James Gunn reunites his group of misfit heroes for one last adventure in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, closing out this chapter of their journey. This latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Five delivers an action-packed mission focused on saving Rocket, marking the end of this iteration of the Guardians.
Fans who have followed these characters for years may be curious about how their story concludes and what their futures hold. Below is a breakdown of everything that happens in the final act of the trilogy.
Rocket’s painful past reveals the strength of friendship (Photo: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3/Marvel Studios)What Happens in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s Ending?
Marvel films often build up to a grand, action-heavy climax, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 follows that same pattern. The final battle delivers intense sequences, including a hallway fight captured in a single continuous shot.
Rocket (Bradley Cooper) fully embraces his identity as a raccoon and liberates every hybrid creature that the High Evolutionary created. Meanwhile, Drax (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) work together to rescue a group of imprisoned children.
Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) comes close to perishing when he gets stranded in space, but Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) intervenes at the last moment, redeeming himself in the process.
The story revolves around the Guardians’ efforts to save Rocket following a brutal attack by Adam Warlock. Their mission leads them into a confrontation with the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji), a deranged scientist responsible for Rocket’s creation, who has been experimenting with hybrid creatures.
Throughout the film, Rocket’s painful past is explored, shedding light on the cruel treatment he endured at the hands of the High Evolutionary. Once Rocket recovers from his injuries, he and the Guardians take the fight directly to the villain and his army.
As the movie reaches its conclusion, Star-Lord steps down as the Guardians’ leader, entrusting the role to Rocket. He chooses to return to Earth, reuniting with his grandfather after years away. Mantis also departs from the team, seeking time to discover her own path.
With Rocket now in charge, he continues the group’s mission alongside Groot (Vin Diesel), while Drax dedicates himself to caring for the children they saved. Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) makes her own choice, returning to the Ravagers and leaving Star-Lord behind for good. The story wraps up on a high note, reinforcing that no matter where they go, the galaxy will always need its guardians.
