The 8 Raddest '80s Movie Quotes Ever

So many iconic movie quotes from the 1980s have stood the test of time and become ingrained in popular culture that it's tough to narrow this list down to just eight — but we think we've done it! Let's take a look back at eight of the most memorable lines from '80s cinema that have left a lasting impact on audiences.

1. 'E.T. phone home.'

In 1982's "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," the lovable alien E.T. (voiced by Pat Welsh) spoke this famous catchphrase immediately after he learned to talk. Stranded on Earth, E.T. told the three siblings who had found him that he wanted to use the telephone to call home — and then he slowly pointed toward the stars. It wasn't until this moment that the children — and audiences — realized that E.T. truly came from outer space. His desire to return home — and the children's efforts to help him get there — drove the rest of the movie.

2. 'I'll be back.'

Arnold Schwarzenegger's character in "Terminator" (1984) delivered this menacing threat with a deadpan look on his robotic face — right before he did indeed return, driving a car through a window and killing a cop in the process. This became Schwarzenegger's signature line, and it foreshadowed the Terminator's relentless pursuit to kill throughout the movie.

3. 'I feel the need ... the need for speed!'

In "Top Gun" (1986), Maverick and Goose (played by Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards, respectively) enthusiastically chanted this famous line in unison as they prepared to compete for the top spot in their fighter pilot class. This phrase became a popular catchphrase in the 1980s, capturing the adrenaline-fueled spirit of the film.

4. 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner.'

Although lead actor Patrick Swayze reportedly hated this line, it took on a life of its own when "Dirty Dancing" premiered in 1987. Swayze's character, bad boy Johnny Castle, delivers the line and then sweeps Baby (Jennifer Grey) out of the corner of the room and — quite literally — off her feet. Audiences cheered for this quotable line that embodies romantic defiance in this coming-of-age story.

5. 'Wax on, wax off.'

No matter whether you enjoy karate or not, pretty much everyone found much to love about "The Karate Kid" when it premiered in 1984 — and it became the sleeper movie of the year. Mr. Miyagi, played by Pat Morita, spoke this iconic line with a thick Japanese accent, when instructing his karate student Daniel (Ralph Macchio). The line resonated because this was the moment Daniel realized the power of indirect learning, unconventional teaching methods, and trusting the process.

6. 'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.'

In 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Ferris (Matthew Broderick) breaks the fourth wall and delivers this defiant line directly to the viewer. Movie-goers ate it up because it felt as if the most popular kid in high school had invited them along on his carefree day of skipping school — and in the process, perhaps also had given them a new life philosophy.

7. 'No, I am your father.'

Few movie lines stunned viewers as much as this one did, when "The Empire Strikes Back" premiered in 1980. Although often misquoted as "Luke, I am your father," either way this line made audiences collectively gasp when evil Darth Vader (James Earl Jones) revealed his paternal relationship to protagonist Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) — one of the most famous plot twists in cinema history.

8. 'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'

This memorable quote, delivered by actor Mandy Patinkin, is unique in that it's spoken multiple times throughout the film "The Princess Bride" (1987), building suspense each time. Patinkin uses both comedy and drama when speaking this line, to encapsulate his character's quest for revenge against the mysterious six-fingered man in one simple statement.

These enduring quotes have lasted for decades due to the popularity of the films, the actors' memorable delivery of lines, and the quotes' ability to encapsulate key themes and moments. Even today, a new generation of movie-goers continues to quote these lines due to their powerful place in cinematic history.

References: 20 Best Quotes From 1980s Movies | Famous movie quotes from the 80s