The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released in July 2025, delivers two distinct credit scenes that hint at future Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) developments while also offering a lighthearted tribute to the franchise’s legacy (source).
Mid‑Credits Scene (the key teaser)
Set four years after the climactic showdown with Galactus, the scene finds Sue Storm reading to her young son Franklin in their Baxter Building home. As she steps away to fetch another book, she returns to discover a green‑cloaked figure kneeling beside Franklin, who holds a silver mask—the trademark of Doctor Doom. Sue immediately tenses, readying her powers, as ominous music builds (source). Although Doom’s face remains unseen, reports confirm it’s Robert Downey Jr. in the role, marking his MCU debut in a teaser for Avengers: Doomsday (2026) (source).
The text on screen declares: “The Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.” This strongly suggests Doom’s interest in Franklin’s reality‑altering abilities and sets up a potentially central multiverse conflict (source).
Final Post‑Credits Stinger (nostalgic tribute)
After the credits finish rolling, viewers are treated to a retro‑styled animated sequence styled after the original 1960s Fantastic Four cartoon. We see the team battling classic villains such as Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Dragon Man, while H.E.R.B.I.E. eventually switches off the TV (source). Amid nostalgic visuals and the iconic battle cry “It’s clobberin’ time!”, the sequence concludes with a poignant quote attributed to Jack Kirby: “If you look at my characters, you will find me…”—a callback to the franchise’s comic roots (source).
In Essence:
The mid‑credits moment formally introduces Doom into the MCU and positions Franklin Richards as a major cosmic figure. Already established in the film as possessing immense power—reviving his mother Sue with the Power Cosmic—Franklin becomes a target for Doom’s ambitions (source). Meanwhile, the final animated stinger delivers an affectionate nod to long‑time fans without advancing the plot (source).
Together, these scenes bridge First Steps with the broader Multiverse Saga, setting up Avengers: Doomsday and possibly Secret Wars, while celebrating Marvel’s legacy. They balance narrative weight with playful homage—and underscore Marvel’s layered storytelling approach.