Thor

On Earth and in the realm of Asgard, a brash prince of the gods challenges his father and the rules that bind their world. Thor's arrogance provokes a long simmering war that his peers fear will spill beyond the stars. As punishment, he is stripped of his hammer and thrown into a small town where a rookie scientist and her colleagues expose him to human fragility and humor. Stripped of power, he must learn restraint and courage, earning trust by proving he can protect others without relying on divine force. Meanwhile, a vengeful enemy from Asgard gathers dark troops to cross into our world, testing his new sense of responsibility. The clash blends mythic spectacle with a modern buddy dynamic.

Released in 2011, Thor was directed by Kenneth Branagh and based on the Marvel Comics character created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby. The film connects Norse myth to a wider superhero universe, with Branagh's staging emphasizing character.

The film earned around 450 million worldwide, making it a solid start to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its strong box office helped pave the way for later team up adventures and set a tone for the franchise for fans worldwide.

Thor's ascent in the MCU helped redefine what a superhero origin could feel like on the big screen. Hemsworth's portrayal made the hammer wielding god a marketable icon, influencing cosplay, marketing and subsequent films that balance myth with modern humor across the franchise. Its iconic visuals inspired merchandising and cosplay.

Critics welcomed Branagh's classical tone and the blend of myth with contemporary action. The film foregrounds responsibility, mentorship, and identity as Thor moves from swagger to accountability while negotiating the pull between duty to Asgard and care for Earth, across theaters and stores, which underscored the film's lasting cultural footprint.