Movie's ratings

    News

    72

    " It’s time to face the music."
    Country
    Spoken Language
    Runtime 2 hr 30 min
    Budget $250 000 000 31
    Premiere: World $845 555 777 April 19, 2023
    USA $358 995 815
    Other countries $486 559 962
    Box Office – Budget $595 555 777
    Premiere: USA $358 995 815 75 May 5, 2023
    first day $48 103 839
    first weekend $118 414 021
    Digital: World July 7, 2023
    Parental Advisory
    • Frightening & Intense Scenes

      plenty

    • Profanity

      average

    • Violence & Gore

      average

    • Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

      few

    Production Companies
    Also Known As

    Description

    Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill rallies his team to defend the universe and one of their own — a mission that could mean the end of the Guardians if not successful.

    Сast and Crew

    Guardians of the Galaxy: The Comic Book

    Overview

    The film "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" is based on the Marvel Comics series "Guardians of the Galaxy." The comic book series was created by a team of talented writers and artists, including Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Keith Giffen. The series has evolved over the years, with various iterations and storylines contributing to its rich history.

    Creators

      • Stan Lee: A legendary comic book writer and editor, known for co-creating many iconic Marvel characters.

      • Jack Kirby: A pioneering comic book artist and writer, who co-created numerous Marvel superheroes.

      • Keith Giffen: A writer and artist who contributed to the modern version of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

    Comic Book Storyline

    The original "Guardians of the Galaxy" comic series debuted in 1969, featuring a team of heroes from the 31st century. However, the version that inspired the film series is the 2008 reboot, which introduced a new team of characters, including Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. This version was created by Bill Mantlo and Steve Gan.

    Film Adaptation

    The film adaptation, directed by James Gunn, takes inspiration from the 2008 comic series. While the film captures the essence and spirit of the comics, it also introduces new elements and storylines to fit the cinematic universe. The characters' personalities and dynamics are largely faithful to the comics, though some plot points and character arcs have been adapted for the screen.

    FAQ

    What is “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” about?

    It’s the concluding chapter of the Guardians trilogy, following the team as they fight to save Rocket while confronting the fallout of their past. The film blends space adventure, drama, and signature humor, with a strong focus on Rocket’s origins and the cost of pursuing “perfection.”

    Do I need to watch the previous movies to understand Vol. 3?

    It’s recommended: the film directly continues threads from “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014), “Vol. 2” (2017), plus events from “Avengers: Infinity War / Endgame” and “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.” You can still follow it, but character dynamics and emotional beats land much better with the earlier context.

    Is this really the end for the Guardians in this lineup?

    It’s designed as the capstone of the trilogy and a major turning point for the team, giving clear closure for several characters. At the same time, the MCU leaves room for future stories and new lineups, so it’s more the end of a chapter than an absolute endpoint.

    Who is the main villain and what’s his motivation (no spoilers)?

    The main antagonist is the High Evolutionary, obsessed with “perfection” and controlling the evolution of living beings. His drive to engineer an ideal society and eliminate “flaws” puts him in direct conflict with the Guardians’ values and Rocket’s past.

    Why does the movie focus so much on Rocket?

    Vol. 3 uses Rocket’s story as its emotional core, exploring trauma, friendship, acceptance, and resisting cruelty through his past. That makes the film feel more personal and heavier than the previous installments.

    How dark is it compared to the previous movies?

    It’s noticeably more dramatic, with emotionally heavy scenes and harsher themes, though the humor and adventure energy remain. If you’re sensitive to animal cruelty/experimentation themes, parts of the film may be difficult.

    Are there post-credit scenes, and are they worth waiting for?

    Yes—there are post-credit scenes. They function more as an epilogue and a look at the team’s future than as mandatory setup for a crossover, so they’re worth staying for closure and tone.

    Who directed the film, and what’s distinctive about its style?

    The director is James Gunn. In Vol. 3, he keeps his signature blend of music-driven pacing, offbeat humor, and heartfelt drama, but leans into a more cohesive, emotionally grown-up story focused on consequences and farewell.

    Is the movie heavily tied to other MCU projects?

    It’s understandable as a standalone adventure, but it plays better if you know the team’s status after Endgame and the Holiday Special. Vol. 3 isn’t overloaded with mandatory cameos and stays mostly focused on the Guardians’ own story.

    Is there a strong romance plot?

    There are romantic threads, but it’s not a romance-driven story. The focus is on friendship, responsibility, and how the characters learn to let go of the past and step into new roles.

    How family-friendly is Vol. 3?

    It’s not the lightest entry in the trilogy: there are scary moments, intense sequences, and heavy themes. It’s generally fine for teens, but it may be too dark for younger kids depending on their sensitivity.

    What themes does the movie explore beyond action and humor?

    It explores trauma and healing, self-acceptance, the value of found family, the moral limits of science, and themes of power and dehumanization. It’s packaged as an adventure, but with surprisingly heavy emotional weight.

    Is the film connected to the comics, and how ‘comic-accurate’ is it?

    It draws inspiration from multiple eras of Marvel’s Guardians and cosmic comics, but it’s its own MCU take with different backstories and events. The movie borrows concepts and imagery rather than directly adapting a single issue.

    Does it have the signature soundtrack like the previous films?

    Yes—music is again central to pacing and mood, and tracks are used as part of the emotional storytelling, not just background. The selection also feels more reflective, supporting themes of closure and reprocessing the past.

    Is it a good pick for people who don’t like ‘very superhero’ movies?

    Often, yes: Vol. 3 plays like a space sci-fi adventure with vivid worlds and a strong dramatic spine rather than a checklist of superhero tropes. Still, it does feature plenty of action, creatures, and typical MCU elements.

    Does the film introduce important new characters and worlds?

    Yes—it expands the MCU’s cosmic side with new locations, societies, and characters that reinforce the idea of engineered worlds and a questionable utopia. They primarily serve the Guardians’ story and Rocket’s personal arc.

    Production

    Initial work Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) writer and director James Gunn stated in November 2014 that, in addition to having the "basic story" for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) while working on the first film, he also had ideas for a potential third film. Despite this, he was unsure in June 2015 if he would be involved with a third Guardians film, saying that it would depend on how he felt after making Vol. 2. In April 2016, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, the producer of the Guardians films, said a third film was planned for the franchise as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in "2020 and beyond". In March 2017, Gunn said there would be a third film "for sure. We're trying to figure it out", soon adding that there were no specific plans for the film yet, but that Marvel would want to make it "unless something goes horribly—which is always possible, you never know". He also reiterated that he had not decided whether he would be directing the film, and that he was going to figure out his involvement and his next project "over the next couple of weeks". Part of Gunn's reluctance to return to the franchise came from not wanting to work on it without Michael Rooker, whose character from the first two films, Yondu Udonta, died at the end of Vol. 2.

    Related Movies There are no related titles yet, but you can add them:

    James Gunn — Best movies and TV Shows

    Critique: 62

    53%
    33 1
    The Independent April 28, 2023

    The Guardians films have always been about the fact that many of us are like putty – shaped not by where we’ve come from but where we are and could...

    ReelViews May 3, 2023

    While some of the darker threads in the movie are welcome – Guardians was in danger of becoming overtly jokey – it suffers from many of the same pr...

    The Playlist April 28, 2023

    Sentimentality, earnestness, and the ability to tap into naked vulnerability—normally [Gunn’s] great qualities—get the best of him, turning...

    Because Rocket is not just an object, and because the film’s flashback structure invests the quest with emotional power, the plot of Guardians ...

    Slashfilm April 28, 2023

    And that, perhaps, is the real fatal flaw of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3." Gunn’s first two movies felt different. They stood out from th...

    Uproxx April 28, 2023

    James Gunn bets big that you love each and every one of these Guardians. It’s a movie about friendship and the love these characters have for...

    Los Angeles Times April 28, 2023

    An enjoyably eccentric, insouciantly funny and often beautiful-looking jumble of an entertainment that plays – at least when it isn’t let down...

    ScreenCrush April 28, 2023

    I don’t think Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 quite matches the sublime pop silliness of the first film in this trilogy, but it’s easily b...

    The Seattle Times April 28, 2023

    You know, there was a time when "Guardians of the Galaxy" was fun. That time was 2014, when the first picture came out… Now here’s "Vol. ...

    Film Threat April 28, 2023

    Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 has way too much story crammed in its two-and-half-hour runtime, but the reason to see the movie is the...

    Screen Daily April 28, 2023

    At a time when comic-book films have become formulaic and interchangeable, James Gunn’s third instalment of Guardians Of The Galaxy feels refr...

    Vox May 4, 2023

    When I say that Guardians Vol. 3 is the best Marvel film since Endgame, however, I mean it as a genuine compliment: The movie is gre...

    USA Today May 2, 2023

    A hilarious, heartbreaking, touching and rather wonderful close to an enjoyable trilogy.

    Vanity Fair April 28, 2023

    It’s an odd, lumbering patchwork of a film, occasionally fascinating but otherwise bloated and aimless.

    Polygon April 28, 2023

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a Marvel film of unusual conviction, where every character beat is given the same weight, whether it’s...

    The New Yorker May 10, 2023

    The movie is grandiose but not impressive, elaborate but not eye-catching; its most poignant simulation is the effort to make it feel like a m...

    The Irish Times May 3, 2023

    For all the extravagant special effects and efforts to tug at our heartstrings, what we get is more of an epic variety show than coherent space opera.

    The Film Stage May 4, 2023

    It’s a Marvel entry surprisingly free of any ties to broader property outside of the first two volumes, but mired in the same bag of tricks wi...

    TheWrap April 28, 2023

    For all the emotional resonance and action-packed blockbuster mayhem in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, it’s still got a lot of impish nonse...

    Movie Nation April 28, 2023

    These pictures have grown less cute, less charming and less fun with each passing installment, and this one just drags as it meanders towards its o...

    GOTG 3 is a blahbuster that, like other recent Marvel disappointments ("Thor: Love and Thunder,” "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania"), jo...

    CNN April 28, 2023

    In hindsight, the most unlikely hit among Marvel’s parade of them was all about the unlikeliest of families. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3&nb...

    The Daily Beast April 28, 2023

    A first-rate rebound from the relatively underwhelming Vol. 2, it’s a bursting-at-the-seams adventure that, minor missteps aside, reminds view...

    Chicago Sun-Times May 2, 2023

    Though a bit bloated and overstuffed with explosion-laden, standard-issue action sequences we’ve seen in dozens of superhero movies, Guardians...

    Chicago Tribune May 4, 2023

    The full-on assault on the audience’s tear ducts in much of "Guardians 3″ may be sincere, but the rhythms and pacing of the film never find the bea...

    Collider April 28, 2023

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 isn’t just the ideal sendoff for this group, it’s the best MCU film in years, and a reminder of how m...

    The Observer (UK) May 8, 2023

    Classic rock needle drops and showy, snaking, single-shot action sequences – both GOTG trademarks – abound in a picture that balances a slight...

    Though this "Guardians" is certainly less fun than the others, there are still glints of joy in the more mundane and ancillary quibbles among the f...

    Arizona Republic April 28, 2023

    It’s not a disaster, and it doesn’t lack for ambition. But it’s wildly uneven and kind of blah, if that can be said of a movie with nonst...

    Slant Magazine April 28, 2023

    The film undermines its initial sense of intimacy and momentum with a stop-and-start story structure that by and large exists to make as much...

    The Associated Press April 28, 2023

    Vol. 3 is a messy, overstuffed finale. But you rarely question whether Gunn’s heart is in it. Sometimes it spoils some of that effect by...

    Original-Cin May 2, 2023

    There’s fun and excitement in good measure as well, but Rocket’s story brings the audience in closer and in doing so, it enables the other characte...

    Austin Chronicle May 2, 2023

    For a franchise in the throes of a post-Endgame wheel-spinning slump, and with a less-than-compelling upcoming slate of films, Guardians...

    NME April 28, 2023

    It’s sometimes funny and emotionally effective when it counts, but also very, very dark, with some of the grimmest scenes of any Marvel movie.

    Washington Post May 1, 2023

    It’s a sweet and savory morsel of storytelling, drowning in a puddle of special-effects sauce.

    Consequence April 28, 2023

    A space adventure that is alternately funny and upsetting, featuring a literal menagerie of the strange and unconventional.

    LarsenOnFilm May 1, 2023

    Much of Vol. 3 feels like a combination of those exploitative ads from animal shelters and the Japanese body-horror endurance test Tetsuo...

    New York Post April 28, 2023

    The utopia-via-laboratory aspects of "Vol. 3" resemble "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" – only it’s the Wrath of Gunn. This chilling pap...

    Time Out April 28, 2023

    For a bright and breezy franchise with a talking tree and wise-cracking racoon, it gets unexpectedly bleak.

    Total Film April 28, 2023

    With writer/director James Gunn off to DC and some of its stars signalling they’re done with their characters, there’s an inevitable air of finalit...

    The Telegraph April 28, 2023

    Writer-director James Gunn finds moments of inspiration in this sequel, but the plot is a mess, the film irritable and frazzled.

    indieWire April 28, 2023

    And, really, it does something wild, something increasingly rare along the way: it makes you feel, as messy and strange and unexpected as that migh...

    Rolling Stone April 28, 2023

    What was once an anything-goes sensibility now feels like it’s stuck in a nothing’s-sticking gear. Dark, wearisome and bombastic, along with a...

    Gunn exhorts the audience to embrace the quirky, the messy, the flawed, to strive for connection, not precision in this world and beyond. It’s ...

    The Atlantic April 28, 2023

    Guardians 3 is a cheerful goodbye to many of the studio’s best heroes, who somehow managed to get through an entire series without being...

    ABC News May 5, 2023

    For all its backsliding into bleak—what’s with torturing Bradley Cooper’s talking raccoon—this spirited summer kickoff delivers the requisite thril...

    Variety April 28, 2023

    Unlike other filmmakers, who make it feel like we’re sitting back and watching someone else get to play, Gunn keeps the surprises coming, so audien...

    Boston Globe May 5, 2023

    Unlike the first two installments, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ultimately feels tethered to the MCU in ways that mute the uniqueness o...

    The Hollywood Reporter April 28, 2023

    The film’s wildly imaginative visuals are another plus, with the proceedings feeling so bizarrely trippy at times it’s as if Gunn is aiming to crea...

    The Guardian April 28, 2023

    Now Guardians of the Galaxy has reached the threequel stage: overlong, yes, and finally reaching for an importance and emotional closure (perhaps i...

    Paste Magazine May 1, 2023

    Worlds are squandered, details are overlooked and, yes, there’s a CGI swarm. For better or worse, and much like the MCU at large, Guardians of...

    At around the hundred-minute mark, everything in Gunn’s perfect little cinematic galaxy falls apart in a magnificently depressing fashion. It is as...

    Little White Lies May 1, 2023

    For all his puerile instincts, Gunn is able to create stakes in this film that feel real and meaningful – perhaps because of the care that has gone...

    RogerEbert.com April 28, 2023

    Watching his Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 3 is to see a director who knows how to balance corporate need with personal blockbuster filmm...

    Empire April 28, 2023

    A return to form for the MCU and for the Guardians, this is tear-jerking and heart-warming in equal measure, keeping its characters in focus despit...

    The MCU has been stumbling a bit since it bid goodbye to Captain America and Iron Man, and by reuniting us with characters we’ve known a...

    BBC April 28, 2023

    This one may be the most unruly and excessive of the trilogy, but it is as sweetly touching as any film with so many slimy, tentacled monsters in i...

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is overstuffed and a tad too long. But it’s also a humorous, heartfelt farewell by Gunn to his band of mis...

    IGN April 28, 2023

    The Guardians of the Galaxy deliver their swan song in Vol. 3 and it’s a rockin’ good time. Through Rocket’s tragic origin story we’re given a...

    The A.V. Club April 28, 2023

    It’s not just a film, it’s a blaze of glory, and that sense of daring is both the best thing about Vol. 3 and, occasionally, th...

    Observer May 2, 2023

    To its credit, the latest and seemingly last Guardians installment – which at times can feel like a Spotify playlist in search of a movie...

    The Film Verdict June 20, 2023

    One of the film’s best features is that it does a minimum of seeding the ground for the next five MCU sequels; one of its worst is that it gen...

    Add critique link

    Add a short review

    280 characters

    Or write an article...

    Sign up and you will see here
    friends impressions of the movie.

    Friends comments and ratings

    The Guardians appeal because their hard-won bonds feel real, even within the confines of the outsized MCU

    IndieWire

    Watched

    A great ending to a great trilogy. Still, it’s good that Marvel brought back James Gunn. Good humor, great dramatic moments, exciting plot – everything we love. The long duration of the film is almost imperceptible, maybe just a little bit.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    The main villain in this film is literally a loser, due to the fault of the scriptwriter it feels like he is evil, but clearly not powerful, like the villains in the previous parts. Part 3 is worse than the previous ones, but that’s okay. It’ll go well with beer. 7.5/10

    Translated to English

    I keep watching… Great movie! I wonder why Marvel’s new villains are black? What does this Feige allow himself?)

    Translated to English

    an excellent ending to the trilogy and I can safely say that Guardians of the Galaxy is the best trilogy in the superhero genre. It’s a pity that the rest of the projects that came out / will come out this year from Marvel will again be feces. James Gunn thanks for the latest marvel movie norms before 24-25.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    An excellent attraction, unfortunately, did not cause any emotions. Drama to show at the same time strained and undercompressed. As if a member of the team dies, but is perceived by everyone, just as an occasion to once again burst somewhere to the cheerful music. I would like more Cosmo and Warlock

    Translated to English

    Watched

    7.1/10. Part 3 isn’t that great. But watch it sometime tonight.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    The storyline about Rocket’s childhood turned out to be just too childish. The villain isn’t particularly interesting. The heroes all remained in their repertoire. Of the entire film, only one fight scene towards the end was impressive. The first part of Guardians turned out to be the best.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    A perfect conclusion to a wonderful space trilogy about ragtag goodness with fists. Scenes with raccoons, with hugs – cuteness. There is not much action, and therefore every scene is appreciated. The humor is good. The characters are awesome. Traditionally, a little delayed with the epilogue, but what’s there. I put a class!

    Translated to English

    Watched

    A great combination of humor and drama. The film turned out to be much higher than my expectations (in general, this is one of the best Marvel films in recent years). A truly fitting ending to the original Guardians of the Galaxy line-up.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Great ending to a great trilogy. In this part, the Rocket and his goals in this life are perfectly revealed. It’s been a long time since Marvel’s Phase 4 movies have been this good. I will miss all the guardian heroes.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    It was the most enjoyable and touching viewing of this year. I haven’t smiled so much while looking at the screen for a long time. Cool message, wonderful character development and a good ending that leaves a slight sadness behind. Yes, these are not the same guards as in the first part… So what? They’re cool anyway

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Flashbacks Rockets to the core. Gunn left the trilogy completed, well, he pulled a bunch of threads on the continuation. The whole trilogy is the best that Marvel has had, let’s see what they can do next.

    Translated to English

    The success of Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 proves that it’s still possible for Marvel movies to hit and hit hard

    The Wrap

    Watched

    Eras pass, heroes leave… And now the (only) flagship of watchable and even slightly interesting superheroics of the Marvel film studio has gone off to conquer new horizons… To shoot its own watchable and slightly interesting superheroics in ds… um… well… okay?

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Something somehow dark and joyless. I liked "Guardians of the Galaxy" differently.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    The final galactic adventure of the Guardians, diluted with the tearful background of Rocket, around which the plot of the film is built.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    At the level of the first part, jokes, a simple plot and a drama with an raccoon. And the villain is not as idiotic as in the second part. Good, but not a masterpiece.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    They finally restarted the universe by making a decent movie in their genre.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Of all the shit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy is a real gem. Watching, emotional, captivating. The raccoon, otter, walrus and rabbit remain in the memory. And like entertaining fiction, but touches to the core. Decent ending to the trilogy

    Translated to English

    Watched

    A great movie. Each hero completed their arc. Finally they showed Rocket’s past. The film contains funny humor, dark moments, etc. 10/10. So there is a desire to reconsider.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    James Gunn is the only decent screenwriter and director left at Marvel. The film has become more serious and dramatic compared to previous parts. The film could have become even more violent if it had been allowed to be filmed with an 18+ rating like DC

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Great Marvel, much cooler than Ant-Man 3. A worthy conclusion to the trilogy. The only thing I didn’t like was that the film changes the tone of the story too often – one minute we laugh, but a second later we should be sad, and after another moment we should laugh again.

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Disappointed. Either something was wrong with me, or by the third part Gunn began to talk to the viewer at the level of connoisseurs of the fourth phase. The stupidest gags (to the point and not), the plot of the finale is a la "suck it out, they’ll eat it." I didn’t see Guardians, just some kind of parody. What can’t be taken away – visual and

    Translated to English

    Watched

    Cheap injection for another sequel. This is a good job, especially against the backdrop of the latest Marvel slag. But the film is in a fever. The bright line of the Rocket, the inherent meaning, and against this background the faceless danger and death. The film is ruined by the thirst for a supply to the next shit serial sequel.

    Translated to English