Created by artist Jack Kirby, writer Stan Lee, and scripter Larry Lieber, the character of Thor Odinson first appeared in the comic book Journey into Mystery #83 in 1962.
Based on the Norse mythological god of the same name, the Asgardian god of thunder went on to appear in several comic book runs, including those featuring the Avengers, of which Thor became a member.
Thor has wielded his hammer outside of the printed page, appearing in animated television series, video games, and several big-budget movies within the MCU. Chris Hemsworth portrayed the legendary hero in these cinematic spectacles, although (as you can see below), he wasn’t the first actor to play the character of Thor on screen.
In this article, we list all of the live-action movies featuring the Marvel Comics hero. Which of these movies is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
The Incredible Hulk Returns
US Release Date: May 22, 1998
Worldwide Box Office: N/A
Directors: Nicholas Corea, Bruce Bixby
Metascore: N/A
Main Cast:
Bill Bixby (David Banner), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), Jack Colvin (Jack McGee), Lee Purcell (Maggie Shaw), Eric Allan Kramer (Thor)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Hopefully on the verge of curing his Hulk condition, Banner meets his colleague, Don Blake, who is mystically linked to a Viking warrior, Thor.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Banner): When the troll’s upon you, you’re a mighty fighter.
Thor
US Release Date: May 6, 2011
Worldwide Box Office: $854 million
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Metascore: 57
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Stellan Skarsgård (Erik Selvig), Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The powerful but arrogant god Thor is cast out of Asgard to live amongst humans in Midgard (Earth), where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to The Destroyer): Brother, however I have wronged you, whatever I have done that has led you to do this, I am truly sorry. But these people are innocent, taking their lives will gain you nothing. So take mine, and end this.
The Avengers
US Release Date: May 4, 2012
Worldwide Box Office: $2.798 million
Director: Joss Whedon
Metascore: 69
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Paul Bettany (Jarvis)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Earth’s mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Steve Rogers): He has an army, called the Chitauri. They’re not of Asgard or any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the Earth. In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract.
Thor: The Dark World
US Release Date: November 8, 2013
Worldwide Box Office: $644.8 million
Director: Alan Taylor
Metascore: 54
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Stellan Skarsgård (Erik Selvig), Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis), Jaimie Alexander (Sif), Christopher Eccleston (Malekith)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
When the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Odin): Loki died with honour. I shall try to live the same. Is that not legacy enough?
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
US Release Date: May 1, 2015
Worldwide Box Office: $1.403 million
Director: Joss Whedon
Metascore: 66
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Paul Bettany (Jarvis), James Spader (Ultron), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Quicksilver). Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it’s up to Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plan.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Ultron): Well, if there’s too much weight, you lose power on the swing.
Doctor Strange
US Release Date: November 4, 2016
Worldwide Box Office: 677.8 million
Director: Scott Derrickson
Metascore: 72
Main Cast:
Benedict Cumberbatch (Stephen Strange), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo), Benedict Wong (Wong), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius), Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
While on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Strange): I don’t drink tea!
Thor: Ragnarok
US Release Date: November 3, 2017
Worldwide Box Office: $854 million
Director: Taika Waititi
Metascore: 74
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Cate Blanchett (Hela), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Jeff Goldblum (Grandmaster), Tessa Thompson (Valkyrie), Anthony Hopkins (Odin)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Imprisoned on the planet Sakaar, Thor must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Hulk): We’re the same, you and I. Just a couple of hot-headed fools.
Avengers: Infinity War
US Release Date: April 27, 2018
Worldwide Box Office: $2.052 billion
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Metascore: 68
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Bucky), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor: I’m only alive because fate wants me alive. Thanos is just the latest of a long line of bastards, and he’ll be the latest to feel my vengeance – fate wills it so.
Avengers: Endgame
US Release Date: April 26, 2019
Worldwide Box Office: $2.798 billion
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Metascore: 78
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Bucky), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos’ actions and restore balance to the universe.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Frigga (to Thor): You’re here to repair your future – not mine.
Thor: Love & Thunder
US Release Date: July 8, 2022
Worldwide Box Office: $760.9 million
Director: Taika Waititi
Metascore: 57
Main Cast:
Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Christian Bale (Gorr), Tessa Thompson (King Valkyrie), Taiki Waititi (Korg), Russell Crowe (Zeus), Jaime Alexander (Sif)
Synopsis (from IMDB):
Thor enlists the help of Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster to fight Gorr the God Butcher, who intends to make the gods extinct.
Asgardian Wisdom:
Thor (to Sif): Technically, you have to actually die in the battle itself, to get to Valhalla.
Which is your favourite Thor movie? Let us know in the comments below.