Thunderbolts* (2025)
MovieEssential
A team of antiheroes and ex-villains is thrown together for a deadly mission, and becomes the New Avengers. It was the 36th MCU film released, part of Phase Five, and it’s #72 of 81 in story order. We rate it Essential: the main saga depends on it. It runs 2h 7m and streams on Disney+ in the US.
| Directed by | Jake Schreier |
|---|---|
| Starring | Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus |
| Release date | May 2, 2025 |
| Runtime | 2h 7m |
| Age rating | PG-13, some material may be inappropriate for under 13 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | 88% critics · IMDb 7.3/10 |
| Box office | $382M worldwide |
| Phase | Phase Five |
| Saga | Multiverse Saga |
| Story position | #72 of 81 in chronological order |
| Timeline setting | Present day (2027) |
| Post-credit scene | Yes |
Why it matters in the MCU
Turns Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes and other antiheroes into a team, introduces Sentry, and its post-credit scene points toward Avengers: Doomsday.
Post-credit scene
Stick around once the credits start. What happens is in the box below, which gives away part of the ending.
Spoiler What happens after the credits of Thunderbolts*: tap to reveal
Two scenes: a mid-credit scene with Red Guardian trying to sell a shopper on a New Avengers Wheaties box, and an end-credit scene that points straight at the Fantastic Four and Avengers: Doomsday.
Where it fits in your watch
Thunderbolts* FAQ
Can you skip Thunderbolts*?
No. It’s Essential: later MCU stories build directly on what happens here.
When was Thunderbolts* released?
Thunderbolts* was released on May 2, 2025.
Where does Thunderbolts* fit in the MCU timeline?
Thunderbolts* is set in the present day (2027) and sits at #72 of 81 in story order.
Does Thunderbolts* have a post-credit scene?
Yes, there’s at least one extra scene after the credits. The spoiler box on this page describes it.
What to watch before Thunderbolts*
To get the most out of Thunderbolts*, these are the earlier titles it builds on, in release order:
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Captain America: Civil War (2016)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Black Widow (2021)
Where to watch Thunderbolts* in the US
| Streaming (subscription) | Disney+ |
|---|---|
| Rent or buy | Amazon, Fandango at Home, Apple TV |
Where to watch Thunderbolts* outside the US
| Country | Stream | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Disney+ | Rent: Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon |
| Canada | Disney+ | Rent: CosmoGo, Apple TV, Amazon |
| Australia | Disney+ | None needed |
| India | JioHotstar | None needed |
Streaming availability last verified: October 16, 2026
All streaming options for Marvel movies and shows, by service and country.
