1. Heh.. I was just thinking about this the other day when I saw Be Kind Rewind and the lights went on almost immediately after the credits began to roll.

I began staying until the end when I missed some credits perks on a few movies. Now, it's habit, even if there are no extra perks, and even though I like to process films later, at home.

But I do remember showing one friend Requiem for a Dream at a rep theater, and he sat post-credits for about 5 minutes.

Posted at 2:18PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Monika

2. I only bother staying for movies i know have something post-credits. Even then it's a struggle though as all the cinema staff i've encountered like to linger eagerly at the front of the screen (staring at those remaining) as if trying to will them from their seats with sight alone so they can get on with cleaning the place up. Tres annoying.

Posted at 3:38PM on Mar 18th 2008 by RP

3. Depends on two things for me:

If it's the kind of movie that might have something post-credits, then yes I may stay (although not even X3 could keep me, I was gone before the cast).

Second, if the film gets me and my co-watcher talking, then we may just talk through the end credits. I guess that's not technically 'for' the credits, but staying is staying.

Posted at 3:47PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Rufus

4. It does depend on the film for me but also who I'm with, where I'm sitting and how packed the theater is.

Last night I watched U2 3D and the closing credits were ran while the band's final song played. It was a very cool way to do a concert film.

Posted at 3:59PM on Mar 18th 2008 by DAVID F

5. I don't think I ever "watch" the credits as in pay attention, but I will definitely sit there for a minute if I am really moved by the film. This can also happen if it has particularly beautiful closing music that holds you in the moment.

If it doesn't leave an impression on me, I just dash.

As far as looking for names, I gave that up at the dawn of the IMDB. I can know way more about the film once I get back home. I know longer wait to see who that actor was or who was the DP since I try not to pay attention to the opening credits either. If I am interested (and I often am) I check the web.

Posted at 4:16PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Aaron

6. In the theatre I always watch the credits. When watching, for example, AMC, TBS, TNT, SFC..etc it really PISSES ME OFF when they run through the credits in about 20 seconds. The worst is when they squish the credits so they can preview the next "upcoming movie". I don't care who you are, you cannot read the credits. Movies are made by artists and very hard working individuals and I think it's totally insensitive to not make the credits available for the viewer. I just watched the movie, now I want to see the people who made it.. period.

Posted at 4:34PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Liam

7. I tend to get dragged out by my husband ... otherwise, I'd probably stick around for most movies unless, as you say, they stink. And I'll second the dislike for ripping through squeezed credits.

Posted at 4:47PM on Mar 18th 2008 by ML

8. ShhyEAH, of course I watch 'em all! And it isn't always easy, not with husband and children trying to drag me out and theater staff sweeping around my feet. But I paid for a MOVIE, and by gum, I'm going to get my money's worth outa it.

Posted at 4:55PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Maria Stahl

9. My fiancé and I always stay and watch the credits. We usually sit and quietly talk about the film while watching them roll. When we went to see 300 last year, the lights came on as soon as the movie was over, and they actually (accidentally) cut off all of the credits. It felt like, "Okay, movie's over. Now get out." We definitely complained to the manager because it really just seemed very harsh and abrupt.

And on a slightly different note, for some reason the theater we frequent lately has been having issues with the timing of their lights at the beginning of the film. Usually we see a few previews with the lights dimmed, then they go out the rest of the way for the entirety of the movie. Lately, as soon as they go all the way out, they pop all the way back on and then off again maybe 5 seconds later. Talk about a shock for your eyes.

Posted at 5:00PM on Mar 18th 2008 by rivndellelf

10. Liam its all in the contracts when airing the credits on TV, if it is not specified in the contracts the channel can do what they want. Crunching, squeezing, or "squishing" the credit allows the channels to air a 30-second promo (usually 30) along with the credits, thus allowing them to air an extra 30 second spot, which is a lot of money.

Crunching credits will never stop and they channels do not care if you can read it, the only thing they have to do is make sure they are shown...

Posted at 5:15PM on Mar 18th 2008 by mike

11. I stay in case there's a tag on the end, like the "milkshake dance" on the end of Dodgeball. Occasionally, the story doesn't actually end until after the credits, like the sleigh ride at the end of Young Sherlock Holmes.
Also, you get goofy things listed in the thank you section near the end, like "thanks to John Woo for the use of his kitchen knife."
Then there's Kevin Smith listing every single one of his myspace friends, guaranteeing they'll all buy Clerks 2 for bragging rights.
Plus it's always fun to look for really bizarre names among the crew, or grips with really silly nicknames (I don't know why it's always grips, but it is.)

Posted at 5:16PM on Mar 18th 2008 by Karen N.

12. It mostly depends on the movie. Also, what music is playing during the credits. If it was a movie I liked and it has a good soundtrack, I'll sit through the credits just to hear the music.

Two examples right off the top of my head.... The Two Towers "Gollum's theme" and The Devil's Advocate "Paint it Black"

Posted at 10:40PM on Mar 18th 2008 by rekres

13. I too stay through the credits for the sole reason of seeing the music used.

Posted at 1:54AM on Mar 19th 2008 by deathwombat

14. What really bothers me is no opening credits, even some movies don't even put the titles and then you get the first credit being directed by -- which i think is so offensive to the actors and often adds to chatter from the audience -- like who is that actor?, etc.

But an answer to your question, I would say that most people don't watch the end credits and I often feel that the employees want us to leave so they can clean.

Posted at 12:41AM on Mar 19th 2008 by jake

15. Ditto staying for the purposes of listening to the music; usually a medley of a bunch of cues from the film, causing you to relive the experience in a 5 minute version in quick succession to the actual film; it anchors it for me.

Posted at 6:39AM on Mar 19th 2008 by Benjamin

16. I can count on one hand the number of times I did NOT stay for the full credits in the last few years.

When you look at movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, X-Men, etc, that have the little "post script tease", it makes sense, or even when you stay through the credits for Serenity or Eragon and hear some of the best music from the respective title.

And this makes me wonder, what was the first movie with a post-credits tease?

Posted at 8:04AM on Mar 19th 2008 by Mike_NJ

17. I see some complaints about the lights coming up at the start of the credits. I'm a manager at a cinema, and I'll tell you now, if they didnt come up untill the end or mid way through, 90% of the customers would complain that they had to stumble through the dark to get out.

You do have to admit that its a bit of a hazzard not having the lights come up at the start of the credits when a vast majority of people are leaving.

Posted at 4:08AM on Mar 24th 2008 by J Forbes

18. I like to stay for a few reasons:
1) If you like the movie, it's a sign of respect to all the people that worked hard on it.
2) There may be an extra scene at the end of the movie... perhaps one that clears up a plot point or opens up for a sequel (not always a bad thing)
3) It's easier to leave AFTER the mad rush of people as they try to get to their cars. With a little patience, it's a smooth, unencumbered walk to my car.
4) It's my "buffer" back into the real world, the music lets me stay in the world of the movie, while slowly bringing me out of it at the same time.

Posted at 9:04AM on Mar 24th 2008 by Brian

19. Still doesn't explain why this is a uniquely Los Angeles habit.

Posted at 9:09AM on Mar 24th 2008 by MJS

20. ALWAYS.BUT I STAY BECAUSE ONCE IN A WHILE THERE IS AN ADDED SCENE TO THE MOVIE WHICH U DON'T ALWAYS READ ABOUT IN THE NEWSPAPERS. USUALLY, BY WORD OF MOUTH DO U HEAR ABOUT BLOOPERS, AND CONTINOUS SCENES IN THE MOVIE.

Posted at 9:40AM on Mar 24th 2008 by JOSEPH