16 Films Where the Credits Sequence Is Essential Viewing

Most movies end when the screen goes dark, but some directors use the closing credits to add a little extra. These end sequences can tie up loose ends in the story or give the audience one last chuckle for sticking around. Funny mistakes and short scenes after the story ends are now common ways to keep people entertained while they see the names of everyone who worked on the film. Here are a few movies that show just how important a creative ending can be to the whole movie experience.

‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ (1986)

I absolutely love the ending of this movie! After everything wraps up, Matthew Broderick’s character actually steps out of the film – literally! He breaks the fourth wall, addresses us directly, and casually tells us the movie’s over and we should head home. It’s such a clever and funny moment, and it’s become iconic – everyone seems to parody it! But for those who stick around, it’s the perfect little reward, a final laugh that just fits his character’s playfully arrogant personality.

‘Toy Story 2’ (1999)

Pixar cleverly entertained viewers by creating funny animated bloopers that appear during the end credits, as the names of the cast and crew roll by. These scenes show characters making mistakes and props failing, just like in real-life movies. Jokes like the Stinky Pete box gag and the playful interactions between Buzz Lightyear and the Little Green Aliens add even more humor. These bloopers became a popular way for early computer-animated films to make their characters feel more relatable and human.

‘Iron Man’ (2008)

As a movie buff, I always get chills remembering that post-credits scene in the first Iron Man. Seeing Samuel L. Jackson show up as Nick Fury, just casually hanging out in Tony Stark’s house, was a total game-changer. He was there to talk about this ‘Avenger Initiative,’ and honestly, that one little scene basically promised everything the MCU would become. For me, and a lot of fans, that’s when the Marvel Cinematic Universe truly started – the idea of all these characters sharing one big, connected world. It set the stage for a decade of blockbuster dominance, and it all started with that awesome cameo.

‘The Hangover’ (2009)

The long-standing mystery of what happened on that forgotten night is now revealed through photos discovered on a lost camera. The images show the characters getting into more and more wild and chaotic situations, explaining all the injuries and exhaustion we see in the movie. We see everything from stolen police cars to impromptu weddings and other crazy antics. It’s a funny and satisfying conclusion that finally answers the questions left unanswered during the main story.

‘Wall-E’ (2008)

Watching the end credits of this movie was incredible! It showed how humanity and art came back to life as the Axiom passengers started rebuilding Earth. It was like a visual history lesson, going from the earliest cave paintings all the way through different art styles – Egyptian, Impressionism, even 8-bit video games! It really drove home how successful their mission was and how culture was reborn. And Peter Gabriel singing ‘Down to Earth’ just perfectly captured that hopeful, feel-good ending to this amazing robot love story.

’22 Jump Street’ (2014)

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller playfully poked fun at the trend of never-ending movie sequels with a fast-paced series of made-up future installments. The montage features Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in silly situations – from cooking school to medical training and even studying on a ship – alongside appearances from famous faces. The sequence uses increasingly outlandish movie posters to playfully criticize Hollywood’s dependence on existing ideas. It’s both a clever commentary on sequels and a source of constant laughs.

‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017)

Honestly, the final scene of the movie just wrecked me. Timothée Chalamet is left completely alone, sitting by a fireplace, and you’re just watching his face as the credits roll. He’s clearly heartbroken, and the camera doesn’t cut away – it stays right on him as he tries to deal with everything. Sufjan Stevens’ song is playing, and you can see his feelings change, from being totally sad to just… accepting it, all while you can hear his family getting ready for dinner. It’s such a raw, beautiful, and incredibly sad way to end the film. It really stuck with me.

‘Police Story’ (1985)

Jackie Chan became famous for including bloopers of his dangerous stunts at the end of his movies. These clips showed viewers the real injuries – broken bones and burns – that actors suffered while performing incredible leaps and fights without using safety precautions. This practice highlighted the actors’ commitment and the realistic, hard-hitting action that defined Hong Kong cinema at the time.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’ (2008)

I was absolutely blown away by the dance number! The whole cast just burst into this incredible Bollywood routine to ‘Jai Ho’ right there at a train station. It was such a shift from the more serious tone of the movie, but it totally worked because it showed how happy everyone was to be reunited. It felt like a real tribute to classic Indian musicals, and honestly, it was just pure joy to watch. Everyone was talking about the choreography and the energy – it’s no surprise the song became a massive hit worldwide! It was a perfect moment of release and celebration.

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Okay, so the post-credits scene? Pure genius. Ryan Reynolds, in a bathrobe no less, brilliantly recreates that iconic moment from ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and basically calls us out for expecting a sequel teaser. It’s hilarious! He even throws in a joke about the studio’s budget – apparently, they couldn’t afford any big cameos. Finally, we get a tiny little breadcrumb about Cable, but the real magic is how perfectly this scene fits the movie’s overall vibe. It’s incredibly self-aware, poking fun at the whole superhero tradition of setting up future films, and it does it with a really clever, meta sense of humor. It’s not just a scene; it’s a commentary, and a funny one at that.

‘Super 8’ (2011)

The kids’ homemade zombie movie, “The Case,” plays all the way through during the end credits. Despite being made on a small budget, the film is charming and shows off their creativity. It wraps up the story about their love for filmmaking and ties into the bigger picture of the movie. Seeing their finished film is a sweet nod to J.J. Abrams’ love of classic movies.

‘A Bug’s Life’ (1998)

The animated bugs in the film intentionally make mistakes and perform silly physical comedy, as if they were human actors on set. For example, Hopper the grasshopper briefly steps out of character to grumble about his job, and other bugs sometimes bump into the camera. These humorous outtakes were a signature element of early Pixar movies, helping to define their unique personality. Including these moments makes even the villain more relatable and leaves viewers with a cheerful feeling.

‘Airplane!’ (1980)

The filmmakers packed the end credits with funny jokes and silly job titles to keep viewers laughing. A taxi passenger from the beginning of the movie is still waiting in the car as the credits roll, and he eventually threatens to leave if the driver doesn’t hurry up. This dedication to humor means there’s a joke to be found in every single minute of the film.

‘Pearl’ (2022)

Mia Goth delivers a chilling performance, staring intently at the camera with a forced, unsettling smile that she holds for several long, uncomfortable minutes. As the scene continues, her smile begins to crack, her face twitching with effort as tears build in her eyes, revealing the character’s inner turmoil. Text appears on screen alongside this disturbing image, demanding the audience confront the protagonist’s fragile mental state. It’s a grueling experience, both for Goth to perform and for viewers to watch, and it powerfully heightens the film’s horror.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ (2017)

James Gunn added five extra scenes during and after the credits. These scenes both hint at what might happen in future movies and provide some final laughs. We see the original Ravagers team back together, and we learn about the creation of a powerful new artificial being named Adam. There’s also a funny scene of Groot acting like a typical teenager, with Peter Quill trying his best to be a parent. These short additions broaden the scope of the universe and keep the movie’s lighthearted tone going.

‘The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!’ (1988)

The end credits are filled with running gags, most notably the copyright date which suggests the film was made either long ago or hasn’t been made yet. Funny, nonsensical messages and casual conversations pop up alongside the crew’s names. A well-known line even cheekily asks viewers if they’ve left the theater, reminding them the movie is finished. This constant stream of jokes keeps the humor going even after the film ends and the lights come on.

Tell us which movie credits sequence you think deserves a spot on this list in the comments.

2025-11-30 17:46