‘Avatar’ Fans Appreciate The Sequel’s Lack Of A Post-Credits Scene (And Not Just Because It’s A Long Movie)

Let’s get this out of the way now: there is no post-credits scene for Avatar: The Way of Water — and that’s one of the reasons why it’s so good.

There’s an expectation that every blockbuster must have a “bonus” scene either during or after the credits, which can be fun when it’s Bruce Campbell doing Bruce Campbell things. But often times, it feels like a commercial for a movie that hasn’t been made yet. As Brady Langmann wrote for Esquire, “We’re at the point where superhero movies are telling us that the next sequel or spinoff is more important than the film you’re watching the trailer for.” Avatar: The Way of Water does set up the next installment in the franchise (and the ones after that, hopefully), but it also feels like a complete film.

The lack of a post-credit scene is not going unnoticed (or unappreciated), either:

— Francesco | Avatar: The Way Of Water (@francescoteofi) December 14, 2022

Seeing all the "Does Avatar 2 have a post-credits scene!" clickbait articles, remembering how that wasn't even a thing yet when Avatar 1 came out, and staring into the void thinking about the death of cinema.

— Jonathan Lack (@JonathanLack) December 16, 2022

The post credits scene for Avatar 2 is actually just Avatar 3 #spoiler

— nute (@derpherde) December 16, 2022

Seeing Avatar 2 tomorrow, but I'm gonna assume it doesn't have a post-credits scene, because whatever else you can say about him, James Cameron at least still aspires to make actual movies, not 2-hour commercials for bad TV shows on Disney+.

— Jonathan Lack (@JonathanLack) December 16, 2022

James Cameron is being merciful. https://t.co/zVNbzB1OBU

— Eli Sanza (@ejunkie2014) December 16, 2022

MCU fans: https://t.co/QLdYByAXv8 pic.twitter.com/yNJVhYzN1A