The DC Extended Universe is dead, and as we gear up to enter the DC Studios/DCU era, we thought now might be a good time to look back at the franchise's post-credit scenes. There hasn't been a huge number to speak of over the years, likely due to Warner Bros. never really seeming to have much of a plan in place.
There have been a few amazing ones, however, and we're now ranking them all from worst to best.
Whether it was hints about where a certain character's story goes next or a fan-pleasing sequence that was akin to watching a comic book brought to life, the DCEU didn't always disappoint. Black Adam is a good example of that, and we're sure you're curious about where that memorable stinger ranks.
To find out, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button below!
11. A Big Batman Secret (Harley Quinn: Birds Of Prey)
We almost didn't include this one due to it being so utterly pointless, but it does kind of count.
Right at the end of Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), Margot Robbie's Harley shares her shock that people have stuck around this long. She promises to reward them with a big secret about Batman, but is cut off before she can reveal it. That's all we get.
We know not everyone loved this movie. However, it was good fun, so the fact they couldn't come up with an appropriate stinger is kind of mind-blowing. Even after Harley's return in The Suicide Squad, this punchline still hasn't paid off.
10. Shazam Channels His Inner Aquaman (Shazam!)
It's always a tad anticlimactic to stick around for a comedic sequence, but even worse when it's a) not that funny, and b) something we'd already seen in the trailers!
This was basically a deleted scene that was stuck at the end of the credits, and a major let-down.
Shazam! was a comedic movie and so a funny stinger wasn't necessarily a bad decision on Warner Bros.' part; it just should have been better than this! The movie was a lot of fun, but those wider DCEU references felt very forced. Showing Billy attempting to talk to fish like Aquaman is actually a great example of that.
9. Weasel Lives (The Suicide Squad)
By the time all is said and done in The Suicide Squad, Task Force X has saved the day...but not without a few causalities. In fact, pretty much an entire team gets bumped off in the movie's opening, including poor Weasel (who drowns because no one checked whether he can swim).
However, this mid-credits scene reveals the monstrous villain actually survived. He heads into the jungle, a free...whatever...though we do feel for the people of Corto Maltese.
This was a scene meant to make the audience laugh, but as a genuinely funny surprise, we can't really fault it. Whether Weasel will return to the DCU remains to be seen, though we'd be shocked if James Gunn doesn't have something planned!
8. Black Manta's Revenge (Aquaman)
Black Manta only had a very minor role in Aquaman, so this scene essentially confirming him as the sequel's big bad was definitely welcomed by fans. It also promised a much larger role for Randall Park's Dr. Shin in the follow-up, and comic book fans will be well aware that he has quite a storied history with Arthur Curry.
As post-credits scenes go, this was a fairly simple one, but it did its job extremely effectively.
We now know that Black Manta will step up to the plate in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and that's exciting on a number of levels. Dr. Shin will presumably be by his side, and that's not good news for the new King of Atlantis.
7. Bruce Wayne Meets Amanda Waller (Suicide Squad)
When Suicide Squad was released, the DCEU was very much in its infancy, so getting to see Batman pop up in during Task Force X's big screen debut was a treat for fans. With Justice League rapidly approaching at the time, any hints about what that might entail were appreciated, so this meeting grabbed everyone's attention.
As well as revealing that the Dark Knight was doing a Nick Fury by finding out all he could about Earth's Metahumans in order to put a team together, we discovered that Waller knows how Bruce spends his nights.
We did wonder if that might be setting the stage for a Suicide Squad sequel revolving around Task Force X hunting down Batman, but we honestly don't think Warner Bros. has anything concrete planned at this stage. If anything, they were just looking to copy Marvel Studios.
6. A Wonderful Cameo (Wonder Woman 1984)
Wonder Woman 1984 wasn't a particularly good movie, though there are plenty of people out there who did appreciate what filmmaker Patty Jenkins was going for with this 80s-set sequel.
During that adventure, we learned of Asteria's existence, a legendary Amazon warrior who donned the golden armour eventually worn by Diana Prince. Seemingly laying the groundwork for Wonder Woman 3, a post-credits scene reveals that she's still alive, dashing into action to save a passerby.
However, the mind-blowing reveal comes when we learn this Amazon is played by none other than original small screen Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter. This was definitely one for the longtime fans.
5. Peacemaker (Also) Lives (The Suicide Squad)
In The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker's demise seemed pretty definitive. Moments after murdering the heroic Rick Flag on the orders of Amanda Waller, this Task Force X member is gunned down by Bloodsport and seemingly crushed. We can't say he didn't deserve it either.
However, the post-credits scene reveals that Christopher Smith is alive and the only person who can save the world. That's a pretty damn good way to keep moviegoers invested.
That story played out in HBO Max's stellar TV series, and managed to redeem Peacemaker - mostly - in the process. You could tell Gunn knew what he was doing here, and the DCU is definitely safe in his hands.
4. The Injustice League Assembles (Justice League)
This sequence was heavily reshot by Joss Whedon, something made official by the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League. That version of the movie set the stage for Deathstroke to target Bruce Wayne in Ben Affleck's The Batman, but the theatrical cut instead focused on the Injustice League's formation.
We're assuming that's where Whedon and Warner Bros. wanted to take the franchise next, and there's no denying it's an idea with potential.
Lex interacting with Deathstroke in a live-action setting was also a comic book fan's dream come true. Sure, it didn't ultimately lead anywhere, but there's no denying that it's a strong post-credits scene in its own right, and we do wonder what this villainous roster would have looked like...
3. Meet Mister Mind (Shazam!)
It's fair to say that most of us were hoping to see a Black Adam tease of some sort at the end of Shazam!, but Dwayne Johnson's own plans seemingly put an end to that possibility early on.
Despite that, the unexpected introduction of Mister Mind was really cool, and while he may not be an A-List villain, he's one of Shazam's biggest foes and someone who will make the Shazam Family's life very difficult if and when he returns. Visually, he's obviously very unique, and the return of Dr. Sivana also has a lot of potential.
Alas, that won't be taking place in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, but we're sure this villainous team-up is somewhere in future plans. Perhaps they'll be responsible for pitting Shazam against Black Adam?
2. Superman Races The Flash (Justice League)
This scene was shot by Joss Whedon, and his fingerprints are all over it. However, say what you will about the now controversial filmmaker, but this is what most fans wanted from the DCEU (rather than Zack Snyder's often bleak vision for these superheroes).
Sure, we don't get to see who wins the race between Superman and The Flash, but just the fact that they have one at all is fantastic...even if it's somewhat ruined by Henry Cavill's horrible CGI jawline.
For a time, it looked like this was the end for the actor's Man of Steel. That's all changed since then, of course, though Ezra Miller's time as Barry Allen is nearly at an end. As a result, if these two race again, it will probably be with a new actor starring as the Fastest Man Alive.
1. Superman Returns (Black Adam)
Black Adam was no masterpiece, but how can we find fault with the movie's post-credits scene?
With the anti-hero making it clear he's Khandaq's new protector, the world is worried, and Amanda Waller makes it clear to Adam that he's not to leave his home. He isn't intimidated and will clearly do what he likes, and shows little in the way of concern when she threatens to send someone there who is powerful enough to deal with him. That someone? Superman.
Henry Cavill's return in this stinger felt absolutely monumental, and while Black Adam is in a weird place somewhere in the middle of the DCEU and DCU, this feels like a step in the right direction. Cavill is back as the Man of Steel and this confrontation is a badass moment.