The Eight Worst MCU Post-Credit Scenes

As a long-time Marvel fan and someone who has devoted countless hours to watching, analyzing, and discussing every nook and cranny of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I must say that some of these mid- and end-credit scenes have left me scratching my head more often than not. It’s a bit like being a kid on Christmas morning, tearing open present after present, only to find a handful of socks at the end.

These scenes are supposed to be the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, but far too often they feel like an afterthought or worse yet, an advertisement for another Marvel project. They’re like a tease, dangling tantalizing tidbits that leave you wanting more, without giving you enough to truly sink your teeth into.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good teaser as much as the next guy (or gal), but when it starts feeling like every other scene is setting up future storylines instead of focusing on the one at hand, it becomes a bit exhausting. It’s like being stuck in a never-ending loop of trailers, with no actual movie to enjoy.

But hey, that’s just my two cents. Maybe I’m just getting old and cranky, or maybe Marvel is trying to keep us on our toes. Who knows? All I know is that I’ll be here, popcorn in hand, eagerly waiting for the next installment, hoping for a credit scene that truly delivers instead of leaving me with a case of the “mid-credit blues.”

Oh, and by the way, if these mid-credit scenes were actual presents, I’d probably end up with a whole lot of socks. I guess that’s what I get for being such a Marvel fanboy!

The reason why Marvel Studios’ post-credit scenes are well-known is clear. They didn’t invent the concept of adding small scenes during the end credits of a movie, but they definitely made it popular and revolutionized the experience for those leaving screenings of superhero films. However, it’s important to note that the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t immune to occasional missteps when it comes to these post-credits scenes. In fact, some might argue that more than a few have missed their mark.

As a lifelong Marvel fan and someone who has spent countless hours watching every film and TV show from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), I must say that I find it quite disappointing to see how underwhelming the post-credit scenes in many MCU productions have become, especially those released in recent years. Having grown up with iconic end-credit sequences like the one in “The Avengers,” which still stands out as a masterclass in the art of post-credit scenes, it’s disheartening to see how far they’ve fallen short compared to their superior counterparts.

The MCU has always been known for delivering memorable post-credit scenes that leave fans buzzing with excitement and speculation, but recent offerings have left me feeling let down. I’ve compiled a list of eight particularly lackluster examples from the MCU’s post-credit sequences, hoping to shed some light on what might have contributed to their poor quality.

1. The Incredible Hulk (2008) – The original post-credit scene featuring Tim Roth as Abomination was a missed opportunity for setting up future films, and it feels out of place when compared to the seamless integration of later post-credit scenes.

2. Ant-Man (2015) – The post-credits scene with Scott Lang visiting his daughter’s bedroom is cute but lacks the excitement and mystery that characterizes most post-credit scenes in the MCU.

3. Captain Marvel (2019) – The post-credit scene featuring a young Nick Fury is underwhelming, as it doesn’t add much to the overall story and feels more like an excuse to set up future films than a satisfying conclusion.

4. Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) – The post-credits scene with Mysterio revealing that he was working for someone else is predictable, and it’s disappointing to see such a missed opportunity to develop the character further.

5. Black Widow (2021) – The post-credit scene featuring Taskmaster is lackluster because it doesn’t provide any new information or set up future films in an engaging way.

6. Thor: The Dark World (2013) – The post-credits scene with Thanos is forgettable, as it doesn’t have the same impact as his later appearances and fails to capture the excitement of fans who were eagerly awaiting his arrival in the MCU.

7. Iron Man 2 (2010) – The post-credit scene featuring Nick Fury and Black Widow is underwhelming, as it doesn’t tie into the overall story and feels more like an afterthought rather than a meaningful addition to the narrative.

8. Doctor Strange (2016) – The post-credits scene with Thanos’s gauntlet is lackluster because it doesn’t provide any new information or set up future films in a way that leaves fans excited for what’s to come.

In conclusion, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe has a rich history of delivering memorable and exciting post-credit scenes, many recent offerings have fallen short compared to their predecessors. I believe that the key to crafting effective post-credit sequences lies in tying them into the overall story, leaving fans with questions or clues about future films, and creating moments that leave a lasting impact.

Thor: The Dark World Post-Credit Scene

After the ending credits, the film Thor: The Dark World wraps up by briefly depicting Thor’s return to Earth and his reunion with Jane Foster, which includes a romantic kiss between them. While this scene isn’t inherently bad in terms of content or editing, it seems odd to place it after the credits. Since it concludes important character arcs, it would make more sense for it to be part of the main movie. The awkward ending joke about a colossal Jotunheim monster still running amok in London only serves to heighten the tonal discrepancy and adds to the scene’s list of flaws.

Eternals Post-Credit Scene

Looking back, it’s surprising how extensively Dane Whitman/Black Knight was prepared compared to characters like Black Panther or Captain Marvel within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Throughout the movie Eternals, there were numerous hints about Whitman’s superhero abilities, culminating in a debate scene at the end credits where he pondered over whether to wield a powerful mystical sword. This moment might have been emotionally impactful or even confusing for viewers who aren’t well-versed in comic books. The sudden appearance of Mahershala Ali’s Blade in a voiceover cameo adds an awkward feel, given the uncertain status of Marvel’s planned Blade film at this time.

Black Widow Post-Credit Scene

The post-credit scene for Black Widow is effective when it focuses on Yelena visiting Natasha Romanoff’s grave, which is beautifully placed under cherry blossom trees (where Natasha’s birth mother was buried). However, the scene loses its emotional impact as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) enters, making noisy sniffs and chuckles. This abrupt shift to humor and promotion for the Hawkeye series feels like a quick switch from somberness to advertising a streaming service. In just a few seconds, Black Widow switches from evoking deep feelings to promoting a streaming platform.

Thor: Love and Thunder Mid-Credit Scene

Love and Thunder, Zeus (Russell Crowe) asks his son Hercules to pursue revenge against Thor. This moment feels weak because Zeus’ character is often portrayed as comical. The choice to cast Brett Goldstein as Hercules, who only recently made his debut in Ted Lasso, seems unconvincing. Additionally, introducing characters like Starfox and Clea before Love and Thunder, and now adding Hercules to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), feels like an excessive and unnecessary move.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Post-Credit Scene

It’s unfair and incongruous for movies to make space for streaming TV shows. While the latter shouldn’t be devalued as “inferior,” movies should maintain their distinct identity instead of serving as a platform to boost streaming services that label their content as art. The latest Ant-Man film, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, exemplified this trend by including a post-credit scene featuring a Loki Season 2 preview, which felt more like an advertisement for Disney+ rather than a cohesive part of the movie. Furthermore, placing such a scene at the end of Quantumania was peculiar because Loki wasn’t even a character in the film, making it irrelevant to most viewers who aren’t following the shows closely. Additionally, the mid-credit scene of Quantumania had already introduced multiple Kang variants, so the introduction of Timely didn’t add much novelty to the storyline.

Avengers: Age of Ultron Mid-Credit Scene

In a more personal tone, I must admit that the mid-credit scene in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” where Thanos dons the Infinity Gauntlet, isn’t exactly a nail-biting spectacle. Instead, it seems to recap elements about Thanos that were previously presented in both “The Avengers” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” This scene somehow feels detached from the narrative of “Age of Ultron,” which gives it an unintentional comedic vibe. The most glaring flaw of this Marvel Studios credit sequence is its forgettable nature.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Mid-Credit Scene

In the series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Sharon Carter’s role was consistently frustrating due to the overt enigma surrounding her potential villainy. This plot device overshadowed any meaningful character development for Sharon within the show itself. The post-credits scene in the finale, where she reclaims her CIA position while conversing on the phone with an unseen person, only served to highlight the issues in her character arc. Instead of utilizing Carter’s screen time to build her as a compelling character, it seemed more focused on setting up future installments, making it difficult for viewers to become emotionally invested in her. Regrettably, this issue also tainted the end-credit sequence of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

All Hail the King Post-Credit Scene

In the mid-credit sequence of Marvel Studios’ One-Shot short film, All Hail the King, I found myself cringing at the reappearance of Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer. His cameo, set in prison, finds him complaining about Trevor Slattery’s newfound fame, despite the fact that he never actually fought Iron Man. The joke, involving two antagonists from the Iron Man movies, could have been amusing, but it unfortunately culminates in a stale and predictable gag about Hammer having a same-sex prison lover. This type of humor, relying on gay panic and stereotypes about homosexual relationships in prison, is outdated and unoriginal. Even Rockwell’s charming screen presence couldn’t save the scene from this tired ending.

You can stream all MCU content on Disney+.

2025-01-04 00:11