The post-credit sequel hook is a trend that has exploded in popularity in the past few decades of films, especially within the realm of horror and superhero movies. It's a great way to keep the audience engaged long after the film's story ends.
By giving fans a little taste of what's to come, a film franchise keeps its viewers talking about the film, asking each other, "Did you wait for the post-credit scene?" and "What do you think it means?" It's a great movie innovation and some have really mastered the art of the perfect sequel hook.
Deadpool 2 (2018)
The Deadpool movies are always a great time for audiences, with Ryan Reynolds sunny personality and quick wit cracking jokes not only about other superhero franchises but also film productions and actors. For the Deadpool 2 post-credit scene, he set himself up for the greatest sequel (or sequels) ever.
There's no doubt that Reynolds will reprise his role as the Merc with a Mouth, and Deadpool changed the tides for future films in the post-credit scene by saving Vanessa and Peter, killing his alternate Green Lantern self, and almost killing baby Hitler in an amazing sequence set to "If I Could Turn Back Time."
Aliens (1986)
There may be Aliens, set itself apart from its predecessor. Right before the screen fades to black for the credits, the main characters are sleeping peacefully thinking that they've rid the ship of aliens.
However, after the credits finish rolling, there is dark silence before the sound of a face-hugger egg cracking open can be heard in the darkness. This is, incidentally, is an Easter egg to the start of the third film in the Alien franchise, in which the crew is surprised by the presence of a face-hugger already onboard.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
The end of the first three Pirates Of The Caribbean movies was a bit of a sad moment for fans of the series. It had been rumored that Kiera Knightley and Orlando Bloom's contracts were ending and that they wouldn't be appearing in any more of the sequels.
However, the post-credit scene for At World's End gave fans hope of their eventual re-involvement. As Elizabeth and her now 10-year-old son walk to the shore, Will appears in the distance, captaining the Flying Dutchman. This hope ended up being well-founded, as Will Turner and his son returned to the franchise together in Dead Men Tell No Tales.
Venom (2018)
With the popularity of the recently released Venom: Let There Be Carnage, it's worth noting that Venom teased the sequel with an awesome post-credit scene in the original film. Carnage is a favorite nemesis in the Venom comics, and fans got an exciting first look at the villain.
Eddie Brock travels to a high-security prison, telling Venom not to interject. Viewers find out that he's there to interview an inmate, and that inmate is revealed to be none other than Cletus Kasady, otherwise known as Carnage.
Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City (2021)
The one of the best survival horror games of the '90s. Its video game source material has had many sequels over the years, and the movies have pumped consistent sequels in turn, even coming out with a television series in 2022.
For longtime fans of the series and games, this post-credit scene was a big nod to infamous characters and story arcs to come. True to the video games, Albert Wesker wakes up after supposedly being dead. Ada Wong comes in and introduces herself, smiling after he asks her what she wants from him.
Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
The audiences even convinced they were real, according to Reddit. After the credits rolled for the fourth installment in the series, an additional cut of found footage plays.
The scene is short and takes place in a convenience store that's lined with occult-themed products. Out of nowhere, a woman appears, and she warns the cameraman in Spanish that, "This is only the beginning." Because the fourth film had nothing to do with the occult, this scene was a really interesting setup for Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones.
Shazam! (2019)
Shazam! was a huge win for the DC superhero movie franchise, which is often overshadowed by the markedly more successful Marvel films. To finish up an amazing addition to the live-action DCEU, Shazam! snuck a sequel hook into its final credits.
As Dr. Sivana is scrawling markings all over his cell and getting frustrated, he hears a voice but can't figure out where it's coming from. Then, he sees a small worm-like creature sitting on a sill that is revealed to be Mr. Mind, a major villain in the Shazam! comics.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
Post-credit scenes are not a staple for romantic comedies, although there are plenty of other tropes commonly found in the rom-com genre. Because fans of the popular young adult book series knew there would be two more films, the movie gave a sneak peek as to what would be happening in the sequel.
In the post-credit scene, a doorbell can be heard ringing at the Covey household. When the door is opened, a boy holding one of Lara Jean's letters and flowers is standing there. Audiences can assume that it's John Ambrose -- one of her previous crushes. The scene cuts and fans have to see the sequel to find out what she'll do with the new information.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)
The sequel hook in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is more of a stinger than an entire scene, but its relevance and weight for the entire film series are so powerful that it merits discussion. As the credits close on the first of the prequel trilogy, Darth Vader's breathing can be heard in the blackness of the credits screen.
The prequels were a highly anticipated group of films that finally told the backstory to one of the most tragic characters in the Star Wars franchise, Anakin Skywalker. After he's innocently introduced in Phantom Menace, fans are reminded of what's to come for the young boy, and it spiked intrigue for how the writers would tell his story.
Iron Man (2008)
The post-credit scene in the original Iron Man movie is most likely one of the most famous sequel hooks of all time, and it would transform the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever. This scene set off a chain reaction within the Marvel live-action movies that would start an unstoppable momentum.
Tony Stark walks into his penthouse apartment to find someone already there. Nick Fury introduces himself and tells Tony that he's going to be a part of something bigger. Then, he says that he wants to talk to him about the Avengers Initiative, thus putting in motion all of the Avengers films.
