In my last post, we talked about the world of movies and the vocabulary around them.
In this post, I’d like to share with you some of my favourite quotes from movies. Apart from the storyline and the actors, quotes from movies are often what make a film so memorable for us. They become part of everyday conversations and certainly make our language more colourful.
As a language learner, you will probably hear native speakers use catchphrases or quotes they’ve heard from movies. Using some of these quotes will certainly spice up your conversations with native speakers.
There are so many quotes from movies and I’ve only picked 10 of my favourite here. If you want to find other catchphrases, take a look at this link that I found whilst doing research for this blog.
I also want to thank Chad Fishwick of Real Life English for giving me the idea for this post with his excellent post on movie catchphrases and quotes.
1.“Bond. James Bond”
DR.NO
The first time James Bond introduces himself to Sylvia Trench.
This has now become so iconic as an introduction that people (often men!) use it to introduce themselves in a humorous way, for example, “My name’s Streat. Shanthi Streat”.
2. “Who you gonna call?”
GHOSTBUSTERS
-This was a music hit for Roy Parker Jr in 1984 and has since become a popular catchphrase especially if you need to call a plumber or electrician to fix something in the house.
(This was a hugely successful movie for the co-writer and actor, Harold Ramis who died yesterday – RIP)
3. “You talking to me?”
TAXI DRIVER
Robert De Niro’s character Bickle is looking at himself in the mirror and is imagining a situation where he can pull out his gun.
A lot of people use it again in a humorous way when they want to sound intimidating.
4. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
GONE WITH THE WIND
Rhett Butler, to Scarlett,answering her question of where to go, what to do
“I don’t give a damn” is another way of saying “I don’t care“. If you’re particularly annoyed with someone you could use this expression.
5. “Hasta la vista…baby.”
– TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY
The Terminator, to T-1000, before shattering his liquid nitrogen frozen body
My favourite expression when I am joking around with my nephews. You can use this any time to say goodbye to someone (without needing to kill them off, of course!)
6. “May the Force be with you.”
– STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE
This catchphrase is so popular that there is even a play on words that is used for 4 May – ‘May the Fourth be with you’
7. “My momma always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates: you never know what you’re gonna get.”‘
FORREST GUMP
– Forrest, telling someone at a bus stop his mother’s sayings.
I love the wisdom in these words and I use it when I want to feel wise about life.
8. “I’ll be back.”
THE TERMINATOR
– This catchphrase coined by Arnold Schwarzenegger has been voted best movie catchphrase of all time
It can be used anywhere and anytime.
9. “Houston, we have a problem.”
APOLLO 13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAmsi05P9Uw
– Jim Lovell, informing Mission Control about a troublesome situation
This is often used as a joke when you actually do have a problem (hopefully not too serious).
10. “Go ahead, make my day.”
SUDDEN IMPACT
Clint Eastwood playing Harry Callahan, to a small-time restaurant robber
A great catchphrase to use if you want to challenge someone to do something that they shouldn’t really do.
What are your favourite movie quotes in English? Please share them with me here.
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Hasta la vista, folks. I’ll be back!!!
Shanthi
