Wish’s Post-Credits Scene & Disney Surprises Explained

Disney’s animated movie Wish includes a post-credits scene and some Disney surprises through the credits for audiences to see. The 2023 animated movie brings Disney back to its roots with a story about a young girl in a fantasy kingdom brought to life with 2D animation, mixed with 3D animation as well. Wish follows the 17-year-old Asha (Ariana DeBose) as she attempts to become King Magnifico’s apprentice to help her grandfather’s wish be granted. It is only as the story unfolds that Asha learns the truth about Magnifico and his wish-granting powers, propelling Wish‘s ending to its conclusion.

While Wish is a new, original story for Disney not already connected to a franchise, it does hold the potential to launch a new one. Furthermore, it has a major role to play in Disney’s legacy, as it was the animated movie chosen to come out during the studio’s 100-year anniversary, which factors into the story through Asha’s grandfather having his 100th birthday. The potential franchise appeal and connections to Disney’s past and future will understandably leave audiences wondering if they need to sit through the credits as they watch Wish on Disney Plus or in theaters, depending on when the viewing occurs.

Wish Does Have A Post-Credits Scene

It is confirmed that there is a Wish end-credits scene attached to the movie. The scene itself is rather short and sweet, but it is still worth sticking around for. There is no Wish mid-credits scene that plays before this. While that might leave an impression that these credits are unimportant, that is far from the truth. In addition to giving audiences a chance to see the names of everyone who worked on the movie, such as Wish‘s cast, the writers, and the animators, the credits do include some fun surprises for Disney movie fans.

Wish’s Credits Honor Disney’s Animated Movie Legacy

The surprise of Wish‘s credits comes with cameos from many characters from across Disney’s animated movie history. As the credits play, character portraits from across the decades begin to appear through stars. The characters are shown chronologically for every Disney animated movie in release order. Audiences will see familiar characters connected to Disney’s legacy, including Snow White from 1937’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella from 1950’s Cinderella, Ariel from 1989’s The Little Mermaid, Aladdin from 1993’s Aladdin, Pocahontas from 1995’s Pocahontas, and Elsa from 2014’s Frozen.

The decision for Disney to highlight these characters from previous movies comes after many of them were brought together for the Once Upon a Studio short. Released in the lead-up to Wish, the short streaming on Disney Plus features many of the same characters gathering together to take a photo commemorating the studio’s historic animated legacy. Just as Asha from Wish was present for the short, her movie now becomes another opportunity for Disney to remind audiences of the countless iconic characters who have been at the center of or appeared in their animated movies.

Wish’s Post-Credits Scene Explained

The actual Wish post-credits scene that comes after the star-studded Disney Easter eggs once again harkens back to the studio’s legacy. The scene shows Asha’s grandfather Sabino, voiced by Victor Garber, as he looks at the nighttime sky with his guitar. He begins to fiddle with the strings to the point where he starts to play a familiar tune. The first several notes in “When You Wish Upon A Star” come from the guitar as Sabino looks upon the stars. The song was originally created by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington for Pinocchio back in 1940 and went on to become one of Disney’s most iconic songs.

The Wish after-credits scene is not used to directly set up a sequel, as it again becomes an example of Disney highlighting the past. Sabino is Wish‘s representation of Walt Disney Studios in many ways, so his presence is quite fitting. Furthermore, the movie was originally announced as being a movie based around the “When You Wish Upon A Star” song that has since become the signature theme song for Disney. It only makes sense that Wish would then include a piece of the song to wrap up the movie. The movie comes full circle as the same notes that play over the Disney intro wrap up the credits.