9) End Credit Scenes Work Well (But Don’t Rely On Them Too Heavily)
Although this wasn’t the DCEU’s first venture into post-credit scenes (Suicide Squad had a mid-credits scene), this was the first pair of end credit scenes that offered fans a genuine sense of thrill. The first was enjoyable fan service and the second gave us an exciting hint to the potential villains for Justice League 2. Judging by the very positive fan reactions to these scenes, it’s likely that future films will continue this trend of keeping us in our seats until the credits run out.
However, it’s important that WB doesn’t start relying on these after-credits sequences for more than just sneak peeks and exciting teases. While it may be more because of fan expectations, they can end up feeling more important than the movie itself. You notice this with certain Marvel films where the after-credit scene(s) is what fans pay to see instead of the two-hour movie preceding it. It becomes a case of putting up with dinner just so you can eat dessert.
To prevent this, it’ll fall more on the people behind the camera and at the studio to make films that are perfectly relevant and captivating on their own without these additional scenes. Also, don’t do what Marvel does and have end-credits sequences just because other movies in the universe have them; if there’s nothing to tease, then don’t include an extra scene just because the last one did it.
It trivializes the extra time audiences spend sitting in the theater. Post-credits scenes are great when utilized properly, and it’s up to all involved parties to ensure they remain worthwhile.