Superman post-credits scene explained: Is a new Supergirl ready to take flight?

With superhero fatigue running high in recent years, it’s been tough for both caped and non-caped heroes to stand out. But James Gunn’s Superman seems to have broken through the noise with a spectacular debut, possibly kicking open the door to a bold, new DC cinematic universe.

Spoiler alert: If you haven’t caught Superman yet, now’s your last chance to bail before we dive into how this film ends.

The story drops us into a world where Superman (David Corenswet) has been playing hero for about three years, juggling the roles of Metropolis’s ultimate superhero and Daily Planet’s Clark Kent. And yes, the villain du jour is none other than Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), who’s hell-bent on turning the world upside down, standard Superman fare, but with a fresh twist.

This movie has been said to be a DC fan’s delight, packing in a roster of superheroes and villains: Green Lantern’s Guy Gardner, Hawk Girl, Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, and even a cheeky cameo from Peacemaker trash-talking Superman on a talk show. Plus, they dust off some retro Superman tech, hello, robots straight from the comics of the ’50s and ’60s.

But the real surprise: The surprise guest star who crashes the party in the final moments...

Just when you think the dust has settled and Lex is down for the count, Supergirl bursts into the Fortress of Solitude. Played by Milly Alcock, Kara is not your typical Kryptonian, she’s a girl who knows how to party across the galaxies. Basically, she’s the life of the cosmic party. And then there’s Krypto, wait, hold up, that’s not Superman’s dog? Plot twist! Clark’s been dogsitting for Kara while she’s off living her best life. Suddenly, Krypto’s wild energy totally makes sense when you realize who’s boss.

The scene’s short but sweet, with Kara jetting off to wherever space parties call her next, while Clark lounges back, soaking up some solar rays and recharging his superpowers. Classic.

The post-credit scenes

Oh, they’re there, but don’t expect universe-shaking reveals. Instead, you get two relaxed moments: first, Superman and Krypto sharing some cosmic cuddle time in space (because, yes, Krypto is a very good boy). Then, after the credits roll, Superman teams up with Mister Terrific to patch up Metropolis, although when Superman points out a crack, Terrific just bails. Smooth.

In short: Superman seems to have a fresh, fun take on the iconic hero, tossing in a wild cast of characters and teasing bigger, crazier adventures ahead. And with Supergirl crashing the scene, DC’s new universe is ready to party, literally.