Thunderbolts*
Movie, 2025, Phase 5, Set in 2027
Thunderbolts* is #61 of 69 in release order and #58 of 69 in chronological order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The story
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
Thunderbolts* recap
Yelena Belova, depressed after Natasha's death, does black ops work for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Sent to a secret vault to kill a thief, she meets John Walker, Ava Starr (Ghost) and Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster), all sent to kill each other so Valentina can erase evidence of her illegal O.X.E. projects; Ava kills Antonia. With them is a confused man named Bob, the only survivor of an experiment to create a super soldier called the Sentry. They escape with help from Alexei Shostakov, while Bucky Barnes, now a congressman, investigates Valentina, who faces impeachment. Bob gains enormous power, turns on the team and becomes the Void, his dark side, which swallows the people of New York in shadows, trapping them in rooms of their worst regrets.
Thunderbolts* ending explained
Yelena lets the Void take her and finds Bob inside his own memories of an abusive childhood. The team follows her in and helps Bob face his darkness, which breaks the Void's hold and frees the city. Valentina presents the team to the press as the New Avengers, but Yelena now has leverage over her.
Post-credits scenes
Yes. In the mid-credits scene, the team argues over their images on a cereal box. In the post-credits scene, 14 months later, the New Avengers are in a dispute with Sam Wilson over the name, when they detect a ship from another dimension entering Earth's orbit, bearing the Fantastic Four's logo.
Where to watch Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts* is streaming on Disney+ in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.1/10, Rotten Tomatoes 88%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Daredevil: Born Again, before Ironheart.
- Chronological order: after Captain America: Brave New World, before Wonder Man.
What to watch before Thunderbolts*
In release order, 39 Marvel Cinematic Universe essentials come before Thunderbolts* (2025), from Iron Man (2008) to Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
Cast
- Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
- Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
- Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds
- David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov
- Wyatt Russell as John Walker
- Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr
- Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov
- Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel
- Wendell Pierce as Congressman Gary
- Chris Bauer as Holt
- Violet McGraw as Young Yelena
Directed by Jake Schreier.