Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Zathura. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Brothers Danny and Walter Budwing, whose house was launched into outer space by a board game called Zathura, survive meteors, a robot and lizard-like Zorgons. When Danny's piece reaches the planet Zathura, everything snaps back to the moment the game began, and the brothers, now friends, rush outside to play, safely back in their living room.
Quick facts
– Book: Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg
– First published: 2002
– Type: A children's picture book
– Tone of the ending: Playful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
After playing Jumanji in the park, Danny finds a second game in the box: Zathura. Walter, his older brother, thinks it is babyish. Each turn produces a card, and their house floats into space.
What Happens at the End of Zathura
As the house drifts through space, Danny and Walter take turns: a meteor smashes through the roof, a malfunctioning robot tries to destroy Walter, and the alien Zorgons attack their ship. Walter, who has been mean to his little brother, is shrunk and must rely on Danny. Near the end, a card sends the house toward a black hole, and they are pulled back in time to the moment they started playing. The boys, shaken, hide the game. Walter, now kinder to Danny, suggests they go outside and play together.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The brothers work together.
- Time rewinds.
- The game is hidden.
- The brothers bond.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Danny Budwing | Reaches Zathura |
| Walter Budwing | Becomes kinder |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows sibling friendship.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers enjoy the link to Jumanji, since the Budwing brothers are the boys who take that game at its end. Many families use the book to talk about sibling rivalry.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Siblings. Danny and Walter.
Adventure. Space adventure.
Teamwork. Working together.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Zathura as playful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Chris Van Allsburg to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are playful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Chris Van Allsburg closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure adds an older sister and an astronaut.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Zathura with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about siblings, and do you agree with Chris Van Allsburg's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as playful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces siblings and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Chris Van Allsburg leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Zathura often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Zathura earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Zathura on Amazon
Books to Read After Zathura
- Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Related: What Age Is Zathura Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Zathura?
Brothers Danny and Walter Budwing, whose house was launched into outer space by a board game called Zathura, survive meteors, a robot and lizard-like Zorgons. When Danny's piece reaches the planet Zathura, everything snaps back to the moment the game began, and the brothers, now friends, rush outside to play, safely back in their living room.
Is the ending of Zathura happy or sad?
Most readers call it playful.
What does the ending of Zathura mean?
The ending shows sibling friendship.
Is the ending of Zathura the same in the adaptation?
The 2005 film Zathura: A Space Adventure adds an older sister and an astronaut.
Who wrote Zathura and when was it published?
Zathura was written by Chris Van Allsburg and first published in 2002.
Is Zathura worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's picture books. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Chris Van Allsburg prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Zathura before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.