The 18 most famous movie quotes from the 1980s

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.

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. 

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…

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!”

“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. 

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.

“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.

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. 

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. 

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’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.

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.

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!

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.