Avengers: Endgame
After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos's actions and undo the chaos to the universe, no matter what consequences may be in store, and no matter who they face...
Despite a massive budget of $356.0M, Avengers: Endgame became a box office phenomenon, earning $2799.4M worldwide—a remarkable 686% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, illustrating how audiences embrace fresh perspective even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 70 wins & 132 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Avengers: Endgame (2019) showcases carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Anthony Russo's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 3 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.0, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Steve Rogers / Captain America
Thor
Bruce Banner / Hulk
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Nebula
James Rhodes / War Machine
Rocket Raccoon
Main Cast & Characters
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Played by Robert Downey Jr.
Genius billionaire who sacrifices himself to save the universe after leading the time heist mission.
Steve Rogers / Captain America
Played by Chris Evans
Moral leader of the Avengers who passes his shield to Sam Wilson before living his life with Peggy Carter.
Thor
Played by Chris Hemsworth
Asgardian god struggling with depression and guilt after failing to stop Thanos, eventually finding redemption.
Bruce Banner / Hulk
Played by Mark Ruffalo
Scientist who merges his intellect with Hulk's strength, becoming "Professor Hulk" and wielding the Infinity Gauntlet.
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Played by Scarlett Johansson
Master spy who sacrifices herself on Vormir to obtain the Soul Stone for the team.
Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Played by Jeremy Renner
Archer who becomes a vigilante after losing his family, then helps retrieve the Soul Stone at great personal cost.
Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Played by Paul Rudd
Thief-turned-hero who escapes the Quantum Realm and proposes the time heist solution.
Nebula
Played by Karen Gillan
Adopted daughter of Thanos who betrays her past self to help the Avengers defeat her father.
James Rhodes / War Machine
Played by Don Cheadle
Military officer and Tony Stark's best friend who supports the Avengers through the time heist.
Rocket Raccoon
Played by Bradley Cooper
Genetically engineered raccoon and weapons expert who helps track down Thanos and retrieve the Aether.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Clint Barton teaches his daughter archery as his entire family disintegrates before his eyes from Thanos's snap. The devastating image of a father's loss establishes the emotional stakes and the world broken by the snap.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 19 minutes when Scott Lang emerges from the Quantum Realm after five years, having experienced only five hours. His arrival at the Avengers compound with the revelation that time works differently in the Quantum Realm offers the first real hope of undoing the snap.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 41 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Tony, unable to sleep, cracks the code for safe time travel using a M??bius strip model. Despite having everything to lose, he brings his discovery to the Avengers and commits to the Time Heist, choosing to risk his perfect life to save everyone else's., moving from reaction to action.
At 81 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Natasha sacrifices herself on Vormir so Clint can obtain the Soul Stone. The Avengers return with all six stones, but 2014 Nebula has been captured by Thanos after her neural network synced with her future self. The false victory of collecting the stones is undercut by devastating loss and hidden danger., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 118 minutes (65% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The compound lies in ruins. Thanos sits waiting as the Trinity - Thor, Tony, and Steve - face him alone. Despite their combined might, Thanos defeats them all. Steve's shield is shattered. Thor is nearly killed with his own axe. Thanos calls down his army for the final extinction: "I am inevitable."., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 123 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 68% of the runtime. Sam's voice crackles through Steve's comm: "On your left." The portals open. Black Panther, Shuri, and Okoye emerge from Wakanda. Then Spider-Man. Then the Guardians. Then everyone. The snapped return as Doctor Strange's portals fill the sky. Steve finally says the words: "Avengers... Assemble."., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Avengers: Endgame's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Avengers: Endgame against these established plot points, we can identify how Anthony Russo utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Avengers: Endgame within the action genre.
Anthony Russo's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Anthony Russo films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.2, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Avengers: Endgame takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Anthony Russo filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Venom: The Last Dance. For more Anthony Russo analyses, see You, Me and Dupree.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Clint Barton teaches his daughter archery as his entire family disintegrates before his eyes from Thanos's snap. The devastating image of a father's loss establishes the emotional stakes and the world broken by the snap.
Theme
Tony, adrift in space with Nebula, records a message to Pepper: "When I drift off, I will dream about you. It's always you." The theme of love, legacy, and what we leave behind is established through Tony's acceptance of death while holding onto hope.
Worldbuilding
The devastated post-snap world is revealed: Tony and Nebula stranded in space, the remaining Avengers grieving at the compound, their failed mission to confront Thanos on his garden planet, and the five-year time jump showing a world struggling to move on.
Disruption
Scott Lang emerges from the Quantum Realm after five years, having experienced only five hours. His arrival at the Avengers compound with the revelation that time works differently in the Quantum Realm offers the first real hope of undoing the snap.
Resistance
The surviving Avengers debate the possibility of time travel. Tony initially refuses to risk his new life with Pepper and Morgan. Banner has merged with Hulk. They recruit a broken, alcoholic Thor from New Asgard and retrieve Clint from his vigilante rampage as Ronin.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Tony, unable to sleep, cracks the code for safe time travel using a M??bius strip model. Despite having everything to lose, he brings his discovery to the Avengers and commits to the Time Heist, choosing to risk his perfect life to save everyone else's.
Mirror World
Tony tucks Morgan into bed as she tells him "I love you 3000." This intimate moment crystallizes everything Tony has built in five years and everything he's willing to sacrifice. His family represents the thematic heart of the film: what we fight for and what we might lose.
Premise
The Time Heist unfolds across three timelines: 2012 New York (Space, Mind, Time Stones), 2013 Asgard (Reality Stone), and 2014 Morag/Vormir (Power, Soul Stones). The heroes navigate their own pasts, with Tony meeting his father and Thor speaking with his mother, while Natasha and Clint face Vormir's terrible price.
Midpoint
Natasha sacrifices herself on Vormir so Clint can obtain the Soul Stone. The Avengers return with all six stones, but 2014 Nebula has been captured by Thanos after her neural network synced with her future self. The false victory of collecting the stones is undercut by devastating loss and hidden danger.
Opposition
The Avengers forge a new Infinity Gauntlet. Hulk snaps to bring everyone back. But 2014 Nebula, now a sleeper agent, opens a time portal allowing 2014 Thanos and his entire army to travel to the present. Thanos's warship decimates the Avengers compound, burying the heroes in rubble.
Collapse
The compound lies in ruins. Thanos sits waiting as the Trinity - Thor, Tony, and Steve - face him alone. Despite their combined might, Thanos defeats them all. Steve's shield is shattered. Thor is nearly killed with his own axe. Thanos calls down his army for the final extinction: "I am inevitable."
Crisis
Steve stands alone against Thanos's entire army - Chitauri, Outriders, the Black Order, and Thanos himself. Bloodied, shield broken, he tightens his strap and prepares to fight to the death. It is the darkest moment: one man against annihilation, refusing to surrender.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Sam's voice crackles through Steve's comm: "On your left." The portals open. Black Panther, Shuri, and Okoye emerge from Wakanda. Then Spider-Man. Then the Guardians. Then everyone. The snapped return as Doctor Strange's portals fill the sky. Steve finally says the words: "Avengers... assemble."
Synthesis
The final battle erupts as every hero fights to keep the Gauntlet from Thanos. Captain Marvel arrives to turn the tide. When Thanos finally seizes the stones, Tony makes the ultimate sacrifice - stealing the stones and snapping his fingers. "I am Iron Man." Thanos's army turns to dust. Tony dies in Pepper's arms.
Transformation
Tony's funeral gathers every hero to honor his sacrifice. His arc reactor floats away bearing the message "Proof that Tony Stark has a heart." Steve returns the stones, then chooses to stay in the past with Peggy. An old Steve passes his shield to Sam. The original Avengers' journey ends - transformed by sacrifice, united in legacy.