Thunderbolts, the final film of Marvel’s Phase 5, arrives when the Marvel Cinematic Universe is trying to regain its footing. Following a phase of mixed reception and behind-the-scenes drama, Thunderbolts closes the book on this installment with a set of post-credits scenes that signal a return to more compact and tangible storytelling.
A Classic Mid-Credits Laugh
The first scene dishes up some classic Marvel humor. Red Guardian (David Harbour) is spotted leaning against the cereal shelf of a supermarket, grinning from ear to ear as he displays a box of Wheaties with him and the newly minted “New Avengers.” He tries—and fails—to impress a shopper, but his zeal is relentless. Regardless of whether anyone else is impressed or not, he’s made the cereal box. Harbour’s comedic timing is impeccable, and the moment doesn’t try to set up future stakes — it simply is a fun, character-driven beat that captures early MCU magic.
A Game-Changing Post-Credits Reveal
Things get serious in the second scene, though.
Fourteen months later, the newly rebranded “New Avengers” live in Avengers Tower but with a PR and legal nightmare: Sam Wilson (after Captain America: Brave New World) is claiming rights to the “Avengers” name, and public opinion is on his side. Bouncing around ideas for a new name (“Red Guardian” suggests the failsafe “New Avengerz”) tensions are simmering as they’re kept in the dark about being shut out from any control of the looming space disaster nobody’s going to tell them about.
Next, a warning impacts their system — a multi-dimensional ship has come into orbit around the Earth. On screen, the familiar logo of the Fantastic Four appears on the ship. It’s an obvious set-up to Marvel’s next film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, releasing in July.
A Promising Step Forward for the MCU
This post-credits setup provides something Marvel hasn’t been able to reliably offer in a while: a clear setup for a future movie. With Avengers: Doomsday set for May 2026 and Secret Wars following in 2027, the 14-month time jump aligns seamlessly with the MCU’s evolving release schedule.
It’s a return to a formula that previously worked so well — planting seeds that fans know will soon bloom. With some recent years’ post-credits scenes being either disconnected, too enigmatic, or hanging fire, Thunderbolts gives fans a legitimate reason to be excited once more.
The MCU at last seems to have a clear direction — and it’s actually going there.