The Marvels post-credit scene explained (light spoilers)
This section hints at what happens without spelling out the reveal. During the credits, Monica Rambeau wakes up somewhere she should not be. The people around her have familiar faces but very different lives, and one of them comes straight out of the X-Men corner of Marvel. It is the clearest sign yet in this film that the multiverse is about to bring new heroes into the MCU.
Before the credits roll, there is a second moment worth knowing about. Kamala Khan pays a visit to Kate Bishop with an idea for a new team of young heroes, which fans read as a nod to the Young Avengers. Neither scene is resolved inside the film, so think of them as promises for later titles rather than loose ends.
What to watch before The Marvels
Each lead started in a different place, so the prerequisites come from both movies and Disney Plus:
| Title | Who it introduces | Why it matters here |
|---|
| Captain Marvel | Carol Danvers | Her powers, her Kree past and young Monica |
| WandaVision | Monica Rambeau, grown up | How Monica gained her own abilities |
| Ms. Marvel | Kamala Khan | Her bangle, her family and the final scene that opens this film |
Captain Marvel is the most important, since it explains Carol's history with the Kree and her bond with Monica, who was a child at the time. WandaVision shows the adult Monica, and Ms. Marvel ends with the exact moment that kicks off this story. Skip any of the three and one of the leads will feel like a stranger.
Secret Invasion is a helpful extra. It is not required, but it explains why Nick Fury is working from a space station when the film begins.
Where to watch The Marvels
In the US, The Marvels streams on Disney Plus, and so do all three of the titles above, which makes it easy to watch the full setup in one place. Outside the US, availability varies by country; the watch box on this page lists the services we track for your region.
The Marvels explained: the story without spoilers
Carol Danvers investigates a strange disturbance in space linked to a Kree revolutionary named Dar-Benn. Something goes wrong, and from then on, whenever Carol, Monica or Kamala use their powers, they swap places. Carol might end up in Kamala's bedroom in Jersey City; Kamala might land in the middle of a space battle.
The three have to learn to fight as a unit before they can stop Dar-Benn, and that means facing Carol and Monica's unresolved history. Kamala, a huge Captain Marvel fan, provides most of the comedy, and her family gets some of the best scenes. The swapping turns every fight into a relay race, which gives the action a rhythm you do not see elsewhere in the MCU.
Where it fits and why it matters
In release order The Marvels opened in November 2023 as part of Phase 5. On our timeline it follows Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, another cosmic film, and comes before Echo, a street-level series. Neither is connected to the plot. Our Marvel Phase 5 in order guide shows every title in this stretch.
We rate it recommended rather than essential. The main story wraps up on its own, but the two closing scenes point toward bigger things, and it is a key stop if you follow Monica Rambeau or Kamala Khan. For the full picture of how it connects to the rest of Phases 4 to 6, see our Multiverse Saga in order guide.
Cast and characters
Nia DaCosta directs. Brie Larson returns as Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris plays Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani is Kamala Khan, picking up right where her series left off. Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury, now running the S.A.B.E.R. station. Zawe Ashton plays Dar-Benn, and Gary Lewis appears as Emperor Dro'ge, ruler of a planet that matters to Carol's past. Valkyrie also makes a short appearance.
Runtime and viewing tips
At 105 minutes it is one of the shortest MCU films, which means the setup moves quickly. That is one more reason to arrive with the three earlier titles fresh in your mind. Watching Ms. Marvel's finale the same night works especially well. For a longer run through this phase, the marathon plan builds a schedule around your free evenings.
