--- title: "Thor: Ragnarok" year: 2017 kind: "film" canonical: "https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok" fi1m_score: 74 critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 20 published: "2026-09-19T12:13:43.431724+00:00" updated: "2026-09-19T12:13:43.782032+00:00" region: "US" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Thor: Ragnarok (2017) Directed by Taika Waititi · 2h 11m · MPA PG-13 · Action, Science Fiction, Comedy, Adventure **Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 78 from 20 reviews *In a sentence:* Asgard burns and nobody minds much, because Jeff Goldblum is in the next room > Taika Waititi finally works out what to do with Thor, which is to laugh at him, and for its middle hour on Sakaar this is the loosest, funniest thing Marvel has made. The end of the world it keeps promising arrives as an afterthought. ## Synopsis Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to Asgard to find his father’s throne occupied by his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in disguise. A detour through New York, and a brisk conversation with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), leads the pair to a Norwegian cliff where Odin (Anthony Hopkins), near the end of his life, tells them of a sister they never knew: Hela (Cate Blanchett), goddess of death, about to be released. She breaks Thor’s hammer and takes Asgard, and Thor is flung across the universe to Sakaar, a scrapheap planet ruled by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), where a hard-drinking bounty hunter called Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) sells him into the arena. His opponent is the Grandmaster’s undefeated champion, who turns out to be an old colleague: the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). ## Review The first two Thor films never settled whether a golden-haired god who speaks in capital letters is meant to be funny. Taika Waititi, who made *What We Do in the Shadows* and [*Hunt for the Wilderpeople*](https://film.one/film/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople), decides that he is. *Thor: Ragnarok* is a comedy with an apocalypse attached. For about an hour in the middle it is the most enjoyable film the studio has made. The rest is a Marvel film, competently done, and we felt the drop every time it cut back to Asgard. The script, by Christopher Lee Yost, Eric Pearson and Craig Kyle, clears the decks fast. Thor is dumped on Sakaar, a planet built from other people’s rubbish where the main entertainment is an arena. Waititi surrounds Chris Hemsworth with people who are not impressed by him. Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie is drunk when she captures him and treats him as a parcel. Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster hums and murmurs through his scenes and is more frightening for never raising his voice. Korg, a rock creature voiced by Waititi in a New Zealand accent, explains the revolution he failed to start for want of leaflets. We laughed, often and without shame, because the jokes are about character rather than references; Hemsworth is playing a man slowly realising that nobody around him thinks he is the hero. Dan Hennah and Ra Vincent build Sakaar out of the covers of 1970s comics: towers in orange and teal, a throne room the colour of a boiled sweet, scrap piled to the horizon. Mayes C. Rubeo gives the Grandmaster a gold robe and a blue stripe on his lip, and gives Hela a headdress of black antlers that unfolds like a hand. Javier Aguirresarobe lights it all flat and bright, so the colours do the work rather than the shadows, and Mark Mothersbaugh scores the arena and the escape on synthesisers, so they sound like a game from 1983. The trouble is the other film. Cate Blanchett’s Hela arrives, breaks the hammer like a biscuit and takes Asgard in an afternoon, and Blanchett plays her with a bored, amused contempt that is the right choice. Then the script leaves her walking about a hall, explaining her history to Karl Urban’s Skurge, who has been given an axe and a shrug, and waiting for the plot to come back. Every cut from Goldblum’s court to Blanchett’s throne room is a cut from a scene where something is happening to one where somebody is announcing that something will. Joel Negron and Zene Baker keep both halves moving; they cannot make the Asgard half matter. The bill comes late. The title means the end of the world, and when the film gets near to delivering one we found we did not feel anything, and that bothered us. Waititi has spent two hours teaching us that nothing here is serious. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki betrays and is betrayed as a running gag. Anthony Hopkins’s Odin gets one quiet, rather good scene on a Norwegian cliff, and the film is out of it within a minute because a joke is due. Mark Ruffalo’s Banner, who spends much of the film afraid the Hulk will not let him back, is the one person allowed to be frightened, and his fear was the only one in the picture we shared. The last twenty minutes are the studio’s usual: a bridge, a crowd, a big grey thing and computer-generated soldiers falling over in numbers. Aguirresarobe’s bright palette holds up in this stretch, and a shot of Thor arriving in a storm, cut to Led Zeppelin, got a cheer from the cinema we saw it in and half of one from us. Against Waititi’s own work it is his broadest and least personal, though the affection for idiots that ran through *Hunt for the Wilderpeople* survives in Korg. It runs 131 minutes and would be better at 115, the loss taken from Asgard. See it for Sakaar, for Goldblum, for Thompson, for a rock man discussing leaflets, and treat the end of the world as an interval. Waititi has proved that Thor is funny. Whether anyone can make him matter, this film has decided not to ask. *Fi1m score 74, published 19 September 2026.* ### Reviews we read (20) - **Empire**, James Dyer (90/100, inferred): The critic calls it the most outrageously fun Marvel film yet, praising Taika Waititi's irreverent direction that turns the film into a full-bore comedy with blockbuster spectacle as backdrop. The one thing singled out for praise is the effervescent jollity and broad, eccentric humour that permeates even weighty themes like genocide and the end of days. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/thor-ragnarok-review/) - **Screen Daily** (90/100, inferred): The critic describes a grinningly goofy comic-book movie that reverberates with boyish delight and pop-culture giddiness. It praises Waititi’s light touch for balancing spectacle, deadpan humour and a modicum of emotional depth while countering franchise fatigue. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/thor-ragnarok-review/5123098.article) - **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (90/100, inferred): The critic praises the film as a colourful, knowing and fun rescue sequel that riffs on classic comics and lets its cast shine with humour and energy. It stands out for its visual pop, buddy-movie elements between Thor and Hulk, and avoidance of recent MCU gloom. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/thor-ragnarok-review-marvels-skies-brighten) - **Total Film**, Rachel Weber (85/100, inferred): The critic finds that Thor has found his groove thanks to Waititi's comedy chops, making it the best Thor film and a hit MCU movie that embraces the ridiculous. The one thing singled out for praise is the self-awareness and constant jokes that puncture pomposity, along with strong performances from the women including Cate Blanchett's Hela and Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/thor-ragnarok-review/) - **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/4/4): The review highlights how a genuine comedy director brings much-needed heart, soul and humour to the Marvel universe. It notes the film is the same but different, ready to shift Marvel movie power rankings. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/thor-ragnarok) - **Radio Times**, Jeremy Aspinall (★★★★): The review deems it the funniest Marvel movie yet, a hugely entertaining romp with laugh-out-loud humour, brilliant brawls and deadpan finesse from Waititi and the cast. It singles out the buddy-movie chemistry and in-jokes while noting the light-hearted tone leads to an all-action climax. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/thor-ragnarok-a-fabulous-fantasy-and-the-funniest-marvel-movie-yet/) - **Time Out**, Phil de Semlyen (4/5): The critic calls it the funniest Marvel movie to date, irreverent and colourful with jokes galore and a heady ’80s vibe thanks to Waititi’s offbeat sensibility. Minor complaints about the third-act CG and length do not detract from the joy of its screwball energy. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/thor-ragnarok) - **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (70/100, inferred): The critic calls the movie punchy and fun in fits and starts but ultimately predictable, crediting Taika Waititi for giving it a human pulse and irreverence. He singles out Chris Hemsworth’s charming, good-natured star performance as one of the film’s most effective elements. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-thor-ragnarok-review-20171103-story.html) - **Slant Magazine**, Eric Henderson (70/100, inferred): The review calls the film the flamboyantly roller-disco entry in the franchise, noting how Waititi embraces its disposability and revels in its playful, juvenile spirit while coming close to upending the MCU's monotonous order. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/thor-ragnarok/) - **The Guardian**, Peter Bradshaw (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film an entertaining but inconsequential romp infused with self-deprecating Kiwi humour from director Taika Waititi, who unlocks comedy in Chris Hemsworth. It is praised for its unpretentious fun and 1980s-retro stylings despite visual flimsiness and familiar Marvel tropes. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/19/thor-ragnarok-review-chris-hemsworth-cate-blanchett-taika-waititi) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Sheri Linden (70/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's breezy comic stance under Taika Waititi, which makes this the breeziest Thor entry yet, with self-mocking humor and engaging laughs that hold attention even for those unfamiliar with the lore. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/thor-ragnarok-1049952/) - **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (70/100, inferred): The critic sees the film as bearing the mark of Taika Waititi’s comedic sensibility, which brings bouncy humor and gleeful tweaks to the usual superhero set pieces. He praises the candy-colored visuals and surprises while noting the persistent constraints of the Marvel franchise formula. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-sufficient-delights-of-thor-ragnarok) - **The New York Times**, Manohla Dargis (70/100, inferred): The critic finds that the film mostly succeeds in refreshing the Thor series by making its hero consistently sillier and less self-serious. She singles out the director's playful approach to action and jokes for turning what had been a forgettable franchise into something more engaging. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/movies/thor-ragnarok-review-chris-hemsworth.html) - **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (90/100, inferred): The critic finds the film a flat-out comedy that brings welcome offbeat humor to the Thor series, making it a lot of fun overall. He singles out Chris Hemsworth's comic timing and rapport with the cast for particular praise. [Read](https://deadline.com/2017/10/thor-ragnarok-review-marvel-sequel-chris-hemsworth-cate-blanchett-mark-ruffalo-video-1202192222/) - **Polygon**, Brock Wilbur (90/100, inferred): The critic lauds the confident, enthusiastic direction that rewards fans with a bonkers yet coherent world full of memorable characters and jokes. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/19/16499348/thor-ragnarok-review-avengers-marvel-2017/) - **The Ringer**, K. Austin Collins (80/100, inferred): The critic calls it the funniest Thor movie yet, praising Waititi's fresh, quirky approach that makes the familiar Marvel product feel vibrant and fun. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2017/11/02/movies/thor-ragnarok-review-taika-waititi-chris-hemsworth) - **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (B): The critic highlights the film's nonstop humor and visual flair under Taika Waititi but notes pacing issues and a weak villain. [Read](https://collider.com/thor-ragnarok-review/) - **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (7.5/10): The critic finds Thor: Ragnarok to be Marvel's silliest and funniest movie yet, a marked improvement thanks to its brash humor and talented cast riffing, particularly on Sakaar with Jeff Goldblum. The main complaint is that the film stutters when it tries to play things seriously in the climax, falling flat after leaning so heavily into comedy. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/554255/thor-ragnarok-review/) - **Den of Geek**, Don Kaye (4 out of 5): The critic calls it the God of Thunder's most light-hearted adventure to date and another winner for the MCU, crediting Taika Waititi's direction for its tonal coherence and entertainment value. They single out the loose, funny performances (especially Hemsworth), strong female characters like Hela and Valkyrie, and the film's comic-book visuals and score while noting it feels a bit too light on stakes. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/thor-ragnarok-review/) - **The Wrap**, Alonso Duralde (70/100, inferred): The critic praises the film's balance of stakes and silliness as well as its goofy, self-aware pleasures that work for both committed fans and casual viewers. He singles out Cate Blanchett's gloriously over-the-top campy performance as Hela for particular praise. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/thor-ragnarok-review-cate-blanchett-chris-hemsworth-mcu/) ## Details - **Director:** Taika Waititi - **Director:** Taika Waititi - **Writer:** Craig Kyle, Christopher Lee Yost, Eric Pearson - **Cinematography:** Javier Aguirresarobe - **Editor:** Zene Baker, Joel Negron - **Music:** Mark Mothersbaugh - **Production design:** Dan Hennah, Ra Vincent - **Costume design:** Mayes C. Rubeo - **Producer:** Kevin Feige - **Cast:** Chris Hemsworth as Thor; Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk; Tom Hiddleston as Loki; Cate Blanchett as Hela; Idris Elba as Heimdall; Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster; Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie; Karl Urban as Skurge - **Runtime:** 2h 11m - **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13 - **Release (the US):** 3 November 2017 - **Genres:** Action, Science Fiction, Comedy, Adventure - **Budget:** $180 million - **Box office:** $855 million - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue80QwXMRHg ## Where to watch in the US - Disney+: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd - Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd - Apple TV: buy $19.99, hd - Amazon Prime Video: buy $19.99, hd *Checked 2026-09-19.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *Flash Gordon* (1980): The same boiled-sweet colours and camp villainy, forty years earlier, with Queen instead of synths. - *What We Do in the Shadows* (2014): Waititi’s vampires bicker over the washing-up; the Korg voice was born here. - *The Fifth Element* (1997), Fi1m 73: Garish space opera with a preening tyrant; Gary Oldman does what Goldblum does, louder. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-fifth-element.md) - *Big Trouble in Little China* (1986), Fi1m 78: Kurt Russell as a hero who is not the hero, and slowly finds out. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/big-trouble-in-little-china.md) - *Guardians of the Galaxy* (2014), Fi1m 80: The studio’s first go at treating the cosmos as a joke; the template Waititi improved. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/guardians-of-the-galaxy.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/thor-ragnarok