Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* was quite possibly the best superhero movie of the year. Yes, I know we have since had multiple major superhero films grace the big screen since that one's May release, but the truth is that it left a lasting impression on moviegoers in a way that few in this genre ever have. The film surprised audiences, earning critical acclaim for its thoughtful approach to mental health and all-around enjoyability when it came to the Marvel Cinematic Universe element of it all.
It stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, David Harbour, and Julia Louis Dreyfus, who all reprise their roles from previous MCU movies and / or Disney Plus TV shows. Meanwhile, Lewis Pullman joins the fray as the mysterious Bob, a character who will likely carry great importance in the future of the franchise.
Although Thunderbolts* somewhat underperformed at the box office, it did earn back its budget and didn't fall too short of the break-even mark during its theatrical release. It is expected to be a long-term success story for the studio through VOD releases, merchandising, home media releases and, indeed, streaming. Speaking of the latter, when can we expect it to arrive on Disney Plus?
Thunderbolts* Disney Plus release date predictions
Thunderbolts* is expected to be released on Disney Plus in either mid-August or early September. Marvel has not yet confirmed that release date, but there is a real likelihood that the studio will make it official in the coming days and weeks.
Since the launch of the streaming service back in 2019, there has been a lot of speculation about when each of the films that Disney produces will arrive on the platform. There has also been a clear pattern to go on, with the average release date being somewhere between 80 and 100 days after the respective film's theatrical release window. The range can vary somewhat depending on how the film is performing at the box office; if Marvel or Disney can ensure it continues to pick up moviegoers each week, they might extend that window. It's still usually within that range, though, with the only real exception being Avatar: The Way of Water, (which waited a full six months before arriving due to its exceptional box office performance).
Thunderbolts* can no longer benefit from an extended theatrical run as its theatrical release window has closed. There were simply too many major summer releases for it to enjoy an extended run and that ultimately impacted its box office legs (with July's releases of Jurassic World Rebirth, Superman, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there would have simply been too much competition in the superhero / sci-fi realm for it to hold its own two months after its release). With that in mind, Marvel Studios will likely be keen to release it on Disney Plus extremely soon so that it can enjoy a streaming renaissance - and it will. It's also worth bearing in mind that the film released almost 100 days ago, so a streaming release is imminent.
Taking all of that into account, Thunderbolts* will likely release on Disney Plus on a Wednesday between mid-August and mid September. We're predicting that it could be Wednesday, August 13 at the earliest, with any Wednesday after that likely possibilities (Wednesday, August 20 might be even more likely). Either way, you will be able to watch it on the streamer before the end of September barring any unusual release delays.
In the meantime, Thunderbolts* is now available to purchase on VOD and DVD / Blu-ray / 4K UHD.
More from Bam Smack Pow: