James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 concluded his intended trilogy featuring the rag-tag band of misfits he introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014. In the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy has a unique position where its narrative and interconnected story stands on its own. Though the Guardians have appeared in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder, their story has managed to evolve separately over the years.
Guardians of the Galaxy is known for James Gunn’s perfect balance of humor, emotion, drama, and adventure. Blending multiple genres, all three films are perfect entertainers that one could enjoy numerous times over. Now that the trilogy has ended, there will be substantial changes for the team going forward, especially since James Gunn and some prominent cast members from the trilogy have departed MCU altogether. Still, Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, will almost certainly always outmatch and outstand whatever lies ahead in this noteworthy intergalactic space venture.
However, as with all film trilogies (and one special, in this case), we’ll always be debating which is the best flick of the lot. So, without further ado, here’s our rankings of the Guardians of the Galaxy films.
4. The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)
The special gave Gunn a fair chance to bridge the gap between his epic finale and the transitions the team had undergone after Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The culminating movies of The Infinity Saga made the Guardians interact with the expanded universe they were a part of. Given their scale, those two films gave the team a profound space to leave their imprint alongside the eponymous group of Earth-based superheroes. But, after Thor: Love and Thunder, the Guardians probably needed a small re-introduction, which the special presentation did well.
Even in a forty-minute time stamp, Gunn brought an emotional core to the story by introducing a new dynamic between Mantis and Peter while adding Kevin Bacon’s hilarious extended cameo. The laughter and melody the Special brought truly captrued the holiday vibes and set the stage for the team’s final arc. Yet, primarily due to its relatively minor significance as a bridge between two Guardians’ appearances, the Special is number four on the list.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
There is nothing not to like about Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Baby Groot’s opening dance sequence is the most adorable opening for any superhero film there ever has been. The little troublemaker was the film’s centre of attention, as his dynamic with every other character shaped the whole narrative’s emotional core. The film successfully furthered everything and everyone the first film had introduced. It added depth to the stories of Yondu, Peter, and Drax – where all three faced their respective past and overcame their horrors to find solace in the present. It also hinted at similar warmth in the character progressions of Rocket, Groot, Kraglin, and Nebula. While Rocket would get his time in the limelight in the third entry, Gamora got her due in Infinity War which tackled her relationship with Thanos.
Yondu’s epic monologue and his fatherly bond with Quill, who is having some paternal troubles of his own, made for a great arc. To that end, Quill’s bond with the rest of the Guardians strengthened beyond a team of heroes – they become a family. Studded with the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Elizabeth Debicki, Kurt Russell, and several cameo appearances, Gunn made sure to embed an element of surprise in each act, especially in its series of mid-credits sequences that left us excited for unprecedented fun in the future.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
They say nothing beats the originals. It’s probably true. Yes, the Guardians of the Galaxy have grown over the decade, and the trilogy has allowed each character to become better and more profound. It has increased the visual spectacle the space adventures on offer. But, Guardians of the Galaxy, the first one, is perfect in just about every way. It was a bold move to incorporate Guardians in the MCU at a time when it was focusing solely on the Avengers storyline. To pick up Marvel Comics’ most underrated piece and convert it into modern live-action was nothing but a harsh challenge. But Gunn did it.
He found a perfect Star-Lord, repurposed Drax, introduced both Groot and Rocket in a brotherly dynamic, gave Nebula and Gamora a hint of a tragic past, and – simultaneously carried Thanos’ impending threat in a forward direction. It was a perfect introduction for a superhero team. Distorted, senseless, and leading a chaotic life, each of them is suddenly forced into an uncanny alliance against the galaxy’s most ruthless invaders. Yet, the film was insanely hilarious and impressively entertaining.
Each Guardian was an MVP here. The final depiction of them forming a team by sharing the ferocity of Power Stone spoke to the audience at a thematic level. Amidst all the post-Avengers hype, this film broke records at the box office and critical charts, making itself the best-rated Guardians of the Galaxy movie. The only reason it stands at number two is because of the film’s antagonist, Ronan the Accuser. Though Lee Pace acted well, his representation as the ruthless, big-headed, obnoxious Kree leader didn’t have much to do other than allow the Guardians to have a reason to unite. That aspect of the movie felt similar to the correlation between Loki and the Avengers; hence, it falls slightly short of the top spot.
Still, Guardians of the Galaxy is funny, re-watchable, and an incredible inclusion to the then MCU.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
It competes rigorously with the previous two movies. But Gunn has anchored this film with a personal attachment. The third film is a very Rocket-centric story. It breaks each character emotionally before helping them put the pieces back together, adds thematic elements concerning animal cruelty, and once again perfectly balances the humor with its relatively grittier tone. But, in all these creative superlatives, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 wins big on its plot. Rocket Racoon takes center stage as the film traverses his past alongside his present and delves greatly into relationships, friendships, and personal connections.
Gunn makes this a more personal tale as the team reunites not to save the world but to save a friend, thus, pushing them to an ultimate test where they must overcome their troubles and realize the true meaning of their long-standing love for each other. Gunn plays on the audience’s generic love for pets and twists it to impart feelings of sorrow, which even makes Nebula cry on-screen. Throughout the film, Gunn ensures the audience is personally immersed in the movie. And most importantly, it reminds us of the best bits of the previous Guardians movies, for instance, Drax’s family, such that it successfully separates the three films from the continuity and establishes their individualistic presence in the whole franchise.
The only thing I found troublesome about this otherwise astounding conclusion is its treatment of Adam Warlock. The film doesn’t give him ample time to come to a resolution and find his place and identity, as depicted in the end. Adam only gets a little screen time, and hence, he is severely underplayed in the narrative. Warlock was probably supposed to be the crowning jewel of the franchise’s future. Still, his introduction could have been more detailed. Otherwise, Vol. 3 just wins every heartbeat and culminates in a meaningful end.