Thunderbolts* Flopped at the Box Office. Will it Do Better on Disney Plus?
Marvel’s Thunderbolts stormed onto Disney+ on August 27, 2025, after a theatrical run that sparked critical and audience acclaim but fizzled at the box office.
Directed by Jake Schreier, the film unites MCU anti-heroes—Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko), and John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell)—under the cunning Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
This ragtag squad navigates a deadly mission while grappling with trauma, delivering raw emotion and practical action that critics called a “return to MCU’s roots.” With an 88% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score and a 95% audience rating—third-highest in MCU history—the film earned raves but grossed just $382 million worldwide against a $180 million budget, falling short of the $425 million needed to break even.
Now on Disney+, Thunderbolts could flip its fortunes. Many characters have strong streaming ties through Disney+ series like Hawkeye and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, making it a natural fit for platform fans who skipped theaters amid superhero fatigue.
Early signs are somewhat promising: It debuted at No. 3 on Disney+’s Top 10 Movies, trailing only family hits. Can it follow other MCU box office disappointments that soared on streaming? This article dives into its theatrical struggles, Disney+ advantages, and past redemption stories, showing why Thunderbolts might just strike gold at home.
Here’s the TLDR...
Thunderbolts wowed critics (88%) and audiences (95%) with its mental health themes and stellar cast, especially Pugh and newcomer Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, but tanked with $382 million globally.
Streaming since August 27, 2025, it leverages ties to Disney+ series like Hawkeye (Yelena) and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Bucky, Walker, Valentina), drawing binge-watchers.
MCU flops like The Marvels ($206 million theatrical) and Eternals ($402 million) exploded on Disney+, suggesting Thunderbolts could follow suit with its high scores and accessibility.
Its self-contained story and “New Avengers” post-credits tease for Avengers: Doomsday make it a streaming entry point, potentially boosting Phase 6 hype.
Early Disney+ traction signals a revival, akin to Captain America: Brave New World’s streaming surge despite theatrical woes.
Why Thunderbolts Flopped in Theaters
Despite its glowing reception, Thunderbolts struggled to draw crowds. Released May 2, 2025, it opened to $74.3 million domestically and $160.1 million globally—decent but underwhelming for an MCU tentpole. A 55% second-weekend drop ($33.1 million) showed weak legs, finishing with $190.3 million domestic and $382.4 million worldwide—among the MCU’s lowest, behind Eternals ($402 million). With $100 million in marketing, it fell short of profitability.
Superhero fatigue played a role. Phase Five’s mixed bag—Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ($476 million, critically panned) and Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million, divisive)—dampened enthusiasm for non-Avengers films. Disney CEO Bob Iger admitted overproduction diluted theatrical urgency.
The ensemble, with characters drawn partly from Disney+ series, felt niche to casual fans, who assumed prior viewing was required. Competition from A Minecraft Movie ($909 million) and Sinners ($283 million) didn’t help, nor did post-COVID habits favoring PVOD releases (available July 1, 2025).
Still, praise was near-universal. Critics lauded its “raw take on trauma” and Pugh’s “career-defining” Yelena, with Pullman’s Sentry earning Oscar buzz. It scored an A- CinemaScore and 4.5/5 on PostTrak, with 74% recommending it. Metacritic’s 68/100 called it “generally favorable” for its indie vibe and practical stunts, like Pugh’s real Merdeka 118 jump. The “New Avengers” asterisk reveal fueled buzz, but not enough to save theaters.
Disney+ to the Rescue?
On Disney+, Thunderbolts is primed to thrive. Its August 27 debut—117 days post-theaters—fits Marvel’s 90-110 day streaming window, avoiding overlap with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 25, 2025). At No. 3 on Disney+’s charts, it’s already outpacing expectations, driven by its series roots.
The cast’s Disney+ origins are key. Yelena (Hawkeye), Bucky (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), John Walker (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), and Valentina (Falcon and Black Widow’s post-credits) were built out on Disney+. Red Guardian, Taskmaster, and Ghost debuted in films (Black Widow hybrid or Ant-Man and the Wasp), while Sentry is new to Thunderbolts. This mix means half the team’s most important arcs were on Disney+, with the rest gaining streaming exposure through Black Widow’s hybrid release, blurring the lines for fans.
Streaming’s accessibility helps. At $7.99/month (ad-supported) or $13.99 (ad-free), it beats theater costs. Rewatchability enhances its emotional depth, like Sentry’s schizophrenia arc, praised as “sympathetic yet menacing.” Disney+’s algorithm pushes related content, boosting engagement. Iger’s “quality over quantity” shift—two films/year—positions Thunderbolts as a prestige streamer, not a theatrical afterthought.
Streaming Success Stories: MCU’s Redemption Arc
Thunderbolts follows a path paved by MCU flops that conquered Disney+.
The Marvels (2023) grossed a franchise-low $206 million but topped streaming charts, fueled by Ms. Marvel ties and post-credits hype.
Eternals (2021, $402 million) overcame a 47% Rotten Tomatoes score with 2 billion streaming minutes, its cosmic scope suiting rewatches.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023, $476 million) hit No. 1 on Disney+, its Loki links and humor resonating at home. Captain America: Brave New World (2025, $415 million) surged post-theaters, leveraging Sam Wilson’s Falcon arc.
These films show streaming’s power to amplify underperformers. Thunderbolts’ higher scores (88% vs. The Marvels’ 62%) and series synergy give it an edge. Its 95% audience score mirrors Shang-Chi’s streaming cultural impact. Unlike Eternals’ divisive reviews, its acclaim could drive longer chart runs.
The Team’s Streaming Strength
Here’s a breakdown of the Thunderbolts lineup and their MCU origins:
Yelena Belova: Debuted in Black Widow (2021 hybrid theatrical/Disney+), expanded in Hawkeye (Disney+).
Bucky Barnes: Debuted in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011 theatrical), with major arcs in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+).
John Walker: Debuted in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021 Disney+ original).
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine: First appeared in Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+), teased in Black Widow post-credits.
Red Guardian: Debuted in Black Widow (2021 hybrid release).
Taskmaster: Debuted in Black Widow (2021 hybrid release).
Ghost: Debuted in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018 theatrical).
Sentry (Lewis Pullman): New character, first appears in Thunderbolts (2025 theatrical).
Roughly half the team’s defining arcs were built on Disney+, while others came via hybrid or theatrical entries later pushed to streaming. This blend still makes Thunderbolts a binge-watcher’s dream.
Why It May Shine on Streaming
Thunderbolts tackles mental health with rare depth—Sentry’s schizophrenia, Yelena’s grief, Bucky’s PTSD—earning praise as a “powerful PSA.” Practical stunts ($20 million IMAX haul) and a “New Avengers” tease amplify its appeal. Streaming lets fans marathon origins, boosting emotional stakes.
Verdict: A Possible Streaming Hit?
Thunderbolts may have dimmed in theaters, but on Disney+, it’s sparking new life. With series ties, stellar reviews, and proven streaming comebacks, it’s set to outshine its box office and electrify Phase 6.
Stream Thunderbolts* starting August 27 on Disney Plus.
Hat Tips
Wikipedia for Thunderbolts plot and box office.
IMDb for reviews and themes.
Movieweb for box office analysis.
Deadline for opening numbers.
Variety for financials and MCU strategy.
Forbes for break-even data.
Hollywood Reporter for audience sentiment.
Compiled and Edited by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.