Thunderbolts* Is The Marvel Movie The MCU Needed 2-3 Years Ago

Thunderbolts* has been a smashing success for the MCU, and it finally gave us the content that we desperately wanted a few years ago. When a movie about a group of MCU anti-heroes was first announced, there weren’t exactly high expectations for it to perform. Even with the longtime popularity of Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, all of the announced members of the Thunderbolts had only been in supporting roles in their previous projects. The characters didn’t have the traction that big names like Captain America and Spider-Man have, which is what makes the film’s current success all the more impressive.

Critics and fans alike have considered Thunderbolts* one of the MCU’s strongest projects in recent years. The film has currently grossed $286.7 at the worldwide box office, holding an 88% critic score and 94% fan score on Rotten Tomatoes. Thunderbolts* ultimately came at the perfect time for Marvel, as, after a string of mediocre films, this is helping the general audience become invested in the MCU again. However, Thunderbolts* probably could’ve done just as well if it was released two or three years ago, and it’s the project that fans really needed during that time too.

Thunderbolts* Pays Off A Number Of MCU Phase 4 Storylines

Most Thunderbolts* Characters Debuted In Phase 4

Though the Thunderbolts are an entirely new hero team in the MCU, the members had already made their respective franchise debuts. Besides Ava Starr’s Ghost debuting in Phase 3’s Ant-Man & The Wasp, the rest of the Thunderbolts have backstories rooted in Phase 4. John Walker’s U.S. Agent appeared in 2021’s The Falcon & The Winter Soldier alongside Bucky, and Yelena Belova, Alexei Shostakov’s Red Guardian, and Taskmaster debuted in Black Widow later that year. Although Yelena and Bucky have had MCU appearances since then, their main storylines didn’t truly grow again until Thunderbolts* this year.

Fans knew that she was busy recruiting members for a secretive project, but not much else was heard about her after her last appearance in Wakanda Forever.

Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, Thunderbolts* main antagonist, also made appearances throughout Phase 4, including both 2021 projects and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022. Fans knew that she was busy recruiting members for a secretive project, but not much else was heard about her after her last appearance in Wakanda Forever. Thanks to Thunderbolts*, these Phase 4 storylines have finally been paid off in a satisfying way. Each member has found a new purpose after Phase 4 left their fates unknown, and it’s nice to see Bucky finally have something substantial to do again after The Falcon & The Winter Soldier.

Thunderbolts* Is A Good, Crowd-Pleasing Movie

The Self-Contained Film Appeals To General Audiences

The Thunderbolts walking together in New York City — Image by Milica Djordjevic

Not only is Thunderbolts* a treat for MCU fans, but it’s also managed to capture the attention of the general audience. While the film does feature characters who have already debuted, their backstories are relatively easy to grasp even for someone who hasn’t seen every MCU project. Even though the premise of the film hinges on their past actions and the payoff of those storylines, it stands as its own project too.

Thunderbolts* feels self-contained in a way that isn’t alienating to the general audience. At its core, it’s a straightforward story of a group of misfits coming together to find their place in the world. The film also serves as a commentary on mental health, which is a generally relatable topic. Thunderbolts* ultimately achieved such success because it is simply a good quality movie. ScreenRant’s own Molly Freeman said in her review that the film “feels very much like a relief, like laughing when you need to cry,” which perfectly encapsulates its appeal to the general audience.

Thunderbolts* Finally Establishes A New Avengers Team

The Avengers Have Been Missing In The MCU For 5 Years

Julia Louis-Dreyfus smiling as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Thunderbolts* (2025)

The twist revealed at the end of Thunderbolts* is that they will be renamed as the New Avengers under Valentina’s supervision. Although it’s a name that none of the members are really happy about, they know that they have enough material on Valentina to keep her in check for now. Sam Wilson’s Avengers that he’s ᴀssembling will likely be the main Avengers team going into Doomsday, but the fact that the franchise currently has one concrete team under the Avengers name is still a big deal.

Since the end of the Infinity Saga in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU hasn’t had an Avengers team for five years. That’s a considerably long time in MCU years, especially since fans have become so used to the Avengers being the backbone of the franchise since Phase 1. Thunderbolts* may have established an unconventional team, but they are undoubtedly the only current Avengers that the MCU has. While many fans probably would’ve appreciated a confirmation of the Avengers’ status much earlier, it was well worth the wait.