The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has changed the way movie studios think about film franchises and the MCU has made the post credit scene a very useful marketing tool. Despite post credit scenes existing prior to the MCU, today their popularity stems from Marvel.
There are 20 movies in the MCU and there are even more mid/post credit scenes. With the release of Ant Man and the Wasp, there are now a total of 35 mid/post credit scenes.
When the MCU films first started, there was one scene for each movie but nowadays, fans can expect usually two scenes. These mid/post credit scenes can be hilarious or can tease the future.
My top five mid/post credit scenes all hint at the films to come after them. Sure, there are some funny MCU post credit scenes like dancing Baby Groot and the Avengers eating at Shawarma Palace but the best mid/post credit scenes get you excited and make you anticipate the future of the MCU. Each of the scenes in my top five do exactly this.
- The Vulture Lies About Spider-Man
My number five is the mid-credit scene for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Michael Keaton’s Vulture knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man but choosing not to reveal this information. He does owe Peter his life, so maybe he decides to keep his identity to himself to make him and Peter even.
Also, Vulture is also a parent, so maybe he doesn’t want Peter dead. Regardless of why he keeps the secret, it’s another reminder to the audience of how complex Vulture is and means he’s not done with Spider-Man. This character is supposed to return in the Homecoming sequel.
- Thanos Puts on the Infinity Gauntlet
In the Avengers: Age of Ultron mid-credits scene, Thanos, tired of subordinates like Loki and Ronan failing him, vows he’ll get the Infinity Stones himself.
He doesn’t go completely solo but this teaser signifies that Thanos the Mad Titan is ready to go on a rampage. This rampage is Infinity War. Plus he puts on the Infinity Gauntlet. Timeline-wise this might not fit with the overall MCU but still it was a sign that Infinity War is coming.
- Ant Man Gets Stuck in the Quantum Realm
This is one of the only mid/post credit scenes where people die. Here Hope, Janet and Hank fade away due to the Thanos Snap. Meanwhile, with them gone and unable to bring Scott (Ant Man) out of the Quantum Realm.
However, Scott has enlargened himself out of the Quantum Realm before. It’s not very clear if Scott can’t do that again or if something will happen that prevents him from using the previous method.
One hint could be the time vortexes that Janet mentioned. This scene is also tragic because the audience knows this family is about to fade and because Scott doesn’t even know what just happened to his friends.
- The Captain Marvel Signal
The Avengers: Infinity War post credit scene! This scene works so well for multiple reasons. After Thanos smiles ending the actual movie, there are not the usual bright colors that start the credits for a MCU film. Instead, it’s just a black screen and the credits just roll down the screen.
Thankfully, Marvel does give its fans hope with this post-credit scene. Yes, there’s hope in this scene but don’t forget it also shows the end of the world. A helicopter falls out of the sky and regular people are also fading away.
Maria Hill and Nick Fury both fade away. Before Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury fades away, he almost utters the actor’s favorite word heh and is able to send a message to Captain Marvel using a pager.
Captain Marvel save us!
- The Avenger Initiative
The MCU post-credit scene to start them all. No one saw this post-credit scene coming at the end of Iron Man. This scene tells the world that there will be an Avengers movie. It was so shocking and exciting. This scene truly represents what Marvel is all about.
It delivered the unexpected to fans. Ten years later, the MCU is the master of the mid/post credit scene.
