Thunderbolts*
May 2, 2025 in theaters
August 27, 2025 on Disney+
A group of morally compromised operatives — including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and John Walker — are manipulated into a black-ops mission by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. What begins as a setup evolves into something larger, as the group confronts a psychological threat and emerges as the MCU's newest assembled team.
Cast
Director
TRAILER
QUOTE
"The world doesn't need heroes. It needs soldiers."
-- Red Guardian
DID YOU KNOW?
The Thunderbolts were originally pitched in the MCU as Marvel's answer to DC's Suicide Squad.
THE VERDICT
Synthesized from published reviews
A lean, character-driven surprise that earns its emotional core through performance rather than spectacle. Built around a ragtag group of Marvel's morally compromised castoffs, the film strips away the franchise scaffolding to tell a more intimate story about guilt, identity, and what it means to do good despite a broken past. One of the more unexpectedly resonant entries in recent Marvel output — proof that the formula works best when it gets out of its own way.
PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE
Where this fits in the larger story
Thunderbolts* sits in the MCU's Phase 5, adding a specific character, team, or conflict to Marvel's connected timeline. It connects its central story with the larger consequences shaping the Avengers-era world and later saga developments. Its placement helps viewers follow how this entry supports the MCU's broader movement from individual origin stories toward expanding teams, cosmic stakes, and multiverse consequences.
THE NEXUS TRIGGER
Post-credit connections to the broader multiverse
Valentina is taken into custody as the New Avengers are formally introduced to the public, setting up power vacuum dynamics heading into Doomsday.
Cinematic Lore
All LoreThe symbols, artifacts, and philosophies connected to this title.
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COMMUNITY REVIEWS
LATEST NEWS
Thunderbolts* Earns Positive Critical Reception Despite Box Office Challenges
"Thunderbolts" has garnered an 88% 'Certified Fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics highlighting the strong chemistry between Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova and Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes. Despite the positive reviews, the film struggled at the box office, earning around $382.4 million worldwide on a budget of $180 million.
The Meaning of the Asterisk Revealed: Team Rebranded as the 'New Avengers'
In a significant twist during its theatrical release, "Thunderbolts" reveals that the asterisk in its title represents the team's evolution. A pivotal mid-film moment sees Valentina Allegra de Fontaine rebrand the group as the 'New Avengers,' culminating in a title card change during the end credits that marks this transformation.
Thunderbolts* Officially Confirms Disney+ Debut for Late August
Marvel Studios has announced that "Thunderbolts*" will be available for streaming on Disney+ starting August 27, 2025. This follows its digital PVOD release on July 1 and physical media release on July 29, with the streaming debut occurring approximately 117 days after the film's theatrical premiere.