Thunderbolts* Strikes UK Box Office with Over £5M: Heroes, Movies to Watch
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* stormed UK cinemas last Friday, May 2, 2025, grossing over £5 million in its opening weekend, part of a £122 million global haul. Wondering what to watch to join the anti-hero action? TGI Movie is your guide for UK fans, offering cinema showtimes, film tickets, streaming options on Disney+, Netflix, or Prime Video, and tips to add Thunderbolts* to your personalized watchlist. Discover the misfit heroes, must-watch MCU titles for context, and why this film is a hit—read reviews and catch the buzz now!
Thunderbolts* Box Office Triumph
Thunderbolts*, directed by Jake Schreier, smashed expectations with £7.7 million in the UK, ranking as a top international market behind China (£10.4M). Its £122 million global opening, including £57 million domestically, nearly recouped its £180 million budget in three days. Despite a heatwave impacting UK turnout, the film earned a 95% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and an A- CinemaScore, with fans praising its gritty action and Florence Pugh’s standout performance as Yelena Belova. X posts, like @AskPerplexity’s note on its £70-80 million domestic projection, highlight its solid start. Book film tickets via TGI Movie to experience the action in UK cinemas, or read reviews to feel the hype.
Synopsis
Not super. Not heroes. Not giving up.
Meet the Thunderbolts* Anti-Heroes
This ragtag team of MCU misfits, assembled by the scheming Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), flips the hero narrative with morally gray characters. Here’s who’s in the squad:
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Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh): Black Widow’s fierce sister, grappling with trauma from Black Widow and Hawkeye.
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Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan): The reformed super-soldier from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, seeking redemption.
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Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour): Russia’s brash super-soldier from Black Widow, balancing humor and heart.
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Ghost/Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kamen): The phasing anti-hero from Ant-Man and the Wasp, haunted by her unstable powers.
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Taskmaster/Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko): The lethal mimic from Black Widow, now seeking purpose.
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John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell): The polarizing ex-Captain America from The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, wrestling with ego.
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Bob/Sentry (Lewis Pullman): A mysterious newcomer with mental struggles and catastrophic powers, tied to the film’s villainous plot.
Their chemistry, lauded by critics like The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey for its “self-aware” vibe, makes Thunderbolts* a fresh MCU chapter. Add it to your personalized watchlist on TGI Movie.
Must-Watch Movies and Shows Before Thunderbolts*
While Thunderbolts* is accessible, these MCU titles enrich the experience and are available via streaming on Disney+:
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Black Widow (2021)*: Introduces Yelena, Red Guardian, Taskmaster, and Valentina. Essential for their backstories. Stream on Disney+ or check Prime Video.
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Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)*: Establishes Bucky’s Winter Soldier past. A classic for context. Stream on Disney+ or Prime Video.
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Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)*: Introduces Ghost’s powers and struggles. Quick context for her role. Stream on Disney+.
Synopsis
In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller 'Black Widow', Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger. Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha/Black Widow, Florence Pugh stars as Yelena, David Harbour portrays Alexei/The Red Guardian, and Rachel Weisz is Melina. 'Black Widow' — the first film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe — is directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Kevin Feige.
Synopsis
After the cataclysmic events in New York with The Avengers, Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” finds Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow, Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon. However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy — the Winter Soldier.
Synopsis
Scott Lang grapples with his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to balance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as they join forces to uncover secrets from the past. Some flashing lights sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.
How to Enjoy Thunderbolts* in the UK
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Cinema Screenings: Catch Thunderbolts* in UK cinemas with showtimes on TGI Movie. Book film tickets for premium formats like 4DX to feel the action. Despite a £1.3 million Thursday dip due to weather, Friday-Saturday gains show strong demand.
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Streaming Options: Stream Black Widow, The Winter Soldier, and more on Disney+. Check Netflix or Prime Video for Ant-Man and the Wasp. Add to your personalized watchlist for easy access.
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Fan Engagement: Read reviews on TGI Movie to see why fans love Pugh’s “emotional tangibility” and Pullman’s “stealth MVP” role. Share your thoughts post-screening.
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Marvel Marathon: Prep for Thunderbolts* by streaming the pre-watch list on Disney+. Host a viewing party and use TGI Movie’s read reviews to guide your order.