The Dark Knight Trilogy VS Captain America Trilogy - Which do you prefer?

Captain America has the worst film of the six.

Batman probably has the best film of the six.

That being said, I think Winter Soldier and Civil War put together outpace Batman Begins and TDK, so I'll go with Captain America. It's tough to ignore that CA is getting better every movie, where TDK trilogy kind of ended on a low note (imho).

If I had to rank the 6 films:

1) The Dark Knight
2) The Winter Soldier
3) Batman Begins
4) Civil War
5) The Dark Knight Rises
6) The First Avenger

So I guess I'll have to go with TDK Trilogy by a hair, but Captain America was still excellent.

I'd say Capt, but that's a biased answer. I've always been a huge Capt fan. Though I'm not discounting TDK trilogy b/c its a very well done series and if I had to which to watch over a weekend it would be CA.

The Captain America films get better upon repeat viewings, The Dark Knight films.... not so much.

This isn't a fair comparison.

1. The Captain America films rely on an understanding of the larger MCU and thus can't be viewed as separate, independent films. The Dark Knight Trilogy are comprised of three, largely independent films that take place in their own universe. You aren't really required to view the other two films to understand one of them.

2. Captain America: Civil War is basically The Avengers 2.5 with the Captain America label attached to it for kicks and giggles.

3. The Dark Knight Trilogy tells a complete story. Captain America's story will end with Infinity Wars and not with his own standalone film.

Tough one for me, but I give the slight nod to Bats.

if the russos directed the first avenger, then it would likely have been miles better than what it was.

This is tough. It kind of depends on how you look at it to be honest.

Simply looking at the 3 films, I'd say you have to give the nod to DK mainly b/c you pretty much are required to see several other Marvel films to fully understand what is going on in CA3. At the very least Avengers, Ultron, and Iron Man 2 should probably be seen to get enough context for Tony's motivations, his relationship to his father, a bit more on Steve's feelings for Peggy, and instances of Steve and Tony butting heads.

However, if we are talking which series has the best overall payoff in pure entertainment value? I have to say CA wins hands down. The Nolan Batman films can be a little too heavy and brooding for me and I never much cared for the Rachael Dawes storyline (regardless of the actress). Also in favor of Cap is that WS and CW actually made me like TFA much more than I originally did to the point that I will stop and watch it now when its on TV.

Is there reason to think this was the last Captain America movie? I don't think it will only be a trilogy with the present incarnation.