All 9 MCU projects to watch to understand the Thunderbolts

Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige continue to build the MCU universe with the reveal of the lineup thunderbolts*A team of villains and anti-heroes together for a mysterious reason. With a cast that includes The Winter Soldier, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, and more, there’s plenty for fans to watch and get caught up with thunderbolts*, which is set to be released on May 2, 2025.

These characters have been slowly established since phase one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. All the way to phase four, there are many movies and shows that the Thunderbolts will act as a sequel to; Similar to how The Avengers Movies are the culmination of many films. These are all the basic watches before Thunderbolts*.

Captain America: The First Avenger

It would seem that one of the leaders of the Thunderbolts will be none other than Bucky Barnes, who has a complete evolution in the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. His story begins in phase one with Joe Johnston Captain America: The First Avengeras a Significant side character who will eventually become one of the most important characters in the entire MCU.

This is mainly an origin story for Steve Rogers, but it showcases the brotherly love between him and Bucky Barnes. This was when Steve and Bucky’s friendship was at its healthiest before Bucky’s life was subjected to torture in future entries, eventually leading to the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

With an arm missing and injected with a super soldier formula, Bucky became the titular villain of it Captain America Sequel. It turns Bucky Barnes’ life into a tragic story that shows how Hydra stripped Bucky of his humanity and turned him into a ruthless killer under their control. Bucky turning into the winter soldier will Continue to haunt him throughout the rest of his story in the MCUAll the way to thunderbolts*.

This is the most pivotal chapter in understanding Bucky’s place in thunderbolts* And why he is probably the perfect choice to lead the team. Captain America: The Winter Soldier It’s also important because of how far Steve Rogers was willing to go to save his friend, which is a prelude to the rest of Bucky’s journey as the Winter Soldier, as he begins to show hints of who he will eventually become as his story unfolds. Go on.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Bucky is basically the reason why Captain America and Iron Man turned into enemies Captain America: Civil War. Steve Rogers is trying to protect his friend and prove he’s still the living weapon for hire, while Iron Man has a personal vendetta after an earth-shattering reveal at the end of the film. This is where Bucky really takes off as one of the most complex characters in the MCU.

The third film in the Captain America Trilogy highlights Bucky’s redemption and shows him becoming the hero he was before Hydra turned him into their assassin. It comes at the cost of the Avengers falling apart, which Bucky didn’t want, and the guilt for what comes later. This post credits scene from Captain America: Civil War Also set up where Buki will be once the events of Avengers: Infinity War Kick off.

Black Widow (2021)

Four members of the Thunderbolts are introduced in Black Widow. First, there is Yelena Belova, who is the sister of Natasha Romanoff. Black Widow Also meet Yelena and Natasha’s father, Alexei Shostakov, otherwise known as Red Guardian. His super soldier strength was the icing on the cake, helping David Harbor steal the show as a washed-up, middle-aged super soldier who has a complicated relationship with Natasha and Yelena.

Alexei was primarily used as comedic relief, but the film showed that he also has a good heart, which is why many are looking forward to his return to thunderbolts*. Antonia Drykov, also known as Taskmaster, was one of the main villains of Black WidowAnd she will also be featured in thunderbolts*After the events of her regaining her autonomy in the film. Finally, there is the introduction of Julia Louise Dreyfuss as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in a post-credits scene, which will be significant in thunderbolts*.

narrative, Black Widow Is One of the most important films to watch before thunderbolts*As the end of it begins to set up where the characters will be when they appear in the upcoming movie. The thunderbolts* The trailer has a lot of Yelena and Alexei Shostakov and what they do before they become part of the team.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

One of the more surprising characters joining the Thunderbolts team is Ghost, who was recently seen and introduced in Ant-Man and the Wasp As the main villain. Even though she was one of the MCU’s more obscure villains, she could be redeemed thunderbolts*. Ghost has one of the most interesting power sets in the MCUWhich should be taken full advantage of for action scenes in thunderbolts*.

Not only is she played by the talented Hannah John-Kamen, but she also has a well-made costume with dynamic powers. The character simply needs more development and a better script thunderbolts* can provide. in the thunderbolts* trailer, Ghost is sporting a new suit and looks like she has much more control over her powers, following her inability to control them in Ant-Man and the Wasp was one of the main conflicts of her character. hope, thunderbolts* Will investigate what happened to you since Ant-Man and the Wasp.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

This is part one of which is easily the The most important event in the MCU timeline. When ten years of build-up culminated in the war for the Infinity Stones against Thanos, it changed the MCU forever. Especially with its rather dark and surprising ending with the blip, which includes Bucky turning to dust.

Fans got to see characters like Bucky become an Avenger for the first time and protect Earth from Thanos’ forces. Avengers: Infinity War would lead to the second part of the event that would change the course of the MCU forever and pave the way for thunderbolts*. Avengers: Infinity War Catch up with Bucky and what he’s been up to since the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, As a rehabilitated person, which is further explored in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

It was the epic finale of the Infinity Saga, which took place five years later and showed how the blip affected the world. Iconic characters would sadly lose their lives or retire, including Natasha Romanoff, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark himself. Bucky is the only character from the Thunderbolts team to appear in the film, with the ending setting up his story in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

All the events in Avengers: Endgame Would put more to come in phase four. Hawkeye would be thrust back into superhero life in his own spin-off series, also exploring how the world reacts to the absence of Captain America, and how the Blip both ruined and helped people. Although Avengers: Endgame Does not narratively lead right into thunderbolts*, It helps shape characters after its events, including Elena and Bucky.

Hawkeye (2021)

for the most part, Hawkeye Focuses on Clint Barton and his partnership with the new Hawkeye AKA Kate Bishop. However, these Hawkeye Series also acts as a sequel to both Black Widow And Avengers: Endgame With the appearance of Yelena Boleva, etc Natasha’s death in Avengers: Endgame Brings Elena and Clint face-to-face.

Yelena’s role focuses heavily on the aftermath of End game And how she and Barton are both grieving the loss of Natasha. It also establishes the dynamic between Elena and Kate that could continue into the future Avengers Movies. Hawkeye Is the last appearance of Yelena before thunderbolts*Where she looks like one of the most important characters in the film. Black Widow is the more relevant film to explore Elena’s character, however Hawkeye It works well to see what she did after the events of her sister’s death.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

Bucky became a co-star in the Disney+ series focusing on him working with Sam Wilson, who evolves from Falcon to the new Captain America. Bucky is determined to make his friend Steve Rogers proud and the audience sees him deal with not only the trauma of being a Winter Soldier, but also how Earth’s heroes nearly killed each other over him.

moreover, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Introduced Wyatt Russell as John Walker AKA US Agent. It’s essentially what would have happened if Steve Rogers had never been picked up for the Super Soldier program. John Walker fell into becoming a murderous and villainous Captain America variant with a hint of good in him, which will make him one of the more volatile members in thunderbolts*.

Based on these thunderbolts* Trailer, the story of John Walker will pick up where The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Ends, with him working as US. it. Agent. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Is also the first appearance of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who will have an important role to play in Thunderbolts*. Bucky seems to be hunting members of the team, setting up a mystery about what happened between the events of thunderbolts* And the ending of his TV series.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Although she doesn’t have much screentime in it Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is featured in the filmGive viewers a chance to know a little more about you beforehand thunderbolts*. She is the director of the CIA. and the ex-wife of Everett Ross, a CIA agent who appears in both Black Panther films, Captain America: Civil WarAnd one episode of Secret invasion.

After a handful of appearances in the MCU, Valentina looks to be a significant part of thunderbolts*Seemingly putting the team together for a specific reason. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is her last appointment in the MCU thunderbolts*Which means viewers who would like to know a little more about her should check out the film.