Despite their merging in Avengers: Endgame, the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy are two completely independent teams within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though both have had their ups and downs throughout the MCU's first three phases, there have been moments where each squad shone brighter.
Though it may be challenging for a devoted fan of either team to admit it, sometimes the other is just better. They work together more fluidly, protect each other fiercely, or play off each other better. No matter what, at different points, each one represents the epitome of squad goals.
10 Guardians: Defeating Ego
When it became clear that Ego would not be the long-lost father that Peter always envisioned he had, but instead a murderous God planet, the stage was set for an intense battle. After finding out that Ego not only killed his mother but also planned on destroying the found family he loved, Peter found the strength within himself to defeat his father.
Although the Guardians were all in different spots, they all came together to destroy the planet. They also added some more members to the family, with Mantis, Nebula, and Yondu joining the Guardians squad to battle for those they cared about.
9 Avengers: Battle Of Sokovia
Much of the plot leading up to the pivotal battle at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron laid the groundwork for the lines being drawn during Captain America: Civil War. When it mattered, though, the Avengers did what they had to do and still had each other's backs as the ultimate squad.
They even did so by managing to welcome new members onto the team, showing them the importance of doing what's right for the world, and working together to achieve those goals. Not a bad way to welcome Vision and Wanda's sometimes uncontrollable powers to the team.
8 Guardians: Traveling To Titan
Most MCU fans agree that Stark, Parker, and Strange may have been better off if The Guardians had not flown to Titan, but there is no mistaking the fact they were the epitome of squad goals at that moment. First, the fact that Star-Lord was willing to shoot Gamora as she asked was a moment of putting the team and the world above herself.
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Nebula managing to literally pull herself together, escape Thanos's imprisonment and call the rest of the Guardians was another huge point for them being ultimate squad goals. When they came in, the team led a coordinated attack, knowing how powerful the foe they were facing was and not caring.
7 Avengers: Battle Of New York
The Battle of New York represented the first time that the entire original six Avengers suited up and fought as a team. Even earlier in the movie, when Loki's minions attacked the Quinjet to free him, they were not on the same team. Hawkeye was mind-controlled and fighting Black Widow. Thor was trying to contain the Hulk. Cap and Iron Man were trying to ensure the ship stayed afloat.
The battle of New York marked the actual beginning of the Avengers, and it was a glorious start. The team worked together cohesively and knew that the rest of the members had their backs at all times. It was hard to imagine that they hadn't fought together before, with Banner even sharing his big secret as he Hulked out. The first installment of the Avengers saga also gives a hint as to who is actually reliable for the team, and who may be a little less consistent.
6 Guardians: Mourning Yondu
For the majority of their acquaintance, Yondu was a thorn in the side of the Guardians. When it mattered in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, they came together to defeat Ego. In a show of true sacrifice and love, Yondu stays behind to ensure that Star-Lord, who doesn't escape with the rest of the Guardians while fighting his birth father Ego, escapes. He has one space suit and Rocket's jet pack.
He gives the suit to Star-Lord and flies them both to space, where the vacuum of the vastness kills him. The Guardians mourn him, and Rocket even lets the rest of the Ravagers know that Yondu undid his past transgressions in the end. This brought the Ravagers to the funeral and allowed Yondu to have the send-off he always wanted - now that is a true team.
5 Avengers: Avenger's Tower Party
The party they have in Ultron after they get Loki's scepter back from HYDRA and run into the twins for the first time is an excellent example of the Avengers being squad goals. It is nice to see them socializing after the battle and letting loose. There are so many great moments throughout the party that show both the competition and the camaraderie between the members.
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With the moments of Rhodey simply wanting someone to be impressed with his war stories, Thor sharing the liquor of the Gods, or Steve pretending not to be able to lift Mjolnir, this party is one of the last times audiences get to see the team socializing before the events of Civil War.
4 Guardians: Rescuing Star-Lord
This is the first moment in Guardians of the Galaxy when it is hinted at exactly how tight this crew will get. After Star-Lord has sacrificed himself to save Gamora, Yondu's Ravagers quickly come to where he called them and take them both.
Though Drax, Rocket, and Groot could go about their business and continue without them, they don't - much to Rocket's pretend chagrin. This moment shows that they will always come back for each other and know that - Star-Lord and Gamora seem to know that their friends will come for them even though it is early enough in the team formation that they have no reason to have that faith.
3 Avengers: Eating Shawarma
One of the most talked-about and popular after-credit scenes throughout the MCU is at the end of the Avengers credits. The team did not take right away; differences in lifestyle and battle technique kept creating rifts with each other, many of which would play out through the first three phases.
However, this moment would also stay with the team throughout their journey. No matter what, they will come together for the greater good. No matter what issues they may have with each other or how bad of a toll the fight would take on them, the Avengers would always understand and support each other, no matter what.
2 Guardians: The Battle Of Xandar
At the end of Guardians, they defeated Ronan on Xandar. As their ship, the Dark Aster crashed in Xandar, Groot shielded the group from any damage with sprouts from his body wrapped around them, knowing he would not survive the crash but sacrificing himself for his team. Though his "I am Groot" is always up for interpretation, his last "WE are Groot" is a nod to the team of misfits, and just maybe one of the best-underrated quotes from the MCU.
From that moment to Star-Lord's dance-off distraction to the remaining Guardians using their combined power to wield the Power Stone to defeat Ronan, they are one fluid squad operating together perfectly.
1 Avengers: Time Heist
Though some of the Guardians were present - Rocket and Nebula, to be exact - the time heist was a shining moment for the Avengers. It showed them coming together after the snap and Tony's anger and frustration when he was brought back to Earth and reunited them for the first time since Civil War.
Audiences finally got to see the trust rebuilt between Steve and Tony, and the team planned and executed the time heist, knowing they weren't all going to make it. Though there is a lot to critique with the handling of specific issues in the movie - such as Natasha's lack of a send-off - audiences were happy to see the original six Avengers come together and save the day one last time in Endgame.
The Battle of Earth is the culmination of the greater Avengers team, consisting of all the heroes, coming together to be the ultimate of squad goals and defeating Thanos in one of the best battles of Phase three.
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