Thunderbolts* landed a high Rotten Tomatoes score from critics, and it’s a nice reminder that Marvel is still capable of producing highly-praised films like it did consistently during Phase 3. Part of the Thunderbolts* marketing campaign was that it felt more like an award-worthy A24 film rather than a standard MCU film. That feeling was accurate, as critics mostly agree that Thunderbolts* is a good film and one of the better MCU movies since Avengers: Endgame. The film currently holds an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, placing it in the higher tiers of the MCU.

However, an 89% or higher used to be a more consistent result for MCU films. The Infinity Saga had plenty of projects that either fell slightly below that number or rose above it. Phase 3, specifically, had an impressive streak of films that received great reviews from critics, so much so that Thunderbolts* wouldn’t seem like an outlier if it released during that time. While it’s great to see critics praise an MCU film again, it also proves that Phase 3 will be hard to beat with its consistently high quality.

Phase 3 Almost Reached Thunderbolts* Rotten Tomatoes Score With Every Film

It will be hard for any MCU phase to beat Phase 3

Phase 3 of the MCU included the build-up and execution of the Infinity Saga’s finale, while also introducing new heroes like Captain Marvel and Spider-Man. While Phase 3 had the most films of any Phase, it had a remarkable streak of high-quality films, with every single one reaching a 79% or better on Rotten Tomatoes. Black Panther reached the highest score with 96%, while Captain Marvel had the lowest score at 79%.

If Thunderbolts* was released during the end of the Infinity Saga, it would be tied with Doctor Strange as the 7th highest score in Phase 3. Thunderbolts*‘ score is excellent, but it still falls below several films from Phase 3, showing how impressive Marvel’s run was during this era. Only Phase 3’s more divisive films like Ant-Man and the Wasp, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Captain Marvel, as well as, surprisingly, Avengers: Infinity War, are below what Thunderbolts* scored.

Thunderbolts* High Score Is A Bright Spot For Phase 5

Marvel has struggled to hit the same consistency as before

Phase 5 has been a mix of highs and lows for the MCU. It’s had a few hits, like ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but also a few of the biggest disasters in the MCU, like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels. The MCU had the same results on television, as critics and audiences panned Secret Invasion. However, the studio is starting to turn things around on Disney+ thanks to shows like Agatha All Along and Daredevil: Born Again.

Thunderbolts* now has the highest Rotten Tomatoes score for any Phase 5 film, beating Guardians 3‘s score of 82%. The margin over James Gunn’s trilogy capper is significant enough that it should maintain this record even if the score dips slightly. Of the five Phase 5 movies, Thunderbolts* is now only the second to have a score above the lowest mark of Phase 3.

This makes Thunderbolts* a major win for Marvel, and one it needed desperately. Avengers: Doomsday is only one year away and Marvel needs Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps to generate excitement again before the MCU’s next crossover event. Even if the MCU’s latest film isn’t a blockbuster behemoth, it should at least restore some confidence in audiences that Marvel is headed in the right direction after Thunderbolts*‘ post-credit scenes.

Why The MCU Has Struggled In Phases 4 & 5

Marvel has had a rocky road since Avengers: Endgame

Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga bring together stories from the main MCU and alternate timelines. While this storyline has created some incredible films, like Spider-Man: No Way Home, it hasn’t generated a narrative that feels connected in every project. The Infinity Saga established that all roads lead to Thanos, leading to Avengers: Infinity War. Initially, the Multiverse Saga led to a climactic battle with Kang, but poor box office returns, mixed audience reactions, and public scandals led to Marvel shifting to Doctor Doom.

Audiences just haven’t been responding to MCU projects as well as they used to, and there are several common issues. Many believe that the standard MCU jokey formula is becoming tedious, and the exuberant, CGI-filled battles are often overwhelming and repeтιтive. Fortunately, Thunderbolts* offers a more grounded approach to the MCU formula, which could be why critics are responding positively to it. Hopefully, future MCU projects will garner a similar reaction.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  May 1, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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