Key Points
- Research suggests The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) has two post-credits scenes: a mid-credits scene introducing Doctor Doom and a post-credits animated tribute, both setting up future MCU storylines and honoring the character’s legacy.
- It seems likely these scenes are significant for fans, connecting to Avengers: Doomsday and celebrating the Fantastic Four’s comic history, but details may vary based on viewing.
Movie Context
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, 2025, and currently in theaters as of July 27, 2025, introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—into the MCU, facing Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Given its role in Phase 6, post-credits scenes are expected to tease future developments.
Post-Credits Scenes
- The mid-credits scene, four years after the main events, shows Sue Storm finding Doctor Doom with her son Franklin, setting up his role in Avengers: Doomsday.
- The post-credits scene is an animated sequence, paying homage to classic Fantastic Four cartoons with battles against villains and a Jack Kirby quote, lasting about 11 minutes post-film.
Significance
These scenes likely bridge to future MCU narratives and honor the character’s history, making them essential for fans to stay for the credits.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Post-Credits Scenes in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, 2025, and currently in theaters as of July 27, 2025, marks a significant addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by introducing Marvel’s First Family into Phase 6. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, with Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer. Given the MCU’s tradition of using post-credits scenes to tease future storylines, The Fantastic Four: First Steps continues this practice with two distinct scenes: a mid-credits scene and a post-credits scene. This survey note provides a detailed breakdown of these scenes, their content, implications, and significance, drawing from multiple sources to ensure comprehensive coverage as of the current date.
Overview of Post-Credits Scenes in MCU Context
Post-credits scenes have become a hallmark of MCU films, serving to expand the universe, set up sequels, and provide Easter eggs for fans. Recent films like Thunderbolts (2025) have directly connected to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with its post-credits scene showing the team’s spacecraft entering Earth’s atmosphere, setting the stage for their MCU debut. Given The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the last major MCU film before Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July 2026 and precedes Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, expectations were high for its post-credits scenes to lay groundwork for future narratives, particularly involving Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., and the broader Multiverse Saga.
Multiple sources, including Los Angeles Times, GamesRadar, No Film School, CBR, CNET, Men’s Health, ComicBookMovie, Polygon, Forbes, IGN, Explosion Network, MovieWeb, SlashFilm, Collider, Yahoo Entertainment, Mashable, SuperHeroHype, The Independent, Cosmopolitan, ScreenRant, Comic Book Club, BGR, and GQ, confirm that The Fantastic Four: First Steps indeed features two post-credits scenes, one mid-credits and one post-credits, each serving distinct purposes.
Detailed Description of the Mid-Credits Scene
The mid-credits scene, occurring midway through the credits, is described as the more “serious” and plot-significant of the two. It takes place four years after the events of the main film, as detailed in sources like Los Angeles Times, GamesRadar, No Film School, CBR, Men’s Health, IGN, Explosion Network, MovieWeb, SuperHeroHype, The Independent, Cosmopolitan, ScreenRant, and GQ. The scene is set in the Baxter Building, the Fantastic Four’s home and base, where Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) is reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to her and Reed Richards’ son, Franklin Richards, who is now four years old and possesses cosmic powers due to the events of the film.
Sue briefly leaves to grab another book, and upon returning, she senses a foreboding presence. She finds a mysterious figure sitting on the couch with Franklin, touching the child’s face while holding a mask in one hand. The figure’s green cloak and mask, described as “very comic accurate” by SuperHeroHype, make it clear to fans that this is Doctor Doom, though Robert Downey Jr.’s face is not shown, maintaining mystery. Franklin appears to reach out to touch Doom’s face, suggesting a connection or potential manipulation, as noted in Explosion Network and ScreenRant. This scene is pivotal, setting up Doctor Doom’s role as a major antagonist in Avengers: Doomsday, with sources like Polygon and Mashable suggesting it may involve Doom’s interest in Franklin’s powers or a multiversal threat.
The mid-credits scene raises questions about Doom’s origins in this universe (Earth-828, as a homage to Jack Kirby’s birthday, August 28, per The Independent), his relationship with the Fantastic Four, and how he fits into the MCU’s broader narrative. It aligns with the film’s role in kicking off Phase 6 and setting the stage for Avengers: Doomsday, as highlighted by Forbes and Comic Book Club, which note its connection to the Multiverse Saga and Downey Jr.’s return as a villain.
Detailed Description of the Post-Credits Scene
The post-credits scene, occurring after the full credits roll, is described as lighter and more comedic, serving as a fan service moment. Sources like GamesRadar, No Film School, CBR, CNET, Men’s Health, ComicBookMovie, Explosion Network, SlashFilm, Collider, The Independent, Cosmopolitan, Comic Book Club, BGR, and ScreenRant detail it as an animated sequence reminiscent of the classic Fantastic Four cartoons from the 1960s and 1990s. This scene features the team battling classic villains such as Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Diablo, as noted in The Independent and BGR, offering a nostalgic nod to the character’s comic book and animated history.
The animation is accompanied by a quote from Jack Kirby, co-creator of the Fantastic Four, which reads, “If you look at my characters, you will find me. No matter what kind of character you create or assume, a little of yourself must remain there,” as reported by Comic Book Club and The Independent. This is followed by a title card explaining Earth-828’s significance as a tribute to Kirby’s birthday, August 28, adding a layer of meta-commentary. The scene also includes H.E.R.B.I.E., the team’s robotic assistant, turning off the screen, as mentioned in Explosion Network, enhancing the playful tone.
This post-credits scene is less plot-driven and more about celebrating the legacy of the Fantastic Four, providing Easter eggs for dedicated fans and aligning with the film’s retrofuturistic setting, as noted in CNET and Cosmopolitan. It contrasts with the mid-credits scene’s seriousness, offering a fun, light-hearted conclusion for audiences who stay until the end, with a runtime of about 11 minutes post-film, as per CNET.
Significance and Implications
The mid-credits scene is crucial for setting up future MCU narratives, particularly Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, where the Fantastic Four will face Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Sources like Polygon, Mashable, and IGN suggest it may involve Doom’s interest in Franklin’s cosmic powers, potentially leading to a multiversal conflict or the Fantastic Four’s efforts to warn other Earths, as speculated in Mashable. This aligns with the film’s role as the final MCU film before a year-long gap until Spider-Man: Brand New Day, making it a pivotal setup for Phase 6, as noted in MovieWeb and Forbes.
The post-credits scene, while less consequential for plot, is significant for fan engagement, honoring the character’s comic and animated history. It reinforces the film’s retrofuturistic tone and pays homage to Jack Kirby, as detailed in The Independent and Comic Book Club, enhancing the cultural resonance of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Together, these scenes ensure the film leaves audiences excited for future MCU developments while celebrating its legacy, as highlighted across all sources.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Fantastic Four Films
It’s worth noting that earlier Fantastic Four films, such as Fantastic Four (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and Fantastic Four (2015), did not feature post-credits scenes, as per the initial thinking. This tradition began with the MCU’s integration, making The Fantastic Four: First Steps the first in the franchise to include such scenes, aligning with MCU norms and enhancing its connectivity to the broader universe.
Audience Considerations
Given the film’s release and current theater showings as of July 27, 2025, audiences are encouraged to stay for both scenes, with CNET noting an additional 11 minutes post-film. The mid-credits scene is vital for plot continuity, while the post-credits scene offers fan service, making both worth watching, as emphasized by SlashFilm and Collider.
Table: Summary of Post-Credits Scenes in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
| Scene Type | Timing | Content Summary | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-Credits Scene | Midway through credits | Four years later, Sue finds Doctor Doom with Franklin, setting up Avengers: Doomsday. | Teases future MCU plots, introduces Doom. |
| Post-Credits Scene | After full credits | Animated sequence of Fantastic Four battling villains, Kirby quote, Earth-828 homage. | Fan service, celebrates comic legacy. |
This table encapsulates the key details, aiding in understanding the dual nature of these scenes.
In conclusion, The Fantastic Four: First Steps leverages its post-credits scenes to bridge past and future, setting up major MCU developments while honoring its roots, ensuring a rich experience for fans and setting the stage for the next chapter in the Multiverse Saga.
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