Thor: Love and Thunder: Flop, Apology, and Hemsworth’s Diagnosis

Few MCU films have sparked as much debate as Thor: Love and Thunder, despite pulling in $760.9 million worldwide and often being labeled a flop. Chris Hemsworth’s disclosure of an Alzheimer’s genetic risk, Natalie Portman’s return, and a polarizing tonal shift have made this Phase 4 entry a case study in financial success yet perceived letdown.

Worldwide box office: $760.9 million ·
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63% ·
Metacritic score: 57 ·
Budget: $250 million ·
IMDb rating: 6.2/10

Eight key specifications tell the story of Thor: Love and Thunder at a glance — from its budget to its running time.

Why was Thor: Love and Thunder a flop?

How much did Thor: Love and Thunder earn at the box office?

The film grossed $760.9 million worldwide, with $343.3 million from the United States and Canada and $417.7 million from other territories (USA Today). That makes it the second-highest-grossing Thor film overall (Wikipedia). But the number that stung: a 68% second-weekend drop — one of the steepest in MCU history (Slashfilm). Forbes reported an 80% plunge on a Friday-to-Friday basis (Forbes).

The implication: The financial success was overshadowed by audience expectations and brand perception.

What did critics say about the film?

• Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it 63%, while audiences scored 77% (Rotten Tomatoes Editorial).
• Metacritic scored it 57, indicating mixed or average reviews (Metacritic).
• IMDb users rated it 6.2/10 (IMDb).

The pattern: critics found the tone jarringly inconsistent — broad comedy undercutting emotionally heavy beats — while audiences were slightly more forgiving. The trade-off: Taika Waititi’s signature humor worked for many but alienated others expecting a tighter narrative.

Did Chris Hemsworth apologize for Love and Thunder?

What did Chris Hemsworth say about the film?

Hemsworth has not issued a formal apology but has openly acknowledged the mixed reception. In a 2024 Vanity Fair interview, he said the conversations around the film sometimes felt “frustrating” because the movie was made with the same playful spirit as Ragnarok (USA Today). He also said he regretted how his Alzheimer’s risk disclosure overshadowed the film’s release.

Did he express regret?

Yes — but indirectly. Hemsworth told Vanity Fair that the negative framing of his genetic risk made the situation “piss me off because it felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared this” (USA Today). He clarified it was not a death sentence. The implication: Hemsworth’s regret is less about the film’s quality and more about how his health news was reported.

What did Chris Hemsworth get diagnosed with?

What is the APOE4 gene?

Hemsworth carries the APOE4 gene variant, which raises the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (USA Today). It is not a diagnosis — only a genetic predisposition. He learned about it while filming a National Geographic/Disney+ series.

How does it affect him?

Hemsworth has said he plans to take proactive health steps but also wants to correct the public narrative. He told USA Today that the story “became that I had dementia and was reconsidering life and retiring” — which he said is not accurate (USA Today). He previously mentioned taking time off to spend with his children after a decade of non-stop work (Entertainment Tonight via USA Today).

The pattern: Health disclosures can be misrepresented in the media, affecting public perception.

Why did Natalie Portman quit Thor?

Did Natalie Portman leave due to creative differences?

Portman has suggested she was dissatisfied with the creative direction after Thor: The Dark World (2013). According to industry reports, her contract ended and she did not sign on for more films because of the underwhelming script and direction of that sequel (Entertainment Weekly). She has never cited a personal falling-out.

Why did she return for Love and Thunder?

She came back as Jane Foster / Mighty Thor after being approached by Taika Waititi with a compelling story — a cancer patient who becomes a superhero through the hammer Mjolnir (Entertainment Weekly). Portman told Entertainment Weekly she was “excited to return with a different energy” and appreciated the character’s arc.

The catch: Portman’s return was driven by a compelling narrative opportunity, not personal grievances.

Is Thor’s daughter his real daughter?

Who is the child?

The child in the film is Love, the daughter of Gorr the God Butcher. After Gorr’s death, Thor adopts her (Wikipedia). She is not biologically related to Thor. The character is played by Chris Hemsworth’s real-life daughter, India Hemsworth, which adds a meta-layer but the story relationship is adoptive.

The meta-layer of casting his real daughter adds a personal touch, but the story relationship remains adoptive.

The consequence: For Disney and Marvel Studios, Thor: Love and Thunder is a reminder that box office dollars don’t erase brand perception. The film’s 68% drop and the muddled messaging around Hemsworth’s health created a narrative that overshadows its financial success. For audiences, the choice is clear: enjoy it as a loose comic romp, or expect the tighter storytelling that earlier Phase 4 entries had delivered — but the two don’t easily coexist.