Top 30 Movies You Can Name By Hearing Just One Line
#30: “Houston, We Have a Problem”
“Apollo 13” (1995) NASA buffs will recognize that neither Jack Swigert nor Jim Lovell said “Houston, we have a problem”, and instead contacted Mission Control to say, “Houston, we've had a problem.” But regardless of the minor misquote, movie lovers everywhere know that when they hear the former line, we’re talking about 1995’s space docudrama, “Apollo 13.” The flick was based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission, which never landed on the moon due to the aforementioned problem. It stars Tom Hanks as Commander Jim Lovell, who spoke the line that’s now become a pop culture staple.
#29: “I Feel the Need—the Need for Speed”
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“Top Gun” (1986) In the mid-90s, gamer kids might’ve said “I Feel the Need – the Need for Speed” in reference to a desire to play their favorite racing game. However, roughly a decade earlier, that statement had been made famous by none other than “Maverick” himself, Tom Cruise. It’s hard to hear the words without instantly picturing the scene they originated in, which tells you everything you need to know about its impact. Now that the 2022 sequel has brought the franchise to the front of our minds once more, we’re sure a whole new generation of moviegoers will be expressing their need for speed.
#28: “This Is Sparta!”
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“300” (2006) The line, followed by the slow-mo kick, is undeniably “300”. But had things gone a bit differently, “This is Sparta!” might not be as instantly recognizable and synonymous with its film as it is. As Butler explained to GQ magazine, he’d done many takes, usually reciting the line in a more subdued way. But then he asked director Zack Snyder if he could try it one more time, at which point he gave the reading we know and love. Sure, it was over the top - he knew it, and those on set seemingly knew it. But, as Snyder said, “It was awesome!” We have to say we agree.
#27: “If You Build It, He Will Come”
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“Field of Dreams” (1989) There are a lot of movies where people build things, but only one we can think of where that thing is a baseball field in a cornfield. Why does Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, build said baseball field, you ask? Because a disembodied voice tells him: [“If you build it, he will come.”] Is the “he”, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson or Kinsella’s deceased father? That is for the viewer to decide and experience. But for cinephiles and baseball lovers everywhere, the words “If you build it, he will come” will always evoke “Field of Dreams”. While we’re on the subject of baseball movies, let’s not forget about “A League of Their Own”’s iconic line.
#26: “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner”
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“Dirty Dancing” (1987) Everyone remembers that final dance number in “Dirty Dancing,” where Johnny and Baby wow the Kellerman’s crowd with “[his] kind of dancing”. But prior to hitting the stage, Patrick Swayze’s Johnny Castle grabs Baby from her table after uttering a now iconic statement at her dad. Years later, Swayze reportedly admitted that he initially “hated” the line, finding it “corny” and hesitant to speak the scripted words. However, the final product changed his mind, as he saw how effective it is. Indeed, it works so well that hearing it immediately brings the movie to mind and gets us ready to bust out our dancing shoes.
#25: “Get Busy Livin', or Get Busy Dyin'”
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“The Shawshank Redemption” (1994) Given its popularity today, you might be surprised to learn that “The Shawshank Redemption” didn’t do well at the box office back in 1994. But instead of just going away and dying, the film built on its critical accolades and popularity among viewers, eventually becoming a beloved classic. Many images are synonymous with it today, but there’s one piece of dialogue in particular that always instantly transports us into the world of the film. First spoken by Robbins’ Andy Dufresne to Morgan Freeman’s "Red", it encompasses the story’s theme of strength in the face of apparent hopelessness to gorgeous effect. It’s no wonder it’s had such a lasting impact.
#24: “Are You Not Entertained!?”
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“Gladiator” (2000) After being told that being a gladiator in the arena is also being an entertainer, Maximus heads out onto the battlefield and quite easily defeats all the foes put in front of him. When the crowd's reaction is initially less than enthusiastic, he angrily asks them one of the most famous questions cinema has ever heard. Now, we know movie history is littered with stories about showmen. But some find a way to stand out from the crowd. Indeed, when we hear those four words - or see them written in any number of online memes - we know they’re from “Gladiator”.
#23: “It Was Beauty Killed the Beast”
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“King Kong” (1933) & “King Kong” (2005) There are actually two right answers for this one – and no, neither of them is “Beauty and the Beast.” Although the quote does line up well with the aforementioned Disney film, we know Beauty actually saved the Beast there. Rather, this famous quote is referring to another “beast” entirely – the one known as, say it with us, King Kong. In fact, it’s so iconically associated with the creature that it has been used as the final line of dialogue in both its eponymous 1933 movie as well as Peter Jackson’s 2005 retelling of the tale.
#22: “Open the Pod Bay Doors, HAL”
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) Much of “2001: A Space Odyssey” happens in silence, with director Stanley Kubrick even reportedly calling it a “nonverbal experience.” But though there are few words spoken throughout the 2+ hour-long runtime, there are a number of them that have become immediately recognizable. Of course, we’re thinking of six in particular. They not only mark a pivotal point in the story, they also continue to resonate today, as the use of AI continues to increase. Let’s just hope Alexa or Siri never respond to one of our legitimate demands the way HAL terrifyingly does in this scene.
#21: “Show Me the Money!”
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“Jerry Maguire” (1996) Both “You had me at 'hello’” and “Show me the money!” instantly bring “Jerry Maguire” to the tip of everyone’s tongue. However, we tend to agree with the American Film Institute, who placed the latter at number 25 on their “100 Years... 100 Movie Quotes” list, with the former coming in slightly lower at number 52. Maybe it’s the backing music, the Cuba Gooding Jr. dance, the screaming Tom Cruise, the way it’s repeated, or a mix of it all. But for some reason, whenever we hear this line, we just want to show ourselves “Jerry Maguire” again, for the umpteenth time.
#20: “Why So Serious?”
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“The Dark Knight” (2008) In the midst of his Gotham crime spree, the Joker terrified his rivals simply by explaining where his scars came from. In his first version of the story, he claims his face was carved up by his own father, as part of a psychotic attempt to turn his frown upside down. The twisted humor of his dad's words are perfectly on brand for Joker, becoming more chilling the more he repeats it. Thanks to Heath Ledger's performance, “Why so serious?” elicited all the crazed violence of “The Dark Knight”.
#19: “I Wish I Knew How to Quit You”
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“Brokeback Mountain” (2005) Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar's country romance was full of hardship. With family lives and homophobic attitudes straining their relationship, Jack finally explodes at Ennis for keeping him at arm’s length. Despite all his anger, Jack offers up this tortured, poetic line when he admits that he can’t get over his feelings for Ennis. His gruff words capture the rancher personas that people most remember about “Brokeback Mountain”, and perfectly express the frustration and agony of the moment.
#18: “You Talkin' to Me?”
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“Taxi Driver” (1976) New York can be a lonely city. And Travis Bickle is not only alone, he has to witness the crime and indecency of the city streets at night as he works as a taxi driver. His frustration leads him to buy a gun, as he prepares to take the law into his own hands. To practice, Bickle holds arguments in his mirror and practices drawing his weapon, resulting in a macho back-and-forth with . . . himself. The chat is frightening and unhinged, two of the things that Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro do best.
#17: “Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates”
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“Forrest Gump” (1994) Forrest Gump's mama teaches him a lot about life, and he preaches her words like proverbs. So when Forrest tries to offer a chocolate to a stranger, he also drops in this amazing analogy. The line sums up the events of the movie, which is all about Forrest’s different life experiences, and reflects his interesting perspective on the uncertainties of life. While the film is full of wise lines - and quotes from Forrest’s mama - this particular nugget stands out by reflecting its central character’s optimism and insight.
#16: “I Dare You, I Double Dare You!”
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“Pulp Fiction” (1994) Tarantino’s 1994 crime film is full of iconic moments and recognizable quotes. And “great vengeance and furious anger” was definitely on our radar. But we had to give this spot to Jules’ other line when he’s shaking down Brett for double-crossing their boss. The panicked Brett just can’t stop saying “what”, even with his life on the line. So Jules lays down a simple challenge. Unfortunately, Brett just can’t help himself. Moral of the story, don't piss off Samuel L. Jackson.
#15: “I'm King of the World”
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“Titanic” (1997) With the wind flowing in their hair, and a new life ahead of them, Jack and Fabrizio are ecstatic to be onboard the Titanic - the ship that even God himself couldn’t sink. Supposedly . . . Jack is so over the moon that he throws his arms in the air and lets out this dramatic shout. His enthusiasm matches the theatricality of the scene, drawing audiences into his moment of joy, and evokes a strong sense of hope that makes the film’s conclusion all the more tragic.
#14: “Hello. My Name Is Inigo Montoya. You Killed My Father. Prepare to Die”
“The Princess Bride” (1987) What’s heroic revenge without a monologue? Fencing master Inigo Montoya has one of the best. He’s vowed to kill his father’s murderer, the Vizier Count Rugen. At first, the furious passion behind his words doesn’t seem to be enough to win the fight. He’s stabbed over and over again, and seems to be losing strength. That just makes it all the more satisfying to watch him repeat his catchphrase over and over as he gets back up and takes Rugen down!
#13: “You Can't Handle the Truth!”
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“A Few Good Men” (1992) It’s a line that’s come to define courtroom drama! As two marines face murder charges, Lieutenant Kaffee boldly calls in Colonel Jessup to explain his role in events. As the exchange degenerates into shouting, Kaffee demands answers instead of excuses. Jessup's response is so blunt that it silences the room. The Colonel's rage also shows us just how twisted his sense of honor really is. Jack Nicholson's fierce performance keeps audiences coming back to this scene and makes the line iconic.
#12: “Here's Looking at You Kid”
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“Casablanca” (1942) Goodbyes can be hard at the best of times, let alone in times of war. It's not any easier for American expat Rick Blaine when he tells Ilsa that she can’t stay with him in Casablanca. As he sacrifices his own happiness, knowing that she’ll be safer and happier taking the plane to Lisbon with her husband Victor Laszlo, he offers some sage advice. His farewell culminates in these iconic parting words, a callback to the duo’s time in Paris together. Cool and noble, Rick's send-off is too smooth to argue with.
#11: “I See Dead People”
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“The Sixth Sense” (1999) Cole is clearly troubled by something, but his psychologist Malcolm can't seem to get a clear answer. After the two establish some trust however, the young boy opens up about his terrifying secret. The implications of his words are chilling, whether or not Malcolm believes them at the time. Cole's brief explanation imbues the film with a classic M. Night Shyamalan air of creepy mystery, while dropping in just enough foreshadowing to enrich repeat viewings. This is one scene that definitely takes on a new tone once you know the end.
#10: “You Shall Not Pass”
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“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001) Just as Frodo and the rest of the fellowship are finally about to escape the Mines of Moria, a Balrog arrives to cut their mission short. Despite a considerable size difference, Gandalf squares off with the fiery beast and beats it back. With all of his might, the great wizard stares down the Balrog and lets out one battle cry for the ages. Ian McKellen is utterly involved in this dominating performance, and quite frankly we’d hate to be in the Balrog’s shoes.
#9: “I Love the Smell of Napalm in the Morning”
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“Apocalypse Now” (1979) Francis Ford Coppola’s epic war film was based on Joseph Conrad’s novella “Heart of Darkness”, but included more than a few classic original lines of dialogue. In one of the film’s most famous scenes, Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore practically beams as he watches his troops drop napalm in Vietnam. His unusually chipper reaction to the oily stench is especially eerie because he throws it out there like it’s a common turn of phrase. Actor Robert Duvall’s callous delivery amid horrifying carnage perfectly captures the spirit of the movie.
#8: “Say Hello to My Little Friend”
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“Scarface” (1983) Drug overlord Tony Montana carried so much charm in his rise to power that he seemed to have a line for every situation. So it came as no surprise that as he was facing death from a rival kingpin's henchmen, Montana was inspired to give the goons a piece of his mind. With lots of substances and heavy firepower to back him up, Tony managed to be badass and hilarious all at the same time. The deranged mix of humor and violence was central to Tony's character, and showed he wouldn't let something like gunfire get him down.
#7: “Here's Johnny”
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“The Shining” (1980) Jack Nicholson’s performance as Jack Torrance was all too believable, and this one line is a perfect example. Driven mad by supernatural forces in the Overlook Hotel, Jack turns on his family, chopping through a bathroom door to reach his terrified wife. His riff on the intro from “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” was both absurd and horrifying all at once. Nicholson actually improvised the line, and the scene wouldn’t have been the same without it. Taken from the climax, it’s become emblematic of the movie.
#6: “There's No Place Like Home”
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“The Wizard of Oz” (1939) When Dorothy is whisked off to the magical Land of Oz, she realizes very quickly that she’s far, far from home. While her quip about not being in Kansas is oft-quoted, her magical mantra at the end of her journey holds a closer tie to the film, since uttering it is pivotal to the plot. Turns out, she had the power to return home all along, she just didn’t know it! The additional visuals of her ruby slippers and the magical power of her incantation help etch this saying into people's memories.
#5: “You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat”
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“Jaws” (1975) With a massive shark terrorizing Amity Island, police chief Martin Brody, oceanographer Matt Hooper, and grizzled professional shark hunter Quint head out to kill it. While Brody is throwing bait into the water however, the monstrous shark sneaks up on him instead. Realizing with shock how huge the shark really is, the chief slowly backs away, and once in the cabin makes this deadpan observation to Quint . . . It’s a humorous moment in a tense situation, and filmmakers and fans alike quote it to this day.
#4: “I'm Going to Make Him an Offer He Can't Refuse”
“The Godfather” (1972) Few things are more ominous than a gangster being vague. On the day of his daughter's wedding, mafia patriarch Don Corleone listens to requests from family members and associates. When singer Johnny Fontane comes whining about a movie role, the Don soothes him with an ambiguous promise. Marlon Brando's confident and casual delivery shows just how powerful Corleone is long before you see his offer carried out. The menace lurking just behind Don’s otherwise innocuous statement makes it one of the most memorable moments in mobster cinema.
#3: “Frankly, My Dear, I Don't Give a Damn”
“Gone with the Wind” (1939) Not all romances end happily ever after. Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler’s relationship is an emotional rollercoaster. After seeing Scarlett embracing Ashley Wilkes, Rhett has had enough … and it’s then that Scarlett realizes she does love Rhett, after all. Viewers could have been forgiven for assuming that Rhett would hear her heartfelt appeal and change his mind. Instead, he shoots her down in a moment of brutal honesty, using language that was pretty risky for the times. Though the language has since become pedestrian, the impact of Rhett's rejection has remained timeless.
#2: “I'll Be Back”
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“The Terminator” (1984) Sure, out of context, it’s banal. But when a line’s context involves a murderous time-traveling robot, well, it changes a lot. Arnold Schwarzenegger's monotone performance lends a sinister edge to the line, especially since only the audience knows what he's capable of. Even next to some of the Terminator's more colorful one-liners, the comedy and tension here stick with you. “I'll be back” instantly evokes Schwarzenegger and the 'Terminator' franchise, and the line has become a staple of pop culture parodies.
#1: “No, I Am Your Father”
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“Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) Luke's quest to defeat the Galactic Empire puts him head-to-head with the evil Darth Vader. But right as Luke denounces Vader for killing his dad, the villain reveals an even darker truth. Given how shocking this twist is in the story, Luke's devastated reaction mirrored the audience's. While 'May the Force be with you' appears in the series more, the emotional force behind this line is much stronger. The fact that it's misquoted endlessly as 'Luke, I am your father' only shows how closely it's attached to the franchise.
