Thor: Ragnarok ending explained: Pieces in place for Avengers: Infinity War

As a die-hard Marvel fan with over two decades of comic book reading under my belt, let me tell you that Thor: Ragnarok was a game changer! The film had a relatively cheerful ending, but the mid-credits scene hinted at an ongoing adventure for our favorite God of Thunder and his mischievous brother Loki.

Even years post-release, Thor: Ragnarok continues to stand tall among the top-rated MCU movies, matching up against blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home, which were the payoffs of decades worth of storytelling. Remarkably, this is noteworthy considering that the second Thor film was often criticized within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evidently, being a Thor sequel doesn’t automatically ensure either success or failure.

The movie opens with Thor’s mission to prevent Ragnarok from annihilating Asgard, but soon switches to a typical Marvel battle as Hela, the Goddess of Death, is freed and seizes control. Later, Thor and Loki find themselves detained on Sakaar for a while before they revisit Asgard to rescue its inhabitants and vanquish Hela.

In essence, “Thor: Ragnarok” held significant importance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as it unfolded right before the events of “Avengers: Infinity War.” This made it a must-watch when the films were initially released. The film has been acclaimed for its humor and outstanding ensemble performances. However, what truly makes it indispensable for fans is its ending. Buried beneath the jokes and visual spectacles lies a transformation of the Marvel universe, setting up the stage for the conclusion of the Infinity Saga.

The Hulk rejoins the MCU

One notable advancement in the film “Thor: Ragnarok” is the reappearance of the Hulk. Previously, he had departed Earth during the events of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” only to end up as a celebrated gladiator on the foreign planet Sakaar. While there, Hulk largely overpowered Bruce Banner, transforming into an independent character rather than just a story tool.

In a different battlefield, Thor encounters Hulk in a fighting arena on Sakaar. Over time, Thor manages to persuade Hulk to break free and aid Asgard instead. A video from Natasha Romanoff triggers a transformation, restoring Bruce Banner as he expresses concern that another change could mean he’s lost forever.

Despite that fear, he does transform again, remaining as the Hulk through the end of the film and into Infinity War.

Asgard is destroyed

At first, Thor thinks he needs to vanquish Hela to save Asgard, a battle he’s been trying to avoid for centuries. However, he comes to understand that he can only thwart her by igniting Ragnarok, the cataclysmic event he had always sought to prevent. Consequently, Loki summons Surtur, an entity fated to annihilate Asgard. In an attempt to save as many inhabitants as possible, Thor rallies them onto the Statesman, a spaceship that would be their escape.

According to their shared belief, “Asgard isn’t just a location, it’s its inhabitants.” This was the sole means to preserve those individuals. With Asgard completely annihilated, Thor assumes the role of king for the displaced populace from both Asgard and Sakaar. This paves the way for the next instalment in Asgard’s narrative – a saga that unfolds across Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder.

The mid-credit scene directly leads into Avengers: Infinity War

The mid-credits sequence continues immediately after the movie ends, with Thor contemplating where he might establish his refugee kingdom. He ultimately chooses Earth, though Loki frets about the potential unfriendliness of its people. However, Thor remains confident, stating, “I have a feeling that everything will work out.” This optimistic remark seems to challenge the universe to disrupt things, and such a challenge is swiftly met when a massive spaceship appears.

The storyline of “Avengers: Infinity War” is set in motion here, as we find ourselves aboard Thanos’s spaceship, the Sanctuary II. Though “Thor: Ragnarok” concluded with a somewhat optimistic ending for the Asgardians, the mid-credits scene hints that their tale does not truly end there.

In the upcoming movies, namely Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels, I’ll find out what becomes of Thor, Loki, and the refugees. More info on their fates will be revealed!

The post-credits scene shows the fate of Sakaar and the Grandmaster

It’s not too unexpected that the post-credits scene doesn’t hold much weight for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), given that the mid-credits scene served as a direct setup for the next film. During their escape from Sakaar, Thor and his companions ignited a rebellion against the Grandmaster. Following the credits, viewers catch a glimpse of the consequences of their actions.

The Grandmaster steps out from what looks like a wrecked spaceship, encountering a band of scavengers and rebels. Given his past position, this situation could be perilous for him. To maintain peace, he speaks highly of the revolution and asserts that he was part of it, having been deposed. He later suggests it’s a draw, which might not have been his wisest choice.

In essence, this scene primarily served as a humorous moment for Jeff Goldblum to show off his acting skills, essentially devouring the stage props. Originally planned for inclusion in Thor: Love and Thunder, the sequence was ultimately removed; however, it may yet hold relevance if the Marvel Cinematic Universe revisits Sakaar. Interestingly, Sakaar resurfaces in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, though the outcome of the Grandmaster remains undiscussed as of now. Any future connections seem to stem from storylines related to Hulk, adhering to the comics.

What to watch after Thor: Ragnarok

After Ragnarok, there are several movies you could watch to continue the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) storyline. The most direct route would be to go from the mid-credits scene in Ragnarok, straight to Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Avengers: Endgame. Although this path doesn’t follow the original release order, it offers a chronological look at the first three phases of the MCU and its grand finale.

Instead, there are several different routes to explore if you’re more focused on the characters rather than the larger threats. The Avengers movies are significant due to their pivotal events, but they can be omitted during a rewatch for those who recall how those films influenced each character’s narrative arc.

Here are the next films and series to watch for each character:

• Thor: Infinity War, Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder

• Loki: Infinity War, Endgame, Loki

• The Hulk: Infinity War, Endgame, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

• Valkyrie: Infinity War, Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, The Marvels

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2024-10-31 20:01