GTA 5 Endings Explained: Option A, B or C (Which to Choose)
Grand Theft Auto V has three endings, chosen by Franklin after the final heist. Option A is to kill Trevor, Option B is to kill Michael, and Option C, nicknamed “Deathwish”, is to refuse both and take on everyone instead. Option C is the only ending where all three protagonists survive, and it is the choice most players recommend.
Quick answer: pick Option C (The Third Way) if you want to keep all three characters playable after the story.
Spoiler warning: this guide reveals the end of GTA 5’s story.
How the final choice happens
After the last big heist, Franklin is approached separately by two parties. FIB agents Steve Haines and Dave Norton want him to kill Trevor. Billionaire Devin Weston wants him to kill Michael. Franklin then gets a choice between three options, each leading to a different final mission. If you are still working through the story, our GTA 5 heists guide covers the jobs that lead up to this moment.
The three endings at a glance
| Option | Final mission | Target | Who survives |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: Kill Trevor | Something Sensible | Trevor Philips | Franklin and Michael |
| B: Kill Michael | The Time’s Come | Michael De Santa | Franklin and Trevor |
| C: Deathwish | The Third Way | The crew’s enemies | All three protagonists |
Option A: Something Sensible (kill Trevor)
Franklin sides with the FIB and confronts Trevor, with help from Michael. Trevor dies at the end of the mission. Afterward, Trevor can no longer be played, his missions and activities are unavailable, and the story leaves Franklin and Michael with a bitter, unresolved ending. Many players dislike this route because Trevor’s side content disappears.
Option B: The Time’s Come (kill Michael)
Franklin sides with Devin Weston and goes after Michael. The confrontation ends with Michael’s death. Michael is no longer playable, and the emotional fallout for Franklin is heavy: it is often described as the darkest of the three endings. As with Option A, you lose access to one character for the rest of the game.
Option C: The Third Way (Deathwish)
Franklin refuses to betray either friend. Instead, the three protagonists and their allies go after everyone who has been threatening them. In the mission:
- Michael kills Harold “Stretch” Joseph.
- Franklin kills Wei Cheng.
- Trevor kills FIB agent Steve Haines at the Del Perro Pier.
- Trevor kidnaps Devin Weston, and the three push the car holding him off a cliff into the ocean.
This ending is longer and harder, with a big shootout first, but it rewards you with all three characters, their properties and their side missions intact.
Which ending is canon?
Rockstar has never published an official statement naming a canon ending. However, Option C is widely considered canon by fans, mainly because it is the only ending in which Michael, Franklin and Trevor all survive. To see how GTA 5’s story fits into the wider series, read our complete GTA series timeline.
What changes after each ending
- Character access: A and B remove one protagonist permanently from that save.
- Money: Option C gives you the full benefit of all three bank accounts.
- Side content: strangers and freaks missions, properties and hobbies tied to the dead character are lost in A and B.
- Completion: any ending counts toward finishing the story, but keeping all three makes 100% completion easier.
Tips before you choose
- Make a manual save before the choice, so you can replay other endings.
- Finish key side missions for each character before the finale.
- Stock up on armour and ammo for The Third Way’s opening fight.
- If you play on PC, remember that cheats disable achievements for that session; see our GTA 5 PC cheats list.
FAQ
Can you change the ending after finishing?
Not in the same save. Load a save from before the choice to play another ending.
Is Option C the best ending?
For most players, yes: everyone survives and nothing is locked away afterward.
Does the ending affect GTA Online?
No. GTA Online is separate from your story save; your ending choice doesn’t change it.
Will GTA 6 continue Michael, Franklin or Trevor’s story?
GTA 6 follows new protagonists, Lucia and Jason, in Leonida. See our GTA 6 vs GTA 5 comparison.
Conclusion
GTA 5’s final choice decides who walks away. Options A and B each cost you a protagonist; Option C, The Third Way, keeps the crew together and settles every score. Save before choosing, and if you want the full experience, go with Deathwish.