If you are a movie buff, you must already have at least one favorite movie line. Sometimes the best line is something our favorite character says, sometimes even villains give such inspiring and life-changing speeches that stick in the memory. Cinematic dialogues have the mysterious power to summarize life in just a few lines. These lines immediately come to mind when we need them. They become references people are familiar with and greatly facilitate communication. And because cinema is an art form, these quotes have such authority in debates that it’s hard to overcome.
Whether drama, romance, thriller or action, movies contain a large repertoire of wisdom about the different situations people can find themselves in. The unforgettable movie quotes hold the lamp in front of the viewer to illuminate the hidden sides of life and awaken them to a deeper reality. However, some quotes stay in mind because they are so funny; like that of Gone with the wind: “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!” which is a line that sums up the ultimate response to a fruitless and toxic relationship, and it has survived the test of time because of how relatable the situation is.
Here are 10 of the best movie quotes of all time.
10 Forrest Gump (1994)
“My mother used to say, ‘life was like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.’” This line is said by the titular Forest Gump, played by Tom Hanks. This movie captured the hearts of many viewers because it was made that way complex, attractive and likeable characters. The meaning of the quote is simple, but worth remembering. It describes how surprising and unexpected life can actually be. It is not an invitation to be lazy and not have dreams and goals, but instead it is an invitation to be flexible and bend with life’s ups and downs as they arise.
Forrest Gump’s mother wanted to warn her son about the unstable nature of life’s events so that he would be prepared to face them. It’s such valuable advice that we can all learn from.
9 The Matrix (1999)
“Have you ever had that feeling that you’re not sure if you’re awake or dreaming?” asks The Matrix‘s protagonist, Neo. This film is not only a turning point for film making, but also for the viewers. It’s such a dazzling and thought-provoking film that will make you question everything you’ve envisioned before. The film is about a computer simulation created to enslave and keep humanity locked in a simulacrum that alienates them from the truth. The real and the false merge into a blur and understanding is weakened by confusion.
This movie, including the quote, will never cease to be relevant because artificial intelligence is part of reality and is not going away any time soon. It is also timeless for its metaphorical potential. The matrix, as an invented state of being, could be indicative of the parallel reality created by the media; a reality that is separate from the actual living conditions of man. This particular quote is a nudge for the viewer to take the red pill and wake up to the truth and reality of their lives.
8 Titanic (1997)
“Jack, I’m flying.” On a lighter note, this quote is from Rose from the 1997 movie Titanic. This line is short, but its value is endless. Rose is the daughter of a very wealthy aristocrat who, despite her prominent social position, is very sad. She stands on the edge of the ship and contemplates the peaceful promises of suicide. But from her darkness shone the light of Jack, a poor, feisty, and handsome young man who will change her life and make her think she’s flying on the ledge she tried to jump from.
It is a line that contains the power of love and its super power to change someone’s life. Jack’s love not only saved her life, but restored her and gave her wings. The moment when they stand on the edge of the Titanic and spread their arms is such an iconic moment that it became the most memorable moment. What we can deduce is that if you don’t jump, you might fly.
7 Brave Heart (1995)
“Every man dies, but not every man really lives.” This is a quote from the motivational speech William Wallace gives before the battle of Stirling Bridge in which he features Brave heart. For Wallace, the struggle is a matter of revenge, dignity and freedom. He saw his young wife chained to a tree and ruthlessly murdered by the English forces. He also witnessed the atrocities against his Scottish fellow citizens that drove him to action.
In a way, the quote states the obvious since we all know that death is a fatality we are heading towards. But it also drives us to meaningful and valuable action, such as fighting for the right to freedom and striving to protect the nation from all forms of tyranny from without and within. Living and dying with meaning and for a purpose is a real life achievement. This rule isn’t just something to say on the battlefield, it’s a rule that anyone who wants to live a meaningful life should carry with them.
6 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
“Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want.” It’s Heath Ledger’s line-in 10 things I hate about you. You wouldn’t think this rom-com has anything quotable in it that can stand the test of time, but it does. This line will always be a go-to quote as it deals with a recurring life situation. Many people and situations make you wonder if what you desire in life is something you truly deserve. People with hidden agendas go much further to convince others that what they aspire to is unattainable, that their dreams are too big, or that their merit is too small.
This rule is here to counter these lies and to help the viewer understand that there is no reward too great for them. It’s a feel-good line that, every time you hear it, reminds you of your right to dream big and go after what you want.
5 The Theory of Everything (2014)
“There should be no limits to human endeavour. We are all different. No matter how bad life seems, there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there is life there is hope.” This is a beautiful quote from The theory of everything (2014), and it seems to sum up everything there is to know and love about life. The film is about the love story between Cambridge University student and future physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his colleague Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones).
Despite his motor neuron disease, which his doctor says has little time left to live, Hawking’s passion for research and physics is unaffected when he embarks on one of the most revolutionary studies of time. His story is a true embodiment of this unforgettable cinematic line. It’s movies like this, and quotes like this, that continue to fuel our belief in human resilience.
4 Goodwill Hunt (1997)
If you haven’t seen it Good Will Hunting still, we promise it’s worth it. It’s the movie where Robin Williams, who plays Sean Maguire, says, “You’re going to have bad times, but it’s always going to wake you up to the good things you didn’t pay attention to.” This quote is meant to help people through the hard times that will surely come knocking at their door. It forces viewers to have a more complex understanding of what appears to be a bad event, as it can be a blessing in disguise.
Take the example of a financial problem and how it exposes your enemies and shows you who is really on your side. It is always in a crisis that we know our real worth in people’s lives. Tough times can make relationships closer and can make you appreciate people you used to take for granted.
3 Gladiators (2000)
“Nothing happens to a man that he cannot naturally endure.” This quote describes a timeless concept and wisdom found in different cultures and religions. A very similar Qur’anic verse reads: “Allah does not burden a person beyond his reach.” When life seems too heavy to bear and the battle too bloody to survive, this quote serves to remind viewers that the solution to the situation is well within their means.
This particular line is from The Gladiators(2000), an epic historical drama featuring a Roman general, Maximus (Russell Crowe), who is demoted to gladiator by the new emperor who kills his father. The film showcases Maximus’ relentless spirit and his resilience in the face of challenges. The film ends with his victory over the jealous emperor in a fight to the death. This goal can be taken as proof that, indeed, if one is patient, victory will be his.
2 The Dark Knight (2008)
Masterpiece of 2008 The dark knight offers its viewers a beautiful line that they can take with them through thick and thin. It reads: “The night is darkest just before sunrise. And I promise you, the dawn is coming. Gotham District Attorney Harvey Dent says this at a press conference he is holding to defend Batman. The situation in Gotham was critical, laws were being broken and villains were on the loose.
However, the positive light this character shines on the situation is worth remembering. If, despite our positive and hopeful attitude, the problem does not go away, its size will at least decrease. The metaphor of night and dawn very well expresses the certainty that difficult times have a cycle and will come to an end.
1 Dead Poets Society (1989)
“Poetry. Beauty. Romance. Love. This is what we stay alive for.” This is another quote from Robin Williams in his role as John Keating, an English teacher Dead Poets Association, Keating teaches the students of a prestigious boys’ boarding school about literature, art and poetry. He knows how to draw their attention to the ‘soft sciences’ and to stimulate their curiosity and passion. His unorthodox teaching style has made him stand out and is appreciated and loved by his students.
This quote is one of the most memorable movie lines despite its linguistic simplicity, as it reminds us of the beauty of life and that we can all take a moment from the hustle and bustle of life to appreciate its beauty. It is a film that refutes the idea that ruthless productivity and thoughtless consumerism are the basis of life. It’s a sweet, soft line that’s also disturbing to many concepts we’ve subconsciously adopted because of the different lifestyles society imposes on us.
Movie quotes worth remembering are legion. They give us the perfect thing to say in situations where we can’t find words.