Thor: Ragnarok completely transformed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Asgardian saga when it hit theaters on November 3, 2017. Directed by Taika Waititi, this third Thor film abandoned the serious tone of previous installments and delivered a vibrant, comedy-driven adventure that became the highest-grossing Thor movie ever made.
With an impressive 7.9 IMDb rating and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, Thor: Ragnarok proved that taking creative risks pays off. The film earned $855 million worldwide against its $180 million budget, marking a triumphant reinvention of the franchise.
Where to Watch Thor Ragnarok Online
Streaming Platforms
Disney Plus is the primary streaming home for Thor Ragnarok. Subscribers can watch the film in 4K quality with Dolby Vision and Atmos support at no additional cost beyond their regular subscription.
For viewers without Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV offer digital rental and purchase options. Rental typically costs around $3.99 for HD quality, while digital purchases range from $14.99 to $19.99 depending on resolution.
Physical media collectors can find Thor Ragnarok on 4K Blu-ray with extensive bonus content including deleted scenes, director commentary from Taika Waititi, and behind-the-scenes documentaries exploring the film’s unique visual style.
Plot Summary
The Story Begins
Thor finds himself imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur in Muspelheim, where he learns about Ragnarok, the prophesied destruction of Asgard. After escaping and taking Surtur’s crown, Thor returns home to discover his brother Loki has been impersonating their father Odin.
Hela’s Arrival
The brothers locate Odin in Norway, where he reveals the existence of Hela, their older sister whom he imprisoned long ago. When Odin dies, Hela breaks free and immediately destroys Thor’s hammer Mjolnir. She knocks Thor and Loki from the Bifrost bridge, stranding them on the junk planet Sakaar.
Imprisoned on Sakaar
On Sakaar, Thor is captured by bounty hunter Valkyrie and sold to the Grandmaster, who forces him to fight in gladiatorial combat. His opponent turns out to be none other than the Hulk, who has been trapped in his green form for two years.
The Return to Asgard
Thor assembles a team, Hulk, Valkyrie, and Loki, to escape Sakaar and save Asgard from Hela’s tyranny. During the climactic battle, Thor loses an eye but realizes his true power comes from within, not from his hammer.
Understanding that Hela draws her strength from Asgard itself, Thor makes a difficult decision. He sends Loki to resurrect Surtur using the Eternal Flame, triggering Ragnarok. The fire demon destroys both Hela and Asgard while Thor evacuates the surviving citizens.
The film ends with Thor as king of the Asgardian refugees aboard a spaceship, heading toward Earth. A mid-credits scene shows a massive spacecraft approaching their vessel, setting up Avengers: Infinity War.
Complete Cast and Characters
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Chris Hemsworth delivers his finest performance as Thor, embracing the character’s comedic potential while maintaining heroic gravitas. His character arc from confident warrior to wise leader provides genuine emotional depth.
Cate Blanchett as Hela
Cate Blanchett commands every scene as Hela, the Goddess of Death. Her portrayal of Thor’s ruthless older sister brings both menace and dark humor, making Hela one of the MCU’s most memorable villains.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Tom Hiddleston returns as the God of Mischief, bringing signature charm to Thor’s complicated brother. The evolving dynamic between Thor and Loki forms the emotional core of the film.
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk
Mark Ruffalo plays both Bruce Banner and Hulk, who has been stuck in his green form for two years. The Thor vs Hulk gladiator fight delivers spectacular action while maintaining humor.
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson introduced audiences to Valkyrie, a former Asgardian warrior turned bounty hunter. Her character journey from disillusioned alcoholic to hero resonated deeply with fans.
Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster
Jeff Goldblum steals scenes as Sakaar’s eccentric ruler who forces captured warriors into gladiatorial combat. His improvisational style perfectly complemented Waititi’s directorial approach.
Karl Urban as Skurge
Karl Urban portrays Skurge, Heimdall’s replacement as guardian of the Bifrost. His character arc from opportunist to hero provides unexpected emotional depth.
Taika Waititi as Korg
Director Taika Waititi voices Korg, the lovable Kronan warrior made of rocks. Korg’s deadpan New Zealand accent and gentle personality made him an instant fan favorite.
Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Anthony Hopkins returns as Odin in a crucial role that reveals Asgard’s hidden history and sets the entire plot in motion.
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Idris Elba reprises his role as Heimdall, who leads a resistance movement against Hela’s forces while protecting Asgardian civilians.
Director Taika Waititi’s Vision
Taika Waititi brought his indie sensibilities to this $180 million production, emphasizing improvisation, character-driven humor, and bold visual choices. The New Zealand filmmaker stripped away the Shakespearean gravitas of previous Thor films.
Waititi drew inspiration from 1980s science fiction, retro aesthetics, and Jack Kirby’s original comic artwork. He encouraged actors to improvise extensively, with many of the film’s funniest moments emerging spontaneously on set.
This approach required trust from Marvel Studios but delivered exceptional results that elevated Thor Ragnarok above typical superhero fare.
Visual Style and Music
80s Aesthetic and Vibrant Colors
The film’s retro visual style immediately distinguishes it from other MCU entries. Production designer Dan Hennah created a world drenched in neon colors, geometric shapes, and psychedelic patterns reminiscent of 1970s prog rock album covers.
Sakaar’s aesthetic combines garbage dump dystopia with glam rock excess, proving audiences embrace vibrant, stylized visuals over the often-criticized gray tones of superhero cinema.
Mark Mothersbaugh’s Score
Composer Mark Mothersbaugh blended electronic synthesizers with orchestral elements, creating a unique soundscape that perfectly matched the film’s tone.
Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song
The use of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” became iconic, appearing twice during Thor’s most heroic moments. The song’s thunderous Viking imagery perfectly accompanies the action sequences.
Critical Reception and Ratings
Thor Ragnarok achieved a remarkable 93% critics score and 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated Thor movie. The IMDb rating of 7.9/10 from over 800,000 votes reflects sustained fan appreciation.
Critics praised the film’s humor, performances, and creative risks. Many consider it the funniest Marvel movie, successfully balancing comedy with genuine stakes and character development.
The film’s CinemaScore of A marked the best grade ever for a Thor film, surpassing the original’s B+ rating.
Box Office Success
Opening Weekend
Thor Ragnarok opened with $122.7 million domestically, exceeding projections and marking the largest opening for any Thor film. The opening weekend also included $12.2 million from IMAX screens.
Worldwide Performance
The film earned $315 million domestically and $540 million internationally, reaching a worldwide total of $855 million. This made it the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2017.
China contributed $112 million to the international total, representing a 103% increase over Thor: The Dark World’s Chinese performance. The UK ($40.4 million) and South Korea ($35.1 million) were also major markets.
Financial Success
Against its $180 million production budget, Thor Ragnarok generated an estimated net profit of $174.2 million, surpassing Thor: The Dark World’s $139.4 million profit despite higher production costs and talent participations.
Thor Movie Comparison
Thor Ragnarok vs Thor: The Dark World
The contrast between these films couldn’t be starker. While The Dark World attempted serious fantasy drama with mixed results (66% on Rotten Tomatoes), Ragnarok embraced absurdist comedy and pop art visuals (93% on Rotten Tomatoes).
Best Thor Movie Rankings
Most fans and critics agree Thor Ragnarok is the best Thor movie. The first Thor (2011) successfully introduced the character with $449 million worldwide. The Dark World (2013) struggled with $644 million despite improved action sequences. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) pushed the comedy even further with mixed reception, earning $760 million.
Marvel Cinematic Universe Connections
Phase 3 Importance
As part of MCU Phase 3, Thor Ragnarok served critical narrative functions. It explained Thor’s absence from Civil War, revealed Hulk’s whereabouts after Age of Ultron, and established Asgard’s vulnerability before Thanos’s assault.
Post-Credits Scenes Explained
Mid-credits scene: Thor and Loki discuss heading to Earth when Thanos’s massive ship Sanctuary II appears, directly setting up Avengers: Infinity War.
End-credits scene: The Grandmaster attempts to justify his actions to angry former subjects, declaring their rebellion “a tie” in a comedic moment.
Connection to Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch makes a brief but important cameo as Doctor Strange, helping Thor and Loki locate Odin. This scene occurs shortly after the events of the Doctor Strange film.
Behind the Scenes Production
Budget and Filming
The $180 million budget represented standard Marvel Studios investment. Filming took place in Queensland, Australia, with extensive use of green screen for Sakaar sequences.
Screenplay Development
Eric Pearson received screenplay credit, working from a story by Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost. However, Waititi’s collaborative process involved extensive improvisation and on-set revisions.
Chris Hemsworth’s Haircut
Chris Hemsworth actually cut his hair for the role, signifying Thor’s new direction. The shorter hairstyle represented his transformation from traditional warrior to modern hero.
Stan Lee Cameo
Stan Lee appears as Thor’s barber in a quick cameo, continuing his tradition of appearing in Marvel films.
Character Analysis
Thor’s Power Without Mjolnir
Thor losing his hammer forced fundamental character examination. The film’s answer—that Thor is the god of thunder, not the god of hammers—represented crucial character growth. His climactic awakening, channeling lightning without a weapon, was both visually stunning and thematically resonant.
Hela’s Motivations
Hela’s reveal of Asgard’s violent conquests forces Thor to confront uncomfortable truths. The ceiling mural hiding Odin’s wars symbolizes historical revisionism, adding thematic depth about confronting historical sins.
Valkyrie’s Redemption
Valkyrie’s journey from traumatized survivor to heroic warrior resonated powerfully. Her PTSD from watching Hela slaughter her fellow Valkyries added genuine vulnerability. Tessa Thompson brought both strength and fragility to the role.
Themes and Easter Eggs
Ragnarok and Norse Mythology
The concept of Ragnarok comes from Norse mythology, meaning “Twilight of the Gods.” The film explores cycles of destruction and renewal, with Thor recognizing that preserving Asgardian civilization requires embracing change rather than clinging to past glory.
Jack Kirby Influence
The Jack Kirby aesthetic permeates production design, honoring the legendary artist who created many Marvel cosmic concepts. Kirby’s bold geometric designs and imaginative alien worlds found perfect cinematic expression.
Beta Ray Bill Easter Egg
Beta Ray Bill’s face appears as a statue on the Grandmaster’s tower, a nod to the character from Walt Simonson’s comic storyline that inspired much of Ragnarok.
Fake Infinity Gauntlet
When Hela walks through Odin’s vault, she shoves off a fake Infinity Gauntlet, explaining why there appeared to be two gauntlets in the MCU.
Runtime and Technical Details
Film Length
Thor Ragnarok runs 2 hours and 10 minutes (130 minutes), maintaining brisk pacing without feeling rushed. Waititi’s editing keeps energy high while allowing character moments to breathe.
Rating
The PG-13 rating balances action intensity with family accessibility. Violence remains stylized rather than graphic, making it suitable for younger Marvel fans while satisfying adult viewers.
Audio and Visual Quality
The film features Dolby Atmos sound mixing and was shot in 2.39:1 aspect ratio. The vibrant color palette particularly benefits from 4K and HDR presentation available on Disney Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a post-credits scene in Thor Ragnarok?
Yes, there are two post-credits scenes. The mid-credits scene shows Thanos’s ship approaching Thor’s refugee vessel, setting up Avengers: Infinity War. The end-credits scene features the Grandmaster in a comedic moment.
How did Thor lose his eye in Ragnarok?
Hela gouges out Thor’s right eye during their final confrontation. Unlike other superhero films where injuries heal, Thor keeps the eye patch throughout subsequent MCU appearances.
Why wasn’t Jane Foster in Thor Ragnarok?
Thor and Jane Foster broke up between The Dark World and Ragnarok. The film explains their relationship ended mutually, with a passerby mentioning the breakup to Thor early in the film.
Where was Lady Sif during the events of Ragnarok?
Lady Sif doesn’t appear in the film. Director Taika Waititi explained that actress Jaimie Alexander’s filming schedule for the TV show Blindspot conflicted with Ragnarok’s production.
How did Hulk get to Sakaar?
At the end of Age of Ultron, Hulk flew away in a Quinjet. He somehow passed through a wormhole and arrived on Sakaar, where he remained in Hulk form for two years.
Is Mjolnir really destroyed forever?
Yes, Hela destroys Thor’s hammer with one hand early in the film. This forces Thor to realize his power comes from within, not from the hammer. Thor later receives a new weapon, Stormbreaker, in Avengers: Infinity War.
What happened to Hela at the end?
Hela appears to die when Surtur destroys Asgard, as she draws her power from the realm itself. However, her body is never shown, leaving some ambiguity.
How does Thor Ragnarok connect to Avengers Infinity War?
The mid-credits scene directly leads into Infinity War, with Thanos’s ship intercepting Thor’s refugee vessel. Infinity War opens with the aftermath of that encounter.
Did Thor become king of Asgard?
Yes, after Odin’s death and Asgard’s destruction, Thor becomes king of the surviving Asgardian people, though they are now refugees without a homeworld.
What does “Ragnarok” mean in the movie?
In the film’s context, Ragnarok means “the end of all things”—specifically the complete destruction of Asgard. The concept comes from Norse mythology.
Is Thor Ragnarok based on a comic storyline?
The film draws inspiration from several comic storylines, including Walt Simonson’s “Ragnarok” arc and “Planet Hulk” by Greg Pak. However, it takes significant creative liberties with both.
Why is Thor Ragnarok so different from the first two Thor films?
Director Taika Waititi was given creative freedom to reinvent the franchise. He deliberately moved away from the Shakespearean tone toward a more comedic, colorful approach inspired by 1980s sci-fi.
Legacy and Impact
Influence on Future MCU Films
Thor Ragnarok proved Marvel Studios could take creative risks with established franchises. Its success encouraged similar tonal shifts in subsequent films, demonstrating audience appetite for diverse storytelling approaches.
Thor in Later MCU Films
Thor’s character development in Ragnarok carried forward into Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The emotional depth and humor established here influenced his portrayal throughout Phase 3 and beyond.
Cultural Impact
The film’s success rehabilitated the Thor franchise, making Thor one of the most popular Avengers. Catchphrases like “friend from work” and Korg’s dialogue entered pop culture.
Why Thor Ragnarok Succeeded
Comedy Without Sacrificing Stakes
The film balanced humor with genuine stakes. Characters faced real consequences, Asgard falls, thousands die, Thor loses his eye and father. The humor emerged organically from character rather than undercutting drama.
Character-Driven Storytelling
Unlike joke-dependent comedies, Thor Ragnarok’s humor flowed from established personalities. Thor’s earnest optimism, Loki’s scheming, Hulk’s childlike anger, and Korg’s gentle courtesy generated organic comedy.
Visual Spectacle
Every frame burst with color, movement, and creative design. From Sakaar’s towering junk piles to Asgard’s golden halls, the film delivered constant visual interest rewarding repeat viewing.
Perfect Casting
Each actor, from established stars like Blanchett and Hopkins to newcomer Thompson, brought commitment and charisma. The chemistry between cast members, especially Hemsworth and Hiddleston, elevated every scene.
Conclusion
Thor: Ragnarok stands as proof that superhero cinema can continuously evolve. By trusting an unconventional director’s vision, embracing comedy without sacrificing emotional depth, and prioritizing character over formula, Marvel Studios delivered one of the MCU’s finest achievements.
Whether watching for the first time or revisiting this colorful adventure, Thor Ragnarok rewards attention with rich characterization, spectacular visuals, and genuine heart beneath the humor. It remains the creative peak of the Thor franchise—a perfect storm of talent, vision, and timing that created something truly special.
For fans seeking similar experiences, the film pairs well with Guardians of the Galaxy’s cosmic comedy and The Suicide Squad’s irreverent tone. Within the Thor series, it represents a bold reinvention that proved sometimes destruction leads to rebirth.
Watch Now: Streaming on Disney Plus | Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV
