Top 10: Closing Credits Worth Sitting Through

Last year we took a look at our favourite opening title sequences in movies, now we’re turning our attention to the other end of the spectrum: the closing credits. The end titles in movies used to be a long list of names which barely anyone would sit through except for maybe David Stratton, but on the odd occasion (particularly in recent years)  these spare five to ten minutes are packed with all manner of montages, easter eggs, or sometimes just scenes that didn’t quite fit anywhere else in the film.

Before we cop all manner of abuse from the Marvel fans out there, let me clarify that the famous stingers that the studio has become known for don’t count for this particular countdown, as we’re looking for content that runs immediately after or in tandem with the actual credits (although full disclosure: one Marvel film still made the list). We’re also not including blooper reels because lets face it, they belong on the DVD.

Now on to the countdown!

10

The Hangover (2009)

We’d waited the whole film to see exactly what the Wolfpack had gotten up to on their wild bucks night out, and all was finally revealed in this hilarious end credit photo slideshow. Its a trick that would be repeated to less memorable effect in the carbon copy sequel two years later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llBoAvU21IE

9

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Whether it be due to audience attention spans or just changing tastes, the tendency in recent years has been to move the cool title sequences in films to the end rather than the beginning. And in the last few years we’ve had some absolute crackers, from Oblivion to Suicide Squad (both of which were arguably superior to the films that preceded them). But the one we keep going back to is the kick ass action montage from the end of Shane Black’s Iron Man 3, which brings to life key moments from Tony Stark’s story across the three films like the pages of a comic book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBKy93OGeOg

8

Blue Valentine (2010)

After a punishing two hours watching the birth and slow death of a long term relationship, this end credit montage is the closest thing Blue Valentine comes to being uplifting. Replaying the euphoric highs and devastating lows of Dean and Cindy’s relationship; played out against the background of literal fireworks, and soundtracked by the moody tones of Grizzly Bear.

7

Michael Clayton (2007)

Probably the most low key entry on our list, this moment in Michael Clayton catches the viewer off guard, as we wait for a fade to black that never happens. Instead; the score swells, the cab drives, and George Clooney delivers some of the most subtle acting of his career, as he reflects on the climactic events that have just occurred.

6

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

“Jai Ho” roughly translate to “My Destiny”, and after the classic love story and celebration of all things India we’ve just witnessed, you might say it was always this film destiny to have a Bollywood style dance sequence at its climax. The perfect ending to this crowd pleaser of a movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU9uRDnbT0M

5

Wall-E (2008)

This sumptuously animated sequence from a sumptuously animated film not only skips forward in time, it does so in a way that honours the characters we’ve just spent two hours falling in love with, and adds to the ending of the movie rather than taking it away from it (looking at you 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake!)

4

The Jungle Book (2016)

For all its merits, the 2016 “modernised” version of The Jungle Book was just a tad light on songs and fun; a fault that these delightful credits more than make up for, as the pages of a book literally spring to life with a reprise of “I Wanna Be Like You”. (Unfortunately there’s a dirth of quality copies online, so we’ve had to make do with the Portuguese version for your viewing pleasure).

3

Super 8 (2011)

After watching the main characters make their own DIY movie over the course of the actual film; it was an added bonus to see their efforts play out in full over the end credits. The whole thing looks and feels like a PG-13 Grindhouse film, with just the right amount of shitiness to make you believe it was made by a bunch of kids.

2

22 Jump Street (2014)

The hilarious 22 Jump Street had us at hello, but this mother of all end credit montages was the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake, directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are able to have theirs and eat too, as they send up the Hollywood franchise machine while safeguarding themselves from future sequel speculation.

1

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

Hilarious and memorable for a number of reasons, the Ferris Bueller end credits continue the story of Edward R. Rooney’s sad journey home, whilst giving us one of the 80s most ridiculous music tracks, which everyone would go on to refer to as the “Chicka Chicka” song (the track is actually called “Oh Yeah” by Yellow).

And just when we think its over, out comes Ferris in a bath robe again to clear off any stragglers in the audience. So iconic has this stinger become, it was homaged to hilarious effect by Ryan Reynolds in last years Deadpool. You might say John Hughes inadvertently paved the way for the post credit stingers we now see tagged on the end of so many big budget films. Just another reason why Ferris Bueller is our hero.

That’s all folks! Any other closing credits you stuck around for? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments section below.

Comments

comments