The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s credits scenes are iconic. Fans of the MCU know that you don’t leave the theatre until you’ve seen at least one post-credits scene. We’ve ranked these Marvel credits scenes by order of importance. Think we’re wrong? Have a different take? Let us know!

The mid-credits and post-credits scenes can be hilarious fillers. More often, they add important information about current and upcoming MCU films. From Iron Man to Spiderman: Far From Home, there are 23 movies in the MCU and 39 mid and post-credits scenes ranked by their importance.

SPOILERS: If you’re reading this then you’ve probably seen the movies, but if not there are spoilers ahead.

40. Avengers: Endgame

End credits

The Marvel logo and hammering

Endgame doesn’t have a post-credits scene, if we’re being technical. Instead, we get the Marvel logo, and we get the sound of hammering. The sound is Tony Stark making the first Iron Man suit. This scene doesn’t add anything to the MCU, but it’s an emotional nod back to the beginning of an era.

39. Avengers Assemble

End credits

The Shawarma scene

This is the first movie on this list that has more than one credit scene. The second scene following The Avengers features the team sitting around a table. The Avengers eat shawarma in silence. The restaurant is a mess. The restaurant employees act like cleaning battle damage around superheroes is normal. It’s a funny scene, and it makes the Avengers’ exhaustion palpable, but it’s not an important scene to the MCU.

38. Spider-Man: Homecoming

End credits

Captain America’s patience

The end-credits scene in the first MCU Spider-Man movie is a video of Captain America. It’s an informational, promotional clip like we see earlier in the movie. In this one, he says that patience is a virtue but isn’t always rewarding. Sometimes, he says, it leads to disappointment. It’s a fun nod to fandom expectations but adds nothing else.

37. Thor: Ragnarok

End credits

The Grandmaster faces the mob

In another end-credits scene that’s fluff, the Grandmaster addresses an angry mob. They’ve surrounded his ship after overthrowing his government. The Grandmaster’s response? “It’s a tie.” This is funny and gives us clues about his fate, but it adds nothing to the MCU.

36. Iron Man 3

Bruce as Tony’s therapist

In this scene, Tony Start talks to Bruce Banner as if Bruce is his therapist. Bruce, meanwhile, has fallen asleep. It does add some character development. Tony clearly still has things he needs to work through, and he isn’t getting the right help. That said, it’s mostly just a fun scene.

35. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Credits scene #1

Yondu’s Arrow

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has not just one or two scenes during and after its credits. It has a whopping five scenes following the movie. In this first one, we see Kraglin trying to figure out how to use Yondu’s arrow. He accidentally hits Drax with it, then backs away as Drax howls. It’s funny or disturbing, but it’s not an important scene to anyone except Kraglin.

34. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Credits scene #5

Stan Lee the Watcher

This scene shows Stan Lee’s character in space asking for a lift home. He says he has a lot of stories to tell. On the one hand, this could be a big deal if it indicates that all Stan Lee’s cameos are the same character, a Watcher. For now, that’s just a fan theory, so we’re ranking this pretty far down the list.

33. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Credits scene #4

Teenage Groot

In this scene, the newly-teenage Groot plays video games and ignores Quill. It shows how quickly Groot is ageing and gives us a hint of how he’ll be in Infinity War. Otherwise, the scene is just fun.

32. Captain America: Civil War

End credits

Peter plays

We see Peter Parker in his room playing with some of the Stark tech in his suit. It’s a brief introduction to Peter’s home and to Aunt May. This scene doesn’t hold much importance.

31. Doctor Strange

Mid credits

Thor visits Doctor Strange

In this first post-credits scene, Thor and Stephen Strange interact. Stephen gives Thor Odin’s location. This could be a really important scene, except we also see it in Thor: Ragnarok, which takes away from its impact. Otherwise, it’s a fun scene, complete with magically-appearing beer.

30. Guardians of the Galaxy

End credits

The Collector in ruins

This scene doesn’t add much. Instead, it confirms what we saw earlier. The Collector’s collection is a disaster, but the Collector himself is still around. It adds in a fun Easter egg in the form of Howard the Duck, but you don’t miss much if you skip this.

29. Thor: The Dark World

End credits

Thor and Jane Kiss

The Bifrost opens up and deposits Thor on Jane’s balcony. The two kiss. It’s a cute scene, but the only thing it adds to the MCU is the knowledge that Thor left Asgard. This is important because we know that Loki has secretly taken Odin’s place.

28. Guardians of the Galaxy

Mid Credits

Baby Groot Dances

This scene is a relief because we see that Groot is still alive. It’s also adorable because the whole scene is Groot dancing. It’s important because it shows us this beloved character is okay.

27. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Credits Scene #2

Ravagers Reunite

A bunch of Yondu’s old crew gather around after his funeral. The Ravagers show that they’re joining back up. This is important because it could mean another franchise or a television spin-off.

26. The Incredible Hulk

Tony the recruiter

Even though the lead actor changed, this movie is still part of the MCU. In the post-credits scene, Tony Stark shows up at a bar to talk to Thaddeus Ross. We get confirmation that S.H.I.E.L.D. is still recruiting. We also see that Tony accepted Fury’s invitation. It gives us a lot of information the first time we’re watching, but it doesn’t hold its importance on re-watch.

25. Ant-Man and the Wasp

End Credits

Giant Ant Plays Drums

On the surface, the scene of a giant ant playing the drums is mere fluff. This scene gains importance because it gives us our first glimpse of a post-snap Earth.

24. Black Panther

Mid credits

Bucky Recovers in Wakanda

Bucky Barnes wakes up in Wakanda. He’s not in the fancy city, but in a restful village by the water. He seems more relaxed than he has since Captain America, so it is very important for his character. By extension, this is also an important scene for Captain America and the future of the MCU.

23. Captain America: The First Avenger

Steve punches, Fury talks

Steve takes out his frustrations on a series of punching bags until Fury interrupts. Like the scene following Doctor Strange, this one shows up again in a later movie. This scene is further up the list for a couple reasons. First, it’s confirmation that Steve is with S.H.I.E.L.D. Second, it leads into the very first teaser trailer for the first full Avengers movie.

22. Doctor Strange

End credits

Mordo Takes Magic

In this scene, we watch Mordo remove magic from Pangborn, leaving the man paralysed once more. This sets up Mordo as a significant future villain and raises the stakes for Stephen.

21. Captain Marvel

End credits

Goose Coughs up the Tesseract

Goose seems to be getting rid of a hairball. Instead, he coughs up the Tesseract, depositing it on Nick Fury’s desk. This answers any questions about how S.H.I.E.L.D. gets ahold of the Tesseract.

20. Black Panther

Mid credits

Wakanda Joins the World

In this scene, we see T’Challa, Okoye, and Nakia addressing the United Nations. They announce that Wakanda is properly joining the world. This includes Wakanda’s advanced technology and materials. This scene is important because it shows how Wakanda will interact with the world.

19. Avengers Assemble

Mid credits

Meeting Thanos

This scene shows us the Other talking to his master about Loki’s failure on Earth. This is important for some big reasons. It tells us that Loki was working for someone rather than of his own free will. It also, in the final moments, shows us our first glimpse of Thanos. Only the Marvel comic book readers knew how big a role he would play, at that time.

18. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

End credits

Bucky at a Museum

Bucky Barnes visits the Smithsonian. He acts more casual and like his old self, then sees a display focused on Bucky himself. This seems to stir up even more old memories, cementing Bucky’s role in the rest of the MCU.

17. Ant-Man

Mid credits

Hope Introduced to Wasp

Hank Pym showing Hope the Wasp suit is huge to the future of the Ant-Man franchise. Hope is a featured hero in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Because she has a titular role in that movie, this scene is an important one.

16. Thor: The Dark World

Mid credits

The Collector has the Aether

Lady Sif and Volstagg bring the Aether to the Collector. At this point in the MCU, we don’t know just how important this scene is. The Collector having possession of an Infinity Stone, with intent to get more, is huge.

15. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Mid credits

Toomes and the Scorpion Talk

Adrian Toomes (Vulture) is in prison in this scene. He’s about to get a visit with his family. Mac Gargan approaches him, asking Spider-Man’s identity. Toomes pretends he doesn’t know, then leaves to see his family. We see that Gargan has a scorpion tattoo. This is big because he’s likely to be a future Spider-Man villain. It also offers a bit of redemption for Toomes.

14. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Credits scene #3

Kismet creates Adam

Kismet sits, distraught after defeat. She says she’s created something new, a new step in their evolution. It will destroy the Guardians, and she will call it Adam. Comic readers will recognize Adam Warlock. This important scene sets him up as the next big bad for the Guardians.

13. Ant-Man

End credits

Sam and Steve help Bucky

This scene shows Sam and Steve trying to help Bucky. They say that Tony can’t help because of the Accords, which is very important for the following movie. It also hints at bringing Ant-Man into the fold. This is important because he was less involved with the Avengers than some heroes.

12. Captain America: Civil War

Mid credits

Bucky on ice

Steve is by Bucky’s side as Bucky goes back on ice in Wakanda. This scene is important for several reasons. The scene shows that Cap trusts T’Challa, which is big and gets rid of any doubts about T’Challa’s character. It also shows how far Bucky has come from Winter Soldier. He’s willing to put everything on hold to make sure he won’t be Hydra’s weapon. That’s a very Bucky-like act, not a Winter Solider move. This scene also gives Bucky a reason to be in Wakanda for Infinity War.

11. Captain Marvel

Mid credits

Captain Marvel at Avengers HQ

Bringing Captain Marvel to the present, this scene shows Carol at Avengers HQ after the snap. She demands to see Fury. This is big because we get a peek at HQ after the snap. It also brings Carol Danvers, a very powerful player, into the current fold.

10. Iron Man 2

Coulson confirms Mjolnir

The closing scene of Iron Man 2 shows Coulson arriving on scene in New Mexico. The introduction of Mjolnir and confirmation of Thor in the MCU were HUGE. As if that weren’t enough, this also helps fill in some missing time in Thor. It even cements Coulson’s importance in the MCU.

9. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Thanos wears the Infinity Gauntlet

Seeing Thanos decide he’ll get the Infinity Stones himself takes almost no time. This is one of the shorter post-credits scenes, but the impact it has on the trajectory of the plot is huge. This marks the shift from the Avengers facing lackeys to the Avengers facing Thanos. Watching him don the Infinity Gauntlet is still chill-inducing.

8. Avengers: Infinity War

Fury contacts Carol Danvers

The Infinity War post-credits scene takes place in the midst of the snap. The streets are in chaos, and we watch as Fury and Hill realize some of what’s going on and call for help. It ends with their last hope: a beeper that’s alerting Captain Marvel. This is our first MCU introduction to Carol Danvers, even if she doesn’t appear on screen. It shows us who Fury calls when it seems like all hope is lost and just how powerful an ally Captain Marvel is.

7. Ant-Man and the Wasp

Mid credits

Scott in quantum realm

This scene also takes place during the snap. We find out that Scott and his team were working in the Quantum Realm when Thanos snapped his fingers. Scott is now alone in the Quantum Realm, and all his teammates turn to ash. This is important because we see even more beloved characters turn to ash. We continue to raise the stakes introduced in Infinity War. It also gives us a clue about who else is available to help the remaining Avengers save the universe.

6. Spider-Man: Far From Home

End credits

Fury and Hill aren’t Fury and Hill

Part of the reason this scene is so important is that it changes A LOT about this movie. Watching as Fury and Hill turn back into the Skrulls they were the whole time is shocking. It makes it necessary to re-watch the movie, and it adds uncertainty about the future. How do we know that anyone is who they say they are? Also, by putting Fury on a mission in space, this scene implies that something bigger is going on.

5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Von Strucker has the Sceptre

Mid credits

This scene shows us von Strucker has the sceptre. It’s important because it sets up the next Avengers movie. It also introduces us to Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Pietro’s role in the MCU is unfortunately short, but Wanda Maximoff has a big role moving forward. She’s one of the most powerful Avengers, and this makes her introduction an important one.

4. Thor: Ragnarok

Mid credits

Thor and Loki see Thanos’s ship

Thor and Loki decide to head to Earth with the refugees. We get to see the brothers’ current, improved relationship. Then, they’re covered in shadow as a large ship approaches them. It’s Thanos. This is the beginning of the end, and that makes the scene one of the most important ones.

3. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Mid credits

Peter’s identity is revealed

How important this scene is we don’t yet know, but we know it will be big. Peter and Michelle watch in horror as the world learns Spider-Man’s identity. Peter isn’t the first Avenger to have a public identity. His situation is very different from Tony’s, though. For one, he’s still figuring out who he is; he’s a teenager! For another, he has family that Tony didn’t, people who are at risk with this announcement. This reveal could change everything.

2. Thor

Possessed by Loki

This scene gives us a lot of setup for Avengers. Since that was the first big ensemble movie in the MCU, that gives it a lot of importance. We see Nick Fury bring Erik Selvig into a secret S.H.I.E.L.D. location. Fury directs Selvig to the Tesseract. Then we see Loki take some kind of control of Selvig. This sets the whole foundation for the first Avengers movie, from the importance of the Tesseract to Loki’s mind control. If not for this scene, much of Avengers might have felt forced. That was such a tight movie that adding more could have been a big hit to the MCU.

1. Iron Man

The Avengers Initiative

What’s more fitting for the number one spot than the one that started them all? The post-credits scene for Iron Man established post-credit scenes as a feature of the MCU. When Fury explains the Avengers Initiative to Tony Stark, it sets the entire rest of the MCU into motion. The effects of this scene touch every single movie in the MCU. That makes it the most important post-credits scene of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Thank you for reading the most important Marvel credits scenes ranked in the MCU to date. Do you agree or disagree with the ranking, have we missed any or have anything to add? If so, leave us a comment below.

Check out what we know about the MCU Phase 4 so far HERE.