6 Most Quotable Horror Movie Lines of All Time

Slasher films and monster movies usually don’t feature characters with impressive vocabularies, but when Scream came out, audiences got a killer who couldn’t stop talking. The new movie is expected to deliver even more memorable lines, continuing the franchise’s tradition of clever dialogue inspired by classic horror films.

Horror movies are famous for their scary lines and screams, but only a handful of quotes have really stuck with audiences. These lines are so well-known that they often pop up in everyday conversations. Horror fans instantly recognize them, and they’ll likely remain popular for a long time.

“They’re Coming to Get You, Barbara!” – Night of the Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero revolutionized horror in 1968 with his film, Night of the Living Dead. Widely regarded as a groundbreaking and influential zombie movie, it’s been praised for decades not only for its scary depiction of a zombie outbreak, but also for its commentary on the social and cultural issues of the time.

The movie opens with a brother and sister visiting their father’s grave. Johnny fondly recalls their childhood, remembering how he used to playfully frighten his sister by chasing her around the cemetery and jokingly warning her, “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!” Unbeknownst to them, as a strange man limped closer, his warning would soon prove to be all too real.

This quote might not be immediately familiar to everyone, but it’s instantly recognizable to fans of the genre. Like many iconic horror lines, the impact comes from how it’s said. It’s a subtly ironic hint of what’s to come, and other horror movies have referenced it as either a tribute or a knowing signal to viewers.

“Groovy…” – Evil Dead II (1987)

Sam Raimi launched his directing career in 1981 with the low-budget horror film, The Evil Dead. It quickly gained a following for its creative, do-it-yourself special effects and unconventional filming style, helping to popularize the now-familiar “cabin in the woods” horror setup. Raimi teamed up with star Bruce Campbell again in 1987, and the sequel leaned into the series’ darkly comedic side.

Bruce Campbell’s Ash Williams was well on his way to becoming a lasting horror icon, but Evil Dead II truly cemented his popularity. The film gave Ash a new, darkly humorous personality – a result of being briefly possessed and flirting with madness – which made him a fan-favorite anti-hero. He’s now famous for his memorable lines, both in the movies and the television series that followed his battle against evil.

Though Ash is famous for his memorable one-liners in Army of Darkness (1992), his most iconic catchphrase actually originated in Evil Dead II. After being forced to amputate his possessed hand, Ash fights back, equipping a chainsaw for a hand and a sawn-off shotgun he lovingly calls his “Boomstick.” It’s then, surveying his new, heavily armed state, that he delivers the single word – “Groovy…” – which has become synonymous with the character for decades.

“What’s Your Favorite Scary Movie?” – Scream (1996)

I still remember how much impact Scream had when it came out in 1996! It didn’t just launch a bunch of iconic lines that everyone still quotes, but it was also clever about playing with horror tropes. The movie follows these friends who are obsessed with scary movies, and they start messing around with classic horror phrases like, ‘I’ll be right back…’ It even brilliantly re-used lines from other films, like Billy Loomis quoting ‘We all go a little mad sometimes,’ and referencing Anthony Perkins in Psycho. It was just so meta and fun!

Throughout the Scream movies, the Ghostface killer has always used the same voice changer, provided by actor Roger L. Jackson. This consistent vocal effect, delivered across seven films, has made his threats especially frightening and helped create some truly terrifying scenes. However, one line in particular has become instantly recognizable and iconic.

One of the first things Ghostface always asks his victims over the phone is, “What’s your favorite scary movie?” He uses this seemingly harmless question – and references to horror films in general – to disarm people before tormenting them with dangerous games. This tactic has become iconic, and the question itself immediately evokes the movie Scream no matter where you hear it.

“I Have Come Here to Chew Bubblegum and Kick Ass… and I’m All Out of Bubblegum.” – They Live (1988)

John Carpenter is a horror icon known for classics like Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982), but he’s also made other memorable films. One example is They Live from 1988, which features a standout performance by wrestler Roddy Piper. He plays Nada, an ordinary man who finds sunglasses that reveal the hidden truth about the world around him.

Nada discovers a shocking truth: humanity is secretly controlled by a terrifying alien race who have been living among us in disguise. These aliens have hidden their true appearance and embedded subtle messages in everything around us – in broadcasts and everyday life – to encourage endless consumerism and keep people under their control. Filled with anger, Nada begins a desperate and increasingly erratic fight against them.

Roddy Piper, a legendary performer known for his captivating interviews, famously ad-libbed a line that’s become a classic part of pop culture. In the movie, his character, Nada, walks into a bank secretly filled with aliens disguised as humans. He immediately declares his intentions with the now-iconic phrase: “I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass… and I’m all out of bubble gum.” The line’s memorability has led to countless references and homages in other films over the years.

“Game Over, Man… Game Over!” – Aliens (1986)

The second film in the series, directed by James Cameron, featured more action but also included a lot more iconic lines. This was largely thanks to the addition of a tough group of colonial marines who joined Ripley, the sole survivor of the original 1979 film, Alien. Together, they go back to the dangerous planet to look into the disappearance of a human colony and attempt a rescue.

The rescue team arrived too late to save anyone except Newt, a young girl who had somehow survived on her own among the dangerous alien creatures. Just as they were about to leave, their escape ship crashed right in front of them, leading to a famous and often-quoted line delivered memorably by Bill Paxton.

When Private Hudson from the movie Aliens sees the destruction around him, he becomes overwhelmed and starts expressing his fear with strong language. His commander quickly tells him to calm down. Hudson then voices what everyone is feeling, famously saying, “That’s it, man. Game over, man… Game over! What the fk are we gonna do now?” It’s a line that still resonates with viewers today.

“You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat.” – Jaws (1975)

In 1975, director Steven Spielberg revolutionized filmmaking with Jaws. The movie tells the story of a terrifying Great White Shark that attacks swimmers at a summer resort called Amity Island. Jaws became famous for creating suspense rather than relying on graphic violence, keeping the shark hidden to maximize the audience’s fear.

The first time audiences – and Chief Brody, played by Roy Scheider – truly saw the terrifying shark, they were stunned into silence. But Brody quickly breaks the moment with a now-iconic line that’s become famous for its versatility, while still remaining true to the film’s original context.

In a memorable, unscripted moment, Roy Scheider’s character quietly and fearfully tells Captain Quint, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” This line foreshadows the enormous size of the shark—25 feet long—and has become iconic. It’s instantly recognizable and often quoted, bringing a smile to the faces of those who remember the classic film.

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2026-02-25 19:11