35 Iconic Movie Catch Phrases

Iconic Movie Catch phrases

Certain lines from movies have stood the test of time and become ingrained in pop culture. They stay alive in our minds and whenever we listen to the quote, lines,  or watch the scene on social media, they take us back to the time of old memories.

In this blog post, we are sharing such lines, and movies catch phrases that will not only bring a smile to your face but also will take you back in time, you, first time watching the movie. Here are some of the most memorable and beloved movie catchphrases.

“I’ll be back.” – The Terminator

This classic line was made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1984 sci-fi thriller The Terminator. As the relentless cyborg assassin, Schwarzenegger delivers the deadpan promise that he will keep pursuing his target no matter what. The line encapsulates the unstoppable nature of his Terminator character and has become Schwarzenegger’s personal catchphrase.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Jaws

In Steven Spielberg’s 1975 horror classic Jaws, Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) gets his first look at the gigantic killer shark and utters this shocked reaction. It’s one of the most famous movie quotes about needing more resources to deal with an escalating problem. The line has become shorthand for any overwhelming challenge where one’s current tools or plans are totally inadequate.

“I’ll have what she’s having.” – When Harry Met Sally

In the deli scene in this 1989 romantic comedy, Sally (Meg Ryan) loudly fakes an orgasm, prompting a delighted elderly female patron to tell the waiter “I’ll have what she’s having.” The hilarious line pokes fun at women faking pleasure and has become a popular way to order the same food or drink someone else is enjoying.

“You talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver

Robert De Niro ad-libbed this famous taunting line as unhinged insomniac Travis Bickle in Martin Scorsese’s 1976 drama Taxi Driver. De Niro delivers the provocative remark to his reflection in the mirror, capturing Bickle’s growing delusions of standing up to perceived enemies. It’s one of the most quoted lines in cinema and embodies the film’s themes of alienation and psychosis.

"May the Force be with you." - Star Wars

“May the Force be with you.” – Star Wars

This phrase is perhaps the most famous quote from the Star Wars franchise, first said by General Dodonna to the Rebel pilots in 1977’s A New Hope. It underscores the power of the Force in the Star Wars universe and has become a pop culture blessing meaning “good luck.” The line is still widely used today by Star Wars fans and beyond.

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Gone with the Wind

Spoken by Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) in a dramatic scene where he finally walks out on Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh), this line encapsulates his frustration and indifference toward her after a troubled relationship.

“I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.” – The Godfather

A famous line spoken by Don Corleone (Marlon Brando) in Francis Ford Coppola’s crime saga, this quote captures the all-powerful nature of the mafia boss and his strategy of coercion through threats.

“You can’t handle the truth!” – A Few Good Men

U.S. Marine Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson) bellows this line when pressed about a hazing incident under his command, demonstrating his belief in Machiavellian leadership methods.

“I see dead people.” – The Sixth Sense

Young Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) chillingly reveals his supernatural ability to see ghosts to psychologist Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) in this dramatic quote from the horror film.

"Say 'hello' to my little friend!" - Scarface

“Say ‘hello’ to my little friend!” – Scarface

Notorious gangster Tony Montana (Al Pacino) taunts his enemies with this defiant line while wielding a machine gun in the violent climax of the crime epic Scarface.

“There’s no place like home.” – The Wizard of Oz

After awakening from her trip to Oz, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) speaks this nostalgic line, realizing home is where her heart is.

“Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys.” – Dead Poets Society

Passionate teacher John Keating (Robin Williams) exhorts his students to passionately embrace life in this line from the inspirational drama.

“E.T. phone home.” – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
The lovable alien E.T. touchingly repeats this phrase, expressing his desire to phone his home planet in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi classic.

“Show me the money!” – Jerry Maguire
Upstart agent Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) angrily demands his contract be honored with this blunt quote from Cameron Crowe’s sports drama.

“You’re killin’ me, Smalls.” – The Sandlot
After an exasperated reaction from his friend, Scott Smalls (Tom Guiry), Benny Rodriguez (Mike Vitar) amusedly quips this line in the coming-of-age baseball comedy.

“Here’s Johnny!” – The Shining
The deranged Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) breaks down a door with an axe and peeks through the massive hole while uttering this creepy quote, terrorizing his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) in Stanley Kubrick’s horror classic.

"I wish I knew how to quit you." - Brokeback Mountain

“I wish I knew how to quit you.” – Brokeback Mountain
Cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) conveys his forbidden love and inability to get over Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) in this emotional line from the romantic drama.

“You had me at ‘hello.'” – Jerry Maguire
Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) utters this response after Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) passionately professes his love in Cameron Crowe’s sports romance.

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” – The Godfather Part II
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) speaks this line to explain his plan to embrace rival Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) despite his suspicions in Francis Ford Coppola’s crime saga sequel.

“Build it and he will come.” – Field of Dreams
A mysterious voice delivers this cryptic guidance, inspiring Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) to build a baseball field in his Iowa cornfield in the fantasy drama.

“I’m the king of the world!” – Titanic
Euphoric young Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) shouts this line while standing on the bow of the ill-fated Titanic, feeling on top of the world.

“My precious.” – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Gollum (Andy Serkis) affectionately calls the Ring “my precious” in this fantasy epic, showcasing his disturbing obsession with the magical object.

“I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” – The Wizard of Oz
The Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) snarls this threat at Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto, vowing vengeance in the classic musical fantasy film.

"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me." - The Graduate

“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me.” – The Graduate
Recent college grad Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) confronts his older lover Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) with this accusatory line in the 1967 comedy-drama.

“Rosebud.” – Citizen Kane
Newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) cryptically utters this, his last word, as he dies in the 1941 drama Citizen Kane. It drives the mystery behind the meaning of “Rosebud” throughout the film.

“I feel the need—the need for speed!” – Top Gun
Maverick (Tom Cruise) passionately exclaims this line about his love of fast flying in the 1986 action drama Top Gun.

“There’s no crying in baseball!” – A League of Their Own
Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) scolds his female baseball player Evelyn (Bitty Schram) with this blunt quote in the 1992 sports comedy-drama.

“You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” – Dirty Harry
Inspector Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) taunts a bank robber with these intimidating words in the 1971 crime thriller Dirty Harry.

“Wax on, wax off.” – The Karate Kid
Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) repeatedly says this line to Daniel (Ralph Macchio) as he teaches him karate through waxing cars in the inspirational 1984 coming-of-age martial arts film.

“Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump
Slow-witted but kindhearted Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) shares his mother’s wisdom with listeners while waiting for a bus in the 1994 comedy-drama.

“You talking to me?” – Taxi Driver
Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a mentally unstable veteran, says this provocative line to his reflection in a mirror as his sanity unravels in the 1976 psychological thriller.

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” – Apocalypse Now
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall) makes this disturbing statement about the smell of incendiary bombs while leading an attack in the 1979 war epic.

“Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” – Dirty Dancing
Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) says this defiant line to Baby’s father as he stands up for her in the 1987 romantic drama.

“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” – Cool Hand Luke
The Captain (Strother Martin) says this line to Luke (Paul Newman) before punishing him for defying authority in the 1967 prison drama.

“I’m walking here!” – Midnight Cowboy
Joe Buck (Jon Voight) angrily yells this line after almost getting hit by a taxi in the 1969 buddy drama.

The best catchphrases are unforgettable, summing up a character, mood, or message that resonates across generations. From emphatic one-liners to words of wisdom, these memorable movie lines are our cultural shorthand for the films themselves. Check out amazing lists about entertainment and movies.

FAQs:

What are some cool catchphrases?

Here are some cool and iconic catchphrases from movies:

– “Hasta la vista, baby.” – The Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger)

– “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” – The Godfather (Marlon Brando)

– “May the Force be with you.” – Star Wars (Alec Guinness)

– “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Jaws (Roy Scheider)

– “I’ll have what she’s having.” – When Harry Met Sally (Estelle Reiner)

– “You can’t handle the truth!” – A Few Good Men (Jack Nicholson)

– “I see dead people.” – The Sixth Sense (Haley Joel Osment)

– “Yippee ki-yay, motherfucker.” – Die Hard (Bruce Willis)

– “Carpe diem. Seize the day.” – Dead Poets Society (Robin Williams)

– “I am your father.” – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (James Earl Jones)

– “You talkin’ to me?” – Taxi Driver (Robert De Niro)

– “To infinity and beyond!” – Toy Story (Tim Allen)

– “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” – Apocalypse Now (Robert Duvall)

– “Show me the money!” – Jerry Maguire (Cuba Gooding Jr.)

Q. What are 10 famous movies quotes?

Here are 10 more thoughtful and meaningful quotes from iconic movies:

1. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Moulin Rouge

2. “It’s not until we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything.” – Fight Club

3. “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” – Dead Poets Society

4. “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” – A League of Their Own

5. “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody.” – On the Waterfront

6. “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” – Forrest Gump

7. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” – Mark Twain quote in Hacksaw Ridge

8. “It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.” – Batman Begins

9. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – FDR quote in Annie

10. “I wish I knew how to quit you.” – Brokeback Mountain