented Marvel work and highlighted his ability to play family drama.
2015 — The Martian
Stan played Dr. Chris Beck in Ridley Scott’s science-fiction film The Martian. Matt Damon stars as astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after his crew believes he has died during an emergency evacuation. Beck is the mission’s medical officer and one of the astronauts involved in the effort to bring Watney home. The film combined survival drama, science fiction, and humor and became one of the most successful non-superhero movies of Stan’s career.
2016 — Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War brought Stan back as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in one of the MCU’s largest ensemble films. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the movie centers on the conflict between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark as superheroes become divided over government oversight. Bucky’s history and his relationship with Steve are central to the conflict, giving Stan a substantial dramatic role alongside Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and Chadwick Boseman. The film further established Bucky as a key figure in the MCU.
2016 — The Bronze
Although The Bronze premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, its theatrical release came on March 18, 2016, so 2016 is the relevant public release year. Stan plays Lance Tucker, a former Olympic gymnast who becomes involved with Melissa Rauch’s disgraced former champion, Hope Greggory. Directed by Bryan Buckley, the sports comedy-drama mixes competitive gymnastics with deliberately abrasive humor. Stan’s role allowed him to play an arrogant former athlete in a completely different register from his Marvel character.
2017 — Logan Lucky
Stan appeared as Dayton White in Steven Soderbergh’s heist comedy Logan Lucky. The film stars Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, and Daniel Craig as part of an unlikely group attempting to rob a NASCAR race. Stan plays a wealthy, polished character caught up in the eccentric criminal scheme. The movie was notable for combining a lighthearted comedy tone with a carefully constructed heist plot and an ensemble cast.
2017 — I, Tonya
In I, Tonya, Stan delivered one of his most prominent dramatic performances outside the MCU by portraying Jeff Gillooly, the former husband of figure skater Tonya Harding. Directed by Craig Gillespie, the darkly comic biographical film stars Margot Robbie as Harding and explores the scandal surrounding the 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan. Stan’s portrayal depicts Gillooly as an unstable and abusive presence in Harding’s life. The performance helped demonstrate his dramatic range and contributed to a major shift toward more demanding adult roles.
2017 — I’m Not Here
Stan played Steve in the independent drama I’m Not Here, which explores the memories and emotional consequences of a troubled man’s life. The film was directed by Michelle Schumacher and features Stan in the story’s younger-generation timeline alongside J.K. Simmons, Mandy Moore, and Max Greenfield. The nonlinear drama examines regret, family relationships, and the lasting impact of past decisions. It was a smaller production that showcased Stan away from the large-scale studio films for which he had become known.
2018 — Black Panther
Stan made an uncredited post-credits appearance as Bucky Barnes in Marvel’s Black Panther. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film focuses on Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa and the fictional African nation of Wakanda. Bucky’s appearance connects the film’s closing moments to the broader events of the MCU and establishes that he has found refuge in Wakanda. Because Stan appears only briefly after the main story, this is classified as a cameo rather than a standard supporting role.
2018 — Avengers: Infinity War
Stan returned as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in Avengers: Infinity War, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. The superhero epic brings together numerous Marvel characters as they attempt to stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones. Bucky is living in Wakanda when the conflict reaches Earth, and he becomes part of the battle against Thanos’ forces. The film significantly expanded the scale of Stan’s Marvel role and ended with one of the MCU’s most consequential cliffhangers.
2018 — Destroyer
In the crime drama Destroyer, Stan played Detective Chris, appearing opposite Nicole Kidman. Directed by Karyn Kusama, the film follows an emotionally damaged Los Angeles police detective as she confronts the consequences of an undercover case from her past. Stan’s role is part of the police-centered ensemble surrounding Kidman’s character. The movie demonstrated his continued interest in darker, grounded material while he was simultaneously working on major Marvel productions.
2018 — We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Stan portrayed Charles Blackwood in We Have Always Lived in the Castle, an adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s gothic novel. Directed by Stacie Passon, the film stars Taissa Farmiga, Alexandra Daddario, and Stan in a mysterious family drama involving isolation, suspicion, and a wealthy family’s dark history. Charles arrives at the family’s estate and disrupts the unusual balance between the surviving Blackwood sisters. The atmospheric role gave Stan another opportunity to work within psychological and gothic storytelling.
2019 — Avengers: Endgame
Stan reprised his role as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in Avengers: Endgame, the direct continuation of Infinity War. The Russo brothers directed the film, which brings together much of the MCU’s central cast for a final attempt to reverse Thanos’ devastating actions. Bucky has a smaller role than some of the franchise’s central heroes but remains important to Steve Rogers’ story and the emotional conclusion of Captain America’s journey. Endgame became one of the most significant and commercially successful superhero films ever released.
2019 — Endings, Beginnings
Stan starred as Frank in the romantic drama Endings, Beginnings, directed by Drake Doremus. The film follows Daphne, played by Shailene Woodley, as she becomes involved with two very different men, played by Stan and Jamie Dornan. Its improvised and intimate approach focuses on relationships, emotional uncertainty, and the difficulty of choosing a direction in life. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 before its broader release in 2020, which is why it is often associated with both years in film databases.
2020 — The Last Full Measure
Stan played Pentagon staffer Scott Huffman in Todd Robinson’s war drama The Last Full Measure. The film follows Huffman’s investigation into the long-delayed Medal of Honor case involving Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger, with Christopher Plummer, William Hurt, Ed Harris, and Samuel L. Jackson among the supporting cast. Although the film premiered at a 2019 festival screening, its U.S. theatrical release arrived in January 2020, making 2020 the relevant general release year. Stan carries much of the story as Huffman gradually uncovers the reasons behind the medal’s denial.
2020 — The Devil All the Time
Stan played corrupt lawman Lee Bodecker in Antonio Campos’s psychological crime drama The Devil All the Time. The Netflix film features Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, and Mia Wasikowska in a dark ensemble story set in postwar Ohio and West Virginia. Bodecker is a morally compromised sheriff whose actions contribute to the film’s atmosphere of violence, corruption, and religious fanaticism. Released in September 2020, the movie gave Stan one of his darkest non-Marvel roles.
2021 — Monday
Monday stars Stan as Mickey, an American living in Athens who meets Chloe, played by Denise Gough. Directed by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, the romantic drama follows the pair as an intense weekend relationship develops into a more complicated attempt at building a life together. The film explores passion, commitment, freedom, and the difficult realities that arrive after a carefree romance. Its official release came in April 2021, making it one of Stan’s first major non-Marvel feature releases after the pandemic-related disruption to cinema schedules.
2022 — The 355
Stan played Nick Fowler in the espionage thriller The 355, directed by Simon Kinberg. The film centers on an international group of female intelligence agents played by Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’o, Penélope Cruz, and Fan Bingbing, who work together to recover a dangerous secret weapon. Stan’s character is connected to the international spy operation and becomes involved in the film’s shifting loyalties. Released theatrically in January 2022, The 355 gave Stan another opportunity to work in a large-scale action thriller outside Marvel.
2022 — Fresh
In Mimi Cave’s horror thriller Fresh, Stan played Steve, a charming man whose relationship with Noa, portrayed by Daisy Edgar-Jones, takes a deeply disturbing turn. The film begins like a contemporary dating drama before gradually revealing its sinister premise, blending psychological horror, dark humor, and social commentary. Stan’s performance deliberately shifts from charismatic and romantic to increasingly threatening as Noa discovers the truth about him. Released in 2022, Fresh became one of Stan’s most distinctive genre performances.
2023 — Sharper
Stan starred as Max in the neo-noir thriller Sharper, directed by Benjamin Caron. The film also features Julianne Moore, Justice Smith, Briana Middleton, and John Lithgow in a story of manipulation, deception, wealth, and elaborate cons in New York City. Max is a charismatic and ambitious character whose relationships become part of the movie’s constantly shifting power games. Sharper premiered in theaters in February 2023 before its worldwide release on Apple TV+, giving Stan another leading role in an adult-oriented thriller.
2023 — Ghosted
Stan made a cameo as God in the action-comedy Ghosted. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, the Apple film stars Chris Evans and Ana de Armas in a romantic adventure involving international espionage. Stan’s brief appearance is a playful cameo rather than a conventional supporting performance, making it a notable non-standard entry in his movie career. The appearance also continued his occasional tendency to take unexpected roles outside the MCU.
2023 — Dumb Money
Stan portrayed billionaire entrepreneur Vlad Tenev in Craig Gillespie’s comedy-drama Dumb Money. Based on the GameStop short squeeze, the film follows ordinary investors whose online activity turns into a major confrontation with powerful Wall Street institutions. Stan appears alongside Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Shailene Woodley, Seth Rogen, America Ferrera, and Vincent D’Onofrio. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival before its U.S. theatrical release in September 2023.
2024 — A Different Man
Stan took on one of his most challenging leading roles in Aaron Schimberg’s dark comedy-drama A Different Man. He plays Edward Lemuel, an aspiring actor whose appearance changes dramatically after a medical treatment, while Adam Pearson and Renate Reinsve also feature prominently. The film explores identity, appearance, ambition, performance, and the uncomfortable ways people judge one another. Stan’s performance received major critical recognition, including the Silver Bear for Best Leading Performance at the Berlin International Film Festival and later the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy.
2024 — The Apprentice
Stan portrayed Donald Trump in The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi. The biographical drama examines Trump’s early career in New York and his relationship with lawyer and political power broker Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Rather than presenting a conventional cradle-to-present biography, the film focuses on the formative years that shaped Trump’s business persona and public image. Stan’s performance drew significant awards attention, including nominations for the Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Actor.
2025 — Captain America: Brave New World
Stan made an uncredited cameo as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: Brave New World. Directed by Julius Onah, the Marvel superhero film stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America and introduces a new chapter of the franchise following the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Stan’s brief appearance connects Bucky to the evolving political and superhero landscape surrounding the new Captain America. Because he is uncredited and appears only briefly, the movie is best identified as a cameo in his filmography rather than a full supporting role.
2025 — Thunderbolts*
Stan returned to a major role as Bucky Barnes in Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts. Directed by Jake Schreier, the superhero action film assembles Bucky with Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker for a dangerous mission orchestrated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Unlike his brief appearance in Captain America: Brave New World, Stan is one of the film’s central stars and Bucky becomes an important member of the unconventional team. Released in May 2025, the film represents the latest officially released feature in Stan’s film career as of August 2026.
Conclusion
Sebastian Stan’s movie career has evolved from a childhood appearance in European cinema to a diverse body of work spanning independent dramas, horror films, comedies, thrillers, war stories, biographical dramas, and blockbuster superhero movies. His portrayal of Bucky Barnes made him internationally recognizable, but films such as I, Tonya, The Devil All the Time, Fresh, A Different Man, and The Apprentice have shown that his career extends well beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Looking across Sebastian Stan movies by year, his filmography reveals a consistent willingness to move between mainstream entertainment and challenging character-driven projects. His 2025 appearance in Thunderbolts currently stands as his latest released feature-film role.
