The essentials in 30 seconds: Valkyrie, born Brunnhilde, is the last survivor of Asgard's famous warrior women, an order decimated by Hela centuries before Thor's arrival on Sakaar. Exiled, alcoholic, and haunted by her past, she regains her honor in Thor: Ragnarok, fights alongside the Avengers during Infinity War and Endgame, and then officially becomes Asgard's new sovereign. A redemptive journey that makes her one of the MCU's strongest and most endearing figures.
Among all the supporting characters who have become indispensable in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, few have enjoyed an ascent as spectacular as Valkyrie. Introduced in Thor: Ragnarok as a disillusioned bounty hunter dragging her bottle through the ruins of Sakaar, she established herself film after film as one of the most formidable warriors—and one of the most legitimate leaders—in the entire MCU. A look back at the fate of Brunnhilde, the last of the Valkyries, whose name has become synonymous with rediscovered courage.
Before wearing the crown of Asgard, Valkyrie first had to survive the loss of her unit, exile, and decades of wandering. Today, we invite you to retrace this journey, marked by falls and rebirths, between Asgardian legend and adventures alongside the Avengers.
Who Are Asgard's Valkyries?
Long before becoming a proper name, “Valkyrie” referred to an entire order: an elite squad of Asgardian warriors personally trained by Odin to fight the most dangerous enemies of the Nine Realms. Riding winged horses and armed with swords and spears forged from Asgard's strongest metal, the Valkyries were renowned as invincible. They formed the kingdom's elite guard, sent to the most perilous fronts when the regular legions were no longer enough.
Their fate changes on the day Hela, the goddess of death and Odin's eldest daughter, returns to claim the throne that is rightfully hers after centuries of banishment. Faced with Hela's devastating power, the Valkyries launch one final aerial assault. The battle turns into a massacre: Hela annihilates almost the entire unit in moments, leaving behind only corpses and fleeing winged horses. Only one warrior survives that fateful day: Brunnhilde.
Brunnhilde, the survivor
Traumatized by the loss of her fellow warriors and consumed by survivor's guilt, Brunnhilde flees Asgard to take refuge on Sakaar, a garbage planet on the fringes of the multiverse where lost objects and beings wash up. She drowns her past in alcohol for decades, making a living as a bounty hunter working for the Grandmaster, capturing the unfortunate beings teleported to Sakaar and reselling them as gladiators in the Arena of the Grandmasters.
It is in this state of degradation that Thor finds her during Thor: Ragnarok. Sent to capture the thunder god, who has just arrived on Sakaar, she knocks him out without mercy and sells him to the Grandmaster. This brutal, uncompromising first encounter lays the foundations for a relationship built on mistrust, banter, and, gradually, mutual respect.
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View productRagnarok: from degradation to redemption
Valkyrie's return to the Asgardian ranks does not happen without hesitation. Haunted by the memory of Hela, she initially categorically refuses to face the goddess of death again, preferring to continue drowning her sorrows in alcohol. It is Thor, with his disarming ability to believe in everyone, who manages to rekindle the flame of the warrior she once was. By revealing that he saw her past during a vision caused by Hela's power herself, he forces her to confront the trauma she had been running from.
This turning point marks Brunnhilde's true return. She trades her bounty hunter outfit for Valkyrie armor, takes up her sword again, and joins the revolution led by Thor, Hulk, and Loki against the Grandmaster and then Hela. On the Bifrost battlefield, she fights alongside Thor with an intensity that has lost none of its legendary power, proving that the title of Valkyrie was not undeserved.
The chart of the key stages in Valkyrie's journey
| Film / Stage | Key event |
|---|---|
| Asgardian past | Hela's massacre of the Valkyries; only Brunnhilde survives |
| Exile on Sakaar | Bounty hunter working for the Grandmaster, addicted to alcohol |
| Thor: Ragnarok | Captures Thor, joins the revolution, fights Hela on the Bifrost |
| Avengers: Infinity War | Leads the evacuation of the surviving Asgardians to Earth |
| Avengers: Endgame | Becomes queen of New Asgard, joins the final battle |
| Thor: Love and Thunder | Officially rules New Asgard, fights Gorr the God Butcher |
This chart illustrates how much the character has gained in depth film after film: initially a mere background warrior, Valkyrie gradually becomes a strategic and moral pillar of the saga across the various phases of the MCU.
A queen forged in Hela's tragedy
It is impossible to understand Valkyrie without looking back at the one who shaped her destiny through violence: Hela, the goddess of death. Odin's eldest daughter and the kingdom's executioner during its conquest of the Nine Realms, the heart of the Asgardian pantheon, Hela was erased from official history for a long time before returning to reclaim her throne. It is this return that causes the Valkyries' annihilation and Brunnhilde's formative trauma.
This tragic bond between the two characters gives their final confrontation on the Rainbow Bridge a particular resonance: for Valkyrie, it is not merely about saving Asgard, but avenging her fallen sisters-in-arms from decades earlier. Though unfinished in the film (Surtur ultimately brings Hela's reign to an end), this revenge seals her reconciliation with her own past.
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View productValkyrie and the Avengers: A Warrior in Earth's Service
After Asgard is destroyed by Surtur, Valkyrie takes center stage in ensuring her people's survival. She organizes the evacuation of the Asgardian refugees aboard the Statesman's ship, before it crosses paths with Thanos at the very beginning of Avengers: Infinity War. She narrowly escapes the massacre orchestrated by the Mad Titan, unlike Heimdall and Loki, and manages to get the survivors to safety.
Five years later, in Avengers: Endgame, she has become the de facto leader of the Asgardian community settled in Norway, renamed New Asgard. She answers the call during the final battle against Thanos and his army, alongside all the heroes resurrected by Hulk's snap, embodying a new generation of leaders capable of standing against the most terrifying cosmic threats, alongside figures such as Thor himself and his once-rival brother, Loki.
A Queen, Not Just a Warrior
Valkyrie's official coronation as queen of New Asgard, established at the beginning of Thor: Love and Thunder, marks a fundamental step in the character's development. Far from being limited to her role as a fighter, she takes on diplomatic and political responsibilities: managing relations with the Norwegian government, organizing the daily life of a displaced people, and continuing to provide military protection. A warrior queen in the purest Asgardian tradition, yet one who does not hesitate to return to battle herself, sword in hand, whenever Gorr the God Butcher threatens her subjects.
This political shift echoes other MCU storylines in which former fighters become legitimate leaders, as exemplified by the ranking of the most powerful Avengers, where strategic influence sometimes matters as much as raw strength.
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View productWhy is Valkyrie such a popular role model among fans?
Valkyrie’s popularity with audiences stems from several factors that go beyond the simple spectacle of superhero entertainment. First, her redemption arc is one of the most complete in the MCU: we discover her broken, watch her rebuild herself, and then rise to become a sovereign. Few supporting characters benefit from such a coherent trajectory across multiple films.
Next, her fighting style, blending the aerial grace inherited from the Valkyries with the fierce spirit of a street warrior learned on Sakaar, makes her one of the most visually spectacular fighters on screen. Her duel against Hela on the Bifrost, as well as her battles in Love and Thunder, rank among the action scenes most frequently cited by fans.
Finally, Valkyrie represents a significant milestone within the MCU: as the studio’s first openly confirmed LGBTQ+ character, she paved the way for greater diversity in Marvel’s portrayal of heroes, an aspect praised by both critics and the most dedicated fan community. To recreate the complete team that fought alongside her during the final battle in Endgame, visit our dedicated product page for the 18cm multi-character Avengers set, or browse our Avengers villains figurine collection to complete your pantheon with Asgard’s historic adversaries.
Frequently asked questions about Valkyrie
What is Valkyrie’s real name?
Her full name is Brunnhilde. “Valkyrie” originally referred to the title held by members of her elite unit, before becoming her permanent nickname after the disappearance of her sisters-in-arms.
Is Valkyrie stronger than Thor?
No, Thor remains far superior in raw power thanks to his nature as an Asgardian god and his mastery of lightning. Valkyrie nevertheless makes up for it with exceptional combat technique, formidable tactical experience, and a courage that makes her an indispensable ally on the battlefield.
Why does Valkyrie become queen of Asgard?
After the destruction of Asgard and Odin’s death, Thor chooses to entrust the throne to Valkyrie rather than rule himself, believing she is better suited to lead and protect the Asgardian people rebuilt in New Asgard.
Does Valkyrie appear in the original Marvel comics?
Yes, the character has existed since the 1970s in the comics, although her story was largely rewritten for the MCU, notably by merging her past with the conflict against Hela, which was introduced specifically for the films.
Will we see Valkyrie again in future Marvel films?
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but her status as queen of New Asgard and her growing popularity make her a natural candidate for future appearances, particularly in upcoming Avengers ensemble adventures. In the meantime, complete your Asgardian warrior outfit with our Thor Love and Thunder cosplay boots, available in our LEGO Avengers collection or our Avengers keychain collection for budget-friendly options.
Take your exploration of the Avengers universe further
- Thor: god of thunder, origins, and legend
- Asgard and the Nine Realms: the complete guide
- Loki, god of mischief turned antihero
- Ranking of the most powerful Avengers
- Which Avenger are you according to your zodiac sign?
- Complete guide to Avengers characters
Key takeaways
From a warrior broken by the massacre of her unit to the rightful queen of New Asgard, Valkyrie embodies one of the MCU’s most compelling redemption arcs. Her tragic duel with Hela, unwavering loyalty to Thor, and ability to take on the responsibilities of leadership make her far more than a supporting character today: she is a heroine in her own right, whose warrior legacy continues to inspire fans. To continue exploring her universe, visit our Avengers figurine collection, our selection of Thor costumes and outfits, or our Avengers sets and dioramas to recreate Asgard’s greatest battles at home.