Every Guardians of the Galaxy Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance ranked from worst to best — Including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3!
Every Guardians of the Galaxy MCU Appearance Ranked
The Guardians of the Galaxy have been featured in more than just their trilogy films. From animated shorts to holiday specials, we have seen them appear in many Marvel Cinematic Universe films and series.
Here is every Guardians of the Galaxy MCU appearance ranked… from worst to best INCLUDING their final sendoff as we know them, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
I Am Groot
Marvel Studios’ “I Am Groot” is a collection of five original shorts starring Baby Groot, everyone’s favorite little tree, and features several new and unusual characters.
Thought absolutely adorable, this has to be the “worst” of the Guardians of the Galaxy MCU appearances. We only see Groot, except for one really funny interaction between him and Rocket. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t BAD, but it has to land last on the list.
What If..?
“What If…?” flips the script on the MCU, reimagining famous events from the films in unexpected ways. Marvel Studios’ first animated series focuses on different heroes from the MCU, featuring a voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their roles.
It was hard to judge this one because the Guardians of the Galaxy is not the team as we know them. Their episode is about T’Challa becoming Star-Lord instead of Peter Quill. This was a really interesting episode, as well as an emotional one for several reasons.
Thor: Love and Thunder
Thor embarks on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced — a quest for inner peace. However, his retirement gets interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher, a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who — to his surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer. Together, they set out on a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance.
The Guardians of the Galaxy are barely in this film. It feels as if there were broader plans for the Asguardians of the Galaxy but then things got messed up with James Gunn’s firing. Even if that isn’t the case, that battle teaming up with Thor in this movie was great and so much fun to watch. Plus Thor’s love and admiration for Star-Lord lives rent free in my head.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Peter Quill and his fellow Guardians are hired by a powerful alien race, the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries from invaders. When it is discovered that Rocket has stolen the items they were sent to guard, the Sovereign dispatch their armada to search for vengeance. As the Guardians try to escape, the mystery of Peter’s parentage is revealed.
Not as good as the first film but still a fantastic film. Making Ego Peter’s father was a complete shock, as someone who has read all the comic books. I love this twist. Lots of hilarious moments, but also some truly heartbreaking ones.
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
The Guardians are on a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill and head to Earth in search of the perfect present.
Give me a Drax and Mantis buddy comedy series now, these two are hilarious together! Of course, the Kevin Bacon cameo and needle drops help as well. This is a must watch holiday special for any time of the year!
Avengers: Infinity War
Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet — the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment.
Oof, talk about being hit with feelings, Avengers: Endgame is a near perfect film for many reasons. The Guardians of the Galaxy have their times to shine in this one, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Rocket being left almost alone is heartbreaking to watch — and the reunion is everything.
Avengers: Endgame
Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers — Thor, Black Widow, Captain America and Bruce Banner — must figure out a way to bring back their vanquished allies for an epic showdown with Thanos — the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe.
Another gut punch for the Guardians of the Galaxy in Avengers: Infinity War. I absolutely love seeing them be part of the fight against Thanos, as they should be, but the final few moments of this film are heart-wrenching.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
Brash space adventurer Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the quarry of relentless bounty hunters after he steals an orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain. To evade Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with four disparate misfits: gun-toting Rocket Raccoon, treelike-humanoid Groot, enigmatic Gamora, and vengeance-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when he discovers the orb’s true power and the cosmic threat it poses, Quill must rally his ragtag group to save the universe.
It is impossible not to fall in love with the Guardians of the Galaxy in this film. What James Gunn in bringing them to the screen is pure perfection. It’s funny, it’s entertaining, and it has a killer soundtrack. This is easily the best Guardians MCU appearance.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
In Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” our beloved band of misfits are settling into life on Knowhere. But it isn’t long before their lives are upended by the echoes of Rocket’s turbulent past. Peter Quill, still reeling from the loss of Gamora, must rally his team around him on a dangerous mission to save Rocket’s life—a mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.
This is how you do a trilogy. It’s the perfect ending. And the perfect new beginning. Every Guardian is allowed to complete their arc in a way that feels meaningful and impactful. James Gunn has done it again.
NEXT: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 First Reactions
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 comes to theaters May 5th.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.