As Marvel Studios prepares to unleash its upcoming film Thunderbolts, fans are gearing up to explore a darker and morally complex chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film unites an unconventional team of anti-heroes, each with a shadowy past, offering a significant tonal shift from the traditional Avengers narrative.
To better understand the characters and narrative threads that build up to Thunderbolts, both newcomers and long-time viewers should consider revisiting the following MCU films and series. These entries provide critical backstories, character arcs, and emotional depth that shape the new team dynamic.
Black Widow (2021)
This movie marks the introduction of three significant Thunderbolts members—Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and Taskmaster. Yelena’s journey from the Red Room to her struggle for identity post-Natasha Romanoff adds emotional gravity. Red Guardian offers a mix of brute strength and emotional vulnerability, while Taskmaster grapples with her stolen autonomy, setting the stage for a powerful redemption arc.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
Bucky Barnes’ inner conflict and search for redemption take center stage here. John Walker’s fall from grace as Captain America and his rebirth as US Agent paint a complex picture of morality in the MCU. Valentina Allegra de Fontaine also makes her debut, quietly assembling a team for reasons yet unclear—likely linked to Thunderbolts.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
While largely comedic, this film introduces Ava Starr, known as Ghost. Her quantum instability and tragic backstory add nuance and emotional resonance. Ghost’s inclusion in Thunderbolts suggests she may be seeking a purpose beyond survival.
Hawkeye (2021)
The series expands Yelena Belova’s storyline, delving into her grief over Natasha and conflict with Clint Barton. Her wit, combat skills, and internal struggle provide greater depth to her character ahead of her role in Thunderbolts.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
This origin story introduces the Super Soldier Serum, a common thread for characters like Bucky and Red Guardian. It lays the ideological foundation that many Thunderbolts members either embrace or reject.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
A pivotal film for Bucky Barnes, it reveals the dark underbelly of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra infiltration, and covert government agendas—paralleling the murky ethics the Thunderbolts operate under.
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The Avengers’ split following ideological conflict impacts several future Thunderbolts. Bucky’s continued battle with his past and the shifting alliances provide essential context for the team’s formation.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Although primarily a conclusion to the Infinity Saga, the film marks significant changes. Bucky must adapt to a post-Blip world, while Yelena’s path forward is shaped by Natasha’s sacrifice, influencing her decisions moving into Thunderbolts.
Secret Invasion (2023)
Though not directly connected, this series establishes a tense atmosphere of distrust and hidden identities—fitting themes for Thunderbolts, where loyalty and identity are constantly in flux.
WandaVision (2021)
Wanda Maximoff may not be a Thunderbolt, but her journey mirrors the trauma and loss many Thunderbolts members endure. Themes of grief, identity, and power management echo throughout, enriching the emotional tapestry of the MCU.
Unlike the clean-cut heroes of earlier phases, the Thunderbolts live in the shadows—haunted by the past, conflicted by morality, and united not by idealism but by necessity. Watching these key entries will enhance the emotional and narrative impact when they finally take the screen.
