Match These 8 Famous Quotes to the Right Movie

Some movie lines have outlived the films they came from. People say them at dinner tables, in offices and on road trips, often without remembering where they started.

Below are eight lines from cinema history, described rather than printed, so you can guess the title before reading the answer. Each entry gives a little background on the film and why the moment stuck.

The Farewell Toast on a Foggy Airfield

Think of a man raising a glass to the woman across the table. The phrase is only four words long, and it’s about simply looking at her. It’s a toast, a goodbye and a confession all at once.

The answer is Casablanca, released in 1942, with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The American Film Institute placed this line among the top five on its 2005 list of the greatest movie quotes. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The Parting Shot of a Southern Gentleman

A man walks away from a long, painful marriage. When asked where he’ll go and what he’ll do, he says he doesn’t care in the slightest, using a mild curse word.

That’s Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, from 1939. The AFI ranked it first on its 2005 list. The word was edgy for its day, and the Production Code had only recently been amended to allow it in that context.

The Offer Nobody Could Turn Down

A soft spoken crime boss explains how he’ll handle a stubborn problem. He’ll make a proposal so persuasive that saying no isn’t a realistic option. The calm delivery is what makes it chilling.

This is Vito Corleone, played by Marlon Brando, in The Godfather from 1972. Francis Ford Coppola directed it, and it won Best Picture. The AFI ranked the line second on its list of movie quotes.

A Girl and Her Dog Far From Home

A young girl looks around a strange, colorful landscape and tells her small dog that they’ve clearly left their home state behind. It’s gentle, a little wry and instantly recognizable.

The film is The Wizard of Oz, from 1939, with Judy Garland as Dorothy. The AFI placed the line fourth on its 2005 list. The movie is also remembered for the moment it shifts from sepia tones to Technicolor.

The Boat That Wasn’t Big Enough

A police chief sees the shark for the first time and quietly tells his crewmates that they’ll need a larger vessel. It’s understated, and it’s often the line people quote when a task turns out bigger than expected.

That’s Roy Scheider in Jaws, from 1975, directed by Steven Spielberg. The line is widely credited as an improvised moment on set. It became one of the best known jokes in thriller history.

The Reveal at the Edge of the Platform

A dark armored villain tells a wounded hero a truth about their relationship. The reveal is famous, but most people misremember it. They add the hero’s first name to the sentence, which the actual line doesn’t include.

The movie is The Empire Strikes Back, from 1980. James Earl Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader, while David Prowse wore the suit. The twist remains one of the most discussed in film.

Standing on the Bow of the Ship

A young artist spreads his arms at the front of a huge ocean liner and shouts that he rules the whole world. It’s joyful, a bit cocky, and it comes right before everything changes.

This is Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, in Titanic, from 1997. James Cameron later repeated the line while accepting his Oscar for directing. The film won eleven Academy Awards in total.

The Promise of a Machine at the Front Desk

A stone faced cyborg is told he can’t wait inside a police station. He answers with a short promise that he’ll return. Few phrases so brief have been repeated so often.

The film is The Terminator, from 1984, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by James Cameron. The AFI ranked the line thirty seventh on its list. It stayed attached to Schwarzenegger throughout his career.

Answers at a Glance

The eight films are Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, The Wizard of Oz, Jaws, The Empire Strikes Back, Titanic and The Terminator.

Their release years run from 1939 to 1997, and each one still turns up in everyday conversation.