The 18 most famous movie quotes from the 1980s — how many do you remember?


I feel the need, the need to be afraid, be very afraid. As you wish. '80s cinema was packed with some iconic lines, but how many do you remember today?


Black and white photo of Geena Davis in a striped shirt smiling at the camera.© NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Daisy Finch
Daisy FinchAudience Writer
2 minutes ago
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Early hits like Casablanca introduced us to a beautiful friendship while more modern movies had us calling everything groovy, baby! But bookended between the Golden Age and new releases lies the '80s with a cornucopia of famous phrases we're still quoting today.

From Wall Street to farm boy Wesley, Ferris Bueller to fatherly advice (or threat) – there's plenty of sayings that have made it into our everyday language.  See if you agree on our favourite line from each of these quotable features...

Headshot of John Cusack in a dark shirt and colourful tie.© Corbis via Getty Images

Young love or an early obsession with stationery? You decide

"She gave me a pen. I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen" – Say Anything (1989)

Star of Say Anything, John Cusack's Lloyd Dobler has to contend with heartbreak in the '80s teen classic when Ione Skye's Diane Court breaks up with him, leaving behind a pen she used to write her address.

The moment of early heartbreak has cemented itself in our modern phrase book, capturing the drama of teenage love and what it feels like to find out your affection is unrequited.

Christian Slater standing against a motorcycle in a scene from 'Heathers'.© Getty Images

We'll never know how J.D. managed to memorise all those locker combinations

"Seven schools in seven states and the only thing different is my locker combination" – Heathers (1988)

Heathers' resident bad-boy J.D. stole teenage hearts during the '80s. The surprisingly dark hit film ensured lighter moments with a dash of irreverent comedy, many of which contributed by J.D. himself.

It wasn't a case of third time's the charm for J.D., but the iconic quote does help to sum up the problems faced by every high schooler around the world. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in costume on the set of 'Predator'. © Corbis via Getty Images

Arnold Schwarzenegger has plenty of quotable lines and his role in 'Predator' is no exception

"If it bleeds, we can kill it" – Predator (1987)

This matter-of-fact approach to the Predator villains makes for a very quotable – if violent – line from the '80s hit.

While the heroes prove successful throughout the franchise so far, the sheer number of sequels does make you wonder if it's really as simple as Arnold Schwarzenegger believes...

Cary Elwes in a white shirt and cream jacket.© Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Best shouted while your stunt double rolls down a hill, fans have been quoting Wesley's best line since the '80s

"As you wish" – The Princess Bride (1987)

Farm boy, fetch me that pitcher!' 'As you wish...' It's not the obvious makings of an eternal love story that fans return to year on year, but The Princess Bride's floppy-haired Westley had plenty of audiences sighing over the thought of their own farm boy.

Cary Elwes and Robin Wright starred in the '80s fantasy romance which featured pirates, disguises, torture chambers and yes, true love's kiss.

Michael Douglas in a suit and striped shirt on the set of 'Wall Street'.© Corbis via Getty Images

These fictional stockbrokers defined what corporate greed looked like in the '80s

"If you need a friend, get a dog" – Wall Street (1987)

Wall Street's Gordon Gekko has plenty of memorable lines to his name, from "Greed is right, greed works" to "Money never sleeps" it's no wonder the '80s feature is still a classic today.

But before all the finance bros start getting too comfortable, Gordon's advice to get a dog would certainly put a dampener on a 5pm pint.

On the set of 'Blue Velvet', Laura Dern wears a pink and white stripe dress, folding her arms, while Kyle MacLachlan wears a grey shirt and holds her hand. Both look up towards the top of the image.© Corbis via Getty Images

Surreal is the only way to describe David Lynch's '80s classic

"See that clock on the wall? In five minutes you are not going to believe what I've told you" – Blue Velvet (1986)

The late, great David Lynch's Blue Velvet doesn't hold back on its psychologically twisted plot that delves deeper and deeper into a criminal conspiracy.

Its most famous quote sums up the life changing effect of small shifts in time or location, such as finding a severed human ear in a local field.

Geena Davis tears up on the set of 'The Fly', holding a hand lightly up to her mouth.© Corbis via Getty Images

Geena Davis uttered this famous, and endlessly quotable, line in classic '80s horror 'The Fly'

"Be afraid. Be very afraid" – The Fly (1986)

Not many famous lines are as easily applicable to everyday life as this one uttered by Geena Davis in The Fly

The line leads into Geena warning another woman away from Jeff Goldblum's increasingly dangerous teleportation experiments.

American actors Tom Cruise, as Lieutenant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, and Kelly McGillis, as Charlotte 'Charlie' Blackwood, in a promotional portrait for 'Top Gun'.© Getty Images

Top Gun's Maverick is an icon of '80s cinema and has the quotable line to match

"I feel the need. The need for speed!" – Top Gun (1986)

Perfectly timed as a traffic light turns green or on a long stretch of motorway, this Top Gun quote uttered by Tom Cruise's Maverick and his sidekick can make an hours-long road trip just a little less tense.

When hearing that Iceman has won another contest, Maverick utters that famous start: "I feel the need", rounded off by Goose, "The need... for speed!"

American actor Jack Nicholson on the set of The Shining, sat at a bar.© Corbis via Getty Images

'The Shining' is perhaps the decade's defining on-screen horror, and was only released at the very start of the '80s

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" – The Shining (1980)

"Here's Johnny!" might be one of The Shining's most memorable lines but it's a harder one to subtly slip in at the office. In fact, this quote is so much a part of our culture people might not realise you're quoting the axe-wielding killer.

His descent into madness pulls on what was originally a 17th-century proverb but now is surely best remembered for its place in the Stephen King feature. 

British actor David Prowse on the set of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back poses with two stormtroopers in front of a red background.© Corbis via Getty Images

This famous phrase is one of the most quotable and most commonly changed lines of film dialogue

No, I am your father"– The Empire Strikes Back - 1980)

As well as being one of cinema's most often quoted lines, it's also one of the screen's most infamous instances of the Mandela Effect.

If you've been saying "Luke, I am your father" all these years it might be time for a rewatch as this chilling confession skips Skywalker's name entirely.

Leslie Nielsen in a tan suit with a white shirt and striped tie crosses his arms and smiles.© Getty Images

Leslie Nielsen's Dr. Rumack is a master of absurd humour and word play

"I am serious... and don't call me Shirley" – Airplane! (1980)

"Surely you can't be serious?" "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." This exchange is one of countless bits throughout the beloved '80s comedy Airplane! and Leslie Nielsen's deadpan delivery as Dr. Rumack plays a big part in the film's continued appeal.

His other famous exchange: "This woman has to be gotten to a hospital." to which Elaine Dickinson replies, "A hospital? What is it?" as Rumack rounds off: "It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now.

The movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", written and directed by John Hughes. Seen here from left, Alan Ruck as Cameron Frye and Matthew Broderick as Ferris Bueller at Wrigley Field. Initial theatrical release June 11, 1986© Getty

Ferris Bueller is a classic teen adventure exploring the world outside the school gates

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” – Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

Some quotes hit the nail on the head and Ferris Bueller's Day Off is no exception. The reminder to look around at your life and appreciate the moment surely only becomes more and more important as fans get older.

Matthew Broderick's star role brought the laughs but also reminded audiences to stop and smell the roses. 

Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in  "When Harry Met Sally"© Getty Images

Meg Ryan's standout comedy performance is only equalled by Estelle Reiner's following quip

​“I’ll have what she’s having” – When Harry Met Sally (1989)

If Meg Ryan screaming in delight while eating a sandwich is When Harry Met Sally's most famous scene, then surely the Nora Ephron feature's most famous line follows directly after it.

Director Rob Reiner's mother Estelle was the one to deliver the famous quote that's easily dropped into conversation. 

Portrait of Molly Ringwald in a dark grey cardigan and dark grey trousers, pulling her knee up to her chest with clasped hands, wearing a dark wide brim hat.© Getty Images

A sweet taste of early love? Hardly. For 16-year-old Samantha Baker it's anything but cute

​"That’s why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they’d call them something else” – Sixteen Candles (1984)

For any '80s kids who heard the kind words of Molly Ringwald's on-screen father, it's likely the quote came  exactly when they needed it to.

The pain of unrequited love is certainly crushing for anyone in the throes of adolescence and this regular reminder is just as timeless.

Kevin Costner in a scene from the film 'Field Of Dreams' wearing a white shirt and grey trousers, resting his elbow on his right knee and his face on his knuckles.© Getty Images

Ray's sporting field pulled people in from this life and the next

​“If you build it, he will come” – Field of Dreams (1989)

Kevin Costner's Ray Kinsella finds himself guided by a mysterious voice to begin turning his field in Iowa into a place where sporting dreams come true.  

One of the film's most iconic lines pushes Ray towards getting the job done, but is just as applicable to a sandcastle and a malicious older brother.

Evil spirits attempt to capture Heather O'Rourke in a scene from 'Poltergeist'.© Getty Images

This famous line is best utilised when your in-laws turn up unannounced

"They're here" – Poltergeist (1982)

Another '80s horror classic on our list, Poltergeist's most memorable line keeps things simple: the sing-song announcement that the spirits have descended on the family is enough to send chills down your spine.

We're not sure if there's an exact science behind it, but little girls singing in a horror film acts as a very good sign things are about to get frightening.

Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio stand together as Mr Miyagi and the titular Karate Kid.© Getty Images

Painting the fence and waxing the car were just a couple of the tasks Mr Miyagi gave the Karate Kid

"Wax on, wax off" – The Karate Kid (1984)

Mr. Miyagi's eternal advice to "wax on, wax off" was just one of many seemingly unimportant tasks offered to the Karate Kid himself Ralph Macchio.

But these quotes remind us of the instructor's valuable life lesson that practice and discipline come in many different forms. So better get polishing that car!

Molly Ringwald, Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez, on-set of the Film, "The Breakfast Club", 1984© Universal Images Group via Getty

Don't you... mess with the bull, young man!

"Don't mess with the bull, young man. You'll get the horns” – The Breakfast Club (1985)

The Breakfast Club's iconic soundtrack and cast stacked with '80s stars is only equalled by its most memorable lines. 

While the film's tagline comes in at a close second, Paul Gleason's delivery as Principal Richard Vernon makes this comedic threat a quotable line even decades later.

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