Summary:
- The Thunderbolts are rebranded as the New Avengers, emphasizing themes of mental health and purpose.
- Mid-credits scene features Red Guardian celebrating cereal box fame, symbolizing public acceptance.
- Post-credits scene reveals the arrival of the Fantastic Four, linking to Avengers: Doomsday.
The Thunderbolts movie closes out Marvel’s Phase 5 with major narrative shifts, including a team rebranding and key setups for upcoming MCU titles. With strong focus on mental health and two post-credit scenes, the film lays the foundation for both the Fantastic Four and Avengers: Doomsday.
What Happens at the End of Thunderbolts?
The movie concludes with the team—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker—officially rebranded as the New Avengers by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This decision follows a mission that forces each character to confront their personal demons and past traumas.
Valentina, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, makes the move to secure their future as Earth’s main superhero team, strategically avoiding political fallout and impeachment after their mission goes public. The narrative emphasizes themes of depression, recovery, and rediscovery of purpose, providing a fresh emotional arc within the MCU that contrasts with earlier films centered around PTSD, such as Iron Man 3.
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What Happens in the Mid-Credits Scene of Thunderbolts?
The mid-credits scene delivers a humorous shift in tone. Red Guardian (David Harbour) is shown in a grocery store, overjoyed to find that he and the team are featured on Wheaties cereal boxes. This lighthearted moment reflects their new public image as celebrated heroes.
The interaction highlights Red Guardian’s inflated ego as he engages with amused shoppers, further cementing the Thunderbolts’ transformation into widely recognized figures. The cereal box imagery symbolizes the team’s cultural integration, showcasing how far they’ve come from being seen as expendable assets.
What Happens in the Post-Credits Scene of Thunderbolts?
The post-credits scene makes a major leap toward future MCU storylines. The New Avengers are seen settling into Avengers Tower when a massive spacecraft begins approaching Earth. Satellite imagery shows a clear “4” insignia, marking the long-anticipated arrival of the Fantastic Four.
This scene, lasting 174 seconds, is the longest post-credits scene in MCU history, as noted by multiple sources. It features banter among the team—including jokes about calling themselves “Avengerz” and a legal threat from Sam Wilson over the Avengers name. The scene ends with tension building as the spacecraft nears, backed by the theme from The Fantastic Four: First Steps, teasing their debut in the July 25, 2025 film.
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How Does Thunderbolts Connect to Upcoming MCU Films?
The arrival of the Fantastic Four directly sets up Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and the 2026 blockbuster Avengers: Doomsday. The latter is expected to feature Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom alongside returning X-Men characters.
The integration of the Thunderbolts/New Avengers with the Fantastic Four opens the door to potential alliances or ideological conflicts. Speculation points to a possible division between government-sanctioned and independent superhero factions, mirroring comic book arcs like Civil War.
Casting for the Fantastic Four includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, further confirming Marvel’s shift toward interconnected ensemble storytelling.
How Does Thunderbolts Compare to Recent MCU Films?
Compared to Captain America: Brave New World, which had lighter post-credit setups focused on team-building, Thunderbolts delivers tangible, consequential developments. The focus on mental health adds emotional weight, especially through Florence Pugh’s performance as Yelena Belova, which has been widely praised.
Reviewers highlight that while the plot can be formulaic, the film stands out due to its emotional maturity and serious character development, moving away from the traditional superhero narrative structure.
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What Do the Post-Credits Scenes Signify for the MCU?
The mid-credits scene confirms the Thunderbolts’ status as public heroes, while the post-credits scene launches a broader cosmic storyline. These scenes not only serve as crowd-pleasing moments but also anchor the Thunderbolts within the larger MCU roadmap.
Mid-Credits: Red Guardian finds the team featured on Wheaties boxes, symbolizing mainstream heroism.
Post-Credits: The approach of a spacecraft bearing the Fantastic Four logo sets the stage for First Steps and Doomsday, positioning the New Avengers at the heart of future crossovers.
Table: Summary of Post-Credits Scenes
| Scene Type | Description | Impact on MCU |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-Credits | Red Guardian finds team on Wheaties boxes | Highlights New Avengers’ public status |
| Post-Credits | Fantastic Four spacecraft approaches Earth | Teases major crossover with Doomsday |
Where Can You Watch Thunderbolts?
Thunderbolts premiered in theaters on May 2, 2025. A streaming release on Disney+ is expected by late summer 2025, aligning with prior Marvel film rollout timelines.
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