MCU: Every Single Marvel Movie Post-Credits Scene (And What They Mean)

27. The Avengers: Thanos

The Scene

With Earth safe from Loki's invasion attempt, The Other returns to his master - kept off-screen for most of the scene - to reveal that Loki failed and that humanity is not the push-over they once thought. He says "to challenge them is to court Death", leading to Thanos turning round to camera grinning knowingly.

What It Meant

A lot. First, that Loki was working for Thanos, who would be the next villainous threat facing the Avengers. More importantly, the smile greeting the "court Death" line was pretty much the first indication that we'd be getting to see the Infinity Saga, with Thanos intent on impressing Death.

Joss Whedon confirmed as much when he revealed including Thanos was his idea:

"He for me is the most powerful and fascinating Marvel villain. He's the great grand daddy of the badasses and he's in love with Death and I just think that's so cute.

It adds a confusing touch though, as having Loki working for Thanos makes the fact that he handed over an Infinity Stone to him to try and get hold of another one rather silly.

Because The Avengers was a big deal, it also heralded the start of multiple credits scenes, though the second wasn't actually filmed until the day after the world Premiere in April 2012. But it meant Marvel would realise they could add more than one.