The 13 most famous movie quotes of all time still used today - how many do you remember?


No cheating! See how many of these famous phrases you can recall before taking a look at their silver screen origins. Bonus points if you can name the actor...


Patrick Swayze in a leather jacket with his arms crossed on top of a table. © Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
Updated: 1 day ago
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Plenty of classic phrases make their way into our vocabulary books, from your grandparent's strange sayings to quotable TV hits. But it's those must-see movies that have made their way to a permanent place into everyday conversation.

From leaving a room like The Terminator to a hilariously bad offer cushioned with The Godfather's famous phrase, you might not have watched all of the films on our list but you'll certainly recognise at least 10 of these well-used sayings.

Actor Robert DeNiro is confronted by a policeman in Martin Scorsese's movie Taxi Driver.© Bettmann Archive via Getty Images

Flatmate got a query or husband getting on your nerves? Robert De Niro has the answer with this famous saying

"You talkin' to me?" – Taxi Driver, 1976

Robert De Niro is acting royalty for a reason and certainly showed off his chops in Martin Scorsese's 1976 classic Taxi Driver

In fact, the actor improvised his iconic line "You talkin' to me?" while his character Travis Bickle acts out an imagined confrontation in the mirror.  

British actress and model Elizabeth Hurley in a silver halterneck mini dress and silver boots standing behind canadian actor, screenwriter and producer Mike Myers in a blue velvet suit with a large white ruffled shirt, on the set of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.© Corbis via Getty Images

Enjoying our list of the most famous movie quotes? That's groovy, baby, yeah!

"Groovy, baby!" – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, 1997

James Bond spoof hero Austin Powers has made his way into the public lexicon to an even greater extent than his 007 cousin. 

From coyly quoting "Oh, behave!" to the pinky propped saying "One million dollars!", the franchise has plenty of catchphrases to choose from. But it's "Groovy, baby!" that we keep coming back to at every occasion.

Tom Cruise talks on a phone in a scene from the film 'Jerry Maguire'.© Getty Images

Asking for a fiver back from your friend? Add some urgency with this famous phrase

"Show me the money!" – Jerry Maguire, 1996

Jerry Maguire may have had us at hello, but it's "Show me the money!" we're still quoting to this day. As Rod Tidwell says, you've got to yell it for the full effect.

From gifs to custom mugs, it's an almost inescapable phrase that any movie buff likes to slip into conversation wherever possible.

Arnold Schwarzenegger in a large green jacket over a dark jumper as Terminator in film The Terminator.© Corbis via Getty Images

"I'll be back" doesn't have to lead into chaos – it's just as good for popping out to the shops

"I'll be back" – The Terminator, 1984

Best used for comedic effect when you're disappearing for about 30 seconds, "I'll be back" has everyone trying to imitate Arnold Schwarzenegger's trademark line and recognisable accent to the best of their (limited) abilities.

The bodybuilder, actor and former Governor of California has certainly made his mark on cinema but it's this calmly uttered phrase before he crashes a police car through the station that's stayed in our minds.

Black and white photo of Marlon Brando in 'The Godfather' holding a tabby cat. © Getty Images

No violent intent needed, 'The Godfather's best-loved line comes in handy for any transaction

"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" – The Godfather, 1972

It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly (show) business. The Godfather brought Marlon Brando's mob boss to the big screen in the almost three-hour crime epic. 

Whether your offer is as persuasive as Brando's doesn't matter too much, the quote's power comes entirely in the delivery and the ridiculous nature of your proposed swap. 

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey dance together in a scene from the end of Dirty Dancing. © Getty Images

After Jennifer Grey's Baby bravely stands up for Johnny Castle, it's Swayze's turn for a bold statement

"Nobody puts Baby in a corner" – Dirty Dancing, 1987

While the fact of whether it's actually a corner Patrick Swayze finds Jennifer Grey in, or just an unfortunately placed pillar, has been thoroughly debated, Dirty Dancing's famous phrase itself has been firmly lodged in conversations since the '80s. 

It likely helps that the saying was first uttered on-screen by heartthrob Johnny Castle and led to one of cinema's most iconic dance sequences.

Jack Nicholson playing the role of a colonel of the navy acting in the film A Few Good Men.© Mondadori via Getty Images

You'll certainly get someone's attention mid-argument if you scream this well-known phrase

"You can't handle the truth!" – A Few Good Men, 1992

Tom Cruise is happily at home in our list of iconic movie quotes already, but this time it's scene partner Jack Nicholson who delivered the memorable phrase. 

Colonel Jessup screams to Cruise's Lieutenant Kaffee in defence of his harsh methods, arguing that civilian morals are facilitated by the actions of the military.

Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore reminiscing about napalm in a large black hat and silver necklace next to a lake. © CBS via Getty Images

Robert Duvall's sinister but quotable line can apply to a variety of situations

"I love the smell of napalm in the morning" – Apocalypse Now, 1979

This villainous phrase has been stripped of some of its power as many movie fans decide to utter it to comedic effect on a particularly sunny day, or when there's a particularly strange whiff in the air.

In Apocalypse Now, the saying has a far more sinister reality: Robert Duvall delivers it after a huge napalm strike on a Vietnamese beach so his soldiers could surf. 

Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond walks down a grand staircase to greet crime reporters who she thinks are part of a film cast.© Getty Images

Norma Desmond defines a glamorous but unfortunate exit in 'Sunset Boulevard'

"All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up" – Sunset Boulevard, 1950

Arriving in the middle of a tense situation or simply want to make an impact down a suitably splendid staircase? There's no better inspiration than Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond.

The more eccentric the outfit and the bigger the crowd the better. Make sure your (imagined) last steps of freedom are drop-dead gorgeous like they do in Sunset Boulevard

Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock in 1967 film The Graduate.© Getty Images

The 1967 hit might be loved for its soundtrack and bittersweet ending, but it's Mrs Robinson's seduction that stayed with audiences

"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" – The Graduate, 1967

Not many movie quotes become so iconic that they are quoted back on the screen. The Graduate's Mrs Robinson has inspired series like The Simpsons, rom-com Rumor Has It... and American Pie

In fact, Mrs Robinson herself has become the definitive example of on-screen flirtations between young men and older women.

Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump sits on a bench in a beige suit with a blue check shirt next to a suitcase. © Getty Images

When you're not screaming to your friends to 'run, Forest, run', it's likely you'll have pulled this sweet simile out mid-conversation

"My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get" – Forrest Gump, 1994

It's the phrases that best sum up our day-to-day that stay with us best. Ever bitten into a truffle hoping for gooey caramel and getting sickly strawberry cream? Then you'll likely relate to Forrest Gump's oft-quoted saying.

Tom Hanks brings the varied and touching story of Forrest and his lifelong love for girl-next-door Jenny to life and is regularly quoted whenever something doesn't go quite to plan.

Black and white photo of Al Pacino as Tony Montana in a suit with a bowtie.© Getty Images

Best used with as unthreatening an object as you can find, people now use Al Pacino's terrifying introduction as a comedy bit

"Say 'hello' to my little friend!" – Scarface, 1983

While Al Pacino in Scarface had terrifying intentions with his so-called 'friend', nowadays, the phrase is just as likely to be said humorously holding your brand new kitten.

Uttered during the film's climax, the delivery pre-empts a slew of violence by the villainous Tony Montana at the heart of 1983's Scarface

Humphrey Bogart publicity portrait for the film 'Casablanca'.© Getty Images

If it's not 'Here's looking at you, kid' or 'We'll always have Paris', you're likely quoting this famous line

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" – Casablanca, 1942

Casablanca is a classic among classics. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, the film defined star-crossed love for the cinema age.

In its closing scenes, right after a tear-jerking end, Humphrey's Rick walks off with Claude Rains' Captain Louis Renault, an unlikely friendship that takes the pair to join the Free French forces.

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