The first batch of reviews for Marvel’s Thunderbolts is out, and the film is currently one of the top-rated in the MCU, landing in the top ten.
With the first 58 reviews, Thunderbolts is currently “Fresh” with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes Score.
Update: With 103 reviews, the score has dropped to 87%.
That makes Thunderbolts tied with Spider-Man: Far From Home at #9 on the MCU Rotten Tomatoes charts. Update: Thunderbolts is now at #14.
In good company includes Guardians of the Galaxy, Shang-Chi, and Spider-Man: Homecoming tied with 92%, followed by Thor: Ragnarok at #4 with 93%, tied at #2 and #3 is Iron Man and Avengers: Endgame with 94%. Topping the MCU with the best all-time Rotten Tomatoes Score is Black Panther with 96%. At #10 is The Avengers with 91%.
Check out what the negative and positive reviews offer below.
What do the reviews say?
The negative
There are currently only four twelve negative reviews.
The negative reviews for Thunderbolts paint it as a middling, uninspired entry in the MCU, criticized for feeling like a dumping ground for leftover characters and ideas. Reviewers call out the lack of a distinct identity, noting it plays things too safe and adheres too closely to Marvel’s overused formula—resulting in a film that’s entertaining in flashes but ultimately forgettable. Despite a strong cast, the movie is seen as visually competent yet emotionally hollow, weighed down by a sluggish second act and a finale that rehashes old ground. Critics also slam its cheap tone, self-deprecating humor that misses the mark, and its resemblance to a Disney+ release mistakenly sent to theaters. Some even go as far as to describe it as evidence of Marvel’s creative decline, calling it “empty commerce” rather than meaningful storytelling.
Update: These are the first four negative reviews:
There is a lot riding on the success of Thunderbolts* and the film itself is not a total disaster. It has some funny moments, a few heartfelt ones, and a Terminator 2 homage that certainly will have audiences cheering. – AwardsWatch
…the cast is undeniably top tier, but the self-deprecating humour that was always the saving grace of the MCU is largely posted missing…there’s not much urgency about the goals; introducing a new team is just about all Thunderbolts* sets out to achieve… – film authority
Despite its notionally spiky tone, moroseness is the film’s root chord. – Daily Telegraph
These movies aren’t just bad in the traditional sense anymore; they’re the hollowed-out detritus of a crumbling empire, entertainment as empty commerce, and weaponized anticipation. – Silver Screen riot
The positive
The positive reviews for Thunderbolts praise its emotional depth, standout performances, and character-driven storytelling.
Critics highlight Florence Pugh as a commanding lead, with many noting the film’s raw exploration of depression, loneliness, and self-worth.
Reviewers also applaud the movie’s grounded tone, strong team dynamics, and balance of action and humor, calling it one of the most refreshing and personal MCU entries in years.
The film’s gritty aesthetic, practical effects, and focus on antihero redemption arcs mark a shift away from Marvel’s recent CGI-heavy fare, signaling a potential creative reset for the franchise.
Release info
Thunderbolts gets released on Thursday with the early previews and officially on Friday. Jake Schreier is the director.
The cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Watch a clip:
