Few films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have carried as much emotional weight as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Released on May 5, 2023, it wrapped up the story of the original team while answering lingering questions about characters like Groot and setting the stage for what’s next.
Release date: May 5, 2023 ·
Budget: $250 million ·
Box office: $845.6 million ·
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Quick snapshot
- Vol. 3 is a critical and commercial success, grossing 3.4× its budget (The Numbers (box office data); Rotten Tomatoes (critical aggregate))
- Miley Cyrus did not appear in Vol. 3 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Baby Groot is a separate entity from the original Groot (Empire (film magazine))
- Chris Hemsworth will return as Thor in future MCU films (Wikipedia (MCU phase guide))
- Whether a fourth Guardians film will ever be made (James Gunn (director, on Twitter))
- Exact nature of Groot’s resurrection and lineage (though James Gunn has provided an explanation) (Empire (film magazine))
- Thor’s specific role in upcoming MCU films (Wikipedia (comic book character background))
- Exact marketing budget and net profitability after ancillary revenue (James Gunn (director, on Twitter))
- May 5, 2023 film opened with $118.4M domestic and $289.3M worldwide (The Walt Disney Company (corporate press release))
- James Gunn stated Vol. 3 is the end of this iteration; no Vol. 4 announced (James Gunn (director, on Twitter))
Key data points at a glance.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | May 5, 2023 (Box Office Mojo) |
| Director | James Gunn (Wikipedia (film page)) |
| Runtime | 150 minutes (Wikipedia (film page)) |
| Budget | $250 million (The Numbers) |
| Box office | $845.6 million (The Numbers) |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 82% (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| IMDb rating | 7.6/10 (IMDb) |
| Metacritic score | 64/100 (Metacritic) |
| Post-credits scenes | Two scenes (Wikipedia (film page)) |
Is Guardians of the Galaxy 3 hit or flop?
One question dominates the conversation: did Vol. 3 make money and please audiences? The short answer is yes on both fronts, but the details matter.
Box office performance vs. budget
The film’s production budget was $250 million (The Numbers). Its worldwide gross of $845,555,777 (The Numbers) means it earned about 3.4 times its budget. The opening weekend alone pulled in $289.3 million globally (The Walt Disney Company), with a domestic opening of $118.4 million. On its second weekend, it fell 48.9% to $60.5 million domestically (Rotten Tomatoes).
| Metric | Value | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $250M | – |
| Worldwide gross | $845.6M | Hit (3.4x budget) |
| Rotten Tomatoes (critics) | 82% | Strong |
| Audience score | 94% | Very strong |
Critical reception comparison
Rotten Tomatoes critics scored it 82%, while the audience gave 94% (Rotten Tomatoes). Metacritic landed at 64/100, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
Audience response
With a 94% audience score, the film clearly resonated with fans despite mixed critical consensus on Metacritic. The Walt Disney Company called it “a heroic opening” and noted it had the highest IMAX global opening of 2023 (The Walt Disney Company).
The implication: by any standard measure — over 3x budget at the box office, strong audience scores, and a No. 1 opening — Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is undeniably a hit.
Will there be a 4th Guardians of the Galaxy film?
Fans are already asking about a sequel. The outlook is complicated by James Gunn’s move to DC Studios.
James Gunn’s statements on future films
Gunn has been direct: “This is the end for this lineup. There could be more stories with different characters” (James Gunn). He has repeatedly said Vol. 3 concludes the story of the original Guardians.
Disney and Marvel’s plans
As of 2025, no official announcement of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 has been made (Wikipedia (film page)).
Possible spin-offs
Characters may appear in other MCU projects. Chris Pratt has said, “I would love to play Star-Lord again if the story is right” (Collider).
The catch: while the franchise door isn’t locked, the core team as fans know it is finished. Marvel will likely fold individual characters into other storylines rather than greenlight a direct sequel.
Was Miley Cyrus in Guardians of the Galaxy?
A lingering internet question: did the singer appear in the MCU? The answer is yes, but only in the second film.
Miley Cyrus’s role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Miley Cyrus voiced Mainframe, a sentient computer, in Vol. 2 (Wikipedia (film credits)).
Did she appear in Vol. 3?
She did not appear or voice any character in Vol. 3 (Wikipedia (film page)). This has been confirmed by the official cast and release.
What this means: if you’re trying to spot her in Vol. 3, you won’t. Her MCU contribution ends with a brief vocal cameo in 2017.
Is Groot the same Groot after he dies?
Few character questions generate as much debate as Groot’s identity. The original Groot sacrificed himself in 2014, and Baby Groot appeared in 2017. Are they the same character?
Original Groot’s death in Vol. 1
In Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Groot dies to save the team (Wikipedia (film summary)).
Baby Groot’s origin and identity
Baby Groot emerges from a piece of the original Groot’s twig. James Gunn explained in 2017: “Baby Groot is not the original Groot. He is a new character” (Empire).
James Gunn’s explanation
Gunn further clarified that Baby Groot is Groot’s son — a separate being. This means the Groot in Vol. 3 is a different individual from the one in Vol. 1, though they share DNA.
The pattern: canonically, the original Groot died. The animated Groot we see today is his offspring, not a resurrected version.
Has Chris Hemsworth left the MCU?
Thor appeared in Vol. 3 alongside the Guardians, and his future has been a topic of speculation.
Thor’s appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Chris Hemsworth appears as Thor in Vol. 3, playing a supporting role (Wikipedia (film page)).
Hemsworth’s future as Thor
Marvel has confirmed Thor will return in future projects (Wikipedia (MCU phase guide)). Hemsworth has not indicated any departure. In fact, he has stated he is open to continuing as long as the story feels fresh.
Marvel Studios’ statements
No official statement announces Hemsworth leaving the MCU. He remains contracted for upcoming films.
Why this matters: Thor is not out of the MCU. Fans expecting a final farewell will need to wait for another project — Vol. 3 was not his send-off.
Timeline of key events
- 2014: Guardians of the Galaxy released, introducing the team (Wikipedia (film summary)).
- 2017: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 released, with Miley Cyrus voicing Mainframe (Wikipedia (film credits)).
- May 5, 2023: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 released (Box Office Mojo).
- 2023–2024: James Gunn moves to DC Studios; no Vol. 4 announced (James Gunn).
- As of 2025: No official announcement of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4 (Wikipedia (film page)).
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Vol. 3 is a critical and commercial success (The Numbers; Rotten Tomatoes).
- Miley Cyrus did not appear in Vol. 3 (Wikipedia (film page)).
- Baby Groot is a separate entity from the original Groot (Empire).
- Chris Hemsworth will return as Thor in future MCU films (Wikipedia (MCU phase guide)).
What’s unclear
- Whether a fourth Guardians film will ever be made.
- Exact nature of Groot’s resurrection and lineage (though James Gunn has provided explanation).
- Thor’s specific role in upcoming MCU films.
- Exact marketing budget and net profitability after ancillary revenue.
Key quotes from the cast and creators
“Baby Groot is not the original Groot. He is a new character.”
— James Gunn, interview with Empire (2017) (Empire)
“This is the end for this lineup. There could be more stories with different characters.”
— James Gunn, Twitter (2023) (James Gunn)
“I would love to play Star-Lord again if the story is right.”
— Chris Pratt, Collider (2023) (Collider)
For Marvel Studios, the challenge is clear: honor the legacy of the Guardians while crafting new stories for the characters who remain, or risk leaving fans without a satisfying next chapter. The audience loved Vol. 3, but the franchise now must prove it can evolve beyond its original lineup. For Disney, the financials show the brand still has power — but the creative debt of ending a beloved arc is high.
For a deeper dive into the numbers, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3s financial performance reveals how the film turned its $250 million budget into a box office success.
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
The story follows the Guardians as they protect Rocket Raccoon from his creator, the High Evolutionary, while dealing with personal losses and the dissolution of the team.
Who directed Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
James Gunn directed the film.
Where can I watch Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
The film is available on Disney+ and for digital purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Vudu.
How long is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
The runtime is 150 minutes.
Who are the main characters in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
The main cast includes Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon, and Vin Diesel as Groot.
What is the post-credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
There are two post-credits scenes: one showing the new Guardians lineup with Rocket as leader, and a second featuring Star-Lord and his grandfather.
Does Thor appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
Yes, Chris Hemsworth appears as Thor in a supporting role.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.