Thor (2011)
Thor is a 2011 adventure movie directed by Kenneth Branagh, with a running time of 1h 55m. It stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston.
Kenneth Branagh brings Shakespearean weight to a comic-book origin, and the mix mostly sings. Chris Hemsworth plays the Asgardian warrior god Thor, all swagger and thunder, until his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips him of his hammer Mjolnir and casts him down to a New Mexico desert town. There he meets scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and learns some humility as a mortal. Back in the golden realm of Asgard, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) works his own quiet schemes. It balances celestial spectacle with wry culture-clash comedy, and gives the Marvel universe one of its most watchable villains.
Quick answers
What is Thor about?
Kenneth Branagh brings Shakespearean weight to a comic-book origin, and the mix mostly sings. Chris Hemsworth plays the Asgardian warrior god Thor, all swagger and thunder, until his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips him of his hammer Mjolnir and casts him down to a New Mexico desert town. There he meets scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and learns some humility as a mortal. Back in the golden realm of Asgard, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) works his own quiet schemes. It balances celestial spectacle with wry culture-clash comedy, and gives the Marvel universe one of its most watchable villains.
When was Thor released?
Thor was released on 21 April 2011.
How long is Thor?
Thor runs 1h 55m.
Who made Thor?
Thor was directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Where can I watch Thor?
Thor is available on Disney+, Amazon, AppleTV and Fandango at Home.
Where to watch Thor
Stream: Disney+
Rent: Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango at Home
Buy: Fandango at Home
Official site
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Natalie Portman as Jane Foster
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Anthony Hopkins as Odin
- Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig
- Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis
- Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson
- Colm Feore as King Laufey
- Idris Elba as Heimdall
- Ray Stevenson as Volstagg
- Tadanobu Asano as Hogun
- Josh Dallas as Fandral
Similar movies
Explore Thor guides
Thor in our writing
- Companion guide: Norse Mythology
A few thoughts on Thor
For more god-tier power struggles, the Stormlight Archive novel Oathbringer trades hammers for Radiant blades and fallen honor. Saint Seiya sends armored warriors channeling cosmic energy through Greek myth. Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon deliver the dynastic, Asgard-style scheming, while Skyrim lets you roam a Norse world of gods, giants and shout-powered heroes.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe from a single hero's arc
Thor plants an Asgardian god in the shared Marvel world, and these trace that universe outward. Iron suits, sorcerers, cosmic guardians and street-level heroes cross paths across films that build toward one enormous team-up, rewarding anyone who wants to follow the connective tissue from a thunder god's first fall to the wider saga.
Cosmic Marvel adventures far from Earth
Kenneth Branagh gives Thor celestial spectacle in the golden realm of Asgard, and these keep the action among gods and galaxies. Sequels and space-faring Marvel entries pile on strange worlds, warring pantheons and bright, weird cosmic stakes, ideal if the culture-clash comedy mattered less to you than the thunder and the stars.
Mythic fantasy of gods, kingdoms and warring realms
Beneath the superhero trappings, Thor is a Shakespearean tale of thrones, brothers and fallen princes. These carry that mythic weight across media, from dynastic television and doorstop fantasy novels to spirit-haunted anime and open-world sagas, all built on old gods, cursed bloodlines and kingdoms worth fighting over.
Godlike heroes with power beyond mortals
Thor spends the film learning humility after his father strips his power, and these center other larger-than-life champions. Gods, demigods and near-invincible heroes throw down across DC blockbusters, mutant epics and superpowered manga, for viewers who love watching someone with overwhelming strength wrestle with what it means to deserve it.