credits roll

Meaning

Refers to the moment at the end of a movie or TV show when the list of actors, crew members, and contributors scrolls up or across the screen.

Examples

• Don't leave the theater yet; there's a post-credits scene after the credits roll.

  Don't leave the theater yet; there's a post-credits scene after the credits roll.

• As soon as the credits roll, the house lights in the cinema usually turn back on.

  As soon as the credits roll, the house lights in the cinema usually turn back on.

• We sat in silence listening to the beautiful theme song while the credits roll.

  We sat in silence listening to the beautiful theme song while the credits roll.

• The movie ends abruptly, and the credits roll without any warning.

  The movie ends abruptly, and the credits roll without any warning.

• I always stay until the credits roll to see who played the minor characters.

  I always stay until the credits roll to see who played the minor characters.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We left when the ending letters started.

  ✓ We left when the credits started to roll.

  Native speakers do not refer to the text at the end of a film as 'ending letters'. The correct term is 'credits', and they 'roll'.

• ✗ I waited for the credits roll.

  ✓ I waited for the credits to roll.

  When using the construction 'wait for [something]', you need the infinitive 'to roll' to complete the phrase correctly.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many people leave the theater the moment the ___.

  💡 names of the crew scroll up the screen

  Show answer

  credits roll

• There is an extra scene that plays after the ___.

  💡 final list of contributors scrolls

  Show answer

  credits roll