Many of the common phrases and expressions come from classic (or not so classic movies). Some have become so famous over the years that it seems difficult to believe that there was actually a time when nobody knew that actual line.
But it’s true! And today we’re going to check out some of these amazing quotes: 50 amazing one liners that everybody should know.
Let’s jump right into it!
Note: I actually decided to add 10 bonus one liners, because 50 seems such a restrictive number once you get it started.
Bonus 1: You talkin’ to me? – Taxi Driver
Bonus 2: I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. – The Godfather
Bonus 3: There’s no place like home. – The Wizard of OZ
Bonus 4: Show me the money! – Jerry Maguire
Bonus 5: What, like it’s hard? – Legally Blonde
Bonus 6: Get in loser, we’re going shopping – Mean Girls
Bonus 7: Just keep swimming – Finding Nemo
Bonus 8: Nobody Puts Baby on a Corner – Dirty Dancing
50. They call it a Royale with cheese. – Pulp Fiction
49. Elementary, my dear Watson – Sherlock Holmes
48. Wax on, wax off – Karate Kid
47. You can’t respect someone who kisses your ass. – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
46. I’m not bad, I’m just drawn that way. – Who Framed Roger Rabbit
45. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. – It’s a Wonderful Life
44. Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me, aren’t you? – The Graduate
43. You make me want to be a better man. – As Good As It Gets
42. Nobody’s perfect. – Some Like it Hot
41. Either get busy living, or get busy dying – The Shawshank Redemption
40. There’s only two men I trust: one of ’em’s me, the other one’s not you. – Con Air
39. Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine. – Casablanca
38. The Dude abides. – The Big Lebowski
37. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship – Casablanca
36. I feel the need . . . the need for speed! – Top Gun
35. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist. – The Usual Suspects
34. They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom! – Braveheart
33. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. – Gone with the Wind
32. We all go a little mad sometimes – Psycho
31. I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you. – Taken
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30. Go ahead, make my day! – Dirty Harry
29. You ought to get out of those wet clothes and into a dry martini – Every Day’s A Holiday
28. Live long and prosper – Star Trek
27. Why So Serious? – The Dark Knight
26. My precioussss – Lord of the Rings
25. I’m having an old friend for dinner. – The Silence of the Lambs
24. Mama says, ‘Stupid is as stupid does.’ – Forrest Gump
23. Shaken, not stirred. – James Bond movies
22. I am serious and don’t call me Shirley. – Airplane
21. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. – Apocalypse Now
20. I’m the king of the world! – Titanic
19. Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. – The Wizard of OZ
18. Here’s looking at you, kid. – Casablanca
17. (Luke,) I am your father. – Star Wars
16. You’re going to need a bigger boat – Jaws
15. If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you – Top Gun
14. Hasta la Vista, Baby! – Terminator 2
13. May the Force be with you – Star Wars
12. I’ll Be Back – The Terminator
11. The name’s Bond. James Bond. – the Bond Movies
10. Yippie-ki-yay, motherf***er! – Die Hard
9. Life is like a box of chocolates. – Forrest Gump
8. You complete me. – Jerry Maguire
7. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. – The Godfather Part 2
6. This is Sparta – 300
5. I see dead people. – The Sixth Sense
4. You had me at hello. – Jerry Maguire
3. You can’t handle the truth! – A Few Good Men
2. Houston, we have a problem. – Apollo 13
1. Say hello to my little friend! – Scarface
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Wrapping up
Most of these iconic movie quotes are so famous and well known that you will simply recognize them as soon as you read them.
In most cases, you’ll read them with the character’s voice in your mind – I’m sure you will. But there are also several (at least) quotes that will probably be new to you and some will be surprising – who thought, for example, that “Nobody’s perfect” was first said in a movie (all the way back in 1959?).
Pretty cool, right?
What other unforgettable one liners do you remember from your favorite movies? Share them with the world by commenting below – especially for newer movies, as we do need some of those as well in our lives!