Marvel · Film guide
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
2017 · Film · 2h 17m
The team returns. The past comes closer.
Explore the viewing guide- Catalog release date
- April 25, 2017
- Viewing time
- 2h 17m
- Your starting point
- The team returns ↗
The story
Why watch Vol. 2?
The Guardians return for an adventure that draws Peter Quill toward the mystery of his parentage. Written and directed by James Gunn, this 2017 sequel pairs another musical journey through space with questions about where Peter belongs and what keeps his unconventional team together.
The first film brings the group together; Vol. 2 gives you more time with the personalities behind the partnership. Its appeal lies in the tension between wanting answers about the past and learning to value the people already beside you. The returning cast makes this a natural next stop if the team’s quarrels and affection were what you enjoyed most.
Synopsis source · Disney Movies ↗Before you begin
A starting point
Begin with Guardians of the Galaxy for the group’s first adventure and the relationships that carry into Vol. 2. This is our suggested route through the team’s own films.
Story & release
Where it fits
This is the second Guardians film, released during Phase 3. Start with their first adventure to meet the group before returning for this chapter. The wider release-order guide offers another way to follow their place in the MCU.
Plan your watch
Time & preparation
Plan around the catalog runtime of 2h 17m (137 minutes); Disney Movies lists 2h 16m. The catalog date is April 25, 2017, while Disney lists May 5 for the US release.
This film is not on the current reviewed Doomsday preparation list. That is separate from its value as a film or a starting point.
See the reviewed Doomsday list ↗People to follow
Characters & performers
Select a portrait to explore the character. Where a character guide is unavailable, the portrait opens the credited source page.
Marvel Entertainment
Back together in the cosmos
Official trailer · Marvel Entertainment · December 3, 2016. Promotional footage from the film.
Video loads only when selected. Watch on YouTube ↗
Continue the story
Related titles
Explore the team’s later ensemble adventure in Infinity War, or browse their third solo film. These are later stops, not a complete intervening watch list.
Sources & context
About this guide
Sources checked 2026-11-07. Catalog metadata, images and existing grades are from the current catalog. A source link does not imply streaming availability in your region.
How this catalog is put together ↗