When Does the Film "Thor" (2011) Take Place?
"Thor" is a fantasy superhero film written by Ashley Edward Miller with J. Michael Straczynski, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, Mark Protosevich, and Matthew Vaughn [adapting "Journey Into Mystery" #85 (1962) as well as “The Mighty Thor” #145 (1967), both by Stan Lee] that released April 21st, 2011. So when is "Thor" set?
It takes place on the fictional Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline in the year:
We know this because of a single line of dialogue in “The Avengers” (2012). In that film, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nicholas Fury says, "Last year, Earth had a visitor from another planet who had a grudge match that leveled a small town", referring to Loki and the events of this film, after pointing at Thor. "The Avengers" (2012) takes place entirely in 2012 AD.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZK365s5C15e10p5SPKYdwX6u6CaEYL472GmaNNUf_DSx6myJSRsrtmSSLPiCwmZpexY4-UWTpXouUru_TkUAsAVqaeTSoszFdlCKUwDBNX2U_J94SYvImeW_8QkplMMJYRhtB02PWY_Fwm3XrkVzFF8fyziI43T77qCjbsClO26tGoHvD1cJTAhUXGy0/w255-h383/Thor_2011_film_poster.jpg)
2011 AD
We know this because of a single line of dialogue in “The Avengers” (2012). In that film, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nicholas Fury says, "Last year, Earth had a visitor from another planet who had a grudge match that leveled a small town", referring to Loki and the events of this film, after pointing at Thor. "The Avengers" (2012) takes place entirely in 2012 AD.
2012 - 1 = 2011.
Additionally, there is a prologue that clearly takes place in 965 AD, as it's labeled with a place and time setting title card reading: "TONSBERG, NORWAY 965 A.D." over the footage.
This Geekritique article and video examines its exact setting.
It is a chronologically early film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (a first chronological film to feature Thor) and can be watched either at its timeline point or entirely separately.