Living in a Post-Credit World
Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 11:03AM By Spencer Coile
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Elizabeth Debicki as Ayesha in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I work part-time at my local movie theater. Yes, it is as glamorous as it sounds. Working there has been pretty eye-opening, leading me to witness the best and worst of humanity (he said dramatically). Lately, though, as I am cleaning the theaters, I've become privy to an ever increasing trend: the post-credit scene. Between Kong: Skull Island, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (one of them features Elizabeth Debicki's Ayesha, pictured above) to even a fifteen-second long trailer to the third installment of the latest entry into the Grey world after Fifty Shades Darker, audiences have come to expect something once the credits begin to roll...
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was noted for its high energy and humor throughout, but what most people discussed when leaving their packed theater were the five (yes, five) post-credit sequences. They range from silly, to foreshadowing, to completely unnecessary. Yet people stayed until the very end, just to watch another Stan Lee cameo. Some fans instantly began giggling, others sighed loudly before getting up to leave.
More than the film people just watched, it's likely the scene that comes after the credits that people will refer to most. In some ways, this makes audiences excited for the inevitable next film in any series, but at times, I fear it detracts from the film they just watched. If all we can discuss when exiting the theater is what is to come next, what does that say about the film we just watched?
Of course, this often depends on the genre and studio. Today the expectation is that any movie a part of the Marvel or D.C. universe will offer its viewers something after the film is over. That is what makes the omission of a scene after Logan and Wonder Woman all the more surprising (and for some, a relief: the story had already been told!). Not only do flocks of audience members stay through the entire credit sequence, but they sometimes shout at the screen when there is nothing left afterwards. It is simultaneously amusing and baffling.
Post-credit sequences -- Do they help or hurt your overall moviegoing experience?
Reader Comments (18)
I'm not sure if they hurt my movie-going experience, but I find them very irritating and I wish they would go away.
Can everyone agree together to just do them or not do them? I've sat through so many movies waiting for the end credits to roll through and then there being no post credit scene.
It's a modern practice therefore it should be viewed with skepticism.
Theaters should just embrace the phenomenon and let the audience know what films have post-credit scenes. Put up a sign, or keep the lights dim, or something.
Until then, when in doubt, check your smartphone after the lights are on. There are websites that tell you if a movie has anything extra. The effort is shorter than sitting through the credits.
I like all the post credit scenes from guardians of the galaxy vol.2 but the one for pirates of the carribean 5 was unnecessary
It's a modern practice therefore it should be viewed with skepticism.
Post-credit sequences were popularized in the 80s.
The only post-credit sequences I have ever enjoyed is the simple text at the end of a Bond movie: "James Bond will return."
I don't even really like Bond movies all that much, but it always felt satisfying.
It's like encores at concert. They are expected now even if the show is mediocre. If you don't get an encore there is great disappointment, but then there are encores that overstay their welcome.
I guess I've been steering clear of movies with post-credit scenes because I didn't even know that this was becoming a big thing. Quite frankly, it's bad enough that I have to endure a half-hour "pre-show," so I definitely don't want to sit there any longer than I absolutely have to, particularly when I didn't enjoy the movie.
3rtful not to the extent they are now,only one I really remember is MOTU in 87.
Ferris Buller's Day Off and Masters of the Universe are the most famous from the 80s.
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Street Fighter (1994) Post-credit scene removed from US version due to the passing of Raul Julia.
It's cool but lately, it's annoying. I appreciate watching the credits but we all want to go home after a good movie. If it's shit, what's the point of having a post-credit scenes? I'm looking at you Jem & the Holograms.
Well, post-credit scenes were very popular in the 80's: The Muppet Movie, Airplane!, The Howling, Young Sherlock Holmes, Adventures in Babysitting, to name a few.
As someone who sits through the credits of any movie I have some degree of respect for, I find this discussion interesting and slightly bemusing.
(Yes, I am the guy who ushers wish would leave the theatre so they can start cleaning. But I won't. The best parts of the credits (music, locations thanks) are right at the end. And I feel the music is used to gradually ease me back into the real world, and so I don;t want to rush that process (unless the movie was shite, in which case I can't get out of there soon enough.)
PS cinema workers, please feel free to start cleaning all the other rows of seats whilst I am still in the theatre. I don't mind.
I never stick around for them. As far as I'm concerned, the movie is over as soon as the credits roll. I don't need to waste my time on that.
I think they are a fun and lighthearted addition. I don't always sit through the credits so maybe I have missed the bad ones? As mentioned above, the one from Ferris Bueller is a silly classic that increased my enjoyment of the film. I would say the same about the recent Guardians of the Galaxy 2 extra of teenage Groot. I find myself laughing about it weeks later and there wasn't really a place in the movie for it so it was a fun addition.
End credits are part of the movie. I try and stay for them as often as possible. I like that end credit sequences mean people are actually staying throughout the credits. It truly doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Seriously what's wrong with some of you people? You leave before the credits end?! And you call yourself movie lovers! These are the names that made the film possible! Okay so maybe you hated the film then fine but if you liked it why not stick around?
So with that said I'm pro-post credits scene(s). It forces other people to get into the habit of sticking around to the very end.