Top 20 Badass Lines in Horror Movies

“The Witch” (2015)
We don’t really know what it means, but man is it ever creepy. “The Witch” received a lot of praise, particularly for Robert Eggers’s authentic screenplay. This genius line is eerily spoken by the family’s billy goat, Black Phillip. That’s because the goat isn’t actually a goat, but Satan incarnate. Satan uttering the words “live deliciously” conjures up all sorts of freaky images. Images we don’t particularly want to think about.

“Bride of Frankenstein” (1935)
Universal’s “Frankenstein” is obviously one of the most iconic horror films ever produced, and they followed it up with what is perhaps the greatest horror sequel of all time. Introduced in the film is Dr. Septimus Pretorius, who wishes for, well “a new world of gods and monsters.” It’s a brilliant line, and it was later resurrected in the 2017 “Mummy” reboot. It really is one of the most timeless lines in movie history.

“Night of the Creeps” (1986)
Released in 1986, “Night of the Creeps” is an intentionally corny B-movie concerning zombies and aliens. And like most B-movies, it contains some wickedly silly lines - including “It’s Miller time!” It helps that the line is uttered by Tom Atkins, a beloved horror veteran who has worked with some of the biggest names in the game, including Stephen King and John Carpenter. Sometimes you have to let go of the serious stuff and just have a little fun.

“Event Horizon” (1997)
This is what movie lovers would get if Doc Brown was both depraved and psychotic. “Event Horizon” isn’t a widely loved movie, but it still contains some great scares and creepy lines. The plot of the movie concerns a spaceship that returns to our universe after visiting another, and this line perfectly conveys a sense of Lovecraftian horror, unlike anything else seen or heard in the movies. Listen to it and let your imagination run wild.

“Hellraiser” (1987)
What could very well be Cliver Barker’s masterpiece, “Hellraiser” famously concerns Pinhead and his Cenobites, a group of extra-dimensional, masochistic beings obsessed with torture and other bad things. Playing Pinhead is Doug Bradley, whose deep and menacing voice helped make Pinhead an icon. Just imagine hearing those words from that voice and that pale, macabre face. On second thought, maybe don’t imagine that. For your own sanity.

“Predator” (1987)
Not every badass line is spoken by the antagonist. Sometimes a hero breaks out an absolute banger - especially if the character is played by real Vietnam veteran and ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura. Ventura plays Blain, and he lends “Predator” one of its signature lines. The line itself is obviously killer, but what makes it even better is Poncho’s bewildered reaction. There’s nothing more badass than two vets talking about bleeding. Or a lack thereof.

“Lord of Illusions” (1995)
While Clive Barker’s “Lord of Illusions” didn’t catch on like “Hellraiser,” it still contains some great moments and memorable lines and is well worth checking out for supernatural horror aficionados. Dorothea Swan asks Nix who he is, and Nix responds with the tremendous line that really gets the imagination stirring. It establishes Nix as a monumentally ambitious and powerful figure. A man even more powerful than God.

“Halloween: Resurrection” (2002)
Released after “Halloween H20” seemingly ended the story for good, “Halloween: Resurrection” retconned the ending and brought Michael back for another movie. Both the decision and the movie received unanimous hate. Perhaps even more egregious than Michael’s bizarre return is Laurie’s death. But at least she gets a great final line - a line that wonderfully summarizes her warrior attitude and the undying link she shares with her psychotic brother. Until that was retconned as well...

“The Shining” (1980)
It’s amazing how Jack Nicholson and Stanley Kubrick can transform a famous introduction from late night television into one of the scariest lines ever uttered in a horror movie. The line doesn’t really make sense, but then again, it doesn’t really need to, as Jack has gone full-blown bonkers by this point. It’s just a bizarre thing to say from a creepy and totally unhinged man, and it became one of cinema’s most enduring quotes.

“Dead Alive” (1992)
There’s nothing quite like a butt-kicking priest to really get the blood flowing. In Peter Jackson’s “Dead Alive,” (AKA “Braindead”), Stuart Devenie plays a Fighting Priest named Father McGruder. And he is arguably the greatest thing that Jackson has ever given us (including “The Lord of the Rings”). Those movies are great and all, but a purple-robed priest performing martial arts on zombies and “kicking ass for the Lord” is just pure movie magic.

“Saw” (2004)
This movie not only launched one of the decade’s most popular movie franchises, it also introduced a ton of material into the horror canon - including Jigsaw’s now-iconic mask and catchphrase. In the original movie, Jigsaw says the line to Amanda, who plays the “game” of digging her way through someone’s stomach to retrieve a key. The line horrifically portrays Jigsaw’s warped sense of justice and fun, and it helped make him a horror icon.

“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
Really, you can take any line of Hannibal Lecter’s and put it here, including the famous fava beans and chianti one. The man certainly has a way with words. But it’s the sheer brilliance of his final line that helps it make the list. The line is pure Hannibal Lecter - a little smart-alecky, very clever, revolting, and horribly threatening. It’s certainly not the type of thing an FBI agent wants to hear.

“Dawn of the Dead” (1978) & “Dawn of the Dead” (2004)
The original “Dawn of the Dead” is arguably the greatest zombie movie ever made, and it contains one of the most iconic lines in horror movie history. It’s famously spoken by Peter, who is recounting something his grandfather once told him. It’s a horrifying line, and it is spoken with the perfect amount of menace and fear. Ken Foree would later reprise the line in the 2004 remake, in which he cameos as a televangelist.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
Tina is the first person to die in the “Elm Street” franchise, and what a horrifying death it is. She witnesses Freddy Krueger walking towards her, and when she asks for help from God, Freddy menacingly replies, SB [“This...is God.”] And it’s true. Freddy is essentially a god in the dream world, with the ability to do anything he wishes. And God is of no help, as Freddy catches Tina and disposes of her in gruesome fashion.

“Jaws” (1975)
The final ten minutes of “Jaws” is some of the most harrowing stuff ever put to film. Hooper barely escapes the cage with his life, the shark kills Quint, and the boat begins sinking due to the accumulated damage. Everything seems doomed. And then Brody confidently emits the famous line, shooting at the SCUBA tank and blowing Jaws to gory smithereens. It’s extremely cathartic, and fans can’t help but yell along with Brody in elation.

“Psycho” (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock changed cinema forever with “Psycho,” and Anthony Perkins gives one of the all time great movie performances as Norman Bates. Bates utters numerous popular lines, including this chiller. It comes during his evening conversation with Marion, and it heralds some terrifying things to come. Norman is more than a little mad - a fact that was tragically realized by Marion as she tried taking a shower.

“Aliens” (1986)
A far more action-packed film than its tense and scary predecessor, “Aliens” ends in typical James Cameron extravagance with a battle between a massive alien and Ripley in an exosuit. This is arguably one of the most famous endings in movie history, complete with the fantastic line from Ripley and the brilliant shot revealing the exosuit. The fight sees two mothers going at it full-tilt, and Ripley’s line showcases protective maternal instincts in the most badass way imaginable.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“What an Excellent Day for an Exorcism”, “The Exorcist” (1973)
Pazuzu Loves Cracking Jokes

“I’m Gonna Have to Kill This F***ing Clown. Welcome to the Losers Club, A**hole!”, “It” (2017)
That Is One Brave Kid

“Not in My Movie”, “Scream” (1996)
Billy Comes Back to Life for One Last Scare - and Promptly Dies

“They Live” (1988)
This isn’t one of John Carpenter’s more famous movies, but it contains the greatest line he ever wrote. It’s dryly uttered by none other than Roddy Piper, one of the most famous wrestlers of all time. Piper proved a very capable actor, as showcased by the wonderful and hilarious delivery of this line. It’s a weird thing to say to a group of aliens right before blowing them away, but it’s certainly memorable!