One of these days, the MCU will be the death of our bladders thanks to all those post-credits scenes. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is no exception. Seeing as it’s the final movie in the trilogy, the number of post-credits in Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is a rather important clarification.
As is tradition in the MCU, viewers often wonder just how many post-credit scenes there are in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, and more importantly, whether these scenes are essential viewing in order to understand the future of the cosmic side of the MCU.
What to Expect After the Movie: Two Post-Credits
That’s a lot and it’s a good thing Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is now out of the theaters and can be paused.
You can expect these two post-credit scenes at the end of the movie:
- Mid-Credits (before the rolling credits)
- Post-Credits / End Credits (after the rolling credits)
Make sure to stick around (or fast-forward) after the rolling credits since there’s another teaser.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 notably broke tradition by providing not just one, but two post-credits scenes. The original Guardians of the Galaxy film only had one post-credits scene, and its sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, set the record with a whopping five end-credits scenes.
These two scenes in Vol. 3 feel equally important, offering hints about the franchise and the MCU’s future.
The Mid-Credits Scene: A Glimpse into the Guardians’ Future
Yes, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 does indeed have a mid-credits scene, and it’s nothing short of exciting.
While we won’t divulge any spoilers, this mid-credits sequence, placed right in the middle of the rolling credits, sheds light on the definitive fate of the Guardians. James Gunn had promised that this film would fundamentally change the intergalactic super-team, and this scene delivers on that promise.
Without giving away too much, let’s say that this moment will leave fans talking and eagerly anticipating the future of these beloved characters.
Spoilers ahead.
The mid-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, introduced the new Guardians of the Galaxy team. Viewers will witness Rocket Raccoon, the ever-snarky and lovable character, on a dusty planet with his new crew members, most of whom are wearing updated versions of the suits the original Guardians sported in the film.
The scene is a delightful mix of character banter as they discuss their favorite music, giving us insight into their personalities.
The new team includes:
- Rocket Raccoon
- Groot
- Adam Warlock
- Kraglin
- Phyla
- Cosmo the Spacedog
- Blurp (Adam Warlock’s pet creature)
While the film’s ending sees most of the original Guardians parting ways, Rocket assumes the role of the new leader of this cosmic team. With Groot, Kraglin, and Cosmo by his side and the addition of Adam Warlock, Phyla, and Blurp, this new group promises exciting adventures in the MCU’s cosmic landscape, possibly a Disney+ series.
Possible Setup for the Annihilators
In Marvel Comics, there exists a team known as the Annihilators, featuring cosmic heavyweights like Cosmo, Silver Surfer, Beta Ray Bill, Quasar, and Ronan the Accuser. While the new Guardians of the Galaxy team has a different roster, they could potentially become the MCU’s version of the Annihilators.
Whether they adopt a new name or stick with the Guardians moniker remains to be seen.
Phyla, in particular, is quite an expansive prospect as a character straight from the comic books and it appears that the MCU is setting her up.
The Post-Credits Scene: A Sneak Peek into a Solo Adventure
But the excitement doesn’t stop at the mid-credits scene. Once the mid-credits sequence concludes, fans are in for an extra treat as there’s one more scene waiting beyond the initial credits.
This final post-credits scene serves as one of the few explicit connections that the film has to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. It offers a glimpse into what’s next for the MCU, making it a must-watch for fans looking for hints about the future.
In this teaser for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Star-Lord shares a heartfelt moment with his grandfather back on Earth, hinting at a new direction for the character. The scene introduces the title screen “The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return,” suggesting that Peter Quill will be back on a new adventure with a different outlook on life.
In the comics, The Legendary Star-Lord was the title of a solo comic series, indicating that Star-Lord’s future in the MCU could involve his own spinoff. James Gunn and Chris Pratt have expressed interest in exploring a story where Star-Lord navigates life on Earth, offering a unique perspective as a “fish out of water.”
This intriguing premise opens up possibilities for further character development and solo adventures for Peter Quill.
Are the Post-Credits Scenes Essential Viewing?
One burning question fans might have is whether these post-credits scenes are essential for understanding the film’s plot or setting up future MCU stories. While they are not absolutely necessary for comprehension, both scenes provide new information and pave the way for potential character development.
The information revealed in these scenes may not be earth-shattering, but they are certainly worth the few extra minutes of your time since they set up the following prospects for the MCU.
More importantly, you can view these post-credits in Guardians of the Galaxy 3 as a continuation of the dysfunctional team. Because even when the trilogy is over, there might still be a chance that James Gunn will come back to help with the potential Guardians series or the Star-Lord spinoff.
Where to Catch Up on Previous Guardians of the Galaxy Films
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to relive the Guardians’ adventures, you’re in luck. Disney+ is your go-to streaming platform, as it features every storyline involving the iconic team within the MCU.
This includes Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder, and even The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. So, you can binge-watch your favorite Guardians’ escapades to your heart’s content.
We’ve even prepared a watch order for all MCU films and media involving the Guardians.
The Future of the New Guardians of the Galaxy
While there are no officially confirmed Guardians of the Galaxy 4 or follow-up movies as of now, it’s still possible that Marvel Studios will explore further adventures with this new team introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The franchise has a history of continuing successful series, as seen with the Thor and Captain America films, which are receiving fourth installments. With the cosmic side of the MCU ever-expanding, the new Guardians may find themselves playing a vital role in upcoming events.
Additionally, the new Guardians could potentially join forces with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, given the growing list of threats in the MCU. It’s an exciting possibility for fans who want to see these superheroes team up with familiar faces.
