The Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized the post-credit scene, using it to tease future projects at the end of its movies and TV shows. While the earliest post-credit scenes foreshadowed events like the formation of The Avengers and the imminent threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin), as the MCU grew larger and more complex, the post-credit scenes grew a little more obscure. Some prematurely teased shelved projects, while others teased projects that aren’t officially in development.
Hence, this list will cover which Marvel TV show and movie post-credit scenes remain unresolved, with no potential resolution in sight. It does not include post-credits scenes that are highly likely to be resolved with the release of confirmed future projects, such as Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026).
The Beacon Post-Credit Scene - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings features an ambiguous post-credits scene. It sets up Shang-Chi’s (Simu Liu) Avengers entry as he makes contact with Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson). However, the trio makes an odd discovery as they realize his Rings are sending out a mysterious beacon. Although there are many theories, such as the Rings’ connection to the Celestials or the bangle in Ms. Marvel (2022), the true source or meaning of the beacon remains unaddressed.
Despite this minor ambiguity, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings marks an action-packed installment in the MCU. Shang-Chi and Katy (Awkwafina) are among the most refreshing new MCU characters, while the movie has a fantasy/mythology vibe reminiscent of Moon Knight (2022) and Eternals (2021).
Pip the Troll & Blade Post-Credit Scenes - Eternals (2021)
Eternals features two post-credit scenes, neither of which has come to fruition. The first scene features Harry Styles’ MCU debut as Thanos’ brother, Starfox, and his companion Pip the Troll (Patton Oswald), who offer to help save the Eternals from Arishem’s (David Kaye) wrath. The second scene teases Dane Whitman’s (Kit Harrington) superhero identity, Black Knight, with his unveiling of the ebony blade, and features a voice cameo from Blade (Mahershala Ali).
Unfortunately, there have been no indications that the MCU will do anything more with Starfox, Pip the Troll, or the Eternals. Additionally, although a Blade reboot with Ali in the titular role was in development, Marvel has since removed it from its release schedule. Although Eternals’ future in the MCU is uncertain, it's a highly underrated movie that features one of the franchise’s most diverse and creative entries to date.
Third Alter Ego Post-Credit Scene - Moon Knight (2022)
The MCU miniseries Moon Knight ends with a post-credit scene that reveals a previously unknown third Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac) alter ego, Jake Lockely, who is still working for the Egyptian god Khonshu (Karim El Hakim and F. Murray Abraham). Much of the series centers around Steven Grant, a man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), and his alter ego, Marc Spector, trying to come to terms with their identity, making the revelation of their third, most ruthless identity quite startling.
However, Marvel opted not to produce Moon Knight Season 2 and, although executives have claimed the character would return in other projects, no confirmed plans currently exist. Even so, Moon Knight is reminiscent of Eternals in that it offers something new to the MCU. Like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the series leans more toward fantasy and mythology, though it also features a distinct psychological element reminiscent of Split (2016).
Clea Post-Credit Scene - ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features a post-credit scene in which the sorceress Clea (Charlize Theron) appears to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and beckons him into the Dark Dimension to fix the incursion he caused. Since then, neither Clea nor Doctor Strange has appeared in the MCU, and only the latter is confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. Given Clea’s absence and how overstuffed Avengers: Doomsday’s cast is, the possibility of it resolving this post-credit scene seems unlikely, leaving viewers to question whatever happened to Clea.
Despite the unresolved post-credit scene, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a strong sequel to Doctor Strange (2016). Like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and Loki (2021), it offers a deep dive into the multiverse, though it leans more into horror than the typical MCU movie. The horror vibes and strong crossover of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Doctor Strange make it an exciting MCU entry.
Hercules Post-Credit Scene - Thor: Love & Thunder (2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder’s post-credit scene features Brett Goldstein’s MCU debut as Hercules. In the film, Thor defeats Zeus (Russell Crowe), but the mid-credits scene reveals he’s recuperating in Omnipotence City, where he sends his son, Hercules, to get revenge on Thor. The scene was fascinating, given that it marked Hercules' first introduction to the MCU and the added surprise of Goldstein taking on the role. Thor will return in Avengers: Doomsday, and there are talks of a fifth Thor movie, but there are no confirmed plans for Goldstein’s Hercules, raising doubts that he’ll return.
Thor: Love and Thunder is very similar to Thor: Ragnarok (2017), bursting with humor, fun, eccentricity, and a catchy soundtrack. The film is the perfect blend of superhero action and comedy, though it also offers heartfelt moments as it explores grief and terminal illness.
Council of Kang Post-Credit Scene - Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania (2023)
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania features a post-credit scene in which numerous Kang variants (Jonathan Majors) assemble at the Council of Kang and plot vengeance for Kang the Conqueror’s (Majors) death in the Quantum Realm. The scene served as a setup for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, following Majors’ conviction on charges of assault and battery, Marvel reworked Avengers: The Kang Dynasty into Avengers: Doomsday and scrapped all plans for Kang’s MCU future.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has a somewhat strange place in the MCU, since much of its plot is no longer relevant to the franchise. Even so, its quality is in line with its predecessors, Ant-Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). It’s among the most lighthearted and humorous MCU entries and gives viewers a long-awaited deep dive into the Quantum Realm.
