One Big Thing I Hope Happens After Avengers: Doomsday Hits Theaters

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A lot of excitement is already building for the next Avengers: Doomsday movie, which is expected to be a major event in 2026 and will conclude Marvel’s Multiverse Saga with a big finale. While I’ve been following all the discussions about Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, the return of familiar characters, and how this film will (hopefully) bring years of storylines to a satisfying end, I keep thinking about one thing. I believe more people should watch Marvel’s Thunderbolts* (also known as New Avengers).

Thunderbolts is a Marvel movie I’ve really enjoyed – and many others feel the same way. However, it didn’t perform well financially, earning just over $380 million globally, according to Box Office Mojo. Considering the $180 million it cost to make and an additional $100 million spent on advertising, it’s obvious that not enough people went to see it.

Thunderbolts Deserved Better At The Box Office

Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* wasn’t intended to be Marvel’s biggest blockbuster. It was planned as a smaller, more focused story centered on its characters. The team of antiheroes in Thunderbolts* featured Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, and Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost.

And honestly, the best part is that this approach actually worked. Instead of just giving us a constant barrage of CGI, Schreier really focused on the characters’ trauma and what makes them, *them*. There was still plenty of action, of course, but it was the emotional journeys that really hit home. Florence Pugh brought such a raw and vulnerable energy to Yelena – she made every scene better. And I was genuinely surprised by the depth they gave to Ghost’s backstory and John Walker’s struggles. For once, it felt like Marvel actually trusted its characters to *drive* the story, instead of relying on the next big multiverse thing.

The reviews showed the film had a more grown-up and independent style. Viewers who watched it found it touching and humorous, but also realistic – something the MCU hasn’t consistently delivered recently. Unfortunately, the film’s release timing was difficult, coinciding with reports of superhero fatigue and changing audience preferences, which meant it didn’t perform as well at the box office as it should have. This raises the question: what does Thunderbolts’ box office performance mean for the future of the MCU, and especially for the next Avengersmovies?

How Avengers: Doomsday Could Make Thunderbolts* Essential

The good news is, Thunderbolts won’t be forgotten in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The team is already set to appear in Doomsday, scheduled for release in late 2026, and there’s talk that Pugh’s character, Yelena, will be important going forward. This is where I believe things could become particularly exciting.

Movies labeled as Avengers continue to be incredibly popular with viewers. Even those who didn’t see Thunderbolts in cinemas are likely to be excited for the next major team-up film. If Doomsday turns out to be as significant as expected, it could encourage more people to watch Thunderbolts on Disney+, potentially giving the film the audience it originally aimed for.

This is the Marvel Cinematic Universe working at its peak. Projects are building on each other, meaning a movie previously considered less important or overlooked can suddenly become a must-see. Think about it: if you’ve just spent three hours with characters in a new film, and they already have a movie together, wouldn’t you be curious to go back and see how their relationship first developed?

The One Big Thing I Hope Happens

When Avengers: Doomsday is released in cinemas, I’m hoping for more than just another big, exciting Marvel movie. I also hope it brings renewed attention to Thunderbolts. That film didn’t get the recognition it deserved, and Doomsday could be what it needs to finally gain a wider audience.

If this team-up encourages new or casual fans to rediscover Yelena, Red Guardian, Ghost, and the rest of the group, it’s a success for both Marvel and viewers who might have missed what many consider one of the most character-focused stories in the MCU for a long time. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the directing talents of Jake Schreier, which is great considering he’s already been chosen to direct Marvel’s first X-Men movie within the MCU.

Ultimately, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is strongest when every story element feels important. If the events of Doomsday make Thunderbolts a must-see, and potentially lead to another movie, that would be a fantastic outcome.

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2025-10-01 03:05