There was a time when staying through the credits of a Marvel movie felt like a sacred ritual. Fans would shush anyone who tried to leave, knowing a tantalizing tease or a surprise cameo was just around the corner. But as the MCU has ballooned in size and quality has become inconsistent, those end-credits scenes have often felt more like homework than a reward. Some are confusing, some are pointless, and a few are just plain bad. Here are the worst MCU post-credit scenes of all time, ranked.
8. Peter Gets a Projector (Captain America: Civil War)
After the epic airport battle in Captain America: Civil War, the post-credits scene takes us to Peter Parker's Queens apartment. He's fiddling with a new gadget from Tony Stark, and it projects a glowing spider emblem onto his ceiling. For comic book fans, this was a nod to Spider-Man's classic signal. For everyone else, it was a head-scratcher. The signal never played a significant role in any subsequent Spider-Man film, making this a tease that went absolutely nowhere. It's the kind of scene that leaves you Googling "What did that mean?" instead of feeling excited for what's next.
7. A Snotty Memorial (Black Widow)
The post-credits scene in Black Widow should have been a poignant moment. Yelena Belova visits Natasha's grave, only to be interrupted by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who loudly blows her nose. The joke undercuts what could have been a touching tribute, and it feels forced. Worse, Valentina tells Yelena that Hawkeye is responsible for Natasha's death—a claim that's technically true but ignores the heroic sacrifice. The scene tries to set up a conflict that's built on a misunderstanding, and the humor falls flat. It's a classic example of Marvel undercutting its own emotional weight.
6. Thanos Reminds Us He Exists (Avengers: Age of Ultron)
When Thanos finally appeared at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, donned his gauntlet, and growled, "Fine, I'll do it myself," audiences cheered. But the scene makes little sense in context. Thanos wasn't directly involved in the plot of Age of Ultron, so why is he suddenly motivated now? And if he's so eager, why does he wait three years to actually start collecting the Infinity Stones? The scene feels like a placeholder, a reminder that the big bad is out there, but it lacks any real narrative purpose. It's a tease that's more confusing than exciting.
5. Marvel Moves in One Direction (Eternals)
The post-credits scene of Eternals is infamous for one reason: Harry Styles. The pop star appears as Starfox, aka Eros, the brother of Thanos. While Styles had a small role in Dunkirk, his casting here felt like a gimmick. The scene is awkward, and Styles' performance doesn't sell the character. It's a moment that feels more like a celebrity cameo than a meaningful addition to the MCU. For many, it was a reminder that not every singer can make the leap to acting without some growing pains.
4. Kang Attends the World Cup Finals (Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania)
The post-credits scene of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania was supposed to set up the next big threat: a council of Kang variants. But due to real-world legal issues involving actor Jonathan Majors, Disney cut ties with him, and the entire plotline was abandoned. The scene now feels like a dead end, a reminder of a storyline that will never be resolved. It's one of the most frustrating teases in MCU history, leaving fans with more questions than answers and no hope of closure.
3. The Eternals' Unnecessary Sequel Hook
Another Eternals post-credits scene features the remaining Eternals meeting with a mysterious figure named Pip the Troll, who introduces them to Starfox. The scene is bizarre and feels disconnected from the rest of the film. It's a clear attempt to set up a sequel that may never happen, and it leaves viewers scratching their heads. The tone is jarring, and the introduction of a new character feels forced. It's a classic example of a post-credits scene that tries to do too much and ends up doing nothing.
2. The Captain America: Brave New World Tease That Fizzled
While Captain America: Brave New World hasn't been released yet, early reports suggest its post-credits scene will be a letdown. The scene reportedly teases a new villain that feels disconnected from the main plot, and it lacks the punch of earlier MCU stings. It's a reminder that not every movie needs a post-credits scene, and sometimes less is more. Fans are already bracing for disappointment.
1. The Worst of the Worst: A Slog Through the Credits
The absolute worst MCU post-credits scene has to be the one from Avengers: Endgame—or rather, the lack of one. After a three-hour epic that concluded the Infinity Saga, fans sat through the credits expecting a final tease. Instead, they got a sound effect of clanging metal, a nod to Iron Man's origin. It was a quiet, respectful ending, but for many, it felt anticlimactic. After years of post-credits scenes that promised more, the silence was deafening. It's a reminder that sometimes the best tease is no tease at all.
For more on the highs and lows of the MCU, check out our list of the best sci-fi TV series or dive into the top psychological thrillers. And if you're in the mood for something completely different, explore the best zombie movies since 2010.
