15 Iconic Fantasy Movie Quotes That Are Instantly Recognizable

Many quotes from the best fantasy movies of all time are instantly recognizable, evoking a specific magical facet of the Fantasy genre captured at that moment. Quotes like this may be identifiable because they mention a character or world-building concept by name. However, some iconic quotes are just a collection of everyday words, maybe even completely bizarre when taken out of context, that were strung together and used in just the right way to become one of the most famous lines ever said.

The most quotable movies ever feature some fantasy, easily allowing reiterations of the sarcastic remarks or life lessons exposited by fan-favorite fantasy characters. Whether a title was critically acclaimed or featured one of the best fantasy movie performances of all time, how much that movie is referenced more honestly speaks to how it impacted audiences. The most famous fantasy lines ever reflect a combination of inspiration, humor, seriousness, and the mere feeling of a milestone movie coming to life.

15 “May The Force Be With You.”

Said By Han Solo In Star Wars (1977)

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) celebrate in front of an X-Wing, Chewbacca, and other members of the Rebel Alliance after the destruction of the Death Star in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope

“May the Force be with you” is such an iconic and oft-quoted line that its exact origin can be difficult to trace. Ironically, the first major character to say it on-screen is the ever-skeptical Han, repeating what a Rebellion general said earlier to Luke in an attempt to part peacefully before Luke joins the attack on the Death Star.

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In this movie, Luke learns to trust in the Force as a way of trusting in himself. Star Wars always comes back to this mysterious power, once invoked encouragingly by a friend who has never fully understood it himself.

14 “Of Course It’s Happening Inside Your Head, Harry. Why Should That Mean That It’s Not Real?”

Said By Professor Dumbledore In Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry and Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in Kings Cross purgatory In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Harry’s conversation with Dumbledore in a purgatorial King’s Cross Station is the brief moment of peace and clarification the audience and the characters get before rallying one last time. Dumbledore explains a lot of lingering plot threads in this scene and repeats some of the series’ biggest morals. Yet his moderately unrelated final words to Harry are what stick, coming across as the strangely effective finishing touch on everything. Maybe the professor is dispelling any lingering self-doubt in Harry, or maybe he is breaking the fourth wall and encouraging the audience to keep believing in the story’s magic.

13 “Once You Do Something, You Never Forget. Even If You Can’t Remember.”

Said By Zeniba In Spirited Away (2001)

No-Face and Chihiro sitting at a table with Zeniba having tea and snacks in Spirited Away.

While Chihiro might have temporarily forgotten how Haku saved her as a child, and her adventure in the Spirit Realm might fade with time, she will always be changed by these things. These friendships and experiences subconsciously last forever. The circumstances of Spirited Away change when Chihiro meets Zeniba, one of the few kind people in the movie who wants to help her. Zeniba is a soothing presence Chihiro needs, aiding her differently than Haku or No-Face. Additionally, this particular piece of advice said by Zeniba captures Spirited Away‘s core theme.

12 “I Am No Man.”

Said By Éowyn In The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

Miranda Otta as Eowyn says I am no man In Lord of the Rings Return of the King

“I am no man” is characteristic of the satisfying trope where a prophecy or obstacle is subverted by a loophole a narrow-minded villain overlooked. Éowyn’s arc in The Lord of the Rings is complex, and not everyone was pleased with how it ended in the books. However, it is namely about her frustration at always being ordered to stay back, when she is a skilled warrior who wants to help protect her kingdom. After a movie of this, Éowyn takes things into her own hands and triumphs on the battlefield, before finding some peace in the aftermath.

11 “My Name Is Inigo Montoya. You Killed My Father. Prepare To Die.”

Said By Inigo Montoya In The Princess Bride (1987)

Mandy Patinkin as Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride

Inigo utters his famous mantra several times in The Princess Bride, a lifelong goal fueled by grief and dedicated training. This movie takes an interesting approach concerning this storyline, in comparison to other properties that emphasize the corrupting nature of pursuing revenge.

Mandy Patinkin’s performance during Inigo’s confrontation with Count Rugen is amazing, revealing the pain that will never completely go away. Yet it is also thrilling when he gets to say the words he has practiced for so long. Inigo is a classic swashbuckling adventurer, and once his mission is complete, he is implied to easily move on.

10 “There’s No Place Like Home.”

Said By Dorothy Gale In The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

Dorothy (Judy Garland) smiling in a corn field in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

“There’s no place like home” is the essence of The Wizard of Oz. This movie from the best year in Hollywood history is a poignant depiction of the Dust Bowl when Dorothy expresses how she longs to journey to someplace magical in the lovely and pensive ballad “Over the Rainbow.” With the transition to technicolor emphasizing the contrast, Oz is a vibrant, wonderful escape. Yet Dorothy still spends the entire movie trying to get back home. Despite the idea of something better existing elsewhere, there is no place like home, even in hard times.

9 “Goonies Never Say Die!”

Said By Mikey Walsh In The Goonies (1985)

Sean Astin as Mikey down the well in The Goonies

The Goonies is a nostalgic 1980s adventure movie based around a simple treasure-hunting expedition and straightforward themes. Today, the performances of young Sean Astin and Ke Huy Quan are a blast from the past. In the Goonies’ darkest hour, Astin’s Mikey delivers the movie’s most popular line. Like many of Astin’s most famous characters he would play as an adult, the Goonies never give up, and they triumph in the end because of it. Much like a fairy tale, the story rewards the Goonies for their perseverance, and they are able to save their home.

8 “The Needs Of The Many Outweigh…The Needs Of The Few…Or The One.”

Said By Spock & Kirk In Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan (1982)

Spock gives Kirk the Vulcan salute through glass in Wrath of Khan

Spock is known for his cold, calculating logic, and in his famous death scene in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, he invokes this logic as the reason for his sacrifice. Echoing what he said earlier in the movie, Spock explains that he must save everyone else, with Kirk filling in the blanks where Spock is struggling to speak. Yet for all the logic of the situation, it is still a deeply emotional moment. Kirk is distraught over what must be done, while Spock affirms their friendship. The juxtaposition at this moment makes the sacrifice even weightier.

7 “Savvy?”

Said By Captain Jack Sparrow In Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black peal (2003)

Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow Grins as He Looks Down at His Ship's Crew in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl's Ending

Jack’s response to the other characters’ bewilderment is a simple “Savvy?” In other words, everyone just needs to go along with it. Captain Jack Sparrow confused everyone when he first appeared on the big screen, in the best way possible

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Will spends most of the first movie trying to keep up with Jack’s schemes, Barbossa has clearly had too much of Jack’s antics in his lifetime, and the audience is busy trying to make sense of Johnny Depp’s performance. However, Pirates of the Caribbean works best when a serviceable story lets Jack operate on pure charisma and adventure.

6 “Everything I’ve Done, I’ve Done For You. I Move The Stars For No One.”

Said By The Goblin King In Labyrinth (1986)

Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and David Bowie as Goblin King in Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth also has a formulaic plot, with a basic rescue mission that needs to be accomplished. While the fairy tale tone is enjoyable, the dynamic between David Bowie’s Jareth, a.k.a. the Goblin King, and Jennifer Connelly’s Sarah is far more complex. Sarah is a resonant fantasy fan, who finds herself in a world that she has only dreamed of. She must rescue her brother, but she is drawn to the Goblin King and his kingdom. Jareth’s most memorable line muddles the definitions of dedication in this movie, with him claiming to have done everything to give Sarah what she wants.

5 “Do Or Do Not. There Is No Try.”

Said By Yoda In Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Yoda on Dagobah in The Empire Strikes Back

Yoda took the idea of the Force to the next level when he first appeared in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He provided Luke with a real (and iconic) display of the Force’s power, which Obi-Wan never did. Yoda exposits that Luke must absolutely believe in the Force if he hopes to become a Jedi, and he will be able to do anything. “There is no try” is a very quotable line, applicable to almost any real-life situation. Meanwhile, its impact grows with every additional display of the Force’s potentially massive power in Star Wars.

4 “It’s Just A Flesh Wound.”

Said By Black Knight In Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975)

King Arthur battles the Black Knight, who only has one leg remaining. (Monty Python and the Holy Grail)

The Black Knight, completely serious, continues to fight Arthur despite having lost multiple limbs, insisting they are only small injuries — exemplifying the movie’s tone. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an absolutely wild hour and a half of meta jokes and breaking suspension of disbelief. King Arthur and his knights *attempt* to go on a classic, chivalric adventure, but are met with various wacky characters who refuse to play their part, offering many ridiculous, witty comebacks. Much like his fight with the Black Knight, the opening scene also hilariously undercuts Arthur, establishing him as a comedic iteration.

3 “The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway.”

Said By Queen Elsa In Frozen (2013)

Elsa singing Let It Go from her ice castle in Frozen

“Let It Go” was a true pop culture phenomenon, to the point that even Elsa cringed at the power ballad that was played too many times on radio stations. Still, “Let It Go” is an amazing and widely inspirational song, with lyrics elevated by Idina Menzel’s unrivaled vocals.

The core theme of the song landed even better after Elsa found more personal freedom in the sequel. Of all the great lyrics in this hit, “The cold never bothered me anyway” is the perfect empowering dismissal, showing Elsa embracing what others told her was wrong about her magic.

2 “You Shall Not Pass!”

Said By Gandalf In The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

Ian McKellen as Gandalf holding his sword and staff, fighting the Balrog, in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

“You shall not pass” is a more difficult quote to reference and apply to a situation in real life, but it is beloved just the same. Gandalf, who is an extremely cordial and even goofy character at times, switches to being a true force of nature at others.

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Gandalf’s confrontation with the Balrog is one of the most famous scenes in fantasy cinema, showcasing the heights of Tolkien’s fantasy world. Before he (supposedly) tragically is lost, Gandalf makes this defiant declaration protecting the rest of the Fellowship — in a way, reflecting the core theme of this installment.

1 “As You Wish.”

Said By Wesley In The Princess Bride (1987)

Cary Elwes as Wesley and Robin Wright as Buttercup gazing into each other's eyes in The Princess Bride.

The Princess Bride is also a movie that is romantic for the sake of it, and Wesley and Buttercup’s love story is actually very unassuming. “As you wish” has undertones of chivalry, illustrating Wesley’s willingness to do anything for anything Buttercup. Meanwhile, she gradually comes to understand how much meaning his words hold. “As you wish” is also very easy to quote in everyday life and has the effect that all the best quotes from amazing fantasy movies do. A deceptively understated phrase holds all the magic and emotion in the world through its movie connotations.

  • Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Spirited Away The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The Princess Bride The Wizard of Oz The Goonies Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Labyrinth Monty Python and the Holy Grail Frozen
    Director George Lucas Irvin Kershner David Yates Hayao Miyazaki Peter Jackson Peter Jackson Rob Reiner Victor Fleming Richard Donner Nicholas Meyer Gore Verbinski Jim Henson Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
    Release Date 1977-05-25 1980-06-18 2011-07-15 2001-07-20 2001-12-19 2003-12-17 1987-10-09 1939-08-25 1985-06-07 1982-06-04 2003-07-09 1986-06-27 1975-05-25 2013-11-27
    Cast Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Peter Cushing, Kenny Baker, James Earl Jones, Frank Oz, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Alec Guinness Billy Dee Williams, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, James Earl Jones, Frank Oz, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Emma Watson, Warwick Davis, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Helena Bonham Carter, Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman Takehiko Ono, Rumi Hiiragi, Tsunehiko Kamijô, Bunta Sugawara, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Takashi Naitô, Mari Natsuki, Miyu Irino Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan, Christopher Lee David Wenham, John Noble, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Karl Urban, Cate Blanchett, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan, Bernard Hill Chris Sarandon, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Christopher Guest, Cary Elwes Margaret Hamilton, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland Ke Huy Quan, Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman Walter Koenig, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan Geoffrey Rush, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport, Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Jonathan Pryce Christopher Malcolm, Shelley Thompson, Toby Froud, David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle Robert Pine, Josh Gad, Chris Williams, Ciarán Hinds, Maurice LaMarche, Kristen Bell, Alan Tudyk, Stephen J. Anderson, Edie McClurg, Santino Fontana, Jonathan Groff, Idina Menzel
    Rating PG PG PG-13 PG PG-13 pg-13 PG PG PG PG PG-13 PG PG PG
    Runtime 121 Minutes 124 minutes 130 Minutes 125 minutes 178 Minutes 201 Minutes 98 minutes 102 minutes 114 minutes 112 Minutes 143 Minutes 101 minutes 91 minutes 102 minutes