Top 10 Famous Movie Quotes

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By NYLady

The movies have given us so many memorable quotes that it's difficult to choose the 10 best. But I have managed to narrow all the possibilities down to a list of My Favorite Top 10. If you have even better famous movie quotes, feel free to add them in your comments. Also, check out the related hub by Desert Blondie, "Ten Great Lines From the Movies." We hubbers are collaborating here!

 

 


1. There's No Place Like Home

When Dorothy Gale wants to return to Kansas (I can't for the life of me figure out why) after her exploits in Oz, Glinda the Good Witch tells her to click her ruby-red heels together and say: "There's No Place Like Home." Does it work? You betcha -- this is Hollywood, after all.


Casablanca Casablanca
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2. Here's Looking at You, Kid

This line, of course, is uttered by none other than Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) to Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) when the two are reunited in 1942's "Casablanca." Ilsa, now a married woman, steals a moment alone with Rick and professes that she is still in love with him. The exact dialogue is as follows:

Ilsa: I can't fight it anymore. I ran away from you once. I can't do it again. Oh, I don't know what's right any longer. You have to think for both of us. For all of us.

Rick: All right, I will. Here's looking at you, kid.

Ilsa: I wish I didn't love you so much.


3. Frankly, My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn

This line from 1939's "Gone with the Wind" is spoken by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and are the last words he says to Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) before he storms out of her home. The line is significant because we know that Rhett has finally given up on the selfish Scarlett and no longer cares what happens to her. The line, by the way, was voted the number one movie line of all time by the American Film Institute.


4. May the Force Be With You

In "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope", the original Star Wars film, the Force is first described by the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi (Alec Guinness) as an energy field created by all living things that "binds the galaxy together". It's interesting that the quote, "May the Force be with you," was uttered by then non-believer, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), to Luke Skywalker as a way of saying good luck. According to Wookiepedia, the phrase is borrowed from Catholicism's "May the Lord be with you."

5. Go Ahead, Make My Day

This classic line is from the film, "Dirty Harry," released in 1983. When Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) goes into a diner for a morning cup of coffee, he discovers a robbery in progress and kills most of the robbers in a shootout. But one surviving robber holds a frightened waitress at gunpoint. So our hero Harry points his .44 Magnum at the man's face and dares him to shoot, grumbling, "Go ahead, make my day." Since then, the brief invitation has become part of the popular lexicon.


6. I'm Gonna to Make Him an Offer He Can't Refuse

Who can forget Don Vito Corleone's famous quote from "The Godfather?" The 1972 film introduced us to the Don and his family, and dozens of famous quotes from the film were forever etched into our memories. This one, among the American Film Institute's 100 most famous movie quotes, was uttered by the Don to the pathetic singer-movie star, Johnny Fontane, also the Don's nephew. The singer wanted revenge on Jack Woltz, a movie producer who wouldn't give him a part in his next film. The Don was good for his word -- Woltz woke up in bed with only the severed head of his prize racing horse. Yuck.


Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition) Citizen Kane (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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7. Rosebud

The first word we see in the 1941 epic, "Citizen Kane," has been the subject of conjecture and film analysis for decades. Directed by Orson Welles, "Citizen Kane" is loosely based on the life of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst and traces the life and career of the ruthless newspaperman Charles Foster Kane. It is told chiefly through flashback, as a newspaper reporter seeks to solve the mystery of Kane's dying word, "Rosebud." The reporter never learns the meaning of that word, but the movie audience does. No spoilers here -- see the classic and learn for yourself.


8. I See Dead People

This quote isn't necessarily on a lot of Top 10 lists, but it's one of my favorites because M. Night Shyamalan's "The Sixth Sense" was one of my all-time favorite films. In an emotional exchange between Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) and Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis), Malcolm finally learns what's tormenting Cole.

Cole: I see dead people.

Malcolm: In your dreams?

Cole shakes his head no.

Malcolm: While you're awake?

Cole nods his head.

Malcolm: Dead people like, in graves? In coffins?

Cole: Walking around like regular people. They don't see each other. They only see what they want to see. They don't know they're dead.

Malcolm: How often do you see them?

Cole: All the time. They're everywhere.

A great, spooky scene.


9. Fasten Your Seatbelts. It's Going to be a Bumpy Night.

If you haven't seen "All About Eve," you're missing out on a film that not only displays the genius of actress Bette Davis, but features a screenplay with witty, well-written dialogue. Davis, as aging Broadway legend Margo Channing, makes the announcement just before a party arranged by the unscrupulous young actress Eve Harrington, who manages to worm her way into Margo's life. As she heads down the stairs for her party, Margo utters the "fasten your seatbelts" line because she is aware of Eve's schemes to replace her on the stage and steal the man in her life. It's utterly cynical and bitter, and delivered only as Bette Davis could deliver a line.


10. I'm the King of the World!

Although it's been overused, this was a great quote in "Titanic." Shouted by Jack Dawson as he and his friend Fabrizio stand on the bow of Titanic as it heads out on its fateful voyage, the quote has so many shades of meaning. He is a young man on the brink of adventure, but a young man riding on a ship of doom. It's a quote about the industrial age, about the divide between privileged and poor, and more. And it certainly is memorable.

Vote for Your Favorite Movie Quote

What's Your Favorite Movie Quote?

  • I'm the King of the World!
  • Fasten Your Seat Belts. It's Going to be a Bumpy Night.
  • Here's Looking at You, Kid.
  • I See Dead People.
  • I'm Gonna Make Him an Offer He Can't Refuse.
  • There's No Place Like Home.
  • Go Ahead -- Make My Day.
  • Rosebud.
  • May the Force Be With You.
  • Frankly, My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn.
See results without voting

Comments

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compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
15 months ago

I new them all except Number 7!

Heres my fav "Say hello to my little friend";)

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Scarface, right?

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
15 months ago

Oh yeah! spot on!;)

desert blondie profile image

desert blondie  says:
15 months ago

How great to put these fab ten in one place! I'm a fan!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Thanks, desert blondie. Appreciate the comment and this was a lot of fun to pull together.

William F. Torpey profile image

William F. Torpey  says:
15 months ago

Thanks for the memories, NYLady. What a great idea for a hub! I didn't see "The Sixth Sense," but I'm familiar with all the rest. Your selections are great, and I appreciate the videos, but I'd love to see one or two similar hubs of additional famous movie quotes. One that sticks in my mind is from James Cagney's "White Heat": "Top of the world, mom!"

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

William: That Cagney quote is a great one and in a great scene. I think that was in the American Film Institute's Top 100 movie quotes list, if I remember correctly. We're dating ourselves, aren't we?

desert blondie profile image

desert blondie  says:
15 months ago

Hello again NYLady ... I had to join in on the fun, especially since I enjoy writing about movies as well...here's my newest http://hubpages.com/hub/Great-Lines-from-the-Movie Gave you and your column here all the credit, since after all yours inspired mine!

Maybe others will make a list too...like Torpey!

Shadesbreath profile image

Shadesbreath  says:
15 months ago

Hey, this was a fun hub. I was gonna point out some Monty Phython quotes from the Holy Grail, but then I thought, maybe that's just me and my ilk, not universal. Good pull. And William F. Torpey, you really ought to see the Sixth Sense. Great movie and one of the best movie endings of all time (assuming no one ruins it for you).

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Great! I'll definitely read it. We movie-lovers need to stick together.

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Yes, mr. Torpey, I agree with shades. My mother is 75 years old and Japanese, and after I recommended Sixth Sense and she watched it, she was blown away. It is soooo moving.

Mighty Mom profile image

Mighty Mom  says:
15 months ago

Fun hub,NYLady! Like your picks!

See if you agree with this (in a sick sort of way). Last line of Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal Lecter [on telephone to Special Agent Clarice Starling]:"I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner. Bye."

To me, there is a dramatic parallel to "Here's looking at you" from Casablanca, yes?

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Thanks, Mighty Mom. Yes, gold old Hannibal and his sly sense of humor. I see the parallels. I think!!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Thanks, Alex.

William F. Torpey profile image

William F. Torpey  says:
15 months ago

I'll take you up on seeing "Sixth Sense," Shadesbreath and NYLady, if I can find it at the library. By the way I meant to mention the "Casablanca" guote is a great one, but I was a little surprised that you didn't use the more famous one from the ending of the same movie, when Rick said to Capt. Renault: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Hey Mr. T: Yes, that's another good one. I like them both, but thought that Here's Looking at You was better known. I also like a third from that film: "Round up the usual suspects."

Qwijebo  says:
15 months ago

"Here's Johnny!"

Jack Nicholson and that damn axe

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Yes -- great one! Thanks, qwijebo.

Candace Morgan profile image

Candace Morgan  says:
15 months ago

I love this!

Candace Morgan profile image

Candace Morgan  says:
15 months ago

I love this!

Candace Morgan profile image

Candace Morgan  says:
15 months ago

I love this!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Candace: Thanks, thanks and thanks!

Mezo profile image

Mezo  says:
15 months ago

thats a really great list and great lines....good work there

rated up ;)

keep hubbing

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
15 months ago

Thanks for the rating, Mezo!

denise mohan profile image

denise mohan  says:
13 months ago

Your smart and entertaining as well...

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
13 months ago

Thanks Denise! I'm enjoying your hubs, too.

Mike the salesman profile image

Mike the salesman  says:
12 months ago

great list!.. life is like a box of chocolates, im mad as hell and am not gonna take it anymore,love is never having to say your sorryand of course Al Pachino...WHOOO ya!lol

aikidk01 profile image

aikidk01  says:
12 months ago

Fantastic quotes...love every one!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
12 months ago

Thanks, Aikid! I enjoyed writing it.

Wrinkle Experts profile image

Wrinkle Experts  says:
11 months ago

I loved your idea! So many great quotes!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
11 months ago

Thanks for your kinds words! Now can you do something about my wrinkles?

k@ri profile image

k@ri  says:
10 months ago

Great quotes, you included a few of my personal favorites! It was hard to pick my favorite. :)

Laughing Mom profile image

Laughing Mom  says:
10 months ago

You've given me a few movies to add to my "must watch" list!

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
10 months ago

Kari and Laughing Mom:

Thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the movie ideas!

John Z profile image

John Z  says:
3 months ago

Great Hub! Another line from Star Wars might be: "That's no moon. That's a space station!"

Lissa Lynn profile image

Lissa Lynn  says:
2 months ago

Great hub! I have to say one of my favorite movie quotes is from The First Wives Club. Delivered by Bette Midler, "Bye, bye love, hello poptarts." It's hilarious and I love that movie anyway :)

NYLady profile image

NYLady  says:
2 months ago

John Z and Lissa Lynn: Thanks for the additional movie quotes. Good ones!

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