God of War Ragnarok Ending Explained

21:12 God of War Ragnarok ends with Ragnarok itself: Kratos blows Gjallarhorn, the fire giant Surtr becomes Ragnarok and Asgard is destroyed, Odin dies, and Kratos lives, though the prophecy said he would die at his son's hand. Atreus then leaves to find the giants who are left, and a last shrine shows Kratos as a god people worship, which narrative director Matt Sophos read as Kratos becoming "the rebuilder" rather than "the destroyer". The story continues in Valhalla, and the series' next game, God of War Laufey, goes back to Faye, the mother whose plans set it all in motion.

This page is all spoilers for God of War Ragnarok and God of War (2018).

Quick facts

Sources: Den of Geek, Nov 11, 2022; MP1st, Nov 20, 2022; PlayStation Blog, Dec 7, 2023; Game Informer, Nov 4, 2026.

How does God of War Ragnarok end?

6:34 The road to the end runs through two betrayals. The "Tyr" Kratos and Atreus meet on their journey is Odin in disguise; he fatally stabs Brok, and Sindri blames Kratos and Atreus. Surtr agrees to become Ragnarok, Kratos blows Gjallarhorn, the realms pour into Asgard and Angrboda joins the fight. Kratos beats Thor but spares him, and Odin kills Thor himself. When Odin falls, Atreus traps his soul in a marble and leaves its fate to Freya; Sindri crushes it to avenge his brother. Freyr holds Ragnarok back long enough for the group to escape through a portal as Asgard is destroyed. More on Odin and Thor.

Why doesn't Kratos die?

The 2018 game ended on a mural in Jotunheim that seemed to show Atreus holding his father's dead body. Angrboda, in Ironwood, revealed that her mother wrote that prophecy, and the Norns told Kratos that prophecies are predictions drawn from knowledge, not fixed fate. Sophos said the large figure in the 2018 mural is Thor standing over a dead Kratos, and that the image was painted over once Kratos changed his fate. Kratos lives because he chose differently. The 2018 story behind the mural is on God of War (2018) Story.

What did Faye know?

Late in the game Angrboda shows Kratos and Atreus a shrine of Faye destroying one of the earlier prophetic shrines, a sign she wanted her family to find their own way. That is the thread God of War Laufey picks up: in the Everywhen, Faye learns that the plans she put in place to protect Kratos and Atreus are at risk. What those plans were, and how they touch Ragnarok's ending, Santa Monica Studio has not said as of Nov 4, 2026.

Why does Atreus leave?

Having learned what his mother hoped for, Atreus says he must go on his own journey to find the remaining giants, and he leaves with Angrboda. Kratos tells him how proud he is; Loki goes, but Atreus stays in his heart. Where Atreus is now is not known as of Nov 4, 2026. See Atreus.

What does the final mural mean?

After Atreus leaves, Kratos, Freya and Mimir find a last shrine. Its final panel shows a golden Kratos revered before worshippers, in Greek dress but holding the Leviathan Axe. Sophos told interviewer Jon Ford that it shows Kratos as "the rebuilder" rather than "the destroyer", and Kratos tells the others there is "much to do, much to rebuild." Director Eric Williams also walked through the game's biggest moments in a GameSpot video.

The secret ending

After the credits, Lunda's favor "A Viking Funeral" shows Brok's funeral and how far Sindri's anger at Kratos has gone.

What happens after Ragnarok?

2:11 Valhalla (Dec 12, 2023) is Santa Monica Studio's epilogue set after the battle with Odin and Atreus's departure, with Kratos and Mimir alone; it ends with Kratos choosing to be the God of Hope in Freya's new pantheon. God of War Laufey, out on May 20, 2027, follows Faye instead, and at Comic-Con Cory Barlog said the next Kratos-led game will "directly follow the events of Laufey". See Next God of War After Laufey and Where Laufey Fits in the God of War Timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kratos die at the end of God of War Ragnarok? No. Kratos survives God of War Ragnarok; the prophecy of his death was a prediction, not fate, and the mural that showed it was painted over.

What happens to Atreus at the end of God of War Ragnarok? Atreus leaves Kratos to find the remaining giants, setting out with Angrboda, and Kratos tells him he is proud of him.

Who kills Thor in God of War Ragnarok? Odin kills Thor himself after Kratos defeats Thor and spares his life.

What happens to Odin at the end of God of War Ragnarok? Odin is killed in the battle for Asgard, Atreus traps his soul in a marble, and Sindri destroys the marble to avenge Brok.

What does the last mural in God of War Ragnarok show? It shows Kratos revered as a god with the Leviathan Axe, which narrative director Matt Sophos called Kratos as "the rebuilder".

Does God of War Laufey continue Ragnarok's ending? Not directly. God of War Laufey follows Faye from her funeral at the start of God of War (2018), and the next Kratos-led game will follow Laufey; how it ties to Ragnarok's ending is not known as of Nov 4, 2026.

Sources

• God of War Ragnarok Ending Explained: What Happens to Kratos?, Den of Geek, Nov 11, 2022
• God of War Ragnarok Ending Explained by Narrative Director, MP1st, Nov 20, 2022
• God of War Ragnarok Director Breaks Down Biggest Moments, GameSpot, Nov 21, 2022
• God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla DLC revealed, coming December 12, PlayStation Blog, Dec 7, 2023
• God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla ending explained, Dexerto, Dec 15, 2023
• First look at God of War Laufey, PlayStation Blog, Jun 2, 2026
• God Of War Laufey Actor Says The Love Between Kratos And Fey Is Like 'A Soul Finding Its Own Reflection In Another', Kotaku, Jul 28, 2026
• God Of War Laufey Delayed To May, Game Informer, Nov 4, 2026
• God of War 5 Ragnarok - Final Boss Fight THOR and ODIN (PS5 4K 60FPS), Zanar, Nov 8, 2022 (video)
• God of War Ragnarok: Valhalla DLC Review - The Final Verdict, GamingBolt, Dec 18, 2023 (video)