So many to choose from. Let us know if you have your own one.
We all have our own favourite quotes and scenes, but what makes them truly iconic is how certain actors deliver their lines. A good script is always an essential component of any decent film, but there are some lines that need a little bit of magic to make them pop and become memorable.
With this in mind, we've decided to look at some of the most perfectly delivered lines in film history.
(Note, we're limiting certain actors to just one place on the list).
Ghostbusters
The quote: "Yes, it's true. This man has no dick."
Special delivery: Even in the face of jail-time and the apocalypse, Venkman still can't miss the opportunity to deliver the most deadpan of lines. Walter Peck really was one of the best jerks from the '80s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-b-CfHbPGQ
Clip via - Wuld
Die Hard
The quote: "Hans bubby, I'm your white knight."
Special delivery: Only a special type of arsehole could get the best quote in a film that's brimming with them. Hey, sprechen ze talk?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb2ZfG77BAo
Clip via - doublek321
The Usual Suspects
The quote: "Give me the key you motherfucking cocksucker!"
Special delivery: McManus loses it, Verbal couldn't be arsed to say it, but it's Benicio Del Toro's character, Fenster, that absolutely nails it. The man just clearly couldn't give a fuck. We love the anecdote that this was the casts's actual real life reaction to Del Toro's accent. Kudos to Bryan Singer for leaving it in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDfZ5HmA6fs
Clip via -
ePegasus
In Bruges
The quote: "What? What are ya' talking about?"
Special delivery: In a film that's brimming with truly memorable moments, it's this moment when Colin Farrell fully embraces Father Dougal that gets the nod. To quote Rick James, "cocaine is a hell of a drug."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAdDURitnsI
Clip via - jumbotoe123
Hot Fuzz
The quote: "You're off the fucking chain!"
Special delivery: Edgar Wright's loving homage to mindless Hollywood action films wouldn't be complete without some killer one-liners. We love Nick Frost embracing his inner gangster before defiantly reloading his shotgun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hzCk7-cZlU
Clip via -
bigdjwhitehead
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
The quote: "I know"
Special delivery: Only Han Solo could be cooler than the carbonite that he's about to be encased in. To this day, this is the most pimptastic comeback to any declaration of love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO-KR-14uXM
Clip via -manarchy
Happy Gilmore
Quote: "Where were you on that one dipshit?"
Special delivery: You can just tell that Happy Gilmore absolutely hates his caddy. The lingering look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INB_k2Gu26w
Clip via - hockeypunk2539's channel
Beverly Hills Cop
The quote: "What's your fucking side of the story?!?!"
Special delivery: Inspector Todd is still the definitive foul-mouthed police officer from any film. You can instantly sense his rage, exhaustion and disappointment in one glorious line that manages to make Axel Foley seem like a child that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOrTICIlbtI
Clip via -JackBauer137
Gladiator
The quote: "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the Armies of the North. General of the Felix Legions. Loyal servant to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife – and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next".
Special delivery: The power of Maximus' words lie in the fact that he manages to stay ice-cool in the face of the sniveling Commodus. It's a classic line, but Crowe's delivery and pace is superb. You get the feeling that he means every single word.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i0u4jFmE78
Clip via - dumforbannade
Airplane!
The quote: "I just want to tell you both, good luck. We're all counting on you."
Special delivery: It's the constant repetition of the line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmHeP9Sve48
Clip via - Nicholas Augusta
Full Metal Jacket
The quote: "Private Pyle, I'm going to give you three seconds. Exactly three fucking seconds to wipe that stupid looking grin off your face, or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you".
Special delivery: R. Lee Ermey was initially only hired by Stanley Kubrick to be a technical advisor on the film. Seeking absolute military authenticity for the film, Kubrick was so impressed by Ermey that he allowed him to write his own dialogue and improvise on the set.
He went on to be nominated for a Golden Globe. Outstanding!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTQAXX08A-s
Clip via -
The Dude Abides
Trading Places
The quote: "Yeah right, just get the fuck out!"
Perfect delivery: The John Landis comedy has so many iconic lines - "those men tried to have sex with me!" - was a close second, but Murphy's delivery here is excellent. You can tell that he's clearly pissed off with the people that gatecrashed his party and just wants these winos to leave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2k1NUz-kzc
Clip via - bearmassaro
Pulp Fiction
The quote: "Say what again! SAY. WHAT. AGAIN. I dare you! I double dare you motherfucker!"
Perfect delivery: Nobody delivers lines quite like Samuel L. Jackson, especially if they're written by Quentin Tarantino.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WK_eWihdU
Clip via - Movieclips
Gone with the Wind
The quote: "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn".
Perfect deliver: The most famous cinematic f**k that was never given.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLnTWxpTQt4
Clip via - NJFAN07
Home Alone
The quote: "Keep the change, you filthy animal!"
Special delivery: Everyone, and we mean everyone, can recite this passage word-for-word. It's special.
Snakes, A.C and Johnny, they're all special people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dGOfFbzvq4
Clip via - dawid0478
Jaws
The quote: "We're going to need a bigger boat."
Special delivery: Not only is it an iconic lone, it also serves the scene and character development.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT9BeGNnCqw
Clip via - rosnor2000
The Shawshank Redemption
Quote: "Get busy living, or get busy dying."
Special delivery: Film is an art form and like any song or book, the best films can move you in a way that's deeply personal. Even during the depths of Andy's despair, he still held onto the one quality that every person needs: hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GwJbrMghQ
Clip via - Dark Sanctuary BBS
The Big Lebowski
The quote: "Obviously, you're not a golfer"
Special delivery: The Dude abides. If you ever needed proof that Jeff Bridges doesn't give a shit, here it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CWfPUrmeiU
Clip via - jewharpkid
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The quote: "You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: those with loaded guns ... and those who dig. ... You dig."
Special deliver: You could make a list which just features Clint Eastwood lines, this one sums up his whole career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1711jiiRtM
Clip via - LAB edizioni
The Terminator
The quote: "I'll be back."
Special delivery: Often copied, never bettered. Arnie delivers one-liners better than most - "Get to the choppppppa" and "Let off some steam" are examples of this, but this one is truly iconic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymc1eww7od0
Clip via - SceneCube
Goodfellas
The quote: "Now go home and get your fucking shinebox."
Special delivery: It's the greatest insult of all time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJzNUydlQ4I
Clip via - chip1992us
All this without mention some iconic lines form the likes of; The Departed, Scarface, Animal House, Anchorman, The Italian Job, The Shining, A Few Good Men, Taxi Driver and countless others.
Let us know if we omitted your idea of the most perfectly delivered line in film history.
