The Most Memorable Comedic Lines
When it comes to well-written humor, these are the most hilarious standalone movie lines. Which ones have you caught yourself quoting?
Young Frankenstein (1974)
"It’s pronounced 'Fronkensteen'". —Dr Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder)
Gruskoff/Venture Films, Young Frankenstein (1974)
Juno (2007)
"Yeah, you just take Soupy Sales to prom. I can think of so many cooler things to do that night. Like, you know what, Bleek? I might pumice my feet, I might go to Bren's unitarian church, maybe get hit by a truck full of hot garbage juice, you know? 'Cause all those things would be exponentially cooler than going to prom with you". —Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page)
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Juno (2007)
Airplane! (1980)
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue". —Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges)
Billy Madison (1995)
"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it". —Principal Max Anderson (Josh Mostel)
Universal, Billy Madison (1995)
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries". —French soldier (John Cleese)
Python (Monty) Pictures, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Dumb And Dumber (1994)
"According to the map, we've only gone four inches". —Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels)
New Line Cinema, Dumb and Dumber (1994)
The Pink Panther (2006)
"Right now, the killer is being surrounded by a web of deduction, forensic science, and the latest in technology, such as two-way radios and e-mail". —Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin)
Elf (2003)
"You sit on a throne of lies". —Buddy (Will Ferrell)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball". —Patches O'Houlihan (Rip Torn)
Twentieth Century, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
"Most blokes will be playing at ten. You're on ten here. All the way up. All the way up. All the way up. You're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?" —Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest)
Goldcrest Films International, This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
School Of Rock (2003)
"I just decided to give up on myself and become a teacher because those that can't do, teach. And those that can't teach, teach gym". —Dewey Finn (Jack Black)
Paramount, School of Rock (2003)
The Jerk (1979)
"A cosmetologist? That's unbelievable. That's impressive. Must be tough to handle the weightlessness". —Navin Johnson (Steve Martin)
Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby (2006)
"I like to picture Jesus in a tuxedo T-shirt because it says I want to be formal, but I'm here to party". —John C Reilly as Cal Naughton, Jr (John C Reilly)
Columbia, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
The Addams Family (1991)
"Last night you were unhinged. You were like some desperate, howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again". —Morticia Addams (Anjelica Houston)
Paramount, The Addams Family (1991)
Barbie (2023)
"She thinks I'm a fascist? I don't control the railways or the flow of commerce!" —Barbie (Margot Robbie)
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
“Face it, girls. I’m older, and I have more insurance". —Evelyn (Kathy Bates)
Universal, Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
Doctor Strangelove Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)
"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!" —President Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers)
Stanley Kubrick Productions, Dr. Strangelove (1964)
The Favourite (2018)
"Did you just look at me? Did you? Look at me! Look at me! How dare you? Close your eyes!" —Queen Anne (Olivia Colman)
Fox Searchlight Pictures, The Favourite
Mulan (1998)
"That's it! Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!" —Mushu (Eddie Murphy)
Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)
"It's just a flesh wound". —The Black Knight (John Cleese)
Python (Monty) Pictures, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Airplane! (1980)
"I am serious…and don't call me Shirley". —Dr Rumack (Leslie Nielsen)
Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004)
"I'm in a glass case of emotion!" —Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell)
DreamWorks, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
Casablanca (1942)
“That is my least vulnerable spot". —Captain Renault
Warner Bros., Casablanca (1942)
Jaws (1975)
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat”. —Chief Brody (Roy Scheider)
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
“Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” —Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)
Paramount, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)
"That still only counts as one!" —Gimli (John Rhys-Davies)
New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Zoolander (2001)
"What is this? A center for ants?" —Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller)
The Incredibles (2004)
"'Greater good?' I am your wife! I'm the greatest good you're ever gonna get!" —Honey Best (Kimberly Adair Clark)
Walt Disney, The Incredibles (2004)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
"By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me". —Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep)
Fox 2000 Pictures, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
“Oh, right, to call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people. … I’ve worn dresses with higher IQs". —Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis)
Prominent Features, A Fish Called Wanda (1988)
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
"If I'm not back in five minutes, just wait longer". —Ace Ventura (Jim Carrey)
Morgan Creek Entertainment, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
Hairspray (2007)
“If we get any more white people in here, this is gonna be a suburb". — Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah)
New Line Cinema, Hairspray (2007)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
"Ariel, you're under a lot of pressure down here". —Sebastian (Samuel E Wright)
Walt Disney, The Little Mermaid (1989)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
"Even if I wanted to go, my schedule wouldn't allow it. 4:00, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one; 5:30, Jazzercise; 6:30, dinner with me — I can't cancel that again; 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing. ... I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and slip slowly into madness". —Grinch (Jim Carrey)
Universal, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Mean Girls (2004)
"She doesn't even go here!" —Damian Leigh (Daniel Franzese)
Toy Story (1995)
"You are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity". —Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
"That rug really tied the room together, did it not?" —The Dude (Jeff Bridges)
Polygram Filmed Entertainment, The Big Lebowski (1998)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
“Please. Have mercy. I’ve been wearing the same underwear since Tuesday.” —Neal Page (Steve Martin)
Paramount, Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)
When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
"Harry, you might not believe this, but I never considered not sleeping with you a sacrifice". —Sally Albright (Meg Ryan)
Castle Rock, When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Despicable Me (2010)
"He's so fluffy, I'm gonna die!" —Agnes (Elsie Fisher)
Universal, Despicable Me (2010)
Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery (1997)
"My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon...luge lessons. In the spring, we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent, I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds. Pretty standard, really". —Dr Evil (Mike Myers)
Capella International, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
