You've Said These Lines Out Loud. We Know You Have
Comedy movies don’t just make us laugh—they embed themselves into everyday conversation. Their best lines become universal shorthand: a way to break tension, make a point, or turn a mundane moment into something instantly hilarious. Over decades, countless films have delivered immortal one-liners, but some have risen above the rest, endlessly repeated by fans, comedians, and anyone who’s ever tried to impress friends with a perfectly timed quote. Here are 30 of the most quoted comedy lines of all time, along with the characters who made them iconic.
“It’s Just A Flesh Wound.”
One of the most beloved absurdist lines ever comes from the Black Knight (John Cleese) in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), uttered after losing both arms. Its deadpan bravado made it a comedic anthem for downplaying disaster.
Screenshot from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, EMI Films(1975)
“This Is An Ex-Parrot!”
Also from Monty Python, delivered by John Cleese in the legendary “Dead Parrot” sketch (1971), it’s become a shorthand for anything broken, useless, or very obviously dead.
Screenshot from Monty Python's Flying Circus, BBC (1969-1974)
“I’m In A Glass Case Of Emotion!”
Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy screams this melodramatically in Anchorman (2004), turning heartbreak into high comedy. People now use it to describe even mild inconvenience.
Screenshot from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, DreamWorks Pictures (2004)
“60% Of The Time, It Works Every Time.”
Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) said this confidently nonsensical line, instantly transforming it into one of the most repeatable quotes in modern comedy.
Screenshot from Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, DreamWorks Pictures (2004)
“So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance?”
Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) delivers this brilliantly hopeful line in Dumb and Dumber (1994). It's the ultimate expression of catastrophic optimism.
Screenshot from Dumb and Dumber, New Line Cinema (1994)
“Big Gulps, Huh? …Well, See Ya Later!”
Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) in Dumb and Dumber delivers what might be the funniest small talk exit line ever captured on camera.
Screenshot from Dumb and Dumber, New Line Cinema (1994)
“My Precious.”
Andy Serkis’ iconic whisper as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) became comedic gold anytime someone guards a snack or object like treasure.
Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Warner Bros. (2002)
“One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor.”
Boromir (Sean Bean) says this in The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), and although originally serious, the internet immortalized it as an endlessly quoted joke template.
Screenshot from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Warner Bros. (2001)
“You Can’t Handle The Truth!”
Jack Nicholson’s explosive line as Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men (1992) is now often used ironically when someone avoids a minor or uncomfortable truth.
Screenshot from A Few Good Men, Columbia Pictures (1992)
“You Can’t Sit With Us!”
Delivered by Gretchen Wieners (Lacey Chabert) in Mean Girls (2004), this hilarious declaration of cafeteria dominance is now thrown around jokingly among friends everywhere.
Screenshot from Mean Girls, Paramount Pictures (2004)
“It’s Alive! It’s Alive!”
Originally a dramatic cry from Dr. Frankenstein (Colin Clive) in Frankenstein (1931), comedians adopted it for everything from tech gadgets booting up to overrisen bread dough.
Screenshot from Frankenstein, Universal Pictures (1931)
“I’ll Be Back.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s robotic monotone in The Terminator (1984) turned this into one of the most spoofed lines in comedic history.
Screenshot from The Terminator, Orion Pictures (1984)
“Show Me The Money!”
Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Rod Tidwell shouted this in Jerry Maguire (1996), giving the world the go-to quote for almost any moment involving cash—or lack thereof.
Screenshot from Jerry Maguire, Sony Pictures (1996)
“Why So Serious?”
Heath Ledger as the Joker delivered this chilling line in The Dark Knight (2008). Its meme-ification turned it into a sarcastic retort for anyone being a little too intense.
Screenshot from The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. (2008)
“I’m The King Of The World!”
Leonardo DiCaprio’s triumphant yell in Titanic (1997) is now used in every possible situation involving ladders, balconies, or other ill-advised perches.
Screenshot from Titanic, Paramount Pictures (1997)
“Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner.”
Patrick Swayze’s line in Dirty Dancing (1987) evolved into a comedic staple used whenever someone feels mildly excluded—or needs a dramatic comeback.
Screenshot from Dirty Dancing, Vestron Pictures (1987)
“You Talkin’ To Me?”
Robert De Niro improvised this in Taxi Driver (1976), giving comedy writers and impressionists a near-perfect line to mimic forever.
Screenshot from Taxi Driver, Columbia Pictures (1976)
“Here’s Looking At You, Kid.”
Humphrey Bogart’s smooth delivery in Casablanca (1942) became an iconic line for affectionate comedic parody.
Screenshot from Casablanca, Warner Bros. (1942)
“Life Finds A Way.”
Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm philosophizes stylishly in Jurassic Park (1993), and now it’s jokingly used to explain anything improbably surviving—plants, pets, even leftovers.
Screenshot from Jurassic Park, Universal Pictures (1993)
“I’m Not Superstitious, But I Am A Little Stitious.”
Steve Carell’s Michael Scott says this in The Office (2007), perfectly capturing his very specific brand of confused brilliance.
Screenshot from The Office, NBC (2005-2013)
“I Feel The Need… The Need For Speed!”
Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Goose (Anthony Edwards) shout this in Top Gun (1986), now a go-to quote for anyone about to do something only slightly fast.
Screenshot from Top Gun, Paramount Pictures (1986)
“We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat.”
Roy Scheider’s dry understatement in Jaws (1975) has become the universal comedic reaction to unexpected problems of any size.
Screenshot from Jaws, Universal Pictures (1975)
“You Complete Me.”
Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) declared this emotional line before comedians turned it into a joke about pizza, pets, and favorite snacks.
Screenshot from Jerry Maguire, Sony Pictures (1996)
“I’m Too Old For This.”
Danny Glover’s Murtaugh says this in Lethal Weapon (1987), and adults everywhere repeat it whenever required to bend, reach, or stand up too quickly.
Screenshot from Lethal Weapon, Warner Bros. (1987)
“That’s What She Said.”
Michael Scott popularized this innuendo punchline in The Office (2005), now permanently lodged in modern humor.
Screenshot from The Office, NBC (2005-2013)
“You Had Me At Hello.”
Renée Zellweger’s Dorothy Boyd delivered this heartfelt line in Jerry Maguire (1996) before it became a comedic exaggeration for any early enthusiasm.
Screenshot from Jerry Maguire, Sony Pictures (1996)
“Houston, We Have A Problem.”
Tom Hanks’ Jim Lovell says this in Apollo 13 (1995); today it’s used to announce everything from technological failure to mild kitchen mishaps.
Screenshot from Apollo 13, Universal Pictures (1995)
“I’m Walking Here!”
Dustin Hoffman’s improvised line in Midnight Cowboy (1969) is shouted jokingly by anyone navigating a crowded sidewalk—or even just an inconvenient hallway.
Screenshot from Midnight Cowboy, United Artists (1969)
The Lines That Live Forever
Comedy quotes endure because they’re flexible: they fit bad days, good days, awkward moments, and everything in between. Whether whispered dramatically, shouted triumphantly, or muttered sarcastically, these quotes have outgrown their movies to become part of everyday language. And let’s be honest—half the fun of watching movies is waiting for the moment when a line becomes something we can use endlessly with our friends. Long live the quotes… and the laughs they keep delivering.
Screenshot from Titanic, Paramount Pictures (1997)
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