Often referred to as Marvel Studios’ answer to The Suicide Squad, Thunderbolts* hit homes with its digital release earlier last month, and was more recently released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on July 29. But for Disney+ subscribers holding out for the film to drop on the streaming platform, one major question remains: When exactly is Thunderbolts* releasing on Disney+?
Disney’s Pattern With Marvel Streaming Releases
In recent years, Disney has generally followed a predictable window between home video release and streaming debut for their Marvel films. The most recent Marvel Studios title to debut on Disney+ was Captain America: Brave New World, which was released on Disney+ on May 28, with the announcement arriving two weeks prior, which coincidentally came a day after the film’s release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD.
Given that Thunderbolts* dropped on DVD and Blu-ray on July 29, we’re now in that prime window where an official Disney+ date could be announced any day.
New Disney+ releases tend to land on Wednesdays, and if the streamer sticks to its usual two-to-three-week gap between disc release and streaming premiere, then we’re looking at either August 14, 21 or 28 as the most likely options.
The fact that Disney hasn’t made the date public yet suggests they’re holding off for a little bit more time, possibly waiting for the same four-week gap between a possible release on Disney+ and the theatrical release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, similar to the gap between Thunderbolts* in theaters and Captain America: Brave New World on Disney+. If this is the case, then all signs point to August 21 being more likely for a Disney+ debut for The New Avengers.
What is the plot of ‘Thunderbolts*’?
In Thunderbolts*, Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of anti-heroes – Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker.
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear itself apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?
Does ‘Thunderbolts*‘ have a post-credits scene?
Thunderbolts* sets the stage for the future of the MCU in more ways than one. The film’s final act leaves the surviving members of the team fractured but alive, with the team being presented as The New Avengers, before a time jump, 18 months into the future, offers a glimpse at what appears to be early footage from Avengers: Doomsday, in the film’s post-credits.
The scene includes the team discussing “Avengers” copyright disputes and also a mysterious encounter with a descending ship, clearly marked with the insignia of The Fantastic Four. The scene, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, marks the first direct crossover between Marvel’s first family and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the MCU, teasing a full team-up on the horizon.
Who stars in ‘Thunderbolts*’?
The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov (Taskmaster), Lewis Pullman as Robert Reynolds (Sentry), Geraldine Viswanathan as Mel, Chris Bauer as Holt, Wendell Pierce as Congressman Gary, with David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian), with Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr (Ghost), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.
Jake Schreier directs Thunderbolts*, and Kevin Feige produces with Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek, and Jason Tamez serving as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, and the story is by Eric Pearson.
Thunderbolts* is now available on digital platforms. Check out a trailer below:
