Since 1895, the movie industry has developed considerably. From color TV to cinemas and modern streaming platforms, motion pictures have always found a place in our hearts.
There are many things we remember from our favorite movies such as the actors, landscapes, particular scenes, and, in most cases, the ending. But certain phrases said by the characters have a way of enduring in the popular culture, uniting generations and bringing us closer to each other. This is why at QuotesBlog we want to pay tribute to some of the most popular movie quotes of all time.
The Godfather – ‘I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse’
Premiered in 1972, the Godfather was based on the novel by Mario Puzzo and was a tremendous hit. The story of an Italian family (the Corleone) was brought to life by a best-in-class cast including:
- Marlon Brando
- Al Pacino
- Diane Keaton
- Robert Duvall
The Godfather was a blockbuster that gathered between 210 and 250 million dollars. It was considered the highest-grossing film and its financial success was only the reflection of its artistic repercussion.
Today, the Godfather is considered a classic and one of the most influential movies, especially in the gangster genre. Even today, it’s regarded as one of the 10 most-watched films of all time. Maybe this is why this sentence has been known and quoted in a variety of contexts, cultures, and languages.
The Wizard of Oz – ‘Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore’
It was in 1939 that Judy Garland charmed a whole world singing ‘Over the rainbow’. The Wizard of Oz was also based on a book, and it was adapted to the big screen by the director Victor Fleming. This musical has everything a family needs for entertainment including clever storytelling, lovable characters, fantasy, and outstanding music.
Maybe the story of a young girl that is swapped away from Kansas by a tornado into a fantasy world was right what people needed after the horrors of the Second World War. Anyway, this sentence is now used colloquially to convey when a person has been suddenly left out of their comfort zone or environment.
Star Wars – ‘May the force be with you’
Although popularly attributed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, he wasn’t the first one in the saga to say this famous quote. It was the rebellious leader Jan Dodonna, who said these words to his troops in the original movie from 1977.
All in all, this sentence has become a popular one among Star Wars fans. In the Star Wars universe, ‘May the force be with you’ is used to wish good luck, particularly before facing a challenge.
Titanic – ‘I’m the king of the world’
Everyone loved Titanic and it’s very clear why. The movie has everything to satisfy all audiences: special effects, romance, action, and tragedy.
A young girl travels to America on the Titanic while being engaged to a man, she doesn’t love to save her family. The fiancé can’t conquer this young woman’s wild heart and clever mind. On the ship, she meets Jack, a careless artist who travels the world with nothing but his pencil and sheets.
Titanic has given us many memorable scenes, but this is a special one. We see a reflection of Jack’s free spirit as he watches the dolphins and looks at the ocean ahead standing on the bow of the vessel.
E.T.: The extraterrestrial – ‘E.T. Phone Home’
In this movie, we see a very young Drew Barrymore playing the main character’s little sister. This quote became famous as people remember the moment in which the extraterrestrial manages to convey a message.
One of the first blockbusters by Steven Spielberg, he created the story based on an imaginary friend that he made up when his parents got separated. Now, everyone remembers this movie in which a young boy and his family help a stranded extraterrestrial return home.
Citizen Kane – ‘Rosebud’
Considered the best movie of all time, Citizen Kane was innovative in many ways. Being the first movie to present storytelling through flashbacks, this black-and-white masterpiece shows a clever script and intriguing plot.
The story begins when a powerful multimillionaire dies saying the word ‘Rosebud’, which sends a journalist in an investigation to find out the meaning of this word. The film was produced, directed, and starring by the great Orson Wells.
Terminator II: ‘Hasta la Vista, Baby’
‘Hasta la vista, baby’ is a quote popularized by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1991. The movie was Terminator II, written and directed by James Cameron. Both the quote and the movie have become classics and even Schwarzenegger himself used it for political purposes. An interesting fact is that it was translated as ‘Sayonara, baby’ in Spain but kept its original wording in Latin America.
Final thoughts
If you want to know what a classic is, look at its repercussion on people’s daily lives. In this sense, there is no better example than the sentences we quote and pass on to the next generations.