For decades, movie quotes have livened up parties, cemented friendships, and made human interaction safe for the socially anxious. Who among us hasn't reached for that Will Ferrell quote when our own words were insufficient? What man of a certain age hasn't tripped on a curb, then turned and murmured "have that removed..." like John Larroquette in Stripes? What college student hasn't spent an entire day speaking entirely in sentences that were crafted by Hollywood screenwriters or movie-star improvisers? Join us on a trip through time as we count down the most quotable movies in Hollywood history. You can sit with us.
Clueless
What is it: Alicia Silverstone meddles, changes clothes, marries step-brother.
Main quote: "As if!"
Expert-level quote: "You're a virgin who can't drive."
Who quotes it: Real Housewives of California Cities, your friend who came out ten years ago.
The Princess Bride
What is it: Unsettling grandfather tells rambling story.
Main quote: "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Expert-level quote: "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
Who quotes it: Ted Cruz. Probably nobody else anymore because of Ted Cruz.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
What is it: Mike Myers unfreezes self, prints money.
Main quote: Saying anything in Lorne Michaels' voice and then putting your pinky up against your lips.
EXTRA CREDIT FOR HAVING INSPIRED A CROSSFIT MEME:
Expert-level quote: Saying anything in Lorne Michaels' voice and then putting air quotes around the last word you say.
Who quotes it: People who "appreciate" "comedy."
Pulp Fiction
What is it: Criminals, strivers, and gimps intersect in the seedy parts of Los Angeles, John Travolta gets the third of his eleven career resurgences, so much blood.
Main quote: "There is no me and you. Not no more."
Expert-level quote: "We're gonna be like three little Fonzies here."
Who quotes it: People who have worked in video stores.
Scarface
What is it: Drug dealer rises and falls, Michele Pfeiffer exposes sternum, Al Pacino snorts the scenery.
Main quote: "Say hello to my little friend!"
Expert-level quote: "In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."
Who quotes it: Largely people who think they're quoting The Simpsons and Family Guy.
Mean Girls
What is it: Nice girl struggles to survive in clique-controlled high school, viewer finds self in odd position of rooting for Lindsay Lohan.
Main quote: "Stop trying to make fetch happen!"
EXTRA CREDIT FOR HAVING INSPIRED A CROSSFIT MEME:
Expert-level quote: "You can't sit with us."
Who quotes it: Mean boys.
Caddyshack
What is it: The mid-'70s Second City mainstage cast spends its summer break on a golf course, cocaine is provided.
Main quote: "So I got that going for me…which is nice."
Expert-level quote: "We're all gonna get laid!"
Who quotes it: Your uncle who has a Budweiser light fixture hanging over his bumper-pool table.
Wedding Crashers
What is it: Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson crash weddings, learn lessons, Bradley Cooper plays preppy villain he probably was at some point in his youth.
Main quote: "Stage 5 clinger!"
Expert-level quote: "You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!"
Who quotes it: Those guys you see at the airport bar, drinking beer before noon, cell phone clipped onto belt, loose polo shirts tucked into Dockers.
Old School
What is it: Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson form fraternity, learn lessons, Craig Kilborn plays preppy villain he probably still is.
Main quote: "Once it hits your lips, it's so good."
Expert-level quote: "Earmuffs."
Who quotes it: Young dads named Kyle.
Paris Is Burning
What is it: Documentarian observes the vogue scene in mid-'80s Harlem, provides the vocabulary for three generations of gay men and the women who love them.
Main quote: "Woooooorrrrrrk!"
Expert-level quote: "O.P.U.L.E.N.C.E! Opulence!"
Who quotes it: Everyone on RuPaul's Drag Race, Ariana Grande, your friend who came out ten days ago.
The Big Lebowski
What is it: Jeff Bridges wears yoga pants, has adventures.
Main quote: "The Dude abides."
Expert-level quote: "That rug really tied the room together."
Who quotes it: Your friend who has a favorite edible.
Wet Hot American Summer
What is it: The first generation of Upright Citizens Brigade performers spends its summer break at a camp in the woods, weed is provided.
Main quote: "I want you inside me."
Expert-level quote: "I'm not kidding! I'm not Ruth Buzzi standing here!"
Who quotes it: Everyone standing in line outside an Upright Citizens Brigade theater.
Step Brothers
What is it: Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly fight, learn lessons, crush it at the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer.
Main quote: "It's the fucking Catalina Wine Mixer!"
EXTRA CREDIT FOR HAVING INSPIRED A CROSSFIT MEME:
Expert-level quote: "You know what gets my dick hard? Helping out my friends."
Who quotes it: Current college students, because they snuck into it when they were 12. Think about that for a minute.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
What is it: Medieval sketch comedy show posing as a movie.
Main quote: "It's just a flesh wound!"
Expert-level quote: "I fart in your general direction."
Who quotes it: People who have a button set for the local NPR affiliate, and firm opinions on the Ghostbusters reboot.
Swingers
What is it: Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau go to Vegas, come back from Vegas, kill the bunny.
Main quote: "You're so money!"
Expert-level quote: "Hi, Mom. I didn't get that pilot. By the way, I'm goofy. Send more money."
Who quotes it: Men with bowling shirts stored away deep in their closets, just in case they come back in style.
Friday
What is it: Ice Cube and Chris Tucker smoke weed, have adventures.
Main quote: "Bye, Felicia."
Expert-level quote: "Puff puff, give. Puff puff, give. You fuckin' up the rotation."
Who quotes it: The children of the people who quote The Big Lebowski.
Heathers
What is it: Christian Slater and Winona Ryder
Main quote: "Well, fuck me gently with a chainsaw."
Expert-level quote: "Football season is over, Veronica. Kurt and Ram had nothing left to offer the school except date rapes and AIDS jokes."
Who quotes it: Dangerous high-school girls of the late 1980s who are now the leading real-estate agents in the tri-cities.
Anchorman
What is it: Will Ferrell and his immediate circle of close friends spend their summer break in a television newsroom, Monster Energy drink is provided.
Main quote: "That escalated quickly."
EXTRA CREDIT FOR HAVING INSPIRED A CROSSFIT MEME:
Expert-level quote: "I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."
Who quotes it: Literally everyone, at all times, whether they are aware of it or not. Anchorman quotes are like air.
