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Action drama

Thunderbolts* (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Thunderbolts* (2025) movie poster

Thunderbolts* is a 2025 action drama directed by Jake Schreier, starring Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan and Olga Kurylenko. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $382.4 million worldwide on a $180 million budget. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$382.4M
Echo Score
77
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Thunderbolts* (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 6m (126 min)
Director
Jake Schreier
Genres
Action , Adventure , Crime , Drama
Original language
English
Budget
$180M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Thunderbolts* About?

The premise of Thunderbolts* without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Marvel Studios brings together a team of antiheroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker – in this action-packed adventure. Recruited and manipulated by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, they find themselves caught in a perilous situation that forces them to confront difficult aspects of their past. The group must navigate a dangerous mission, facing internal conflicts and external threats as they strive to find a path toward redemption.

Thunderbolts* Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • marvel cinematic universe
  • red guardian character
  • yelena belova character
  • bucky barnes character
  • winter soldier character
  • taskmaster character
  • marvel comics
  • based on comic book
  • based on comic
  • supervillain
  • superhero
  • villain
+38 more
  • team
  • group
  • u.s. agent character
  • shared universe
  • fight
  • power
  • 3d
  • 3 dimensional
  • ghost the marvel comics character
  • valentina allegra de fontaine character
  • nickname in title
  • member
  • superhero action
  • superhero fantasy
  • superhero sci fi
  • team action
  • hero
  • marvel shared universe
  • actress reprises previous role
  • supervillain team
  • political thriller
  • weapon
  • handgun
  • shield
  • attack
  • gun
  • sentry the marvel comics character
  • city
  • motorcycle
  • marvel
  • political drama
  • assault rifle
  • vehicle
  • tower
  • politics
  • knife
  • car
  • bow and arrow
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Cast & crew

Thunderbolts* Cast & Characters

Florence Pugh leads the cast as Yelena Belova, with Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov, Taskmaster. Directed by Jake Schreier; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Thunderbolts*

· 10 more
Ratings

Thunderbolts* Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Thunderbolts* 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in character & emotion (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

77 /100

Thunderbolts* Echo Score Breakdown

Thunderbolts* delivers a consistently engaging ensemble narrative grounded by solid performances. The film’s focus on a found family of mercenaries generates genuine emotional moments, particularly through Yelena’s arc of loss and resilience. Critics and users noted that the action sequences are competently executed, though the plot occasionally feels predictable and overcrowded by competing agendas. Visually and aurally, the movie adheres to Marvel’s polished style without offering significant innovation. Overall, Thunderbolts* stands as a largely satisfying MCU entry that balances character-driven drama with energetic action.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Thunderbolts* exhibits reliable technical execution with polished production design and crisp editing. Observers praised the well-choreographed fight sequences and consistent visual motif, though some noted that the cinematography adheres closely to established Marvel conventions. The sound editing and pacing support the action effectively. Overall, the film’s artistic elements feel solid yet conventional.

  • Character & Emotion 85

    When it comes to character depth, the film benefits from compelling performances, particularly by Florence Pugh as Yelena, whose nuanced portrayal of loss and resilience anchors the ensemble. Critics and users highlighted the strong chemistry among the cast and moments of emotional resonance in scenes of found family. While some secondary figures receive less development, the central characters maintain viewer investment. Net, the emotional core is a key strength.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding story and flow, Thunderbolts* presents a familiar MCU formula that some critics found predictable and occasionally cluttered by competing plot threads. Reviews noted that messages of unity and redemption shine through but sometimes collide with uneven pacing and redundant narrative beats. While the film maintains engagement with periodic tension, the overall coherence wavers. Ultimately, the storytelling is serviceable yet lacks distinction.

  • Sensory Experience 78

    In terms of the sensory experience, viewers praised the film’s robust action choreography and tactile fight sequences, which are supported by a dynamic sound design. The soundtrack, including contributions from Son Lux, adds emotional weight in key moments. However, the visual style remains aligned with other MCU entries rather than forging a unique aesthetic. In sum, the sensory elements engage effectively despite limited innovation.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    Regarding rewatch factor, Thunderbolts* delivers enough character moments and action set pieces to warrant repeat viewings for fans of the ensemble. The emotional arcs and exploration of mental health themes may reveal additional nuance on subsequent watches. Some viewers noted that familiar plot beats could diminish repeat appeal. Overall, the film offers moderate replay value rooted in its performances and spirited group dynamics.

Plot

Thunderbolts* Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Thunderbolts* from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In Malaysia, Yelena Belova embarks on a mission for CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, tasked with destroying a laboratory tied to the O.X.E. Group’s controversial “Sentry” superhuman project. As de Fontaine faces possible impeachment due to her association with O.X.E., she orchestrates a covert operation involving Yelena, U.S. Agent John Walker, Ava Starr, and the formidable Taskmaster. The mission takes a perilous turn when they are forced into a deadly competition against each other, culminating in Ava killing Taskmaster before they inadvertently free a mysterious figure named Bob from a suspended animation pod within the facility.

Full summary

The whole story of Thunderbolts*, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Thunderbolts* Box Office & Budget

Thunderbolts* grossed $382.4 million worldwide on a $180 million budget, 2.1 times what it cost. $190.3 million came from the US and Canada and $192.2 million (50%) from the rest of the world.

2025 box office

Worldwide gross

$382.4M

2.1× its budget

US & Canada
$190.3M
International
$192.2M
Budget
$180M
US & Canada 50% Rest of the world 50%
Videos

Thunderbolts* Trailers & Videos

131 videos: 7 trailers, 44 teasers, 9 clips, 63 featurettes and 8 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 131 videos
Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer D23 Brazil Special Look
  • Trailer Big Game Trailer
  • Trailer ABSOLUTE CINEMA
  • Trailer Tickets on sale now!
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Thunderbolts*?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What was Yelena Belova's mission in Malaysia?

Cars

Cars in Thunderbolts*

44 cars on screen, including the AM General HMMWV M1025 and the 1997 Ford Econoline.

All 44 cars
  • AM General HMMWV M1025 in Thunderbolts* AM General HMMWV M1025 Important role
  • 1997 Ford Econoline in Thunderbolts* 1997 Ford Econoline Important role
  • 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 in Thunderbolts* 2021 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Important role
  • 1995 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine in Thunderbolts* 1995 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role
Details

Thunderbolts* Also Known As

58 alternative titles, including “Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts” and “*新复仇者联盟”.

Also known as
  • Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts
  • *新复仇者联盟
  • Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*
  • Thunderbolts* de Marvel Studios
  • サンダーボルツ
  • *ת'אנדרבולטס
  • ת'אנדרבולטס
  • תנדרבולטס
  • صاعقه‌ها*
  • Mennydörgők
  • Найзағай атқыштар
  • Громовници*
+46 more
  • 雷霆特攻隊*
  • Momaqaldiroqlar
  • The New Avengers
  • 新复仇者联盟
  • *Os Novos Vingadores
  • 뉴 어벤져스
  • *The New Avengers
  • Marvel Studios' The New Avengers
  • *Yeni Yenilmezler
  • Thunderbolts* The New Avengers
  • *Los Nuevos Vengadores
  • I Nuovi Avengers
  • ثاندربولتس
  • הנוקמים החדשים
  • *הנוקמים החדשים
  • *Les Nouveaux Avengers
  • Marvel Studios' T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶b̶o̶l̶t̶s̶* The New Avengers
  • T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶b̶o̶l̶t̶s̶* Los Nuevos Vengadores de Marvel Studios
  • Los Nuevos Avengers
  • *Los Nuevos Avengers
  • *ახალი შურისმაძიებლები
  • Marvel's Thunderbolts*
  • Thunderbolts*: *Os Novos Vingadores
  • *Нові месники
  • သန္တာဗိုလ်
  • *新復仇者聯盟
  • Грамабоі*
  • サンダーボルツ⋆
  • 썬더볼츠*
  • サンダーボルツ*
  • Mennydörgők*
  • Громовержцы*
  • Biệt Đội Sấm Sét*
  • 雷霆特攻队*
  • Громовержці*
  • ת'אנדרבולטס*
  • آذرخش ها
  • ธันเดอร์โบลต์ส*
  • Тъндърболтс*, მეხთამტეხლები*
  • 雷霆特攻隊*
  • Thunderbolti*
  • İldırımsaçanlar*
  • थंडरबोल्ट्स*
  • Kõuenooled*
  • Pērkonbultas*
  • الصواعق*

Seen Thunderbolts*?

FAQ

Thunderbolts* FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Thunderbolts*, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Thunderbolts*?

Thunderbolts* runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).

When was Thunderbolts* released?

Thunderbolts* was released on May 2, 2025.

Who directed Thunderbolts*?

Thunderbolts* was directed by Jake Schreier.

More films by Jake Schreier

Who is in the cast of Thunderbolts*?

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes and Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov, Taskmaster, among 14 credited actors.

How much did Thunderbolts* make at the box office?

Thunderbolts* grossed $382.4 million worldwide ($190.3 million domestic, $192.2 million international) on a budget of $180 million.

How is Thunderbolts* rated?

Thunderbolts* has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Thunderbolts* have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Thunderbolts* has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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