Thor

Thor expects a future in Asgard, but his reckless actions bring war and exile instead. Banished to Earth by his father Odin, he must learn to live among humans while Loki threatens the throne back home. Kenneth Branagh directs this 2011 adventure, which moves between a cosmic kingdom and a world unfamiliar to its hero.

Watch this as a character introduction with two contrasting settings. The Asgard scenes give the story its scale; the Earth scenes put Thor in situations where strength alone is not enough. For a first-time viewer, that contrast offers a different starting point from the technology-driven world of Iron Man.

We suggest starting here for an introduction to Thor and his world. You can then explore The Avengers for an ensemble adventure, or The Dark World for another Thor film. These are browsing suggestions, not new essential prerequisites.

Choose this film if you want to begin with Thor himself. For the wider MCU route, the Phase 1 guide places it alongside the other early films in release order. Keep that route separate from Curated Story Order: the latter is an editorial selection, not a complete scene-by-scene timeline.

Allow about 1h 55m (115 minutes), the runtime used by this catalog and its viewing plans. Disney+ lists 1h 57m (117 minutes). The catalog release date is April 27, 2011; Marvel’s official trailer advertises the US theatrical opening on May 6, 2011.

Recommended before Doomsday. Origin story for Thor and Loki, the two Asgardian brothers who both return in Doomsday.