Marvel’s latest film, Thunderbolts*, has quickly turned from a “meh, this one’s gonna be a flop” to one of the most talked-about superhero additions. Critics and fans alike were initially ready to dismiss it as just another bad entry, with the cast already facing intense scrutiny. But since the debut, the Rotten Tomatoes score has been climbing, and critics have wasted no time calling it a “fresh breath of air.” And that’s where the mystery behind the asterisk is finally resolved. Thunderbolts brings some of the MCU’s underdog characters front and centre, and much like the film’s iffy antagonist, The Sentry, it’s a film with two distinct sides. One side — Nailed it.
Thunderbolts* receives 88% Rotten Tomatoes
After Captain America: Brave New World failed to impress earlier in the year, Thuderbolts headlined by Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, was met with a fair amount of skepticism. As the 36th movie in the MCU, it faced expectations that were high but weighed down by uncertainty. However, critics are now hailing the film for its grounded approach to character development. For the unversed, many of the anti-heroes from Thunderbolts will soon reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday.
Also read: Thunderbolts final trailer: MCU’s very own ‘suicide squad’ takes on The Void, watch
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Based on the comics, Thunderbolts* gives a shout-out to a group of misfit villains who disguise themselves as heroes in the absence of the Avengers. The series shows them forming a ragtag squad, something like Guardians of the Galaxy, a team of underdogs cobbled together to tackle the impossible. But, here’s what’s setting Thunderbolts apart is its willingness to tackle real-world issues like mental health, something rarely explored in blockbuster films. Florence Pugh (Yelena) and Lewis Pullman (Bob) have already been singled out for their standout performances, adding some much-needed ‘emotional depth and darker, more complex’ side to the film’s anti-hero ensemble.
Thunderbolts* debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% critics’ score, making it the MCU’s second-highest opener after Black Panther, which received 96%. But as more reviews started pouring in, the score dipped to 88%, still higher than most of the overhyped, franchise-heavy titles Marvel has pushed in recent years.
Thunderbolts* review
“Thunderbolts* is one of the biggest surprises of 2025,” says Tyler Taing from Discussing Film. It’s a “pleasant surprise” and a film that shows the MCU can still create magic, despite some recent setbacks.
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“The initial thought might be to dismiss Thunderbolts* as an also-ran. That would be a mistake, since this flick is one of Marvel’s more successful efforts of late,” says Awards Radar’s Joey Magidson.
“Thunderbolts* is essential summer movie escapism, and proof that perhaps the lethargic Marvel Studios can still capture lightning in a bottle,” Esquire Magazine’s Eric Francisco.
Despite its serious themes and dark sequences, Thunderbolts* doesn’t shy away from humour. Tessa Smith from Mama’s Geeky points out that the movie has “some of the most fun comedic moments within this universe in years.” The latest addition to the MCU is already reminding people of some of the iconics. “I’ve already seen comparisons between the Thunderbolts* and DC’s Suicide Squad. But honestly, if we’re calling it out, the superhero movie Marvel’s really borrowing from here isn’t that one — it’s their own Guardians of the Galaxy,” says Screen Crush’s Matt Singer. Marvel movies have often struggled with weak villains, but Thunderbolts* breaks that pattern. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the villain, Valentina, and critics are loving her performance. They describe her as a character you’ll “love to hate.” Jake Schreier’s directorial brings an indie vibe to the film. Critics are impressed with how it handles topics like depression and substance abuse, which is unusual for a summer blockbuster.
