Why do so many hit movies feel the need to set up a sequel at the very end?

I just got back from watching that new big budget sci-fi movie, and it was pretty good, honestly. The visuals were stunning, and the lead actor totally sold their role. But then, right at the very end, in the last five minutes, they had to go and do it. You know what I’m talking about. The classic post-credits scene where a mysterious character shows up, says a cryptic line, and suddenly the whole story we just watched feels like just a long prologue for the *real* story coming in ‘Movie Part 2’.

It’s happening all the time now, isn’t it? It feels like every major studio release is just a piece of a larger “cinematic universe” puzzle. I remember watching movies in the early 2000s, and even big franchises like the original Spider-Man trilogy or The Lord of the Rings felt like complete stories within each film. Sure, they left you wanting more, but the main conflict of *that* movie was resolved. Now, it’s like the main conflict is just a stepping stone.

Take the Marvel movies, for example. For over a decade, it was the blueprint. You’d sit through the entire credits just to get that one extra scene that teased the next villain or the next team-up. It was exciting at first, but now it feels like a mandatory checklist item. It’s not just superhero films, either. Even a standalone horror movie or a fantasy adventure will often tack on a final shot that screams “This isn’t over!” It makes me wonder, are filmmakers and studios afraid to just… end a story?

I was talking to my friend about this, and he made a good point. He said that from a business perspective, it’s a no-brainer. You’re building in your audience for the next film right from the start. It’s about brand loyalty and guaranteed returns. But as a viewer, doesn’t that cheapen the experience of the film you just paid to see? If the primary goal of Movie A is to make you hyped for Movie B, then what was the point of Movie A’s emotional journey?

And it’s not just the very end. I’ve noticed it in the pacing of a lot of blockbusters now. The middle part of the film sometimes feels like it’s just introducing characters and concepts that won’t pay off until three movies later. It can make the whole thing feel a bit… weightless, like you’re just watching a series of trailers for future content.

What do you all think? Am I just being a grumpy old soul, or is there some truth to this? Are there any recent movies you’ve seen that actually had the guts to tell a truly self-contained, satisfying story without setting up a sequel? I’d love to hear some examples that buck the trend.