TL;DR: Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie is one of the most layered characters in the MCU, evolving from a grieving, hard-drinking scavenger to the literal King of New Asgard. If your kids are hyped for her return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, this is the perfect time to marathon her journey. Start with the vibrant Thor: Ragnarok, brace yourself for the emotional weight of Avengers: Endgame, and navigate the chaotic (and slightly polarizing) Thor: Love and Thunder.
If you haven't kept up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) since Iron Man snapped his fingers, you might be wondering why everyone is calling a woman "King."
Tessa Thompson plays Valkyrie, the last of an elite group of Asgardian female warriors. When we first meet her, she’s... well, she’s a mess. She’s dealing with massive PTSD, drinking too much, and living as a bounty hunter on a literal trash planet. It’s a far cry from the "perfect" superheroes we usually see, which is exactly why she resonates so well with older kids and teens. She’s messy, she’s capable, and she eventually steps up to lead her people when Thor realizes he’s better suited for finding himself in space than sitting on a throne.
Ask our chatbot for a full breakdown of Valkyrie's character arc
This is widely considered the "gold standard" for Valkyrie. Director Taika Waititi injected a neon-soaked, 80s-synth energy into the franchise that actually allowed Thompson to show off her comedic timing. Why it’s great: It’s funny, the action is top-tier, and the "Scrapper 142" reveal is a classic hero introduction. Parental Note: There’s some "fantasy drinking" and a few crude jokes, but it’s mostly high-stakes fun.
Valkyrie doesn't get a ton of screen time here, but her role is pivotal. She leads the Asgardian refugees on Earth and participates in the massive final battle (riding a winged horse, which is objectively cool). Why it matters: This is where she officially becomes the leader of New Asgard. It’s a great jumping-off point for talks about "quiet leadership"—doing the work while the "stars" are off fighting big battles.
Okay, let’s be real: this movie is a bit of a polarizing mess. Some kids love the screaming goats and the humor; some parents find it way too frantic. However, for Valkyrie fans, it’s essential because we see her navigating the "boredom" of bureaucracy and her search for a new "queen." The No-BS Take: This movie tries a bit too hard to be funny and loses some of the heart that made Ragnarok work. It’s worth a watch for the visuals, but don't expect it to change your life.
Valkyrie has a brief but delightful cameo here. It’s a "blink and you’ll miss it" moment where she helps Carol Danvers, but it reinforces her status as a respected leader among the heavy hitters of the MCU.
As we head toward the May 2026 release of Doomsday, the buzz is that Valkyrie and the forces of New Asgard will play a major role in the defense of Earth. It’s the perfect time to get your kids caught up on her backstory so they understand the stakes when the multiverse starts collapsing.
Check out our guide on how to watch the MCU in chronological order
Kids—especially middle schoolers and up—are drawn to Valkyrie because she isn't a "girl boss" caricature. She’s a warrior who failed, felt the weight of that failure, and had to find her way back to her own values.
Also, let’s talk about the "King" title. In Love and Thunder, she is officially the King of New Asgard. Kids today generally don't bat an eye at this; they see it as a title of office rather than a gendered term. It sparks interesting conversations about how leadership isn't about fitting into a specific box, but about who is best for the job.
The MCU is pretty consistent with its PG-13 ratings. Here’s what to look out for with Thompson’s movies:
- Ages 8-10: Most kids in this range can handle Ragnarok and Endgame. The violence is "comic book style"—lots of glowing weapons and CGI aliens, but very little realistic gore.
- Ages 11-13: This is the sweet spot. They’ll catch the nuances of her grief and the humor in the dialogue.
- Safety Note: Thor: Love and Thunder has a scene with "stylized" nudity (Thor gets his clothes flicked off by Zeus), which is played for laughs but might be a "cover their eyes" moment depending on your family's vibe.
Use Valkyrie’s journey to bridge some deeper topics with your kids:
- Dealing with Loss: Valkyrie lost her entire team and spent years trying to forget it. You can ask, "Why do you think she was so mean to Thor at first?" It’s a good way to talk about how people sometimes push others away when they’re hurting.
- Redefining Leadership: Talk about why Thor gave her the throne. It wasn't because she was the strongest fighter (though she’s up there), but because she actually cared for the people day-to-day while Thor was struggling with his own identity.
- Inclusion and Identity: Tessa Thompson has been open about Valkyrie being bisexual, which is hinted at in Love and Thunder. If your kids ask about her looking for a "queen," it’s a natural opening to discuss how different families and relationships look, handled in a very matter-of-fact way by the movie.
Tessa Thompson’s run in the MCU is a masterclass in taking a side character and making them indispensable. Whether she’s falling off a ship in a drunken stupor or leading a charge against a god-killer, she’s consistently the most interesting person on screen.
If you’re looking for a hero who isn't perfect, who struggles with her past, but ultimately chooses to do the right thing for her community, Valkyrie is your girl—er, King.
Next Steps:
- Watch Thor: Ragnarok for a family movie night.
- If your kids are into the lore, check out the Marvel Encyclopedia to see her comic book origins.
- Ask our chatbot for more movies starring Tessa Thompson for older teens