While it’s always great for audiences to show their support for the hard work the production crew and stars put into a movie, somepost-credits scenestruly were not worth the wait. To make a feature film is a major endeavor, so it’s important to give the crew their due and stick around for the credits, but if the only reason a viewer was watching them was to see the final scene or catch ahidden Easter egg, plenty of films would leave them disappointed. As post-credits scenes have become more common in recent years, in some cases, they feel needlessly tacked on and without much depth or interest.
Thebest post-credits scenesoffer something new and exciting for viewers to look forward to. This could be the introduction of a long-awaited character, a new plot point that lays the groundwork for a sequel, or even just one final gag to have viewers laughing as they exit the theater. However,some post-credits scenes just weren’t worth the waitas they set up sequels that never happened or even outright mocked the audience for wasting their time.
10Black Adam (2022)
Black Adam’s post-credits scene set up a Superman crossover
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson embraced the superhero genre with the release ofBlack Adam, a DC Extended Universe movie that featured a major cameo in its post-credits scene. After viewers witnessed the origin story of Teth-Adam, a former slave imbued with the powers of multiple Egyptian gods, the anti-hero came face-to-face with the one DC icon who could potentially rival him in power. That was Superman, and this brief appearance featured the long-awaited return of Henry Cavill in his most famous role.
As Superman told Adam, “We need to talk,” inthe post-credits scene, it seemed the DCEU was setting up a crossover movie featuring the two heroes or even a potential confrontation between the pair. However, considering the lackluster response toBlack Adam, the character’s cinematic future looks uncertain. This means that this post-credits scene could come to absolutely nothing, meaningCavill reprised his role as Supermanfor the first time sinceJustice Leagueto set up a movie the world may never get to see.
Black Adam
Cast
Black Adam is a feature film centered around the DC Comics antihero Black Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. The story follows the titular character as he emerges in the modern world, freed after millennia of imprisonment, to deliver his own form of justice.
ThePirates of the Caribbeanfranchisehas had plenty of post-credits scenes throughout its run, although it must be admitted that some of them were more impactful than others. The best post-credits scenes offer new information that can get viewers excited about upcoming installments, while the worst ones often add nothing new of note. The second installment,Dead Man’s Chest, was merely a small add-on that, although harmless and good-natured, did not feel quite urgent enough to be worth waiting for.
This was one final gag asthe prison dog employed to hold onto the jailer’s keys at the Fort Charles prison in Port Royal, who viewers might have worried had died, popped up one last time in the post-credits scene. This was where the dog was shown as chief of the cannibalistic tribe, the Pelegostos. While some viewers may have enjoyed this lighthearted ending, those looking for an impactful scene that sets up something new for the sequel will be left disappointed.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the second installment in the swashbuckling franchise directed by Gore Verbinski. Johnny Depp returns as Captain Jack Sparrow, who must settle a blood debt with the legendary Davy Jones, portrayed by Bill Nighy. As Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) are drawn into Jack’s perilous quest, they face new dangers on the high seas and encounter the fearsome Kraken.
8Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Ferris Bueller’s post-credits scene reminds audiences that the movie is over
Long before audiences had come to expect post-credits scenes in franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they would come as a total surprise. This was certainly the case forFerris Bueller’s Day Off, whose post-credits scene was somewhat of a hidden Easter egg just waiting to be discovered by those who opted to stay in theaters until all the credits had rolled. This scene featured Ferris talking directly to the camera and acting surprised that viewers were still watching.
Ferris hilariously told audiences, “You’re still here? It’s over. Go home!” While this was a fun opportunity to provide viewers with one last laugh beforeFerris Buellerhad truly come to an end, those expecting any sort of big revelation may have felt short-changed by the emptiness of this final moment. However, theFerris Buellerpost-credits scene has become slightly iconicand has been repeated and parodied by subsequent films, such asDeadpool.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
John Hughes' comedy classic Ferris Bueler’s Day off follows the titular high schooler, a self-assured, charming young man who wants a day off. Going to unheard-of lengths to secure that day for himself, his girlfriend, and his best friend, he conjures up the ultimate scheme to get them out of school. However, his sister and principal are confident he’s up to no good, and his principal will embark on an equally overblown quest to expose Ferris' truancy.
7Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Age of Ultron post-credits scene gave viewers no new information
The earlierpost-credits scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universefelt totally essential as the extended world laid the groundwork for all the ways its movies were linked with one another and set up the eventual crossover seen inThe Avengers. However, not every movie needed a post-credits scene and occasionally, some felt totally pointless. This was certainly the case withAvengers: Age of Ultron, which simply cut to a frustrated Thanos stating, “Fine, I’ll do it myself.”
While this momentforeshadows Thanos’s successful gathering of all of the Infinity Stonesand the events ofAvengers: Endgame, it also gives audiences absolutely no new information. Viewers were already well aware that Thanos wanted the stones and planned to gather them. After sitting through the credits with the hope of some exciting new information, this brief appearance from Thanos felt tacked on, unnecessary, and a missed opportunity to truly add to the lore of the MCU.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015, follows Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, as they contend with Ultron, a rogue AI with plans for global annihilation. This Marvel sequel sees The Avengers form uneasy alliances and embark on a perilous global adventure to thwart Ultron’s schemes.
6Masters of the Universe (1987)
Masters of the Universe post-credits scene set up a sequel that never happened
Masters of the Universewas the 1987 live-action adaptation ofHe-Manthat starred Dolph Lundgren as the sword-wielding hero and Frank Langella as his arch enemy Skeletor. This superhero film was featured as an early example of a post-credits scene long before it had become common. The final moments ofMasters of the Universefeatured Langella as Skeletoremerging from the water and shouting, “I’ll be back!”
While this moment represents the very best of what a post-credits scene can achieve, as it powerfully sets a sequel, looking back, it feels totally pointless. This was becauseMasters of the Universenever got a sequel, and Langella did not come back. The commercial failure ofMasters of the Universemeant that all plans to continue the movie as a live-action franchise were halted, although the film is now regarded as a cult favorite.
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe follows the battle between He-Man and the evil Skeletor, who seizes Castle Grayskull with the mysterious Cosmic Key. As Skeletor gains power, He-Man allies with locksmith Gwildor to recover the weapon, leading both forces to Earth, where it inadvertently lands in the hands of two teenagers.
5Ghostbusters (2016)
Ghostbusters’ post-credits scene suggests a Zuul-based sequel that was not made
The 2016 reboot ofGhostbusterswas a hugely divisive film that received widespread criticism before it was even released, with its trailer becoming the most disliked video in YouTube history (viaGuardian.) With a polarized reception as some viewers were infuriated by this all-female reboot,Ghostbustersunderperformed at the box office, and rather than move forward with a sequel, the series returned to the original canon withGhostbusters: Afterlife. While this shift in plans for the franchise was better received, it also meant that the post-credits scene in the 2016Ghostbustercame to nothing.
TheGhostbusterpost-credits scene featured a callback to the original movieas Erin (Kristin Wiig), Abby (Melissa McCarthy), Holtzman (Kate McKinnon), and Patty (Leslie Jones) head back to their headquarters and listen to audio recordings. This was when Patty removed her headphones and quizzically asked the others, “What’s Zuul?” Fans of the original movie will be quick to realize that Zuul was the spirit that possessed Dana, and ifGhostbustershad been better received, they would have seen this demonic deity, also known as the Gatekeeper of Gozer, pop up in the franchise once again.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 2016 film following paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan as they unite to combat a ghost invasion threatening Manhattan.
4X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine’s post-credits scene hinted at more from Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool
X-Men Origins: Wolverinewas an interesting prequel/spin-off of theX-Menfranchise that introduced the world to Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, the superhero also known asDeadpool. However, this was a different version from the one audiences saw in theDeadpoolmovie, which rebooted the character in a way much more faithful to the original comics. Although it seemed that 20th Century Fox did consider moving forward with this iteration of Deadpool as they included him in a post-credits scene forX-Men Origins: Wolverine.
This post-credits scene showcased the severed head of Wade Wilson, who, in a reference to Deadpool’s signature style of breaking the fourth wall, shushed the audience. This short clip of Deadpool alive and well hinted that audiences could expect to see more of Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. However, that would take 15 years to come true asthe pair finally reunited forDeadpool & Wolverinein 2024. Considering all of these haphazard production details, looking back, this post-credits scene seems entirely purposeless.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men Origins: Wolverine explores the backstory of the iconic mutant Wolverine, portrayed by Hugh Jackman. Released in 2009, the film delves into Logan’s journey through the Weapon X program as he seeks revenge for his girlfriend’s death while uncovering complex relationships with other mutants.
3The Avengers (2012)
The Avengers post-credits scene featured the heroic team eating shawarma
The post-credits scenes of many early Marvel Cinematic Universe movies helped lay the groundwork for the epic crossover movieThe Avengers. Dating back to Nick Fury telling Tony Stark about “The Avenger Initiative” at the end ofIron Manin 2008,many viewers were expecting big things from the post-credit scene ofThe Avengers. This made the sheer pointlessness of its shawarma-eating scene all the more funny, as after such an action-packed adventure, audiences witness the superhero team in an incredibly mundane environment in a callback to something Stark said earlier in the movie.
Shawarma sales skyrocketed following the release of The Avengers (viaTMZ) as Los Angeles viewers turned out in droves to try the Middle Eastern dish.
This hilarious post-credits scene was the definition of nonessential, as it just featured an awkward meal between various disparate characters. While some may have felt this scene was a waste of time, it was also a refreshing relief and a nice piece of slice-of-life fun following the sheer carnage of the movie’s climactic showdown. Depending on who’s being asked, this post-credits scene was either one of the best or the most pointless in the entire MCU.
The Avengers
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.
2Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Spider-Man: Homecoming’s post-credit scene featured Captain America giving a PSA on patience
Since as far back asFerris Bueller’s Day Offin 1986, movies have frequently used their post-credits scene to poke fun at audiences for wasting their time by sitting through the entire credits sequence. This was done in a unique manner at the end ofSpider-Man: Homecoming, which featured a surprise cameo from Chris Evans as Captain America. The post-credits scene was presented in the form of a public service announcement in which Captain America told audiences about the virtues of patience.
This hilariously pointless PSA featured Captain Americatelling audiences that patience can often be the “key to victory” but that sometimes it “leads to very little and seems like it’s not worth it, and you wonder why you waited so long for something so disappointing.” This PSA was a direct reference to the post-credits sequence and was a meta-commentary for viewers who sit through the credits just because they are curious about what the final scene will be. While this was one of Marvel’s funniest post-credits scenes, it also felt like a cruel joke to play on loyal viewers.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Spider-Man: Homecoming follows Peter Parker after the events of Captain America: Civil War as he navigates high school challenges and battles the emergence of a new villain, the Vulture. With mentorship from Tony Stark, Peter strives to prove himself while balancing his responsibilities as Spider-Man and a student.
1Morbius (2022)
Morbius’s post-credits scene set up a crossover with Michael Keaton’s Vulture
Jared Leto’s foray into the world of superheroes in Sony’s Morbius was a critical and commercial failure that even became an online sensation due to so many internet memes mocking and ridiculing the film. As a five-time Golden Raspberry nominee, with Leto even taking home the award for Worst Actor,Morbius’ssequel plans were quickly halted, and the future of the character remains uncertain. This development meant that its post-credits scenes withMichael Keaton reprising his role as Vulture fromSpider-Man: Homecomingwere entirely pointless.
Not only does Keaton’s appearance inMorbiusfeel like a waste of time, but it also defies logic as it uses the multiverse concept to inexplicably bring Keaton from the MCU into Sony’s extendedSpider-Manuniverse. It seemed Vulture himself was aware of the ridiculousness of his newfound circumstances as he told Morbius, “I’m not sure how I got here; it has to do with Spider-Man, I think.” The stilted dialogue, poor special effects, bad acting, and nonsensical plotting made Morbius’s post-credits scene the biggest waste of time of any post-credits scene ever.
Morbius
Morbius stars Jared Leto as the enigmatic antihero Michael Morbius set in the Sony Pictures Marvel universe. Afflicted with a terrible illness since his youth, Michael has struggled until he met his new surrogate brother, Lucian, nicknamed Milo (Matt Smith), who shares the same disease. The two bond over the illness, and years later, Michael discovers a potential breakthrough by using a unique gene in vampire bats. When the experiment proves to be a success, it cures Michael of his ailment - however, it also turns him into a bloodthirsty vampire. While Michael aims to curtail his bloodlust, his brother, who has also taken the cure, does not share the same empathy. As a result, Michael will have to manage his powers while trying to stop his brother’s murderous rampage.
