MCU: Every Single Marvel Movie Post-Credits Scene Ranked Worst To Best

2. The Avengers - Thanos

This is where it all began. Long before the Infinity Stones were revealed or lots and lots of mainstream fans even knew who they were looking at, the post-credits sequence on The Avengers introduced Thanos. Sure, he wasn't played by Josh Brolin yet and he looked a little differently, but there was no avoiding the giant purple, ribbed chin or the smirk.

Up to this point, the post-credits scenes had been steps to bring the Avengers team together, but none of them were anything like as revelatory as the appearance of Thanos. The plans were a little different for him too, as Joss Whedon confirmed that he was drawn to Thanos because he "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."

So clearly, Whedon's vision for Thanos would have been wholly different, but that takes nothing away from how amazing the reveal of him and his smile to camera were when they first happened. Even now, they're spine-tingling.