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The 5 Most Shocking Superman Movie End Credits Scenes (and What James Gunn’s 2025 Stinger Really Means)

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The tradition of the post-credits scene has become a foundational element of the superhero genre, yet Superman’s cinematic history with the stinger is surprisingly complex and, at times, controversial. As of today, December 13, 2025, the latest entry, James Gunn’s highly-anticipated *Superman*, has finally hit theaters, and fans are buzzing about not one, but two end-credits sequences that redefine the purpose of the superhero stinger. Unlike the massive universe-building teases of the past, Gunn’s approach is a bold, character-first statement that sets the tone for the entire new DCU, moving away from the old DCEU's focus on immediate sequels.

This deep dive breaks down the five most significant end-credits moments in modern Superman cinema, focusing heavily on the two new scenes from the 2025 blockbuster. We’ll analyze the hidden comic book references, the future of characters like Mister Terrific, and why director James Gunn chose a quiet, reflective moment with Krypto the Superdog over a massive villain reveal. Prepare to have the biggest questions about the DC Universe’s future answered.

The New Era: Breaking Down the Two End Credits Scenes in Superman (2025)

James Gunn, the architect of the new DC Universe, made it clear he would use post-credits scenes differently than his time at Marvel, rejecting the notion that they must only serve as a "trailer" for the next film. The two sequences found after the main story of *Superman* (2025) starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, are a direct reflection of this philosophy, focusing on character and thematic resolution rather than simply setting up the next big event.

1. Mid-Credits Scene: Superman and Krypto’s Quiet Moment on the Moon

The first scene, appearing mid-way through the credits, is a surprisingly intimate and silent moment that has sparked immense discussion among fans. It features Clark Kent, in his full Superman suit, sitting on the surface of the Moon with his loyal companion, Krypto the Superdog. They are simply resting, looking down at the Earth—a moment of peace after the film’s climactic battle against the forces of Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).

  • The All-Star Superman Connection: This visual is a direct and powerful homage to Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's seminal comic series, *All-Star Superman*. Specifically, it echoes the famous sequence in issue #6 where Superman takes a moment of quiet reflection, reinforcing the idea of him as a lonely god watching over humanity.
  • Thematic Significance: Gunn uses this scene to solidify the central theme of his film: the emotional core of Superman. It’s not about who he’ll fight next, but about his connection to Earth and the pure, unconditional love he shares with Krypto. This scene is a deliberate, heartwarming "punch to the face" that prioritizes character depth over plot setup.
  • Entity Spotlight (Krypto): The inclusion of Krypto the Superdog, a long-time fan-favorite, is a clear signal that the DCU is embracing the lighter, more hopeful side of the Superman mythology, a stark contrast to the darker tone of the previous DCEU.

2. Post-Credits Scene: Mister Terrific and the Rejoined Skyscraper

The true post-credits stinger, appearing after all the names have rolled, provides a subtle but significant tease for the DCU’s larger world-building, while still maintaining Gunn’s character-first approach. The scene features Superman and Edi Gathegi’s Michael Holt, better known as Mister Terrific, standing on a rooftop in Metropolis.

  • Mister Terrific's Role: The two heroes are surveying a massive skyscraper that was torn in half during the main conflict (caused by a dimension tear), but which has now been miraculously rejoined. Mister Terrific, a brilliant inventor and technological genius, is shown working on a device, implying he is the one responsible for the structural repair or is studying the dimensional anomaly left behind.
  • Setting Up The Authority: Mister Terrific is a key member of the superhero team The Authority in the comics, a group known for their more proactive, morally gray approach to world security. His inclusion alongside Superman suggests that the DCU’s future will involve the formation of teams and the introduction of other heroes like Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) and Guy Gardner/Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), who were also introduced in the film. This scene is the first official hint at the broader "Gods and Monsters" slate of the DCU.
  • Thematic Significance: The rejoined skyscraper is a powerful metaphor for the film's ending—rebuilding, repairing, and healing the damage done to Metropolis and, by extension, the DC cinematic universe itself.

The Most Important End-Credits Scenes in Previous Superman-Related Films

While the new *Superman* film sets a fresh precedent, the end-credits tradition in DC films has a history of major, universe-altering teases that set up grand, often unrealized, sequel plans.

3. Justice League (2017 Theatrical Cut): Lex Luthor and Deathstroke

For years, this was the most talked-about Superman-adjacent post-credits scene, serving as a direct sequel setup for the canceled *Justice League 2* and Ben Affleck’s standalone *Batman* movie. The mid-credits scene featured a race between Superman and The Flash, but the true stinger was the one that followed.

  • The Villain Team-Up: The final scene shows Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor, having escaped from Arkham Asylum, meeting with the mercenary Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke (Joe Manganiello), on a yacht.
  • The Injustice League Tease: Luthor, now bald and fully embracing his villainous persona, proposes the formation of a "league of their own." This was an explicit setup for a Legion of Doom or Injustice League, a major super-villain team-up that would have challenged the Justice League in a future film.
  • The DCU Divide: This scene is now a relic of the old DCEU, a cinematic universe that was ultimately rebooted by James Gunn and Peter Safran. The promise of Lex Luthor’s villain team-up was never fulfilled, making the scene a poignant reminder of the franchise's turbulent past.

4. Justice League (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, 2021): Martian Manhunter

While technically a re-cut and not a theatrical release, the *Snyder Cut* offered a completely different set of end-credits sequences that were pivotal to the director’s vision for the future, including a major character reveal that had been teased for years.

  • The Joker and Knightmare Scene: This sequence, set in the post-apocalyptic "Knightmare" future, featured a tense confrontation between Batman and Jared Leto’s Joker, a scene that was entirely new for the cut.
  • The Martian Manhunter Reveal: The final, true post-credits scene shows General Calvin Swanwick (Harry Lennix) transforming into the alien hero Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz) while visiting Bruce Wayne. This was a long-awaited reveal, setting up the Martian Manhunter as a key future ally for the Justice League and a major player in the fight against Darkseid.

5. Man of Steel (2013): The Shocking Omission

Perhaps the most shocking "end-credits scene" in Superman history is the complete and deliberate absence of one in the 2013 film, *Man of Steel*. At the height of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s success, which had made the stinger a mandatory element, *Man of Steel* chose to simply roll the credits.

  • A Creative Choice: Director Zack Snyder and producer Christopher Nolan consciously chose to omit a post-credits sequence, believing the film should stand on its own as a complete story. This decision was a bold rejection of the emerging superhero movie formula.
  • The Setup Was the Ending: Instead of a stinger, the setup for the sequel, *Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice*, was integrated into the final moments of the main film. The destruction of Metropolis and the collateral damage from Superman's fight with General Zod were the narrative seeds planted for the next chapter, specifically setting up Bruce Wayne's fear of the alien hero.
  • The Legacy: The lack of a scene in *Man of Steel* is a historical footnote in the evolution of the superhero genre, highlighting the shift in storytelling that would fully embrace the stinger only a few years later.

The Future of the DCU: What the New Stingers Promise

The two post-credits scenes in *Superman* (2025) are not just fun Easter eggs; they are a mission statement from James Gunn. By prioritizing a quiet, emotional beat with Krypto and a subtle introduction of a key team member like Mister Terrific, the DCU is signaling a move toward character-driven narratives and organic world-building.

The focus is no longer on a frantic race to a massive crossover event, but on establishing a genuine, hopeful foundation for the DC Universe. The introduction of entities like Green Lantern Guy Gardner, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific suggests that The Authority is on the horizon, but their arrival will be earned, not forced. The end credits of *Superman* are a promise: the DCU will be different, it will be emotional, and it will be built on the strength of its heroes' hearts, not just their powers.

The 5 Most Shocking Superman Movie End Credits Scenes (and What James Gunn’s 2025 Stinger Really Means)
superman movie end credits
superman movie end credits

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