I think they said the same about The Marvels, but the first reactions are in for Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie, and hey, wouldn’t you know! It’s the best comic book movie of all time!
All kidding aside (not really), Marvel Studios held the Thunderbolts premiere in the UK, where the first reactions have hit the net. Per the norm with “first reactions,” they are overwhelmingly positive. On the bright side, they offer the flick is a fresh and much-needed shift for the MCU. Hopefully, that is indeed the case as Feige has let loose stinker after stinker following Avengers: Endgame. Check out the reactions below.

On a side note, interestingly enough, Olga Kurylenko wasn’t at the premiere, and she wasn’t listed as being in Avengers: Doomsday. Olga Kurylenko plays the gender-swapped version of Taskmaster. However, Sebastian Stan also couldn’t make the premiere.
Thunderbolts is also tracking to open to just above The Marvels, lower than Captain America: Brave New World, and the second-lowest MCU opening of all time.

Thunderbolts reactions:
THUNDERBOLTS* is, in many ways, different from other MCU films that have come before it, and that freshness couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune time, when the franchise is in need of new blood and direction. It’s some of Marvel’s darkest material to date, dealing with the… pic.twitter.com/CxxejPPx77
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) April 22, 2025
Well #Thunderbolts is easily one of the best MCU movies in a long time (and maybe one of my new personal faves). Has so much spark, charisma, and tells a genuinely emotional story you connect with. A tear was shed. Florence Pugh in particular superb, just walks away with it pic.twitter.com/U7AzBgGZMl
— Emily Murray (@EmilyVMurray) April 22, 2025
Shocked how good THUNDERBOLTS* is. Putting emphasis on the character work and practical action makes this feel like the old Marvel that has us for a decade plus. Wish we'd gotten this sooner. Helps that this dysfunctional team has chemistry too.#Thunderbolts* #ThunderboltsMovie pic.twitter.com/LmXtiivKKV
— Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets) April 22, 2025
#Thunderbolts is one of Marvel’s most enjoyable films in a while. It feels different than most of the studio’s projects. Its bold, funny, filled with great action and an unexpected emotional punch.
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 22, 2025
Florence Pugh is the star that shines the brightest. There’s a lot to love here.… pic.twitter.com/8wjgx9caIS
#Thunderbolts is raw, hilarious, and deeply human. It’s a bold dive into trauma, healing, and redemption. Proof that even the so-called defective losers and disposable delinquents can rise above their past and become the heroes no one expected. It’s gritty, emotional, and unlike… pic.twitter.com/HYq55TSqWC
— Big Gold Belt Media (@BigGoldBelt) April 22, 2025
Taps mic: #Thunderbolts was awesome. Tons of implications on how the MCU is moving forward. The team works well together, plenty of emotion. Yelena is my MVP.
— B E A N Z The Gamer Dad(beanzgotgamez.bsky.social) (@BeanzGotGamez) April 22, 2025
Definitely a super fun movie. Definitely stick around after the credits 😉. pic.twitter.com/2vPfvCfEAz
#Thunderbolts* introduces a new era for Marvel, the most humane film filled with allowing their anti hero being flawed, broken and regretful. Sebastian Stan has an absolute scene stealing moment, yet Florence Pugh shows she is the true lead of the new generation and team. pic.twitter.com/laTDyRVCkr
— Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) April 22, 2025
#Thunderbolts* introduces a new era for Marvel, the most humane film filled with allowing their anti hero being flawed, broken and regretful. Sebastian Stan has an absolute scene stealing moment, yet Florence Pugh shows she is the true lead of the new generation and team. pic.twitter.com/laTDyRVCkr
— Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) April 22, 2025
#Thunderbolts*: That was pretty great! A visually daring, emotionally resonant superhero film that pushes mental health to the forefront. Florence Pugh brings the heart, David Harbour is consistently funny, & Lewis Pullman might be the stealth MVP. Best MCU film in a long while! pic.twitter.com/wIGfi5LGH6
— Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) April 22, 2025
Release info
Thunderbolts opens in theaters on May 2, 2025.
The cast includes Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, with Geraldine Viswanathan and Lewis Pullman.
The film is directed by Jake Schreier with a script by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo. Kevin Feige produces, alongside executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, and Jason Tamez.