Critical Acclaim, Box Office Flop: Can Thunderbolts Find Redemption on Disney+?
Marvel’s latest team-up film arrives on streaming this month after a lukewarm theatrical run. With strong reviews but weak ticket sales, Disney+ could be the stage where Thunderbolts finally secures the recognition it deserves.
Marvel Studios is rolling out its newest antihero team on Disney+ this August 27, as Thunderbolts transitions from theaters to streaming. Directed by Jake Schreier, the film introduces a lineup led by Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova and supported by Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, and Olga Kurylenko, with Julia Louis-Dreyfus orchestrating events as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Lewis Pullman also makes his MCU debut as the powerful but unstable Sentry.
Critically, the movie fared far better than its financial results suggest. On Rotten Tomatoes, it scored an impressive 88% from critics and 93% from audiences, praised for its darker tone and more character-driven storytelling. Many highlighted how Thunderbolts balanced action with mental health themes, especially around Yelena and Sentry, offering a more grounded take than the usual MCU spectacle.
Despite these reviews, the film grossed only around $378 million worldwide against a reported budget exceeding $180 million. Industry analysts estimate it may lose over $50 million after marketing and distribution costs. This disconnect between acclaim and earnings has puzzled observers, particularly as Marvel seeks to recover momentum after several underperforming entries.
Part of the intrigue stems from Marvel’s decision to market the film with the title Thunderbolts, stylized as “Thunderbolts*” in its official trailer. The asterisk turned out to be more than clever branding. In the climactic scenes, the team is rebranded as “The New Avengers,” marking a bold shift in MCU canon and setting up a fresh lineup to stand alongside Sam Wilson’s Captain America and other established heroes.
For fans, this rebranding is significant. The Thunderbolts have traditionally been depicted in comics as villains or morally grey operatives, not saviors. By reframing them as “The New Avengers,” Marvel is signaling a long-term narrative gamble. With Avengers: Doomsday already on the horizon, the Disney+ release of Thunderbolts will likely fuel speculation about how these antiheroes will clash, or collaborate, with Earth’s mightiest heroes.
The trailer, released under the title “Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* | Stream On Disney+ August 27,” highlights the blend of espionage, fractured loyalties, and high-stakes missions that define the movie. It also teases the controversial narrative choice of eliminating Taskmaster early on, a move that sparked divided reactions among fans familiar with the comics.
With its streaming debut, Marvel now has the chance to give Thunderbolts a second life. For viewers who skipped it in theaters, the Disney+ release offers the convenience to catch up on what could be a pivotal chapter in the MCU. Whether it cements its place as a cult favorite or fades into the crowded Marvel lineup depends on how audiences embrace its riskier storytelling outside the multiplex.
