Since “Iron-Man’s” release in 2008, Marvel Studios has consistently dominated the movie market. With hits such as “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Avengers: Infinity War,” the studio has managed to win over fans’ hearts all over the world with its big cast of loveable characters and exciting stories. One team, however, has managed to stand out amongst the massive group of characters: that being the outlaws from space, known as The Guardians of the Galaxy. 

“I have always liked the Guardians; they have been my favorite for a long time,” Noah Austin, junior, said. 

The Guardians first came to theaters around the world on Aug. 1, 2014, in the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and they made a lasting impression with the film’s engaging plot as well as the idea of space aliens in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Over the years, The Guardians of the Galaxy have become a household name. 

“The Guardians have always been really cool to me. I am excited for the special,” Daniel Berry, freshman, said. 

While Marvel has managed to stay on top of the movie industry for over 10 years, the studio’s venture into the streaming realm on the platform Disney+ has allowed them to produce high budget television shows. Along with their T.V. shows, Marvel has implemented a new form of telling stories called special presentations. These are a way for Marvel to tell stories that may not be long enough to warrant a full movie or series but are still prominent enough to garner their own projects. The very first was “Marvel’s Werewolf by Night,” a Halloween special.  

“We wanted to tap into the nostalgia we had as kids when the weekly scheduled entertainment would be interrupted for a show like ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,’ or ‘Frosty the Snowman,’ or ‘Rudolph,’” Kevin Feige, Guardians of the Galaxy Producer, said.  

For the upcoming holiday season, Marvel is releasing their Christmas special, “Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” which involves Mantis and Drax (played by Pom Klementieff and Dave Bautista), who are both space aliens, visiting Earth for the first time and attempting to kidnap real-life Kevin Bacon and bring him to space to cheer up their friend, Peter Quill (played by Chris Pratt) after the death of one of their teammates, Gamora (played by Zoe Saldana). 

“It is the greatest thing I have ever done in my life (…) It is ridiculous, and every day we cannot believe that we are making it (…) We all completely love it. It is unlike anything that anyone has ever seen before. I cannot wait for people to see it. And it will be out soon. You know, it is out this Christmas. It is not like people have to wait that long,” James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy Director, said. 

One can watch the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+.