Applause after films in the theater

[creekin111]

I don't remember this ever happening until like the late 90s/early 2000s. Do people actually think someone who created the film is actually in attendance? Or do they think they can hear their applause from Burbank Studios? Are they applauding the theater employees? I wouldn't think they would be applauding the price of the tickets or the popcorn/candy.

I never talk through movies but an image can be so striking that it emits a physical reaction like a laugh. I'll whisper out once in a long while, "wow", or "that's crazy" and shit like that. Applause needs a recipient.

[Smiert Spionam]

If a movie is damn good, I'll applaud.

*shrug*

[Prismatic Sphere]

It is always so rare to see a movie so good that it warrants applause.

I applauded after I saw Inglorious Bastards.

The point isn't whether someone can hear it(even though someone possibly could).
It is that the filmmakers have given a finished product to an audience; so however an audience reacts is gravy.

Applause is one's own personal homage to what they just saw.

[SAI]

This must be a US thing. Outside of festival or special screenings with someone related to the film attending I've NEVER heard a film applauded, or applauded a film myself. I kinda fail to see the point if it's just a screen you are applauding. However, I do make a point, if I like a Festival film, of not just applauding but trying to speak to the director (or actor, or whoever else is there) to tell them so personally.

On another note, I wish I'd gone to see Afterschool at the Q and A screening in London, because that film was so fucking terrrible I wish I'd been able to ask the director to explain himself.

[creekin111]

I'm not saying its bad. I just kinda don't get it and at the same time think its funny. I just feel like its like I'm applauding myself for choosing a good film to see. Clap for us for doing our research. Yay. I just can't help to giggle.

[Derek237]

I like it when that happens, and it's a rare occurence because (let's face it) there isn't much worth applauding these days. When I saw Inglorious Basterds the whole theatre applauded...I think it's a good feeling knowing that you're in this big area full of people who all enjoyed the movie and we're all involved in giving a big round of applause to close the enjoyable filmgoing experience we all just shared.

Now, it you're applauding movies alone at home, then you got problems.

[Weapon X]

The midnight screenings I attended for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight both ended in applause. As did the preview screening of District 9. Aside from that, I only occasionally hear applause in a theater if it isn't a packed-house opening weekend.

It's a fun thing to witness, when an audience is so in tune with the film that they applaud. And if the movie's just that damn good as well, all the better.

[echo_bravo]

I have no problem with it ( I see what you are sayin though)

The biggest WTF applause came when the credits rolled for Lady in the Water. Literally, almost everyone in the theater were applauding and saying "damn that was great!"
My friends and I all thought the movie was utter shit and thought it was some elaborate prank by the audience or something.

[john_rambo]

I like applause in the theatre cause it shows they are in to it. It made the TDK midnight showing great cause that was everyones first time and we were all in to it.

[EVILxxx]

Back in the early 90's people seemed to clap all the time. Now, not so much though there was applause after Inglorious Basterds at the show I attended.

[BubbaStrangelove]

I'm not an applauder, but I don't care when it happens as I am usually digging what's on screen as well. I don't even think I've ever joined in, but can't think of why I wouldn't - just don't remember doing it.

It's been happening for ever. I remember applause after the '89 Batman, and get this - House. Yeah, there was applause for House. That was '84, I think. I also recall a review for Gladiator, where a reviewer stated he hadn't heard that amount of applause for hero since seeing Rocky ('76) as a teenager.

What you said though, is funny creekin111 - I could see it used in a stand-up routine. There's a lot of truth to it.

[Natty]

I've been to a couple of movies (LoTR: RoTK and Star Wars Ep.III) where people have applauded and though it is silly seeing as none of the filmmakers are nowhere to be seen I think it's basically a way of a bunch of geeks 'uniting' in a way by saying they loved the movie.

Like Derek said, if you were applauding at home then it would be wierd.

[LordSimen]

I fuckin' love when a movie gets appreciated through applause or the like. It's a very awesome experience to be in a theater when that happens.

[Tyler Durden4]

Well, during screenings of The Big Lebowski, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Karate Kid and stuff like that. There's cheers during certain lines and such, and an applause after.

I think of it as an experience to share with the crowd you just saw it with during a screening like that. Just like 'Midnight Madness: Beer and a Bad Movie" with the drinking games. Everybody yells DRINK when we have to

[Badbird]

It usually only happens in a crowded theater, and it's obviously a sign that everyone enjoyed it. It's part of the experience. It's no different that clapping or laughing during the movie.

I've seen it a few times myself. I think my first time seeing it was Jurassic Park. Sometimes you can feel it's going to happen. I'm okay with it, though I don't join in.


A couple years ago, we played Bottle Shock at my theater, and after damn near every show, people applauded. If you haven't seen that movie, you should check it out. You can easily see why people clap; it's a text-book crowd pleaser.

[EVILxxx]

Originally Posted by BubbaStrangelove

I'm not an applauder, but I don't care when it happens as I am usually digging what's on screen as well. I don't even think I've ever joined in, but can't think of why I wouldn't - just don't remember doing it.

It's been happening for ever. I remember applause after the '89 Batman, and get this - House. Yeah, there was applause for House. That was '84, I think. I also recall a review for Gladiator, where a reviewer stated he hadn't heard that amount of applause for hero since seeing Rocky ('76) as a teenager.

What you said though, is funny creekin111 - I could see it used in a stand-up routine. There's a lot of truth to it.

House Bubba? You're an old man.

[BubbaStrangelove]

Originally Posted by EVILxxx

House Bubba? You're an old man.

Whaddchu say there? There's a mouse in your tub and urine on the can? I don't understand what that means. Damn this newfangled Internet jargon -- even worse than when ham radio caught on!

[john_rambo]

Originally Posted by BubbaStrangelove

Whaddchu say there? There's a mouse in your tub and urine on the can? I don't understand what that means. Damn this newfangled Internet jargon -- even worse than when ham radio caught on!

Kids these days with their ipods and cell phones and indoor plumbing... don't know the value of a dollar these days, I'll tell you!

[Tagia_Romero]

If I find a movie that really speaks to me, I will applaud it. Not wildly, but a few appreciative claps is more my style. I loved what I saw, so I am giving my endorsement, not matter how small it may be.

[MightyCelestial]

Sometimes, I fart in the theatre.
Though, that usually has more to do with eating an entire box of Sno-Caps (to any "foreigners out there, they're these semi-sweet chocolate nonpareils that are the bane of my yo-yo dieting habits) than it is about any kind of measure of enjoyment or non-enjoyment that I may have recieved from watching the film.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally Posted by BubbaStrangelove

It's been happening for ever. I remember applause after the '89 Batman, and get this - House. Yeah, there was applause for House. That was '84, I think.

Bwahahahaha.

This is definitely an American thang.

[Hey Man]

How about the Rocky movies - where people in the audience act like they are attending a live boxing match and cheer or wince depending on how good or how bad Rocky is doing in the ring. I wonder if Rocky did better because of the inspirational cheers.

[Heisenberg]

NEVER happens in the UK. It's very pointless.

I'm not denying it would be a cool thing to witness, but it is pointless.

[CyclicNightmare]

I love when this happens. And you never know who might be in the audience. A lot of people work on movies.

[bigred760]

I've applauded after watching a movie and the credits rolled. If it was an enjoyable movie, and I had a great time watching it, I'll acknowledge by applauding. I know that whoever made it isn't there, it's just what I do.

[JimmmyChopblock]

Are you seriously crying because people applaud once in a while at a theater after seeing a great film? Out of all the bullshit that happens in movie theaters - THIS is what pisses you off?

Jesus Christ I wish my local theaters had so little to complain about that that was my only worry when going to the theater.

[APzombie]

I do it a lot for films i love, not for the filmmakers per say, but to see if everyone in the audience liked it as much as i do by hearing others join me or simply shrug it off and leave.

[Canto]

I always think its kind of awkward when people applaud because usually its just a few of them, but I think the last time everyone was applauding and I actually joined in was after the first time I saw the new Star Trek. That movie is awesome.

[Bourne101]

I don't see the problem. It doesn't happen often, so when it does happen it shows that the audience truly appreciated and liked the movie. People applauded Inglourious Basterds at the showing I was at opening night and it was just great to know that everyone loved it and appreciated it.

[Servo]

People in the UK think it's pointless for an audience to applaud a film when none of the filmmakers/crew/etc. aren't present.

So do you guys just kinda sit quietly in your pubs when your favorite football/rugby team is kicking your rivals' ass?

Because, y'know, none of the players are there......

[Badbird]

Originally Posted by Servo

People in the UK think it's pointless for an audience to applaud a film when none of the filmmakers/crew/etc. aren't present.

So do you guys just kinda sit quietly in your pubs when your favorite football/rugby team is kicking your rivals' ass?

Because, y'know, none of the players are there......

Oh snap!

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally Posted by Servo

People in the UK think it's pointless for an audience to applaud a film when none of the filmmakers/crew/etc. aren't present.

So do you guys just kinda sit quietly in your pubs when your favorite football/rugby team is kicking your rivals' ass?

Because, y'know, none of the players are there......

Originally Posted by Badbird

Oh snap!

This comparison doesn't work at all.

First off, sport is usually LIVE so there is a feeling of being caught up 'in the moment' and the shouting/jeering and general camaraderie is mainly for the benefit of the armchair spectators, NOT the participants.

If the entire pub were to watch the match in silence - bar a boo/cheer or two - and then stand up and applaud when the programme credits start rolling then you might have a point.

Your analogy would make some sense if it were being compared to say, people getting vocal during a lengthy fight sequence or battle in a movie...I'm not sure about America, but we don't generally make a fuss of them either.

[Servo]

Originally Posted by BadCoverVersion

there is a feeling of being caught up 'in the moment' and the shouting/jeering and general camaraderie is mainly for the benefit of the armchair spectators, NOT the participants.

That's what I'm trying to say. I feel that's why people applaud/boo/etc. during a film in the States, not to pretend they're commending the filmmakers but as an expression of being caught up in the moment. I'm not just talking about a few "ooh's" and "ahh's" then standup applauds. That happens, but a variety of other things happen.

I remember seeing Blade in theaters and as soon as Snipes decapitated Quinn and caught his sunglasses my theater suddenly turned into a mad house (c'mon, can you blame them?). Or when Yoda suddenly pulled out a lightsaber and dueled Dooku. Same reaction. After all the excitement produced by the film, the credits roll, and the movie-goers feel the need to stand and applaud.

I just see it as the same thing you're describing. It's an expression, not a formality.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally Posted by Servo

That's what I'm trying to say. I feel that's why people applaud/boo/etc. during a film in the States, not to pretend they're commending the filmmakers but as an expression of being caught up in the moment. I'm not just talking about a few "ooh's" and "ahh's" then standup applauds. That happens, but a variety of other things happen.

I remember seeing Blade in theaters and as soon as Snipes decapitated Quinn and caught his sunglasses my theater suddenly turned into a mad house (c'mon, can you blame them?). Or when Yoda suddenly pulled out a lightsaber and dueled Dooku. Same reaction. After all the excitement produced by the film, the credits roll, and the movie-goers feel the need to stand and applaud.

I just see it as the same thing you're describing. It's an expression, not a formality.

I'm not trying to be a sniffy bitch here but that sort of the behaviour isn't the norm in the UK, so I find it all a bit strange. You rarely hear booing and jeering from an audience outside of a kids movie.

Sport is an entirely different kettle of fish. It usually involves groups of men and gallons of ale...and any audience participation is generally for the benefit of pissing the opposing supporters off!

[BakeTheMooCow]

I applaud sometimes when it's a great movie. Don't really care to deconstruct gestures and behavior like Jerry Seinfeld. Like every little thing people do is logical and serves a purpose.

[Servo]

Originally Posted by BakeTheMooCow

I applaud sometimes when it's a great movie. Don't really care to deconstruct gestures and behavior like Jerry Seinfeld. Like every little thing people do is logical and serves a purpose.

Well EXCUUUUSE me for wanting a little socio-anthropological showdown!

[Jig Saw 123]

The only time I don't like applause after a movie is over is when the movie sucks aka Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, but when I saw Revenge of the Sith (acting sucked) and The Dark Knight I applauded at the end due to the pure excitement I had before seeing the film.

[Powerslave]

I agree that it's an awkward and pointless thing to do, and I personally never join in aside from a few half-hearted claps, but at the same time I don't think it's about whether or not there's a solid, logical point to it.

All it is is people announcing their appreciation, except instead of yelling it out loud (that'd be alot weirder than applauding), they clap, because clapping is an accepted way for an audience to express appreciation. Again, I never do it, and I can understand the confusion, but I can also understand the act and have no problem with it happening after a movie, especially if it's a good movie.

I also agree with whoever said this would make a great stand up routine.

[Strider]

Originally Posted by LordSimen

I fuckin' love when a movie gets appreciated through applause or the like. It's a very awesome experience to be in a theater when that happens.

So do I. When that happens, it enhances the overall cinematic experience, it makes the experience all the more memorable. The Dark Knight is a good example of this. I saw TDK 6 times in the theater, each time in a sold-out theater, and each audience roared with applause once the credits started rolling. The sheer exuberance and energy of these kinds of audiences is an amazing post-screening occurrence for both the eyes and ears. Simply put, as you said, it's very awesome indeed.

Strider

[creekin111]

Originally Posted by JimmmyChopblock

Are you seriously crying because people applaud once in a while at a theater after seeing a great film? Out of all the bullshit that happens in movie theaters - THIS is what pisses you off?

Jesus Christ I wish my local theaters had so little to complain about that that was my only worry when going to the theater.

"I can't help to giggle." Someone seems angry. I don't blame you, theater patrons usually suck. Always spilling their sodas and nobody cleans it up. This one time the floor in the theater was so sticky I had to leave my sneakers there.

Thank you, I'm here until Tue. try the veal. *snaps fingers, winks and points to the crowd.