what do i need to watch before thunderbolts

You mainly need to catch up on the key movies and shows that introduce the Thunderbolts team members and their boss‑type figures in the MCU.

What do I need to watch before Thunderbolts?

If you don’t want to rewatch the whole MCU, focus on the projects that set up Yelena, Bucky, Red Guardian, Ghost, U.S. Agent, and Valentina, plus the post‑Endgame world.

Absolute essentials (short list)

If you only have time for a handful, these are the most commonly recommended “musts” before Thunderbolts.

Black Widow (2021) – Introduces Yelena Belova, Red Guardian and their family history; widely called the single most important lead‑in to Thunderbolts.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney+) – Develops Bucky post‑Endgame and introduces John Walker/U.S. Agent and Valentina.

Hawkeye (Disney+) – Continues Yelena’s story and her grief/anger after Natasha’s death.

Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame – Give you the broader context of the current MCU status quo and the emotional weight around Natasha’s sacrifice that hangs over Yelena and others.

These four “pillars” (plus the two Avengers movies) will make most character motivations in Thunderbolts feel clear and emotionally grounded.

Strongly recommended extras

If you want a more complete Thunderbolts prep, these titles deepen specific characters’ backstories.

Ant‑Man and the Wasp (2018) – Introduces Ghost (Ava Starr) and her powers; helpful so she doesn’t feel like a total stranger.

Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) – Flesh out the Wakanda side of the MCU, which several lists include as useful context for geopolitics and certain supporting players.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) – Key for understanding Bucky’s trauma and Hydra past.

Captain America: Civil War (2016) – Shows the events that lead to the Black Widow timeframe and further evolve Bucky’s story.

Some guides also flag Captain America: Brave New World as a relevant lead‑in because it continues the political threads and Bucky’s path in the modern MCU.

“Deep cut” but optional

If you’re a completionist, these help but aren’t necessary to follow the plot.

Other Phase 3/4 ensemble titles (like more Avengers appearances) to get general MCU familiarity.
Disney+ series that sit around the same era (e.g., Loki , WandaVision) – nice for multiverse context but not directly Thunderbolts‑focused.

Most commentators emphasize that Thunderbolts is being written so you can follow it even if you’ve skipped some of this, but the more of the “core” list you’ve seen, the more payoffs and character beats will land.

Quick HTML table checklist

Here’s a simple watch‑before list you can skim or embed:

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Priority</th>
      <th>Title</th>
      <th>Why it matters for Thunderbolts</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Must</td>
      <td>Black Widow (2021)</td>
      <td>Introduces Yelena, Red Guardian, and their shared history; widely cited as the key setup film.[web:5][web:7][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Must</td>
      <td>The Falcon and the Winter Soldier</td>
      <td>Develops Bucky post-Endgame and introduces U.S. Agent and Valentina.[web:1][web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Must</td>
      <td>Hawkeye</td>
      <td>Continues Yelena’s arc and her feelings about Natasha’s death.[web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Must</td>
      <td>Avengers: Infinity War</td>
      <td>Leads directly into Endgame and the current MCU context.[web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Must</td>
      <td>Avengers: Endgame</td>
      <td>Establishes the post-Blip world and Natasha’s fate, which shapes several Thunderbolts characters.[web:3][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strong</td>
      <td>Ant-Man and the Wasp</td>
      <td>Introduces Ghost and explains her powers and backstory.[web:7][web:8]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strong</td>
      <td>Captain America: The Winter Soldier</td>
      <td>Core to understanding Bucky’s Hydra brainwashing and trauma.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strong</td>
      <td>Captain America: Civil War</td>
      <td>Sets up the timeline for Black Widow and continues Bucky’s evolution.[web:1][web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strong</td>
      <td>Black Panther</td>
      <td>Builds out Wakanda and the global political landscape of the MCU.[web:3][web:6]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strong</td>
      <td>Black Panther: Wakanda Forever</td>
      <td>Updates the Wakanda story and international tensions.[web:3][web:6]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Nice</td>
      <td>Captain America: Brave New World</td>
      <td>Continues the political threads and Bucky’s contemporary role.[web:1][web:6]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.

TL;DR: Watch Black Widow , The Falcon and the Winter Soldier , Hawkeye , Infinity War and Endgame first; then add Ant‑Man and the Wasp and the Captain America movies if you have extra time.

what do i need to watch before thunderbolts