post-credits scene

Meaning

A short clip or scene that appears after the closing credits of a movie have finished playing. It is often used to tease a sequel, resolve a minor plot point, or deliver a final joke to the audience.

Examples

• Don't leave the theater yet; there's a really important post-credits scene!

  Don't leave the theater yet; there's a really important post-credits scene!

• I sat through ten minutes of names just to watch a five-second post-credits scene.

  I sat through ten minutes of names just to watch a five-second post-credits scene.

• The post-credits scene set up the villain for the next movie perfectly.

  The post-credits scene set up the villain for the next movie perfectly.

• Some movies have a mid-credits scene as well as a post-credits scene.

  Some movies have a mid-credits scene as well as a post-credits scene.

• I missed the post-credits scene because I had to rush to the restroom.

  I missed the post-credits scene because I had to rush to the restroom.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Did you watch the after-credits scene?

  ✓ Did you watch the post-credits scene?

  While 'after-credits' is sometimes understood, 'post-credits scene' is the standard industry and fan term.

• ✗ We waited for the post-credit scene.

  ✓ We waited for the post-credits scene.

  Use the plural 'credits' because a movie has many credits, not just one.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Everyone stayed in their seats because they knew there would be a ___.

  💡 A scene shown after all the names roll

  Show answer

  post-credits scene

• The ___ revealed that the main character was actually still alive.

  💡 The very final clip at the end of the credits

  Show answer

  post-credits scene