Thunderbolts* Electrifies the MCU: Ranking Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame by Rotten Tomatoes & IMDb Scores
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Since Avengers: Endgame (2019) reshaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame have explored bold new directions in the Multiverse Saga, introducing fresh heroes and complex stories.
Among these, Thunderbolts* (2025) has emerged as a critical and fan favorite, lauded for its gritty, character-driven narrative. In this article, we rank all post-Endgame MCU films, including Captain America: Brave New World, based on their Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores and IMDb user ratings, with Thunderbolts* as the centerpiece of this electrifying lineup.
What Are the Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame?
Post-Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios has delivered 14 films across Phases 4 and 5, concluding with Thunderbolts* in 2025. These Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame are:
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Black Widow (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Eternals (2021)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The Marvels (2023)
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Thunderbolts* (2025)
From multiversal epics to intimate dramas, these films have varied in tone and reception, with Thunderbolts* standing out for its universal acclaim.
How Does Thunderbolts* Rank Among Post-Endgame MCU Films?
Thunderbolts* (May 2, 2025) has captivated audiences, earning an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score (after peaking at 95%) and a 7.8/10 IMDb rating.
Its story of antiheroes like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), grappling with betrayal and mental health, has been praised as a return to the MCU’s character-driven roots.
Its 95% Popcornmeter score places it third among all MCU films, behind Shang-Chi (98%) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (97%).
Here’s how all post-Endgame films rank, based on averaged Rotten Tomatoes critics’ scores and IMDb scores (converted to percentages, e.g., 7.8/10 = 78%):
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
IMDb: 8.2/10 (82%)
Average: 87.5%
A multiversal triumph with nostalgic appeal.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
IMDb: 7.4/10 (74%)
Average: 83%
Vibrant action and cultural richness.
Thunderbolts* (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
IMDb: 7.8/10 (78%)
Average: 83%
A gritty, emotional standout.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
IMDb: 7.4/10 (74%)
Average: 82%
A solid Infinity Saga epilogue.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
IMDb: 7.9/10 (79%)
Average: 80.5%
A heartfelt Guardians farewell.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
IMDb: 7.6/10 (76%)
Average: 77%
A comedic, meta hit.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
IMDb: 6.9/10 (69%)
Average: 76.5%
A poignant tribute to Chadwick Boseman.
Black Widow (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79%
IMDb: 6.7/10 (67%)
Average: 73%
Action-packed but overdue.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74%
IMDb: 6.9/10 (69%)
Average: 71.5%
Ambitious but divisive.
Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
IMDb: 6.2/10 (62%)
Average: 62.5%
Tonally uneven.
The Marvels (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
IMDb: 5.5/10 (55%)
Average: 58.5%
Charming but underwhelming.
Eternals (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 47%
IMDb: 6.3/10 (63%)
Average: 55%
Ambitious yet polarizing.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
IMDb: 6.1/10 (61%)
Average: 53.5%
A Phase 5 misstep.
Captain America: Brave New World (2025)
Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
IMDb: 5.7/10 (57%)
Average: 52.5%
A lackluster entry.
Thunderbolts* ties with Shang-Chi for third place, with its 88% Rotten Tomatoes score surpassing Avengers: Infinity War (85%) and nearing Doctor Strange (89%). Its strong IMDb rating reflects widespread fan support.
Why Is Thunderbolts* a Return to Form for the MCU?
Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* delivers a grounded, emotionally resonant story, avoiding the MCU’s recent pitfalls like excessive CGI or forced humor. Its ensemble of flawed antiheroes facing a deadly trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has drawn comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy for its humor-heart balance.
Critics praise Florence Pugh’s Yelena and Lewis Pullman’s Sentry, with posts on X calling it “the best MCU movie in years.” Its $162 million international box office and Certified Fresh status cement its triumph.
The film’s focus on mental health and redemption resonates deeply, earning a 95% audience score. Its post-credits scenes set up Avengers: Doomsday, proving Marvel can craft standalone hits while advancing the larger saga.
How Do Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb Scores Reflect MCU Trends?
The Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame show a mixed track record compared to the Infinity Saga’s highs, like Black Panther (96%) and Avengers: Endgame (94%). Only Spider-Man: No Way Home and Shang-Chi consistently hit above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes in Phases 4 and 5.
IMDb scores often align with critics but can diverge, as seen with Deadpool & Wolverine (78% RT vs. 76% IMDb). Thunderbolts* high marks on both platforms signal a potential resurgence, bucking the trend of divisive entries in recent years.
What’s Next for the MCU After Thunderbolts*?
Thunderbolts* closes Phase 5, paving the way for Phase 6 with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025) and Avengers: Doomsday (2026). Its critical and commercial success restores faith in Marvel’s storytelling, especially after uneven Phase 5 releases.
As the MCU shifts to Doctor Doom following the Kang pivot, Thunderbolts* proves Marvel can balance standalone films with saga-building, setting a high bar for what’s to come.
Some Closing Thoughts:
In conclusion, the Movies That Came After Avengers: Endgame have been a rollercoaster, but Thunderbolts* shines with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and 7.8 IMDb rating, tying for third among post-Endgame films.
Its character-driven brilliance recaptures the MCU’s magic, standing tall alongside Spider-Man: No Way Home and Shang-Chi.
As Marvel heads into Phase 6, Thunderbolts* electrifying success suggests the MCU is ready to soar again, delivering stories that resonate with fans and critics alike.
