Buzz
In the closing moments of 2008’s Iron Man, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) approaches Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) to discuss the possibility of the “Avengers initiative.” Fast forward through over two dozen Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films, and post- and mid-credits scenes designed to tease the audience have become an established norm, with other studios following suit in hopes of achieving similar fan loyalty for their franchises.
While Marvel has certainly popularized the post-credits scene, they weren’t the ones who started it. But who were the pioneers? When did moviegoers first realize it might be worth sticking around for the end credits?
To find the answer, we need to look back before the 1950s: For much of the early 20th century, films often displayed their credits at the beginning of the movie, meaning the entire film effectively doubled as a post-credits sequence.
The trend started to shift in the 1960s, as credits (which were growing in length) moved to the end of the film, paving the way for the first post-credits tease. This occurred in The Silencers (1966), where secret agent Matt Helm (Dean Martin) reappears, relaxing in bed, while a message on screen promises his return in a future film. A parody of the spy genre, the scene humorously mimics the James Bond Will Return messages that appeared at the end of 007 franchise films. (If we consider the post-credits moment purely as a promise, then perhaps Bond is the true originator.)
Naturally, not all post-credits scenes are designed to promote a sequel. Some are more like a humorous tag, such as in the 1968 exploitation film She-Devils on Wheels (where a she-devil is released from prison) or 1979’s The Muppet Movie, where Animal attempts to send the lingering moviegoers home. A similar approach appeared in 1986’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, when Ferris (Matthew Broderick) directly addresses the audience, encouraging them to leave the theater. (This moment left an impression on Marvel’s Kevin Feige, who admitted in 2018 to Entertainment Weekly that it inspired the MCU's post-credits tradition.)
The practice of teasing sequels gained momentum in the 1980s, with films like Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) and the box office failure Masters of the Universe (1987) bringing back villains—Moriarty and Skeletor—who had previously been defeated. Although a Masters sequel was discussed, featuring surfer Laird Hamilton in place of Dolph Lundgren as the lead, it never came to fruition. (The ‘80s and ‘90s were packed with examples of films setting up sequels that ultimately never materialized.)
Some films chose to forgo visual scenes and instead employed a sound effect. For instance, at the end of 1986’s Aliens, the distinct sound of a Facehugger can be heard.
The post-credits scene raises an interesting question: Is the final scene of the movie the true ending, or is it simply the last one shown?
"We consider it to be part of the story that happens before the credits," Feige explained. "That’s the conclusion of the narrative we’ve built, and if there’s an extra scene after the main movie ends, or after the first credits, it typically ties into the film you’ve just watched. The very last part of the credits hints at what’s coming next." Unless, of course, you're waiting for a Young Sherlock Holmes sequel.
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