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18 of the Best Post-Credit Scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

In 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe planted the first seed that would grow one of the most incredible pop culture realms of all time. With Iron Man came a hero that you found yourself rooting for and an idea that greatness could be found in not just the most likely places, but the most unlikely as well.

While each of the 18 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are important, the post-credit scenes are just as meaningful. They’re a preview of what comes next, bread crumbs that make sense eventually but peak our interest from the moment we see them. They’re the reason we stay in movie theaters and watch the credits, which is exactly what Iron Man director Jon Favreau wanted when he laid the first one.

For the next 18 days, we’re doing a countdown of sorts, and our first is a highlight of 18 of our favorite post-credit scenes.

18. Ant-Man‘s mid-credit scene

Setting up for Ant-Man and the Wasp, this post-credit scene shows Hope as she sees the concept costume for the Wasp. It’s a moment of confidence and excitement for her as she claims ‘It’s about d— time.’

We couldn’t agree more, and we can’t wait to see the film this summer.

17. Doctor Strange‘s mid-credit scene

This is a cut-scene from a larger scene that fans saw later in Thor: Ragnarok. When Thor brings Loki to search for Odin, Doctor Strange immediately wants to put a stop to Loki’s presence. He contacts Thor and tells him that he’ll help the pair find Odin. That way, he can keep the Earth safe from…well…Loki’s ability to stir up some real drama.

16. Iron Man 3‘s post-credit scene

This post-credit scene is actually one of our favorite moments between Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. The pair sat together with Stark rambling on about his fight with Aldrich Killian. When Banner tells him that he’s not ‘that kind’ of doctor. Stark either ignores it or doesn’t hear it – probably a mix of both – and continues on with another story.

It sets the tone for their friendship and future encounters, ones we always enjoy.

15. Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s post-credit scene

There are few heroes we love more than Captain America, so this post-credit scene was one of our absolute favorites. He talks about patience and the importance of the sentiment before starting to ramble about waiting around for nothing. The sly look on his face says it all before he looks off screen and asks ‘how many more of these?’

We like a snarky Captain America.

14. Captain America: The Winter Soldier‘s mid-credit scene

This scene was important for a few reasons. One, it talked about the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D and Hydra which was at the heart of the film and also impacted future MCU movies. In addition, fans saw Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver for the first time. They are what Baron Von Strucker uses to describe living in a ‘time of miracles.’

While it didn’t paint a clear picture of what we could expect from them at the time, it gave us one of our favorite heroes to date. Scarlet Witch.

13. The Avengers‘ post-credit scene

Again, bringing a sense of humor, this post-credit scene is great for a laugh. The group gets together to eat shawarma looking totally exhausted and staying painfully silent after a lengthy battle. It’s the sort of dry humor that we love and each of their faces tells a story and shines a light on their very distinct personalities.

12. Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2‘s post-credit scene

In one of 5 post-credit scenes, Ayesha is seen calling upon a chambermaid. Once she appears, she shows her a ‘creation’. This creation is capable of destroying the Guardians of the Galaxy and she decides to call it, Adam.

11. Doctor Strange‘s post-credit scene

In this scene, Mordor is seen stripping Jonathon Pangborn of his magic as he says there are too many sorcerers already. This sets him up to be a massive antagonist in future films. This post-credit scene lays groundwork but leaves enough to the imagination that we really don’t know what to expect next time we see Mordor. Except, that he’ll be more powerful.

10. Captain America: Civil War‘s post-credit scene

Spider-Man Homecoming was foreshadowed in the post-credit scene for Captain America: Civil War. Talking to Aunt May, Peter is seen with a black eye. Once she leaves the room, he looks at his web shooters but instead of a web, an awesome Spidey logo is seen on his ceiling. He’s obviously very excited at the prospect.

9. Thor: Ragnarok‘s mid-credit scene

Thor and Loki are traveling back to earth when Loki asks if it’s really a good idea to go back to Earth. Thor says it absolutely is, people of Earth love him. Loki specifies that the true question was if it was a good idea to bring Loki back to Earth. He quickly says no, probably not, but they’re doing it anyway. Thor thinks it’s all going to work out fine.

That is until they see a massive spaceship in front of them. We all know where that leads.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy‘s mid-credit scene

Can you ever go wrong with Groot? The answer is no. Especially when it comes to baby Groot. This scene was more of a feel-good scene for the audience but it still had its place. It introduced us to dancing baby Groot, who was getting down to a Jackson 5 tune. Drax looked back at Groot, who froze in place, and stared him down for quite a while, before he turned back around and Groot resumed dancing.

We have our own dancing Groot in our office. He’s the cutest.

7. Captain America: Civil War‘s mid-credit scene

This scene does a few important things. Not only does it lay out the groundwork for the friendship between Steve Rogers and T’Challa, it provides a place of solace for Bucky. At first, it was T’Challa’s mission to take him down. That is until he realized that Bucky truly is a victim, not a villain. Steve put his trust in T’Challa, as did Bucky, and it clearly paid off.

6. Black Panther‘s mid-credit scene

Erik Killmonger died and it left a hole in our hearts. If you made it through his last scene without crying, well, we commend you.

His story was a tragic look at what happens when you’re left to become a victim of circumstance. Now, he didn’t become complacent in his victim role and roll over, he fought against it. However, that fight came at the ultimate price.

He couldn’t understand why Wakanda had the resources and riches it had – in far more than currency – and it wasn’t opening its doors to everyone. He couldn’t understand why he was left so far removed from what could have been a very different end game.

So when T’Challa, Nakia, Okoye, and Ayo spoke in front of the United Nations, it was announced that they’d be sharing their resources to help the world, it meant a little more. This is the step both Killmonger and Nakia were hoping for, and a piece of it will always honor Erik’s legacy.

5. Iron Man‘s post-credit scene

The first post credit scene in the MCU was said to be a ‘bit of a lark’. In early 2018, Jon Favreau actually talked about the scene and why it was important that they included it. That was a bit of a lark.” says Favreau. “I wanted to include Easter eggs that the fans would appreciate and we thought the idea of a post-credit scene it could be fun. It was something that wasn’t really in the script originally

In teasing the Avenger Initiative, the groundwork was laid for the superhero team that is the Avengers. It’s easily one of the most important post-credit scenes there are.

4. The Avengers’ mid-credit scene 

We aren’t massive fans of Thanos. In fact, even after reading that the Russo brothers have tried to give him a heart and soul, we feel like he’s going to be one character we just can’t see the light inside of. We’re waiting to see the film to make the final call completely, but he’s trying to kill our favorite heroes!

However, the second post-credit scene from The Avengers is the scene that warned us of Thanos’ impending arrival into the MCU. So it’s an important one. Even though that evil grin of his gives us the creeps.

3. Captain America The Winter Soldier‘s post-credit scene

This post-credit scene might not leave any hints for some big MCU moment, at least, not in the way most others have. However, it does hint at a big moment for Bucky as a character. We still don’t know that much about him, because he doesn’t know that much about himself.

As he caught a photo of himself in the Captain America exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution, the look on his face is reminiscent of the one he got while fighting with Steve. Part of him is still there, knowing what we know now, it’s a bigger part than we imagined back then.

2. Avengers: Age of Ultron‘s mid-credit scene

Once again, we aren’t big Thanos fans, but this mid-credit scene has been on our minds since…well…Age of Ultron. Thanos found out that if you want something done right, you’ve gotta do it yourself.

So he prepares to obliterate everyone in his path, which leads us to Avengers: Infinity War.

1. Black Panther‘s post-credit scene

So if it wasn’t painfully obvious by now, we’re massive Bucky fans. The most recent end-credit scene is most certainly our favorite. It shows Bucky in a state that his fans have longed to see him in – one that resembles happiness. Even if it’s short-lived – with that whole, evil Thanos thing looming in the air, it’s nice.

Especially since he thanks Shuri for helping him, which means she was able to give him peace of mind. She’s brilliant and fierce and we can’t wait to see the dynamic between the two of them.

What are your favorite MCU post-credit scenes? Let us know.

Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters on April 27th.