Funniest Movie One-Liners of All Time: Memorable Movie Quotes Moving pictures have been fascinating audiences for over a century and throughout the years, movie characters have become iconic for the one-liners they uttered in iconic scenes. A few lines can be enough to stay with fans long after the credits roll, and many of these movie quotes are remembered as some of the funniest one-liners of all time.
From comedy classics such as Airplane! and Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Shakespearean-style quips found in The Princess Bride, here are some of the funniest movie one-liners of all time.
What Makes a One-Liner Funny?
Before we jump into the meat of the article, it’s worth asking the question, what exactly makes a movie one-liner funny? At first glance, the answer may seem obvious- witty remarks, a clever play-on-words, or something unexpected. However, no matter how clever a one-liner may be, it’s unlikely to be remembered unless it fits the context of the story, or expresses the character’s emotions or ideas in a unique way. A great one-liner can be one that is memorable for its brevity, but also for its poignant delight in summing up the character’s personality, or the scene’s tone.
Great One-Liners From Airplane!
Airplane!, released in 1980, is widely regarded as one of the funniest movies ever made and with its cast of crazy characters and its offbeat story, it’s no surprise that the movie contains some of the funniest one-liners in film history.
One of the most memorably odd lines in the movie comes from the flight attendant named Roger: “Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.”
This line perfectly encapsulates the chaotic energy of the film and Roger’s ill-placed humor in the middle of a serious situation.
Other memorable one-liners from Airplane! include:
• “My orders were to put the plane down safely, not to put down all the passengers and crew…a valuable lesson for each of you!”
• “You have the capacity to learn from mistakes. You’ll learn a lot today.”
• “Don’t call me Shirley!”
• “I like to ‘kick the tires and light the fires’, Big Teddy!”
Famous One-Liners From Monty Python and The Holy Grail
The British comedy troupe Monty Python has been creating laugh-out-loud film sketches and scenes since the 1970s and the 1975 film Monty Python and The Holy Grail is one of their most famous works. From the epic “Bring Out Your Dead” scene to the inane dialogue between King Arthur and the Castle Guard, the movie has its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments, many of which contain one-liners that have become some of the most beloved and well-remembered quotes from the troupe.
Some of the most famous Monty Python and The Holy Grail one-liners include:
• The bridge keeper’s question: “What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?”
• The King’s response: “What do you mean? An African or European swallow?”
• “I didn’t vote for you!”
• “We’re Knights of the Round Table. We dance when e’er we’re able!”
• The Black Knight’s famous line: “It’s just a flesh wound.”
The Famous “Inconceivable!” Quote From The Princess Bride
Released in 1987, The Princess Bride is one of the most beloved fairytale comedies in film history and its star-studded cast is filled with memorable performances, many of them accompanied by zany one-liners.
The most popular of these one-liners is arguably: “Inconceivable!” – uttered by Cary Elwes in his role as the Sicilian swordsman, Inigo Montoya.
The one-liner has become so iconic that it has been used repetitively in pop culture since its original release, including references on TV shows such as Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and South Park.
The Power of a Great Movie One-Liner
From Airplane! to The Princess Bride, it’s easy to see why these one-liners have stuck in the collective cultural consciousness for so long—they’re funny, clever, and, in many cases, contain an insight or meaning that resonates with the audience.
The power of a great movie one-liner cannot be overstated as they often capture a sentiment that is beyond the scope of the movie itself. They become more than just lines in a scripted dialogue—they become part of movie and pop culture history.
From one-liners that are cleverly written to those that are thought-provoking, movie one-liners can have a lasting impact on viewers. Those that are remembered or quoted by fans long after the movie has left the theaters are some of the funniest movie one-liners of all time. Movies like Airplane!, Monty Python and The Holy Grail and The Princess Bride are all classics and contain some of the funniest one-liners in film history. Whether it’s a pun, a play-on-words, or a simple bon mot, great one-liners can stick with viewers long after the credits roll and become part of the popular vernacular.
