This Christmas special is exactly what fans expected and more: a short, bittersweet, mostly sweet celebration with traditional Gunn humor. It perfectly captures the holiday spirit, while exploring family, friendship, generosity and selflessness.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Aug 23, 2024

A stronger moral reckoning would have tied the knot on the sure-to-be instant holiday classic.

Full Review | Jul 11, 2024

A new Christmas Classic! Mantis finally gets some time to shine

Full Review | Jul 25, 2023

It’s uproarious as the original film, gorgeously dazzling with all the holiday cheer, and the utter nonsense of watching Mantis and Drax on earth is everything.

Full Review | Jul 23, 2023

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is one of the best Christmas movies or specials of all time. James Gunn beautifully exemplifies what the MCU could’ve been in its fourth phase.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 20, 2023

While this adventure with familiar MCU characters may not add to the franchise in any real sense, it provides a sweet little PG-13 family-friendly distraction.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Apr 7, 2023

I wasn't reminded so much of the magic of the holiday, but I was more reminded how much I've come to care about these characters over the course of the films they've been in.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jan 5, 2023

The stakes are low, the music is brilliant, and the jokes and comedy are flowing. Sit back and let the [Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special] hype you up for the holiday season.

Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Jan 4, 2023

It is delightful enough to deliver some levity and warmth without relying too much on tired tropes. It’s easy-going comfort food with some characters that make you smile, and it reminds us that there is still some magic in the MCU.

Full Review | Jan 2, 2023

This Holiday special is a cute bridge between the previous film and the final film in the trilogy. Pom Klementieff is given a lot of real opportunity to show her emotional capability and importance as a character. It’s a fun and sweet holiday special.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 28, 2022

The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is a marked improvement on the last high profile space based seasonal spin-off we were subjected to and can’t help but give you the festive feels for forty minutes.

Full Review | Dec 16, 2022

Throw in some jammin’ holiday tunes performed by The Old 97’s and this Marvel-ous treat from writer/director James Gunn proves an entertaining enough diversion regardless of the degree of your devotion to the MCU.

Full Review | Dec 13, 2022

Mantis is the heart of this adorable little holiday special that isn't about explaining what Christmas is as much as what it means to do something nice for the people you care about...even if that includes kidnapping Kevin Bacon.

Full Review | Original Score: 9/10 | Dec 13, 2022

As the exploitation of blockbuster power goes, it’s agreeably amusing.

Full Review | Dec 7, 2022

While it may seem like a disposable bit of extra content in the increasingly crowded Marvel pool, it ends up being one of the more straightforwardly funny ones of the bunch.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 3, 2022

This mini-movie revives everything we loved about the original Marvel Studios one-shots. The condensed storytelling leans on mundane absurdity as we blast off on an adventure that is lovingly unpolished.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 30, 2022

While The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special was made for the fans, it’s a fun sophomore outing for Marvel’s new “Special Presentations” brand of one-off stories.

Full Review | Original Score: 8.5/10 | Nov 30, 2022

[James Gunn's] secret is an unconditional love for his characters, a well-intentioned cheesy-ness that's affecting, and a silliness that's enjoyable... this may turn out to be Earth's kids' favorite holiday special this year. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Nov 30, 2022

Two important takeaways for anyone watching this special are to keep an eye out on the career of Kevin Bacon as that guy is going to be a big star and stick around for the post-credit sequence.

Full Review | Original Score: 8/10 | Nov 29, 2022

Fans of retro holiday specials and superheroes alike will find lots to enjoy in this goofy, chaotic holiday treat with a lot of unexpected heart. I

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 29, 2022