All around the world, films are quoted every single day for humor, everyday life situations, and connection to others — and have been for decades. Movies are often enjoyed for their visuals, their casts’ performances, and their storylines, but those aren’t typically the things remembered in the long run. Sure, we may remember if a movie’s storyline was extremely strange or if it featured an intense, gun-slinging action scene, but as time goes on, those aren’t the key points you hear people discussing — it’s the quotes.
Yes, it’s such a simple, but true concept: across the internet, iconic movie quotes are converted into memes, where they are shared with millions of people worldwide. Millions of people who don’t know each other connect through a shared interest in a movie’s quote. In real life, we hear friends, family, and couples reciting hilarious movie quotes as inside jokes or touching quotes as a spirit-lifter in hard times.
Movies are great for all their components, but the quotes stand up to the test of time. When most have forgotten when a movie was made, who starred in it, or what it was even about, all of us have those subconscious, iconic quotes stored away for the perfect moment in time. In case you need to add any witty quotes to your brain storage compartment, let’s dive into the most quotable movies ever made.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
12 Tropic Thunder (2008)
Red Hour Productions
It would be almost impossible to get Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey Jr. in a film together and not have some hilarious quotes to walk away with. In the satire film, Tropic Thunder, our less-than-rugged actors attempt to produce a war film in Vietnam. As always, things take a turn, and they are left with only their acting skills to survive in the middle of a jungle. Some iconic quotes from this film are: “I am playing a role within a role within a role, so I know who I am;” “The universe…is talking to us right now. You just gotta listen;” and “I was wrong! Blow the bridge! Blow the f***ing bridge!” For Tropic Thunder fans, it appears we haven’t seen the last of this group. Word is, a Tropic Thunder spin-off is in the works. Exciting, indeed.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
11 Ghostbusters (1984)
Columbia Pictures
The supernatural comedy, Ghostbusters, built a huge fan base after its release, and continues to be treasured almost 40 years later. The film was so popular, they’ve recently re-made the film, with another sequel in the works (via Deadline). Bill Murray (Dr. Peter Venkman) leads in the quote department for this film, with lines like: “Back off, man. I’m a scientist;” “He slimed me;” “Human sacrifice. Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria;” and “I’m fuzzy on the whole good/bad thing. What do you mean, bad?”
10 Dead Poet’s Society (1989)
Touchstone Pictures
Our departed Robin Williams starred in the memorable, moving film, Dead Poet’s Society, as John Keating, an English teacher who inspires a group of boys to become freethinkers. Although the film’s storyline is beautiful and loved by many, its main attraction is the powerful messages we are left with in the form of quotes, which contributed to this film ranking as one of Robin Williams’ best performances. We all remember the iconic, “Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary,” but the film has some great, lesser known quotes: “You must strive to find your own voice because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are going to find it at all;” “There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for;” and, finally, “But only in their dreams can man be truly free. Twas always thus, and always thus will be.”
9 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)
New Line Cinema
Come on, it’s Lord of the Rings. The films were produced beautifully, and the cast was perfect. Although, some of our beloved characters in the series were almost cast completely differently. Who hasn’t heard “What about second breakfast?” or “Not all those that wander are lost.” One could not possibly list all the fantastic quotes from LOTR, but the most recognized ones are not of just one category. With the films listed previously, the quotes were either touching or comedic, but LOTR has a variety of them. Some of the more noteworthy ones are: “All’s well that ends better;” “The wise speak of only what they know;” “You shall not pass!” and “It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life.”
8 Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Lucasfilm Ltd.
Again, come on. It’s Star Wars. How could it not make the list? Although all Star Wars films host unique quotes and storylines, Revenge of the Sith is by far the most quotable one in the series. This sci-fi gold mine has amassed millions of fans worldwide, even resulting in “May the fourth be with you” being blasted all over the internet, a reference to “May the force be with you” on May 4 every year. This film in particular had fantastic reviews and has seen renewed love thanks to the release of Obi-Wan Kenobi earlier this year. Revenge of the Sith has some great, thought-provoking quotes, such as: “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy;” “You have allowed this Dark Lord to twist your mind until now…until now you have become the very thing you swore to destroy;” and “Only the Sith deals in absolutes.”
7 Step Brothers (2008)
Let’s be honest: most people spent at least a solid month of their life listening to a variety of quotes generated from Step Brothers. Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly make a hilarious duo, and Step Brothers entails a strange, but comedic story line with constant fighting, surprising moments, and perfect quotes to annoy your friends with. Some of the iconic quotes to come of this film are: “Brennan, that is the voice of an angel. I can’t even make eye contact with you right now. Your voice is like a combination of Fergie and Jesus;” “I teabagged your drum set!” and, of course, “It’s the f***ing Catalina Wine Mixer!”
6 Forrest Gump (1994)
Paramount Pictures
“Run Forrest, run”! We all heard it. This is arguably Tom Hanks’ most iconic role of his filming career, with his role of Forrest Gump telling a story of loss, love, and redemption through it’s critically acclaimed writing. There was a discussion of a sequel since the film was so well received, but it was quickly shot down, with one of the opposers being Hanks himself. The popular mid-90s film produced a ton of great quotes, such as: “What’s normal, anyway; “Jenn-ayy;” and “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates.”
5 Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls is fantastic. It’s catty, it’s superficial, it’s drama, and it’s so quotable. The iconic group of popular girls gained popularity back in 2004 upon its launch and hasn’t lost much of its following since then, with memes and top quotes from the film still circulating to this day. You haven’t watched Mean Girls if you haven’t heard: “On Wednesdays, we wear pink;” “That’s so fetch;” “You go, Glen Coco;” or “Don’t have sex, or you’ll get pregnant and die.”
4 Pulp Fiction (1994)
Miramax
John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson team up in the action film Pulp Fiction, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Yes, Travolta, Jackson, and Tarantino in the same sentence. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out. The film was hugely popular, and quotes from this masterpiece could be heard from back in 1994 until this very day. Some famed quotes from this film are: “English, motherfer, do you speak it?” as well as “Zeds dead, baby. Zeds dead;” “Why do we feel it’s necessary to yak about bullst in order to be comfortable;” “It’s unfortunate that what we find pleasing to the touch and pleasing to the eye is seldom the same;” and “This is some serious gourmet s*t.”
3 The Big Lebowski (1998)
Gramercy Pictures
The late-90s crime/comedy, The Big Lebowski, received rave reviews from the very beginning, and remains a cult classic to this day. Of course, any movie filled with comedy, mix-ups, and juvenile criminals is bound to deliver some quality quotes. Famous quotes from the film include: “The Dude abides;” “I’m The Dude. So that’s what you call me. You know, that or, uh, His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you’re not into the whole brevity thing;” and “I can’t be worrying about that s**t. Life goes on, man.”
2 The Godfather (1972)
The nearly three hours long, famed crime/drama film may be 50 years old at this point, but it is still relevant to this very day. The Godfather is held in the highest esteem to most, celebrated for its crime dynasty plot and deeply rooted characters. The film has produced many quotes, such as: “Revenge is a dish best served cold;” “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer;” “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse;” and finally, “Great men are not born great, they grow great.”
1 Fight Club (1999)
20th Century Studios
Like Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski, and Forrest Gump, this esteemed 90s film won the hearts of critics, racking up several awards with its underground fight club storyline. Cornerstoned as one of the best films ever made, Fight Club emerged out of the gate with famed quotes, such as: “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything;” “The things you own end up owning you;” “You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet;” and “First rule of fight club: Do not talk about fight club.”
