The God of Thunder has been a mainstay in the MCU since his debut in 2011’s “Thor.” Played by Chris Hemsworth, the character has since appeared in numerous films and crossovers, including his own series of movies and team-up movies like “The Avengers.” But with so many appearances, it can be tough to keep track of the order. In this article, we’ll break down all Thor movies and appearances in chronological order, so you can follow the mighty Asgardian’s journey from start to finish.
How many Thor movies are there?
Thor has four solo movies and five other appearances in other MCU movies. This means that Thor appeared on-screen nine times in total over the course of 11 years, and yes, we’re counting his mid-credits scene in Doctor Strange as well.
Thor movies in order (at a glance)
As we’ve mentioned, Thor’s MCU journey began with the release of Thor in 2011. His character was so popular he managed secure three other solo movies and appeared in other crossovers as well. The last solo movie in the Thor series was released in 2022, titled Love & Thunder. The following is the release date order of all Thor movies as well as his other MCU appearances.
- Thor (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- Thor: The Dark World (2013)
- Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Thor: Love & Thunder (2022)
Are Thor movies connected? Do you need to watch them in a specific order?
Thor movies are connected, and watching them in a specific order is recommended to fully understand the story and character arcs. All Thor movies are set in a shared continuity like the other MCU projects. In addition to the solo movies, Thor has also appeared in several team-up movies with the rest of the Avengers. Those narratives will only make sense if you watch all movies and appearances in a specific order.
What is the best way to watch Thor movies?
The best way to watch the Thor movies is in the order they were released. This order follows the chronological order of the events in the MCU and allows for the characters and storyline’s natural progression. The first Thor movie establishes the character and his world, while The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron show him as part of a larger team. Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok further explore the character’s relationships and their role in the larger story.
Thor movies and appearances in order (by release date)
1. Thor (2011)
Thor, the crown prince of Asgard, is banished to Earth after recklessly starting a war with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. He meets and befriends scientist Jane Foster but struggles to adjust to life on Earth without his powers. Meanwhile, his brother Loki schemes to take the throne of Asgard, leading to a final showdown between the brothers that ultimately results in Thor learning humility and earning his power back.
2. The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers brings together Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to save the world from an alien invasion led by Loki, who has stolen the Tesseract. The team initially struggles to work together due to their differing personalities and methods, but ultimately, they defeat the invaders and save the Earth. The film sets up the groundwork for the larger MCU by introducing the concept of the Avengers team and their dynamic while further exploring Loki’s character and his motivations.
3. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Thousands of years ago, the Dark Elf Malekith attempted to use the power of the Aether, a powerful force that can destroy the universe, to plunge the world into darkness. Asgardian warriors, led by Bor, Odin’s father, defeat Malekith and hide the Aether. In the present day, Malekith awakens and seeks revenge, leading to a battle between Thor and Malekith that culminates in a dramatic showdown in London. Along the way, Thor must confront the loss of his mother, the betrayal of Loki, and the revelations related to the Aether.
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Avengers, led by Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, raid a Hydra base to retrieve Loki’s scepter. Tony Stark and Bruce Banner use the scepter to create an artificial intelligence called Ultron to protect the world, but it becomes sentient and seeks to destroy humanity. With the help of new allies, Vision and Quicksilver, the Avengers must work together to stop Ultron and prevent his plan to cause global extinction. Along the way, the team faces internal conflicts and personal demons, leading to a final battle that has lasting consequences for the team.
5. Doctor Strange (2016)
Doctor Strange follows the story of Stephen Strange, a successful but arrogant neurosurgeon, who loses the use of his hands in a car accident. Desperate to regain his abilities, Strange travels to Nepal to seek out a mystical order led by the Ancient One, who teaches him the ways of magic and sorcery. Strange becomes embroiled in a battle against Kaecilius, a former disciple of the Ancient One who seeks to merge the Earth with the Dark Dimension.
Along the way, Strange must confront his own ego and learn to use his newfound powers to save the world. Thor has only a mid-credits appearance here, but it still counts as an appearance. Doctor Strange questions Thor about the presence of his brother Loki on Earth. Upon learning that they are searching for their missing father, Odin, Strange offers his assistance but says that Thor and Loki must return to Asgard once their task is fulfilled.
6. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok sees Thor imprisoned on the planet Sakaar and forced to compete in gladiatorial contests against the Hulk. He teams up with Loki, the Asgardian Valkyrie, and the rock monster Korg to escape and prevent the goddess of death, Hela, from destroying Asgard. Along the way, Thor loses his hammer, gains a new ally in the form of Valkyrie, and learns to embrace his role as a leader.
7. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War sees the Avengers and their allies fighting against the powerful and ruthless Thanos, who is on a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones in order to carry out his goal of wiping out half of all life in the universe. The film takes the audience on a journey through space and different worlds as the Avengers try to stop Thanos and his forces. Along the way, several heroes are forced to make sacrifices, and the film ends with the snap of Thanos’ fingers, causing the death of several beloved characters and leaving the remaining heroes in shock and despair.
8. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Avengers: Endgame picks up where Infinity War left off, with the Avengers and their allies reeling from the loss of half of all life in the universe. They hatch a plan to use time travel to retrieve the Infinity Stones from different points in history and use them to undo Thanos’ snap. The plan involves revisiting key moments from the previous films, leading to emotional reunions and battles. In a climactic final showdown, the Avengers face off against Thanos and his forces, resulting in a bittersweet victory that sets the stage for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
9. Thor: Love & Thunder (2022)
Thor: Love & Thunder sees Thor facing off against a new threat in the form of Gorr, the God Butcher. Meanwhile, Jane Foster, who had previously been absent from the MCU, takes up the mantle of Thor herself, becoming the Mighty Thor. The film also features the return of several beloved characters, including Valkyrie, Korg, and the Grandmaster.
Where to watch Thor movies?
If you’re looking to catch up on all of the Thor movies and appearances in the MCU, Disney+ is the perfect place to do so. All four Thor standalone movies can be found on Disney+ as well as all Avengers movies.
Will there be more Thor movies?
Currently, there are no plans to make a fifth Thor movie, although both Taika Waititi and Chris Hemsworth confirmed that they are willing to return to the movies if they are invited. Both the director and the actor were surprised to see the “Thor will return” tagline at the end of Thor: Love & Thunder. However, since that interview, Hemsworth found out some worrying news.
During the National Geographic documentary Limitless, released in 2022, Hemsworth shared that he has inherited two copies of the APOE4 gene from both his mother and father, which puts him at eight to ten times higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than the average person. Consequently, Hemsworth intends to take an indefinite hiatus from acting to prioritize spending more time with his family.
