Thor
The Dark World
Film · 2013 · 112 minutes · Phase Two
A year after the Battle of New York, Thor returns to Earth to reunite with Jane Foster just as she becomes host to the Aether, an ancient force of destruction. Thor brings her to Asgard, drawing the attention of Malekith, leader of the Dark Elves, who seeks the Aether to plunge the Nine Realms into eternal darkness. When Malekith's assault leaves Asgard devastated, Thor is forced to team up with the imprisoned Loki on a dangerous, unsanctioned mission to stop him. The battle culminates in a dimension-hopping duel between Thor and Malekith back on Earth.
Follows on from
- Thordirect-sequel — Continues Thor and Jane Foster's relationship and the Asgard/Nine Realms storyline set up in the first film.
- The Avengersdirect-sequel — Set explicitly one year after the Battle of New York; Loki's imprisonment and Thor's changed standing with Asgard both follow directly from the events of The Avengers.
Leads to
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 1crossover · optional — A single episode, 'The Well' (episode 8), is set in the aftermath of the film's Greenwich battle, with the team recovering an Asgardian berserker staff.
- Thor: Ragnarokdirect-sequel — Directly continues Thor's story in Asgard, picking up with Odin, Loki (disguised as Odin on the throne), and the political fallout of the previous film before Hela's return upends it all.
- Avengers: Endgamecrossover · optional — Thor and Rocket travel to an alternate 2013 Asgard on the day of the Dark Elf attack, where Rocket steals the Reality Stone from Jane Foster/the Aether.