You’ll probably wonder what you need to watch before seeing Thunderbolts. It’s the last movie in Phase Five of the MCU and culminates 17 years of stories. Fortunately, you don’t have to watch every single piece of MCU media to enjoy the new film.
What movies and TV shows do I need to watch before Thunderbolts?
The MCU is massive at this point, so we’re going to break down the bare minimum you should look at before watching Thunderbolts. However, since this is an ensemble movie, like The Avengers, you’ll likely be fine if you go into it without any previous knowledge.
While Thunderbolts will undoubtedly reference previous MCU movies and TV shows, it is a self-contained story. You can likely get most of the references by checking out previous media in which the main cast has appeared, which you can see below.
Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier)
We first met Bucky, Steve’s loyal buddy, in Captain America: The First Avenger, before he took a dark turn into the Winter Soldier program. He resurfaces in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, trying to piece his life back together, then shows up in Civil War on the wrong side of the fight. He then makes a quiet cameo in Black Panther, races to Wakanda’s aid in Avengers Infinity War and Endgame, and returns again in Captain America: Brave New World. On TV, he and Sam take center stage in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, wrestling with what heroism really means.
Movies
- Captain America: The First Avenger
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Panther
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Avengers: Endgame
- Captain America: Brave New World
TV
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
John Walker (U.S. Agent)
Introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, John Walker starts as the government’s choice for the new Captain America—only to find out the shield comes with a heavy price. By the end of the series, he’s traded stars and stripes for a new identity as U.S. Agent.
TV
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
Yelena Belova
Yelena kicked off her MCU run in Black Widow as Natasha’s kid sister-turned-agent, grappling with betrayal and loss before finding her footing. She pops up again in Hawkeye, bringing both snark and serious skills to Kate Bishop’s corner.
Movies
- Black Widow
TV
- Hawkeye
Taskmaster
Taskmaster first appears in Black Widow as a shadowy mercenary who can mimic any fighting style. But he’s more than a mirror image for Natasha; he’s a major wildcard with hidden loyalties.
Movies
- Black Widow
Bob (Sentry/Void)
Bob appears for the first time in Thunderbolts as an affable ex-prison guard trying to keep his buddy Ghost out of trouble. He’s lovable, goofy, and secretly packing some major superpowers.
First appearance in Thunderbolts*
Alexei Shostakov (Red Guardian)
In Black Widow, Alexei plays the Soviet counterpart to Captain America—big heart, bigger ego. He bumbles through missions alongside Natasha and Yelena, reminding everyone that family can be both a strength and a mess.
Movies
- Black Widow
Ava Starr (Ghost)
Ava debuted in Ant‑Man and the Wasp as a scientist caught between life and death after a quantum experiment goes sideways. She’s desperate, unpredictable, and bent on fixing the world—even if it means tearing it apart.
Movies
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
Valentina pops up after Black Widow’s credits as the woman with the plan, hinting at a much larger conspiracy. She resurfaces in Black Panther Wakanda Forever, recruiting super‑talent for her mysterious causes, and makes a brief, pointed appearance in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Movies
- Black Widow (post-credits)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
TV
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
