‘Annabelle: Creation’ Director Urges You to Stay for Post-Credits Scene

In years past, audiences would stand up and walk out as soon as the credits began to roll, but as Annabelle: Creation director David F. Sandberg recently pointed out on Twitter, those who stay for the entirety of the credits will be treated to even more frights.

Interestingly, the director made sure to point out that the sequences in question weren’t his idea, but potentially came from the studio’s directives.

Although adding sequences in the middle of the credits or following the credits isn’t a new concept, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has changed the game over the last few years when it comes to expectations of sequences appearing in the middle of or following the credits.

Following the credits of 2008’s Iron Man, Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, appeared to alert Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., about the concept of the “Avengers Initiative.” Each installment in the super hero franchise since has included post credits sequences that hint at upcoming installments, with other franchises following suit to tease subsequent films.

With horror films, however, there is less of an expectation that any installment in a franchise will ultimately lead to the release of more films, with the events of each film typically wrapping up by the time the film concludes. What helps make Annabelle: Creation stand apart is that it’s the fourth entry into the shared universe of horror films inspired by 2013’s The Conjuring.

James Wan’s original film was one of the most successful horror films of the year, with many elements piquing audience’s interests, including a possessed doll that was only given a few minutes of screen time. That doll spawned its own spin-off, Annabelle, which also proved successful enough to earn a sequel.

The original film also earned a sequel, The Conjuring 2, which was full of compelling supernatural presences, two of which earned sequels. Both The Nun and The Crooked Man originated in The Conjuring 2, both of which will be hitting theaters in the next two years, in addition to The Conjuring 3 being on the way.

Although franchises like Halloween and Friday the 13th earned over ten installments, the exploration of The Conjuring is the first time horror has really embraced the idea of a shared supernatural universe, so whether the Annabelle: Creation mid and post credits sequences will continue the film’s own mythology or hint at crossover opportunities is yet to be seen.

Annabelle: Creation lands in theaters August 11.

Photo Credit: New Line Cinema