Warning: This article contains mild spoilers for Thunderbolts*
Thunderbolts*is a much-needed jolt for theMarvel Cinematic Universeafter a string of middling outputs. The film brings together misfits and emotionally damaged antiheroes as they find themselves a common enemy. Led byFlorence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, the film explores themes of redemption and the fragile bonds between people thrown together by circumstance. It also offers a compelling depiction of mental health, explored on a massive blockbuster level with care and respect.
This list curates a mix of gritty crime dramas, ensemble thrillers, and offbeat action flicks that echo the core dynamics and emotional depth ofThunderbolts*. All of these movies share the same spirit that you can see and feel in the latest Marvel adventure. From dysfunctional teams to stories of second chances,these are the movies that you should watch if you loveThunderbolts*.
Thunderbolts*
10’The Losers' (2010)
Directed by Sylvain White
InThe Losers, an elite black-ops team is betrayed by their handler and left for dead in Bolivia. They regroup to hunt down the figure responsible, a man with the codename Max. The squad, made up of Colonel Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), tech expert Jensen (Chris Evans), sniper Cougar (Óscar Jaenada), tactical specialist Roque (Idris Elba), and transport guru Pooch (Columbus Short), teams up with a mysterious operative named Aisha (Zoe Saldaña) to stop Max from using a new high-tech weapon to destabilize global power structures.
The Losersbrings the samereckless energy, dysfunctional group chemistry, and anti-establishment tonethat makesThunderbolts*so fun to watch. Based on the Vertigo comic series, the film has a sarcastic edge and a stylized visual flair that predates superhero cinema’s more recent irreverent ensemble films likeGuardians of the GalaxyorSuicide Squad. It also shares a kinship with the Marvel film,where a group of burned-out, discarded assets attempt to do the right thing, even when the system they worked for has turned against them. The film is extra fun as it features three actors who went on tobecome superheroes in the MCU.
The Losers
Directed by James Gunn
Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) assemblesanother iteration of Task Force XinThe Suicide Squad. This time, she sent the crew, which includes Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), and Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), as well as old team members Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) to the island of Corto Maltese to destroy all evidence of a mysterious experiment called Project Starfish.
The Suicide Squadthrives onthe chaotic energy and misfit chemistry thatThunderboltstried to emulate, in which a group of broken, morally grey characters are forced into heroism by circumstance and bonded as a weird, makeshift family. The DCEU reboot film takes its time to flesh out the characters even though they’re part of a large ensemble. This is also done byThunderboltsso that audiences can connect with the heroes until the end of the film and beyond. Directed byJames Gunn,The Suicide Squadis admittedly bolder in crossing off supervillain names from its roster, making it much more dangerous for its characters. Beyond its twisted humor and violent action, the film is a surprisingly heartfelt romp, just like howThunderbolts*is unexpectedly emotional.
The Suicide Squad
8’Power Rangers' (2017)
Directed by Dean Israelite
InPower Rangers, a grounded reboot of the iconic franchise, five misfit teens, Jason (Dacre Montgomery), Kimberly (Naomi Scott), Billy (RJ Cyler), Zack (Ludy Lin), and Trini (Becky G), find themselves bonded by fate when they discover ancient Power Coins and the wreckage of a long-buried alien spaceship. Under the mentorship of Zordon (Bryan Cranston), the group trains to become the Power Rangers, destined to protect the world from the resurrected sorceress Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) and her evil plans that can destroy their town.
Beyond the similar core concept of different individuals finding each other to face a larger threat, thePower Rangersreboot earns its place on this listfor its sincere commitment to the characters. Each Ranger is given space to feel real, from Billy’s autism, Trini’s queer identity, to the others being haunted by their past actions. Like the self-named Thunderbolts,these teens aren’t traditional heroes; they’re outcasts but find purpose through each other. While tonally different, both films explore the samefound family themevery well. The movie is also worth revisiting because the film has an excellent main cast that includes Montgomery (Stranger Things), Scott (Smile 2), and popstar Becky G.
Power Rangers
Directed by Drew Goddard
InBad Times at the El Royale, seven strangers with hidden agendas converge at the El Royale hotel, located on the California-Nevada border. Among them are a priest with secrets, a soul singer chasing her dreams, a deceptively charming salesman, two mysterious sisters, and a charismatic cult leader. Overseeing them is the young,troubled desk clerk, Miles Miller (Lewis Pullman), who is privy to the hotel’s dark history.
Released seven years ago, Lewis Pullman’s presence might be overshadowed by the film’s outrageously star-studded cast that includesChris Hemsworth, Cynthia Erivo,Jeff Bridges, andDakota Johnson. As the seemingly unassuming desk clerk, Pullman holds his own as he shares the screen with Hollywood heavyweights. His character also harbors complexity beneath his seemingly ordinary surface, which mirrors Pullman’s scene-stealing role as the mysterious Bob as he turns into The Sentry. The film’smany gray characters are also similar to the ragtag group of Marvel antiheroes, exploring themes like redemption and the consequences of past actions.
Bad Times at the El Royale
6’Assault on Precinct 13' (1976)
Directed by John Carpenter
Assault on Precinct 13follows the titular station’s skeleton crew, who find themselves under siege by a relentless gang known as Street Thunder as the precinct is about to be closed down. Seeking revenge for their fallen members, the gang unleashes a brutal and sustained attack, cutting off all communication and leaving those inside to fend for themselves. Forced into an unlikely alliance, the police, led by Lieutenant Bishop (Austin Stoker), and the prisoners must overcome their mutual distrust and band together to survive the night.
The core appeal ofAssault on Precinct 13lies in its depiction of a disparate group of individuals who are forced into an unlikely and tense alliance. This mirrors the fundamental premise ofThunderbolts*, wheremorally ambiguous characterswith unique skills are unwillingly brought together to confront a common enemy. The film masterfullybuilds tension through its confined setting and the escalating desperationof the defenders as they realize they are completely isolated and outnumbered. If you find yourself needing something more intense in terms of action and character interactions, thisJohn Carpenterclassic is perfect.
Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
5’Reservoir Dogs' (1992)
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Reservoir Dogsdepicts a diamond heist gone wrong, and the remaining criminals, identified only by colors, regroup at a warehouse. As they try to piece together what went wrong, they become suspicious that one of them is a police informant. It’sQuentin Tarantino’s first film and starsTim Roth,Michael Madsen, andHarvey Keitel.
DirectorJake Schreierhas citedReservoir Dogsas one of the inspirations for the character dynamics withinThunderbolts*. The film’s brilliance lies in its intense focus onthe interactions and escalating tensions withinthe colorful criminal groupas they are forced into close quarters after their botched heist. A similar setting is quite apparent inThunderbolts*,especially in the set piece involving the antiheroes, Yelena, John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko). The scene plays out like a condensed, action-heavy version of the Tarantino flick, where everyone is suspicious and trying to kill one another, unaware that they have been framed.Reservoir Dogsis, however, much more violent than the PG-13 Marvel film.
Reservoir Dogs
4’Ronin' (1998)
Directed by John Frankenheimer
InRonin, a team of highly skilled international operatives, each with specialized backgrounds and murky pasts, is assembled in Paris to steal a heavily guarded briefcase. The team includes former CIA operative Sam Regazolli (Robert De Niro), French intelligence expert Vincent (Jean Reno), and a volatile Brit Spence (Sean Bean). As they execute their plan, they are quickly double-crossed and chased by shadowy organizations, all while questioning each other’s loyalties.
Roninis also a key inspiration forThunderbolts*, according to Schreier, particularly in crafting the complex and shifting relationships between the team members. Like the mercenaries inRonin, the individuals inThunderbolts*are highly skilled but driven by unique agendas and operating in a morally gray area. The Marvel team, however, is much more welcoming and faster to bond with each other. Whereas the crew led byDe Niro’s Regazolliis more clouded in paranoia and suspicion. TheJohn Frankenheimerfilm is a must-see for its intense plot, excellent ensemble cast, and, most importantly, forone of the best car chase sequencesever put on film.
3’Fight Club' (1999)
Directed by David Fincher
InFight Club, the life of an unnamed insomniac office worker (Edward Norton) takes a radical turn when he meets the charismatic and nihilistic Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). They bonded and they established an underground fight club as a form of primal rebellion against societal norms. As the fight club gains momentum and attracts more disenfranchised men, it evolves into a larger, more organized movement known as Project Mayhem, which aims to dismantle modern civilization.
The exploration of afractured psyche and the emergence of a destructive alter egoinFight Clubcan also be found in Bob, who transforms into the immensely powerful and unstable Sentry with his dark side, The Void. The film delves into the psychological complexities of its character, showcasing the terrifying consequences of internal conflict and a descent into a distorted reality. Both films examinethe consequences of repressed emotionswhen left untreated. This thematic resonance makesFight Cluba compelling watch for those intrigued by the Sentry’s psychological depth and powers. There may be other films exploring dual or multiple personalities, butFight Clubremains the OG in this space.
Fight Club
2’Trainspotting' (1996)
Directed by Danny Boyle
Trainspottingfollows Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his circle of heroin-addicted friends in Edinburgh. Despite the allure of getting high, Renton claims he wants to quit, a difficult battle complicated by his attraction to an underage girl named Diane. He knows his toxic environment with his friends hinders his sobriety, but escape may be his biggest challenge.
Thunderbolts*delivers an outstanding visualization of what it’s like inside Bob’s head,showing his traumatic experiences in a surreal,Inception-like mind maze.Trainspottingoffers a compelling parallel through its use ofsurreal sequences as it depicts Renton and friends' internal turmoilsanddrug-induced distorted perceptions. These sequences provide a powerful and often unsettling insight into their mental states, going beyond straightforward narrative to convey the psychological impact of their choices.Trainspotting’s central theme of “choose life” also mirrors the resolution of the superhero film.
Trainspotting
1’Toy Story 3' (2010)
Directed by Lee Unkrich
InToy Story 3, Andy is all grown up and prepares to leave for college. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of Andy’s toys face an uncertain future. After a misunderstanding leads to them being donated to a daycare center, they encounter a seemingly welcoming but ultimately tyrannical group of new toys led by the deceptively charming Lotso. Woody, Buzz, and the gang must devise a plan to return home.
Director Jake Schreier has also citedToy Story 3as an inspiration forThunderbolts*, specificallyregarding the theme of obsolescence, and not just the fact thatboth movies are surprising tearjerkers. Just as Andy’s toys grapple with their potential irrelevance as their owner transitions to a new phase of his life, the Thunderbolts crew is facing a similar crisis of purpose. They are good guys who are forced to do bad things because of one mistake in their lives. Their world needs clean-cut heroes like The Avengers, not individuals with checkered pasts, no matter how much Yelena wants to be like Natasha. This thematic exploration of feeling outdated and the need to adapt and redefine oneself in the face of change mirrors the journeys of theThunderbolts*characters.
Toy Story 3
NEXT:10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘Captain America: Brave New World’
