Top 10 Movie Quotes
of All Time
When the "Jazz Singer" was released in 1927, it brought a whole new world of sound to the movies. And with it came the challenge for screenwriters to create dialogue that could entertain and captivate their audiences. Words that perfectly capture a moment or tug on our heartstrings or just make us weak with laughter.
Great movie quotes, such as "May the Force be with you" from "Star Wars", do more than just enhance the movies they are in. They also have the power to take on a life of their own and become embedded within mainstream popular culture.
So while technology has radically transformed the way movies are made since the early days of the "talkies", the power of words and dialogue remains the same. Here’s an overview of some of the very best movie quotes across almost a century of movie making.
150 Best Movie Quotes... Ever!
What makes a great move quote is subjective but can be considered as the film dialogue and phrases that people remember. Quotes that find their way into popular culture and become instantly recognizable, even if people haven’t actually seen the film it’s taken from.
A great starting point for any list of movie quotes is the selection put together by the American Film Institute to celebrate the organization’s centenary in 2005. They used a jury of 1,500 film artists and critics to vote for the top 100.
The Infoplease list revises and updates the AFI selection to include more recent movies and films made outside of America to bring the grand total to 150 best movie quotes of all time. The emphasis is on short and standalone quotes rather than lengthier speeches or passages of dialogue. It’s a list that covers every genre from cartoons to political dramas and stretches from the very first talkies of the 1920s to modern-day blockbusters.
The odds are that you don't remember every line from every movie you've ever seen, but some lines are so good that they stick with you for a long time. Some lines even surpass the movie they're in and become famous on their own.
1. "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
—Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) in When Harry Met Sally
2. “By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.”
3. "Shut up – you had me at 'hello.'"
—Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) in Jerry Maguire
4. "There are two types of people in the world: those with a gun, and those who dig."
—Blondie (Clint Eastwood) in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
5. "Bye, Buddy. Hope you find your dad!"
6. "You can't sit with us!"
—Gretchen Weiners (Lacey Chabert) in Mean Girls (2004)
7. "Just keep swimming."
—Ellen DeGeneres as Dory in Finding Nemo (2003)
8. "I feel the need, the need for speed."
Every once in a while, life presents you with a movie that leaves you feeling elated. No matter if it’s the incredibly well thought out storyline with brilliant plot twists or the amazing characters you can deeply relate to, there’s something about these movies that makes us want to watch them over and over again.
Some movies are such brilliant masterpieces that it seems as if they speak directly to you and turn the world as you have known it upside down. The most powerful movies accomplish this with just a couple of lines that have gained wide popularity.
From cult classics to Hollywood blockbusters, there are movies that simply just blow your mind and inspire you to look at life from an entirely different perspective. In the following collection of the best movie quotes of all time, we have captured the most iconic lines of these legendary movies.
A movie, also known as a film, is a visual art form that uses moving images to tell stories, convey ideas, or evoke emotions. Movies are typically created by recording actual scenes with cameras, using animation techniques, or employing computer-generated imagery (CGI). Here are some key elements of movies:
Narrative Structure: Movies often have a structured storyline with a beginning, middle, and end, featuring a plot with characters, conflicts, and resolutions.
Genres: Movies can belong to various genres such as drama, comedy, horror, action, science fiction, romance, and more, each with its own conventions and audience expectations.
Production: The creation of a movie involves multiple stages including pre-production (planning, casting, scripting), production (filming), and post-production (editing, sound design, visual effects).
Direction: A director oversees the artistic and dramatic aspects of a movie, guiding the cast and crew to fulfill their vision.
Cinematography: This refers to the art of capturing visual images on film or digitally, involving the use of lighting, camera angles, and shot composition.
Sound and Music: Sound effects, dialogue, and music are crucial components that enhance the emotional impact and atmosphere of a movie.
Editing: The process of selecting and combining shots into a coherent sequence to tell the story effectively.
Distribution and Exhibition: Movies are distributed through various channels including theaters, television, streaming platforms, and physical media like DVDs and Blu-rays.
Audience Reception: Movies are created for audiences and are subject to reviews, critiques, and box office performance, which influence their success and legacy.
Movies are a powerful medium of entertainment, education, and cultural expression, reflecting and shaping societal norms and values.
A movie, in the context of entertainment, is a form of visual storytelling that uses moving images and sound to provide amusement, enjoyment, and emotional engagement to its audience. Here are the key aspects of movies as a source of entertainment:
Storytelling: Movies entertain by telling compelling stories that capture the audience's imagination. These stories can range from light-hearted comedies to intense dramas, thrilling adventures, or fantastical sci-fi tales.
Genres: Different genres cater to various tastes and preferences, including comedy, action, drama, horror, romance, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, and animation. Each genre has unique elements designed to entertain its specific audience.
Visual and Audio Appeal: The combination of striking visuals, special effects, and sound design creates an immersive experience. Cinematography, lighting, set design, and music score all contribute to the movie's entertainment value.
Emotional Engagement: Movies often evoke a wide range of emotions, from laughter and joy to fear and sadness. This emotional journey can be a significant part of their appeal.
Escapism: Movies offer an escape from everyday life, allowing viewers to experience different worlds, cultures, time periods, and adventures that they might not encounter in their daily lives.
Character and Performance: Engaging characters and powerful performances by actors draw viewers in, making them care about the characters' fates and experiences.
Spectacle and Thrill: Many movies provide spectacular scenes, action sequences, and thrilling moments that captivate and entertain audiences.
Cultural Reflection: Movies can reflect cultural values, trends, and social issues, providing both entertainment and a way to connect with the broader cultural context.
In summary, movies are a dynamic form of entertainment that combine storytelling, visual art, and sound to create an engaging and often immersive experience, designed to captivate and amuse audiences.
