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The 30 Best Movie Inspirational Speeches

Cinema's most stirring oratories and spirit-raising team talks.

In times of trouble, you need a little help getting up and going, and film can often provide just that. Cinema has a long and storied history of providing great words of motivation and encouragement, sometimes for the characters' own benefit and occasionally to the audience. Here, we've chosen 30 of the best that should fit almost any occasion - but if you're really pressed for time, here are 40 condensed into a two-minute span { =nofollow}. If you have a little longer, read on!

Also: The 25 Best Movie Bollockings

The Great Dictator

Made at a time when the shadow of World War II was looming over Europe, Charlie Chaplin’s speech here – he’s playing a poor Jewish barber in disguise as a preening dictator and forced to address a Nuremberg-style rally – is a heartfelt plea for sanity and compassion in a time of madness. It’s the perfect antidote to extremism, and uses fiery rhetoric for good. If only we’d be able to pull this switcheroo in real life.

Buy The Great Dictator

Independence Day

Sure, there are cheesemongers with less cheese on offer than you see here and OK, the American jingoism doesn’t work at all for those of us not of a Yank disposition. But Bill Pullman’s slightly sheepish style blends here with steely determination, and he delivers the American St Crispin’s Day speech with conviction. Then, like any US President, he leaps into his fighter jet and flies off to battle aliens.

Buy Independence Day

For those who prefer a little humour in their motivational speeches, try the pitch-black streak in this opener, establishing Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius as a leader of men and a helluva guy. Galloping around the Legions in his cool armour and fur-lined cloak, you might question whether he really needs an entire army to back him up, but you’ll never doubt for a moment that they’d choose to follow him as he unleashes hell.

Buy Gladiator

Any Given Sunday

There’s a lot to be said for a little personal touch to leaven your high-flung rhetoric, and it’s a trick that Al Pacino uses well here, in the first of three American football speeches we’re going to include (hey, we can’t help it if the heavily-padded sport produces some great pep talks). Pacino’s troubled Tony D’Amato unveils his own problems with brutal honesty before using his own failures as a spur to rev on his team to greatness, speaking of team spirit and commitment as someone who has been known to suck at both.

Buy Any Given Sunday

Friday Night Lights

The film has been somewhat overshadowed nowadays by the equally good TV show that followed it, but watch Billy Bob Thornton here and be reminded that Kyle Chandler isn’t the only fundamentally decent man who can inspire a team of small-town boys to great efforts in pursuit of perfection. It’s also worth noting that he puts his emphasis here on excelling and not winning, making it clear that victory isn’t only measured by the scoreboard. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Buy Friday Night Lights

It is, and will probably always be, the greatest inspirational speech ever made. It’s endlessly flexible, and works even when not declaimed by the classically trained (see this Renaissance Man version for proof). And it’s by Shakespeare, still the best writer in Hollywood. We have, controversially perhaps, chosen Branagh’s version over Olivier’s because the latter sounds a little shrill to the modern ear, while Branagh convinces us that he could convince his men. This speech, given by the titular monarch to a vastly outnumbered force about to fight the French, obviously works especially well for English people, but by God, Harry and St George, it’s universal in its rousing effect.

Buy Henry V

This is a little-known film in the UK but it’s revered in certain communities in the US. Sean Astin’s Rudy has overcome dyslexia, poor grades and his relatively small stature to win a place on Notre Dame’s famous Fighting Irish American football team. Only problem is that he’s never been off the bench, and with his final game approaching he threatens to quit the team if he isn’t allowed to play – prompting this inspirational speech / telling off from a friend who points out that he’s being whiny and entitled and needs to grow a pair. Soon he’s back on the bench and given a starting position when his entire team threatens not to play unless he’s given a shot.

An honourable mention for Hector’s pep talk but Achilles wins the battle of the inspirational speeches just as he wins their duel (c’mon, that’s not a spoiler; it’s in the 2000 year-old Iliad). This is a short snippet, but then godlike Achilles, the man-killer, is a man of action rather than words. And what he does say – focusing on lions, glory and the manifold abilities of his small, hand-picked group of Myrmidons – would convince a rock to fight any Trojan who dared oppose it.

Animal House

Not every inspirational speech is about trying to inspire his cohorts to kill people or batter them up and down the length of a football field. Some aspire to a higher goal. Some aspire to debauchery, drinking and probably nudity. Some aspire to party like 1999 might have done had it tried harder. Some aspire to a particular kind of grubby, deranged greatness. One such is John Belushi’s Bluto, and this is the greatest night of his life.

Buy Animal House

The Goonies

Come the hour, cometh the man – and in this case the man is a small, asthmatic Sean Astin, inspiring his fellow Goonies to never say die and to keep going in their quest to find treasure and save their community. In his yellow rain slicker and with his voice on the edge of breaking he may not look like a modern Napoleon, but he has the same effect on his exhausted and discouraged troopers. He’s so good you’ll almost forget to laugh at his mentions of One-Eyed Willy. snigger

Buy The Goonies

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Death comes to us all, and Aragorn ain’t going to lie about it. But he still gees up his troops with the assurance that their civilisation will survive the onslaught of the forces of Mordor. Sure, they’re vastly outnumbered and sure, it seems likely that Frodo has failed in his quest to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom (especially if you’re watching the Extended Edition) but Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn ensures that no one will be quitting any time soon. Not this day!

Buy The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Bill Murray isn’t usually the guy you turn to for sincere, inspiring words of comfort. He’s more the type to puncture any attempt at same, and probably to fast-talk his opponents into giving up and going for a karaoke session while he’s about it. But after his heart grows two sizes during the course of Scrooged, he makes a plea for kindness and niceness from all mankind. He still does it in a recognisably Murray, manic and scattershot way, but that just makes him all the more compelling. Someone hire this man to play Santa Claus.

Buy Scrooged

Stirring sports speeches are limited to American Football. Miracle On Ice chronicles the based-on-truth tale of how the US Olympic hockey team triumphed over their Russian rivals. Kurt Russell's the speech-giver here, playing coach Herb Brooks. "Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world," he tells them. You'll feel a swell of pride and inspiration too.

Rent Miracle

Deep Blue Sea

“You think water’s fast? You should see ice.” Samuel L. Jackson’s been around the block more than once, and he’s seen the worst of mankind. It’s with the weight of that history behind him that he takes charge and orders his fellow survivors of a marine disaster to start pulling together and quit arguing. His speech also has what is, unquestionably, the greatest punchline on this list. Still, it achieves the desired effect once everyone has quit screaming.

Buy Deep Blue Sea

If in doubt, steal from classical history, something that David Wenham’s Dilios demonstrates with aplomb here. In actual history, the one survivor of the 300 was so shamed by his survival that he executed a suicidal one-man attack on the Persians at this Battle of Plataea, but Wenham seems more in control and also like he has quite a bit of back-up. “The enemy outnumber us a paltry three-to-one,” notes Dilios triumphantly. Why, it was hardly worth the Persians turning up.

Good Will Hunting

Here’s an inspirational speech well-suited to highly-paid sports teams and the enormously talented. Ben Affleck’s argument is, basically, that if you’re lucky enough to get extraordinary chances in your life, it’s your duty to the rest of us schmoes to actually take those chances and run with them as far as you can. If you can get past the shellsuit and the hair, he’s basically Yoda-like in his wisdom.

Buy Good Will Hunting

Most people only remember the last word – “Freedom!” – but the rest of the speech is pretty killer too. Mel Gibson’s William Wallace starts off by puncturing his own legend, and acknowledges the urge to cut and run in the face of a far superior English force. But then he reminds his men what they’d be missing if they do, and soon they’re all back on side and facing down the hated English. By the end of this speech, you’ll all hate the English with them – even if you are one.

Buy Braveheart

Coach Carter

You’d expect the inspiration in this basketball film to come from the titular no-nonsense coach, played by a fiery Samuel L. Jackson. But in fact it’s one of his players who nabs the best lines, as he and the team sit studying to keep their grades as high as their scores. There is a little cheating here: Rick Gonzalez’ Timo actually steals his inspirational speech from Marianne Williamson (it’s sometimes wrongly attributed to Nelson Mandela) but he delivers it well so we’re going to allow it.

Buy Coach Carter

While it’s his skills in the ring that he is most lauded for, Rocky Balboa is something of a poet to boot. An incoherent one, certainly; a poet who says “I guess” a lot more often than Wordsworth might like, but a poet nevertheless. His moving words here, as he single-handedly ends the Cold War and ushers in a new era of East-West relations, are just one example. Another is…

Buy Rocky IV

Rocky Balboa

If his last speech was incoherent – in fairness, his rhythm may have been thrown off by the translator – this one verges on incomprehensible when he really gets going. Still, there’s real passion in Rocky’s plea for one last shot and an argument that’s applicable to all sorts of situations of institutional injustice or unfeeling bureaucracy.

Buy Rocky Balboa

Stand And Deliver

Those who've watched him on the modern Battlestar Galactica know that Edward James Olmos is a past master at giving speeches. This is him from a little earlier in his career, playing Jaime Escalante, a real-life teacher who inspired his students to stop dropping out and start taking calculus seriously. Here, he's handing out as pop quiz, so anyone having to home school their kids can take note.

Rent Stand And Deliver

Good Night, And Good Luck

This one is couched particularly at media moguls, but there’s a call for excellence and the highest moral standards here that we would all do well to live by. David Strathairn’s Edward R. Murrow, in a speech lifted directly from Murrow’s actual address to the Radio and Television News Directors Association in 1958, pleads for TV to inform as well as entertain. We feel that if more people saw this speech, Made In Chelsea would be cancelled immediately and reality TV would be banned, so spread the word!

Buy Good Night, And Good Luck

Anyone who has ever flirted with a romantic interest knows the risk of being knocked back, and Jon Favreau's Mike is experiencing a crisis of confidence. Luckily for him, he has Vince Vaughn's Trent to talk him back into the game, and Alex Désert's Charles to remind him that he's so money. He's a bear! And she's a bunny! Everything is going to be fine.

Buy Swingers

Charles Dutton’s second appearance on this list, after Rudy, sees him once again reminding lesser men (and women) to get with the programme, pull the finger out and generally stand up and be counted. But this time they’re facing unstoppable acid-blooded xenomorphs rather than American football players, so he has to be extra-emphatic.

Buy Alien 3

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

Remarkably few women get to deliver inspirational speeches in movies – apparently they’re relegated to clapping admiringly from the sidelines. Thank goodness for Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) who is elected King of the Pirates and rouses her troops into action for a last-ditch fight against the Lord Beckett’s overwhelming forces, led by the Flying Dutchman. She may not have quite the lungs of others on the list, but there’s no doubting her conviction as she calls for them to “Hoist the colours!” – the Jolly Roger – and sail out one last time.

Buy Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

The Replacements

One doesn’t expect lengthy speeches from Keanu “Woah” Reeves (although he’s done his share of Shakespeare actually) but he’s rarely more succinct and to the point than in this chat with his fellow Replacements. And in fact there are few speeches more likely to be effective in motivating an exhausted team for one last effort. “Chicks dig scars” could be used by virtually every example here to drive on the listeners.

Buy The Replacements

Bill Murray at it again, and once more an unconventional speech. This time out, he's John Winger, a loser who decides that he and best pal Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) will join the Army. Stuck with a group of oddballs, and, after a night of partying, decides to rally his fellow troops. It works... Sort of. But Murray's typically laconic style works well for the speech itself.

Rent or buy Stripes

The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King

All seems lost for Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin again) and Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as they lie, exhausted, on the slopes of Mount Doom. Frodo’s beyond endurance and raving as the influence of the Ring grows ever stronger on him, and his desperate straits drive Sam to one last push. It’s barely a speech, really – he uses his words better here – but there are few moments more inspirational.

Buy The Lord Of The Rings: Return of The King

The Shawshank Redemption

A quiet moment between Tim Robbins' Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman's Red became one of the more memorable moments in Shawshank , a movie with no shortage of them. And for those who are spending more time inside than perhaps they might be used to, Andy's musing on what he would do if he got out of prison are inspirational in themselves, even before he gets to that iconic line.

Rent The Shawshank Redemption

Avengers: Endgame

Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, is not shy of breaking out speech mode when the moment calls for it. And inspiring the Avengers as they're about to embark on a trip through space and time to retrieve the Infinity Stones certainly seems like that moment. "Whatever it takes," indeed.

Rent Avengers: Endgame

32 Most Inspiring Speeches In Film History

There's nothing better to fire you up than an inspiring speech.

A lot of great speeches come from sports movies, but that's not the only genre that can make us want to run through walls. Some speeches are so good it has us rooting for the bad guys. Most are by the good guys though, and we'll follow those good guys anywhere. Here is our list of the most inspiring speeches in film history. 

Independence Day - President Witmore

President Thomas J. Whitmore's ( Bill Pullman ) speech in Independence Day has become one of the most iconic film moments of the last 50 years. While the movie can be polarizing, some people can't get enough of it, others hope to never see it again. Still, it's hard to find anyone who truly hates the speech and that moment in the film. If you ever find yourself fighting against annihilation by a bunch of E.T.s, this is the speech for you. 

The Hunt For Red October - Captain Ramius

If you thought you could never get fired up about the Soviet Union picking a fight on the United States during the Cold War, check it out. When Captain Marko Ramius ( Sean Connery ) tells his crew that the salad days of the Cold War are not behind them, and the United States will "tremble again - at the sound of our silence," it makes you want to stand up and fight for communism. At least for a brief moment. 

Any Given Sunday (Coach D'Amato)

It's used at almost every professional football game in America, almost every Sunday, because in Any Given Sunday , Coach D'Amato implores his team and the rest of us to claw for every inch we can. It might not be Pacino's most award-winning role, but that scene... that scene is some of his finest and most enduring work. 

Gladiator (Maximus)

"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius." If those words don't immediately fire you up, it's time to check for a pulse. Audiences spend most of Gladiator waiting for Maximus ( Russell Crowe ) to finally get his revenge on that conniving Commodus ( Joaquin Phoenix ) and finally we get it. Maximus will have his vengeance, in this life or the next.

Friday Night Lights (Coach Gaines)

In Friday Night Lights , Coach Gaines ( Billy Bob Thornton ) tells us how to be perfect. It has nothing to do with the final score, or winning. It's about how we treat each other and ourselves. It's about telling the truth and not letting anyone down. Live in the moment, "with joy in your heart." That's what makes us perfect. The swelling music by Explosions in the Sky only adds to the drama of the moment. 

While he doesn't say "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose," (that comes from the TV show), he does mention his clear eyes and his full heart and afterward, none of us lose. 

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Henry V (Henry V)

It's not just one of the most inspiring speeches in film history, it's one of the most famous speeches in human history. When William Shakespeare wrote the words to the famous St. Crispin's Day Speech in Henry V , he could not have known that it would be used for centuries afterward to inspire men. For we few, we lucky few, we can watch the speech brilliantly delivered by Kenneth Branagh in one of his finest roles , in his film version from 1989. 

Animal House (Bluto)

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" Of course it wasn't! Bluto (John Belushi) does a lot to inspire the brothers of the Delta house in Animal House but nothing more so than his speech after "Wormer dropped the big one" and suspended the fraternity. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the men of Delta are inspired to have the best time of their lives, and Wormer? He's a dead man! Marmalard? Dead! Niedermeyer...

Gone With The Wind (Scarlett O'Hara)

Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) is not the most sympathetic movie character of all time. In fact, she ranks close to the bottom in that category, but you can't deny the power of her speech just before the end of the first part of the movie. Her family's plantation, Tara, is in shambles, her mother is dead, and her father has lost his mind. When all hope is lost, she promises herself she will fix it, and she will "never be hungry again."

Barbie (Gloria)

It's truly a show-stopping moment in Barbie when Gloria ( America Ferrera ) lays out what it's like to be a woman in today's world. The entire essence of the movie's message is summed up in that brilliant speech. It makes everyone want to jump up on their feet and applaud. It's a moment that will forever live in cinema history. 

Good Will Hunting (Sean Maguire)

It's not just the words that matter. It takes a special actor to deliver a speech like Sean Maguire's in Good Will Hunting . Thankfully there was the great Robin Williams. In a speech that is meant to devastate and inspire Will (Matt Damon), Williams tells him everything he is doing wrong but manages to show him how he can fix it, and open up an entirely new world for himself. It's cutting and loving. And brilliant. "Your move, chief."

Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (Aragorn)

Like so many other battle scenes in movies, Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) speech at the Black Gates in Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King has us willing to fight to the death with our fellow soldiers. There is nothing like a leader riding back and forth on horse inspiring his troops. 

Braveheart (William Wallace)

Always remember, that no matter how badly you are treated by a tyrannical English king, he can never take your freedom! William Wallace (Mel Gibson) brilliantly reminds us of that in Braveheart . While it's easy to mock the poor history telling in the movie (and we argue if it was really one of the best movies of 1995 ), you can never say that the speech Wallace gives before the biggest battle in the movie won't have you ready to take on the entire British Empire. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Elizabeth)

Speeches made by leaders to inspire men in battle aren't unique in movies. What makes the speech unique in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is that the speech is made by a woman. Elizabeth's (Keira Knightly) speech isn't a lot different than a lot of its ilk, but it's more inspiring to hear it from a woman because we've never heard that before. So hoist the colors! 

Stripes (John Winger)

John Winger (Bill Murray) is the biggest misfit in a platoon filled with them in Stripes . He's the least likely to inspire the rest with a razzle-dazzle speech firing them up, yet that's exactly what he does before their graduation from boot camp. Bill Murray has some of the best lines in movie history, and this speech is near the top of them. 

Miracle (Herb Brooks)

"Great moments are born from great opportunity." That is something we can all stand to remember. In Miracle , Herb Brooks inspires his rag-tag team of college kids to defeat maybe the greatest hockey team ever assembled in the Soviet National Team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The movie is based on a true story and while it's impossible to know exactly with the real Brooks said, if it was anywhere close to what Russell delivers, it's no surprise we all believe in miracles today. 

Rocky IV (Rocky Balboa)

The Cold War inspired a lot of movies, even sports movies like Rocky IV . Early in the Rocky series, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) wasn't a man of many words, but at the end of Rocky IV , he finds some of the most inspiring words of the whole series, imploring all of us to get along, despite our differences. 

Swingers (Trent)

What's a good friend if not someone to pep you up when you're feeling low? That's exactly who Trent (Vince Vaughn) is to Mike (Jon Favreau) in Swingers . Not only does he take him to Vegas for a night of fun, on the way home, after the trip doesn't pep Mike up as much as it should, Trent explains exactly why Mike is so money, and he doesn't even know it. 

Network (Howard Beale)

It's scary just how much a movie like Network , released almost 50 years ago is still so relevant. We don't need Howard Beale (Peter Finch) to tell us just how bad things are, we just need to him to inspire us to go to the window, open the window and yell to the world that we're not going to take it anymore! 

The Goonies (Mikey)

"The Goonies never say die!" When all seems lost in the Goonies quest to rescue their neighborhood from developers, Mikey (Sean Astin) reminds them all exactly how far they've come in the quest for One-Eyed Willie's gold. We don't get a lot of inspirational speeches from kids, but when we do, we love them. 

Clueless (Cher)

When Cher (Alicia Silverstone) compares her garden party to a refugee crisis, your inclination is to think she's an airhead. But like so many before and after her, there is kind of a subtle brilliance to her thought process. She takes what she knows and uses that to find the emotion we should all feel for her side of the argument. 

Milk (Harvey Milk)

Milk , based on the true story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), is inspiring in and of itself, but Milk's speech on the steps of San Fransisco City Hall at the Gay Pride Rally is a masterpiece. 

Troy (Achilles)

In another classic example of a military leader inspiring his troops, Achilles' (Brad Pitt) speech reminding his men that they are lions, is enough to get anyone to storm the beaches of Troy. There's a reason the story has been told for thousands of years. 

Norma Rae (Norma Rae)

The best thing about Norma Rae's (Sally Field, in one of her best roles ) speech in Norma Rae is that the most important word isn't spoken at all. She simply holds up a sign that says "Union" in the middle of her sweatshop. That's all she needs to "say" to get everyone in the textile mill to agree. It's brilliant. 

We Are Marshall (Jack Lengyel)

We Are Marshall tells the tragic and heroic story of the 1971 Marshall University football team. At the end of the 1970 season, a plane carrying most of the team and its coaches crashed in North Carolina. Before the start of the next season, the new coach, Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) makes a speech at a memorial for some of the lost players and what he says about never forgetting the past but looking to the future will bring a tear to anyone's eyes.

Legally Blonde (Elle Woods)

More than 20 years after the first Legally Blonde movie was released Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) continues to inspire us. With an address like the one she makes at the end of the movie, as she's graduating, it's easy to see why. "You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself."

Avengers: Endgame (Captain America)

In a room full of superheroes, leave it to Captain America to make the hype speech. In Avengers: Endgame , that's exactly when Cap (Chris Evans) psyches the cadre up for their mission to reverse the Snap. "Whatever it takes."

Hoosiers (Norman Dale)

When tiny Hickman High School makes it to the Indiana State Basketball Finals, they are facing a huge school, in a huge arena. Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) takes only a minute or so to lay out what will make them successful, and a minute is all he needs. It's why Hoosiers one of the best sports movies ever made. 

Rudy (Rudy)

The speech in Rudy is a little different. Rudy really has no audience, save for one person, but that doesn't stop him from delivering a first-rate speech that any Notre Dame alum gets goosebumps when they hear it, including the parts he lifted from the great Knute Rockne.

Juno (Mac MacGuff)

When Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is wondering what her future holds, her father Mac MacGuff (J.K. Simmons) explains simply and succinctly, "The best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are." We couldn't have said it better ourselves. 

Stand And Deliver (Jaime Escalante) 

Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos) is a no-nonsense math teacher who is determined to get the most from his students. He decides he needs to raise the level of expectations inside and outside of the classroom and he starts by breaking down when he is going to be so hard on his students, to get the most out of them. All they need is ganas – motivation. 

Rocky Balboa (Rocky)

Leave it to Rocky to make a speech in 2006's Rocky Balboa meant to inspire his son to inspire all of us together. It's pure Rocky, leave it all out, don't accept things you don't like, and never make excuses, no matter how hard it is. And it seems like this was advice he took to heart when it became a struggle to make the film . 

300 (Dilios)

Dilios (David Wenham) fires up the Spartans like no other person could. It's truly one of the great hype speeches in film history. It's exactly what you would expect from a civilization of warriors. Whether it really happened or not is irrelevant. The message is the same, "Remember us."

From sports to war, love to education, and beyond, a great speech raises goosebumps like nothing else in film can. These examples are some of the best speeches we've used to inspire us. 

Hugh Scott is the Syndication Editor for CinemaBlend. Before CinemaBlend, he was the managing editor for Suggest.com and Gossipcop.com, covering celebrity news and debunking false gossip. He has been in the publishing industry for almost two decades, covering pop culture – movies and TV shows, especially – with a keen interest and love for Gen X culture, the older influences on it, and what it has since inspired. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Political Science but cured himself of the desire to be a politician almost immediately after graduation.

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15 Best Movie Speeches of All Time

Dialogues and speeches are the string, which binds the beads of a good cinema. Acting, cinematography, production they can all fall apart if the writing sucks. There are so many movies with great stories who aren’t impactful, because of lame dialogues. On the other hand, people remember even mediocre movies because of a powerful speech. These speeches are so inspirational that they make the listener believe that anything’s possible. The sheer power of words is strong enough to move mountains. In these speeches, the speaker enthralls the audience with his wisdom and experience and motivates them to carry out the impossible in life. We, at the Cinemaholic, made a list of top movie speeches ever that will inspire you. Be ready to get motivated!

15. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End (2007) – “Hoist The Colours”

Consider this. A fleet of pirate ship have been surrounded by the elite force of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy. The pirates are broken, without any command and their faith lies in their pirate queen Elizabeth who probably due to a turn of fate, became their leader. Tricked into a cornered position, by a cunning lord Beckett, she is left with no choice but retaliate with whatever she has. And she choses this moment to rise to the occasion. She thunders at her fellow pirates, asking them to fight like free men and not surrender meekly like cowards. And it resonates with pirates, irrespective of their clans and they roar as every version of Jolly Roger starts flying high in the wind.

14. V For Vendetta (2005) – “The Revolutionary Speech”

Just like Hitler crafted a dictatorship, disguised within a so-called superior race driven government, in a not so distant future version of London, the chancellor Adam Sutler formed a reign where in the name of security, privacy was looted. In return of order and peace to the society, the people traded their foremost weapon – consent. In the garb of protecting the people, the reigning government unleashed tyranny and oppression. In such times, one fine day, every TV gets tuned into a channel where a man wearing a Guy Fawkes mask speaks to them. He reminds them of Guy Fawkes, who brought a revolution to the people 400 years ago. To end this cruelty and meek submission, he asks everyone to join him in exactly one year later, on 5th of September on the gates of the Parliament. This speech sets in motion, of the events of ‘V for Vendetta’.

13. The Wolf Of Wall Street (2013) – “I’m not fuckin’ leaving”

The high flying, corrupt and megalomaniac Jordan Belfort is finally caught and as a part of the deal with the FBI, he’s supposed to leave Stratton Oakmont and never ever indulge in the market of share trading, which made him so rich. He appears in his office and makes an announcement about his stepping down from the company, in front of his beleaguered colleagues. He explains his pain in leaving them in lurch and how he’s going to miss them all. While talking about their collective effort to make money overcoming their individual struggles in life, all of sudden he realizes, this is place where he belongs after all. And despite the warning of FBI, he screams his lungs out – ‘I’m not fuckin’ leaving !!’

12. Rocky Balboa (2006) – “It ain’t about how hard you hit”

Rocky Balboa is an ageing boxer, who has left the sport, only to come back to it again. His wife’s dead and his son is sick and tired of the name and pressure of being related to Rocky. His father’s fame has started to affect him professionally and personally as well. So he gets the news of his arthritic father, gearing up for another bout of boxing, he discourages him by stating his example of being a failure, despite of being a Balboa. Rocky thunders when he says, ‘It’s ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.’ He asks him to stop blaming others for his failure. It’s an moving speech with some profound advice for life. Life’s meant to be unfair and its sole plan is to keep you down. Instead of cribbing, you’ve to accept your loses and move forward. That’s how you win.

11. Any Given Sunday (1999) – “Life’s a game of inches”

Before an all important play off game, coach D’Amato, played by Al Pacino gathers around his players. Through many difficulties and infightings, they’ve reached a place where one mistake can cost them everything. He begins the talk with comparing their current position to being in a shit hole and it’s totally up to them to get beat the shit out of themselves or fight hard to come back. He cites his own example of being a broken man who lost money, family and himself for taking bad decisions in life. But life is just like a game of football . It’s all about the margin of error. Just like a game of football, where once one starts losing, he gets the drift of the game and then tries crawl into those inches. He urges them to come together as a team and win it for themselves.

10. Wall Street (1987) – “Greed, for lack of a better word, is Good”

Wall street is about money. Wall street is about power. Wall street is about greed. And greed, ladies and gentlemen, for the lack of a better word, is good. That’s what Gordon Gekko believed in. In a speech to the investors of a loss making paper company Teldar, he explains meticulously that the sole reason the company lost so much of money is because of inefficient people at the top and not because he broke the company to pieces. He argues that his greed of making money actually liberates loss making industries. Greed is an evolutionary trait and it’s greed which has made man go for more, be it knowledge, technology or profit. It’s an amazing take on something which itself is labelled as a biblical sin. Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko, gives an amazing performance.

9. Dead Poet’s Society (1989) – “Carpe Diem, seize the day boys”

In a school, where discipline is revered, a new English teacher comes in a breather among the strict disciplinarians. To a motley group of students, he reaches out and asks them to come out of their shell. He tells them to live their lives in their own way and not to someone’s expectations. One’s life duration is limited and eventually everyone will die. What will be left, is his legacy. So instead of living a dull life, one should do something to make it extraordinary. That’s the essence of Carpe Diem. The character of John Keating was played by the late Robin Williams , who demonstrates the importance of individuality to the students through this inspiring speech. He inspires them to be achieve greatness rather than to be successful.

8. Remember The Titans (2000) – “Take a lesson from the dead”

At the heights of racism, a black man is appointed as the head coach of a school, where traditionally it’s usually filled up by a white man. Tackling racism and discrimination at every step, coach Boone takes up the challenge. The team suffers from racially motivated conflicts and its success is deterred due to the ever meddling school authorities. Coach Boone takes everything to his stride and takes his team through a gruelling schedule of training at the Gettysburg cemetery where thousands of men died during the battle of Gettysburg. Through this speech, he asks his team to learn from those people, who laid their lives while fighting for each other. He urges them to be better by coming together and play as one team. His speech motivates his team to achieve success. Denzel Washington plays coach Boone in the sports drama ‘Remember The Titans’.

7. Braveheart (1995) – “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom”

In an English ruled Scotland, a young William Wallace witnesses the English massacring his family. He flees from the country only to return as a rebel who takes charge to lead the rebellion against the English. As he leads a rag-tag army of Scottish peasants and farmers, he asks them to fight as free men, against the enormous English army. When somebody from the army says that it’s better to hide and live than to fight and die, Wallace roars back by saying that the enemy may take their lives but they will never be able to take their freedom. Mel Gibson acted as well as directed this film, which went on to win five academy awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

6. Scent Of A Woman (1992) – “When shit hits the fan, some guys run and some guys stay”

At the Baird school, which traditionally has given the country many leaders and achievers, a disciplinary meeting takes place, for an act of mischief. While the reason remains trivial at its best, the focus shifts to two persons, who were supposed to be the witnesses of the events. One of those witnesses is a boy, whose father is a key figure in the school management. Hence he gets off the hook, after naming the suspects. Naturally it’s the other guy Charlie, who despite of being innocent, gets to take the blame. And it almost happens but for the presence of Lt Colonel Frank Slade. He makes his point that while everyone chose to be indifferent to the situation, Charlie showed integrity by not behaving as a snitch. And this is the stuff leaders are made of. Al Pacino played Lt Colonel Slade and gave a performance of a lifetime.

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5. Independence Day (1996) – “Today, we celebrate our independence day”

While the world burns and is at the mercy of aliens, it comes down to a few brave men who decide to join forces to fight against the aliens. After repeated attempts of failure, a final assault is planned in the lines of a kamikaze attack, similar to a suicide mission. The president, himself a pilot mans the mission. Before they leave the base, he reminds them that this mission, incidentally to commence on 4th of July will be the biggest battle of their lives. And should they win, it will no longer be an American holiday. Rather it will be the day, when the world will be liberated of their common enemy. It shall be the world’s independence day. It’s a speech that evokes thunderous applause from everyone, as their belief in their leader becomes firm.

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4. Network (1976) – “I’m mad as hell and am not going to take it anymore”

News these days, are more of shock inducing and eye grabbing details rather than journalism based on facts. In ‘Network’, a TV network’s struggle with declining viewership turns into a full-blown war when its own people start making factory made shows to get ratings. The movie is primarily about how TV controls the life and through it audio-visual medium, can sway public opinion about everything. In a way, this is what controls the masses today. When the veteran news anchor Howard Beale screams at his viewers to shout that they’ re mad as hell and are not going to take it anymore, he vents out his frustration at the growing influence of TV on the people. He cites example of life going astray while the TV shows paint a rosy picture. Many years later, as we see today, the real has imitated the reel and today literally the TV controls everything. This speech is truly pathbreaking.

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3. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – “Get busy living or get busy dying”

There’s nothing new that can be told about ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ . Arguably the best movie ever, this is Andy Dufresne’s story spanning across nineteen years in the infamous Shawshank penitentiary. While Andy makes the most out of his time at the prison doing various jobs, he also gets into a tiff with a corrupt warden over his discharge which leads him into a solitary confinement. When he’s out, his friend Red becomes afraid that this may break him forever. However a nonchalant Andy tells him about his dream destination and his wish to spend rest of his life there, thus explaining that life is all about hope and at times, it comes down to one simple choice – Get busy living or get busy dying. This speech is also a metaphor for being hopeful in the most hopeless of situations.

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2. A Few Good Men (1992) – “You can’t handle the truth”

A soldier dies at GITMO base camp and the blame goes to couple of fellow soldiers as an act of negligence. While the soldiers plead that they were under order to punish the dying soldier, it comes down to one of the most laziest of military lawyers to take up their case. As the case reaches its final stage, upon repeated provocation from the defence lawyer, Colonel Nathan Jessup becomes enraged and tells that at times, despite being wrong, people need to take decision that may take one life but in return save thousands. Freedom comes at a price and being a provider of the same, that’s what entitles him to take decisions which may or may not be ethical. This’s the truth and that possibly cannot be fathomed by a layman. A stunning performance by Jack Nicholson !

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1. The Great Dictator (1940)- “We think too much and feel too little”

Charlie Chaplin ’s ‘The Great Dictator’ is a political satire, in the garb of comedy and it condemns the ways of the contemporary dictators of the time, namely Hitler and Mussolini. A Jewish barber, who’s also a lookalike of the tyrant ruler of a fictional country gets to replace the dictator and ends up in a podium where he has to deliver a speech. He rises to the occasion when he tells his subjects that instead of ruling everyone as a dictator, he wants to help everyone. As human beings, one should rise above the ever engulfing greed. Though the world has progressed into future through numerous innovations, still it does distinguish people based on their caste, creed and colour. Humanity has been lost its meaning in the countless machinery that does our jobs. We’ve become cynical due to our ever growing penchant for knowledge. And that’s where we all lose as mankind.

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The 20 Best Movie Speeches of All Time

Public speaking is not just a skill, it is an art form, one that very few can master.

For most, it is a source for anxiety. The sight of a large crowd and all the attention on one person can make even the most confident individual turn into a stuttering mess. However, when done correctly, they can inspire the very best and, sometimes, the very worst in humanity.

For these 20 films, the art of the speech is on full display, perfectly crafted by screenwriters and actors. Whether it is inspiring a team before the big game, soldiers before the big battle, students before entering the real world or as a rally cry against evil, corruption and the wicked, these speeches have transcended art and have entered the popular lexicon, sometimes as satire, but sometimes as a source of inspirations.

20. Invictus (2009) – “This is it! This is our Destiny!”

Following his release from prison in 1990, Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) ran for government and became President of South Africa, effectively ending Apartheid. Despite this, the country still remained divided and tense. Mandela, however, saw hope in the form of the Springboks, South Africa’s National Rugby Union team.

After beating heavyweights France, Western Samoa and Australia in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the team faces the number one side: the Legendary New Zealand All Blacks. Overcoming the odds and securing a 15-12 lead, the team only has to hold out for seven minutes. Team captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) addresses his team, telling them to listen to the crowd, all singing in unison, “Heads up, look into my eyes”.

This is a real team captain talking, his message still simple for a rugby team, “Defence, defence, defence”. Plain yet inspiring. Pienaar is portrayed as a man who knows exactly the history he is about create. When asked at the end of the game if he could have done it without the 60,000 South Africans present at the game, “We didn’t have the support of 60,000 South Africans…we had the support of 43 million South Africans”.

The finale with Pienaar receiving the Web Ellis Trophy from a Springbok Jersey wearing Mandela remains not only one of the great moments of sport, but a great moment in human history.

19. Henry V (1989) – “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”

Very few actors have been able to transport the Bard to the big screen. Lawrence Olivier, Orson Welles, John Gielgud, Ian McKellan are just a few that have succeeded. Today, most of Shakespeare’s plays are adapted into contemporary settings, from fairy tale Venice Beach (Romeo + Juliet) to gangland Melbourne (Macbeth).

However, Kenneth Branagh’s performance in Henry V (following in the footsteps of Laurence Olivier) shows that one can still enjoy a classic, especially when watching the St Crispin’s Day speech.

“From this day to the ending of the world, but we shall be remembered – we few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother”. Branagh does not deliver this line with awe and gravitas, but rather with joy. A great smile burnt across his face as he rallies his men with promises of immortality.

Perhaps Henry’s heart is filled with joy at the concept of being side by side with his men at his longest hour, or is Branagh portraying a naive boy king who is yet to understand the true horrors of war? One thing is for certain: audience will seldom find such passion and truth in modern Shakespeare.

18. Rudy (1993) – “Since when are you the quitting kind”

There are only a handful of films that men will acknowledge crying in. Rudy (Sean Astin) is one of them. How can you keep a dry eye when watching every member of the University of Notre Dame’s football team walk into the head office before the final game of the year, offering their position up for Rudy.

But before this immortal moment, Rudy quit the team, frustrated at failing to make the final team list of the year. It is only after the dressing down he receives from stadium janitor Fortune (Charles S. Dutton) that he changes his mind, “Since when are you the quitting kind,” he barks at a defeated Rudy. This not only acts as the key turning point for the film, it reveals the true character of Fortune, finally breaking down the emotional brick wall he built between himself and others.

Fortune, just like Rudy, had an opportunity but threw it away out of anger, “And I guarantee a week won’t go by in your life you won’t regret walking out, letting them get the best of you”. There is not softness, no compassion. Not Fortune’s style. Instead he gives Rudy the kick up the arse he needs to continue fighting to earn the title of ‘Fighting Irish’.

17. Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939) – “Well, I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr Paine”

There is no worse feeling than the moment you realise you have been beat. No second chances, no extra time. Nothing. You have lost. This was the moment that underdog Senator Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) not only realised he had lost but that he had been powerless all along. His first bill draws the wrath of a corrupt politician, not only destroying the bill, but turning Smith’s own constituents against him. Where he is shown the letters and telegrams sent demanding his resignation.

Beaten, exhausted and near collapse he seems resigned to his fate, “well, I guess this is just another lost cause, Mr Paine,” he mumbles, now barely conscious.

Instead, he finds one last ounce of energy, promising to continue the fight against political corruption, “You think I’m licked? Well, I’m not licked and I’m gonna stay right here and fight for this lost cause. Even if this room is filled with lies like these”. Mr Smith goes to Washington remains one of Frank Capra’s best and one of the truly great films on American politics.

16. Dead Poet’s Society (1989) – “Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary”

A good teacher is not meant to simply teach, but rather inspire his students. Guide them into finding their passion and push them into pursuing it. Inspiring teachers are a popular market with films like Stand and Deliver, Mr. Holland’s Opus and October Sky. However, nothing matches the wit, charm and passion found in Dead Poet’s Society’s John Keating (Robin Williams).

Despite the strict and conservative foundations of the school they attend, former student turned poetry teacher Keating encourages his students to rip out the mathematic formula for rating poetry and to stand on their desk shouting poetry, much to the chagrin of the headmaster.

But Keating’s teaching philosophy is laid bare when he shows his students photos of the past alumni who attended, “They’re not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts, full of hormones”, before whispering his magnum opus, “Carpe diem”. Keating is not just teaching poetry, he is teaching the boys to become individuals. To not be constrained by the social mores that there very school is trying to implement.

15. Friday Night Lights (2004) – “I want you to put each other in your hearts forever, because forever is about to happen here”

So inspiring is the coach’s speech to his team that it has become almost cliché. Halftime, down by a lot, exhausted and low morale, the team finds solace in the inspirational words of the calm and collected coach. Friday Night Lights is part of this cliché, but it is one of the few that gets it right.

Only gaining entry into the state final by virtue of a coin toss, the Permian Panthers and their coach Gary Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) know they are the underdogs. But more than that, Gaines knows for many of them it will be their last game. Some may get a chance to play College Football and there might be that lucky one who goes on to play for the NFL. However, many of these boys will graduate from high school and live out the rest of their life.

In the end, it comes down to how they remember the game, “And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasn’t one more thing you could’ve done. Can you live in that moment as best you can, with clear eyes, and love in your heart, with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentlemen, then you’re perfect”. For the film, football is not about winning or losing, it is about character.

30 Replies to “The 20 Best Movie Speeches of All Time”

Alec Baldwin as Blake in Glengarry Glen Ross.

Shocked this wasn’t here

Tim Robbins in Antitrust.

That speech in Rocky Balboa is awesome. Never gets a lot of love as it says a lot about life.

Anything by Brando as Kurtz in Apocalypse now… snail on a straight razor… but especially this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPGMNOLaMw

Kikuchiyo’s speech about the true nature of farmers and samurai in “Seven Samurai” (1954).

Theoden’s Speech from LotR: The Return of the King.

Belushi’s speech in Animal House!!

Jim Garrison’s closing argument to the jury in JFK

Jim Garrison’s closing speech to the jury in JFK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BckPa2_A8gI

25th hour(not public but we all saw it) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgL_5QcZCMo

This is a great idea for a list but Jesus F-ck, this list is embarrassing. The author seems to think that a great movie speech has to always be a motivational one. I mean sh-t, half of his picks are nothing but generic, clichéd sports movies. All the motivational sports speeches have the same message, just worded differently. The only pass I’d give is to “Rocky” because boxing is arguably the purest metaphor of life– “it’s not about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward” is poetry.

If you wanna go for a sports speech, then why not one of the most iconic speeches in American history? 1. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” –Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech, The Pride of the Yankees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyT4mPBe4YQ

2. “In the name of God, do your duty.” –Atticus Finch pleading with the jury to commit to social justice, To Kill a Mockingbird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYNxQL87tAY

3. “Every time you break the seal on that liquor bottle, that’s a government seal you’re breaking!” –Malcolm X opening the eyes and ears of folks living in Harlem, Malcolm X https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT1jLY20tLo&t=40s

4. “Rehabilitated, it’s just a bullshit word.” –Ellis Boyd Redding lecturing to the parole board about the truth of prisoner rehabilitation, The Shawshank Redemption https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcn6v7IaIfA

5. “You’re no crazier than the average asshole out walking on the streets!” –Randall McMurphy advising the other patients that a person isn’t crazy simply cuz he doesn’t conform to society’s arbitrary standards, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehPcYibzUKc

6. “Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?? HELL NO!!!” — Parody of clichéd motivational movie speeches, Animal House https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep-xgd_eETE

7. “Our great war is a spiritual war.” –Tyler Durden offering sobering realizations about life in the modern age, Fight Club https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi9ivZL7vmA

8. “Macho shithead” –Dorothy Michaels calling out a director for perpetuating female stereotypes, Tootsie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V95u7t_4WVc

9. “I have killed for my country and I don’t feel good about it.” –Luke Martin, a Vietnam vet laying out the truth about war to high school students, Coming Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duyYbn2TkvY

10. “Together we shall give them a 5th of November that shall never ever be forgot.” –V rallying the citizens of the UK to rebel against their tyrannical government, V for Vendetta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKvvOFIHs4k

11. “I’m trying real hard to be the shepherd.” –Hitman Jules Winnefield lecturing a small time crook on the errors of his ways, Pulp Fiction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PeyiU3uWJ8

12. “The whole trial’s out of order!” –Arthur Kirkland pointing out the inherent flaws of the American legal system, And Justice For All https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGomfEiWS9Q&t=137s

13. “It’s called gentrification.” –Furious Styles speaking the truth about life in the ghettos of America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BadSZDpvq-s

The Return of The King – both Théoden’s and Aragorn’s pre-battle speeches definitely deserved a spot on here.

Apparently the best movie speeches of all time were all in english…

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers”

Peter Graves’ final speech in It Conquered the World 1956 (MST3K version)

“He learned almost too late that man is a feeling creature… and, because of it, the greatest in the universe. He learned too late for himself that men have to find their own way, to make their own mistakes. There can’t be any gift of perfection from outside ourselves. And when men seek such perfection… they find only death… fire… loss… disillusionment… the end of everything that’s gone forward. Men have always sought an end to the toil and misery, but it can’t be given, it has to be achieved. There is hope, but it has to come from inside — from man himself.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx7A6eQqBc8

Scent of a Woman – Slades speech

Paltry, surely??

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Video store chain Blockbuster Video (in the UK) held a series of polls in late 2003 with its customers to determine the Top 20 Best Film Speeches and Monologues in cinematic history (their selections are all included here). Although there were some excellent choices in their poll, the results almost completely ignored early films, and entirely disregarded films with speeches made by female characters.

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The 10 Most Inspirational Movie Speeches For Cinephiles

Whether short and sweet or long-winded, some film speeches have stirred up intense emotions within their audiences.

Although films can be more about visuals, many carry impactful dialogue. While body language and facial expressions are necessary for actors, some have proven the mastery of spoken word. Some of these speeches are filled with words, while others have only a few lines. Regardless of how long the moment is, these speeches inspire their audiences.

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Several films contain historically accurate and entertainingly original movie speeches. Many of them stand the test of time, and others mark a new era.

10 The King's Speech: King George VI Challenges Us To Overcome Our Greatest Enemies

The King's Speech's  protagonist, Prince Albert, is pushed to overcome his speech impediment, while dealing with the pressure of being a member of Britain's Royal Family. The Prince and his wife turn to actor and speech therapist Lionel Louge, who digs into the emotional trauma behind the impediment.

The audience's emotional attachment only increases when Prince Albert is named the new King of England and is expected to lead the country into war with Nazi Germany in the late 1930s. His first act as King George happens to be his first wartime radio broadcast. As he works through the stress of relaying his hopeful words for victory, he takes his first steps into overcoming his disability, an inspirational moment in history and cinema.

9 The Return Of The King: Aragorn's Speech Made For A Stirring Start To The Final Battle

Throughout  The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Aragorn makes for a brilliant leader, but often stands aside to let another take over. His hesitation to claim his birthright as King of Men, along with his great humility, is only a part of why his rousing speech at the end of  Return of the King is so impactful.

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The final battle at Mordor is the last obstacle the heroes have to face to end Sauron's chaos , but even after all they've overcome, victory still seems bleak. It's Aragorn's speech that brings back hope for better days and stirs up the men, and the audience's courage, to face the challenge that's ahead of them.

8 Independence Day: The President's Speech Is Iconic For Its Bold Honesty And Empowerment For All

The power of a speech lies in how the speaker captures their audience. Though he struggles at first to rally his troops, President Whitmore's wartime speech is the spark to the war effort against the alien enemy in  Independence Day , .

His honest start defining the venture that they were about to embark on, avoided sugar-coating the situation; they were about to fight for their survival . It's his change in topic, focusing more on how the world is going to fight together and how  "we will not vanish without a fight" , that gives everyone strength.

7 Ratatouille: Anton Ego's Critique Is A Victory For The Artists Who Dream Big

Though the concept of a rat cooking in a restaurant might leave some with an upset stomach, Pixar  took the idea and created the inspirational masterpiece  Ratatouille . The film follows the rat Remy, whose passion for cooing leads him to secretly become a chef at his idol's famed restaurant, Gusteau's.

As the restaurant's popularity rises thanks to Remy's cooking, the harsh critic Anton Ego steps in to test his talent, not realizing he isn't human. After a mass exit from the kitchen staff, Remy is helped by his family to serve Anton his finest meal. Upon discovering Remy's true identity, Anton is forced to accept and now uphold the late Gusteau's ideology of  "anyone can cook" , calling Remy  "the finest chef in France" in his in-depth food critique.

6 Remember The Titans: Coach Boone's Speech Unifies His Team And The Audience

Following the story of the first racially integrated football team in Virginia, Remember The Titans balances its societal commentary and engaging storytelling brilliantly. In one of the film's serious moments, the team is led on a grueling run that leads them to the land where the Battle of Gettysburg historically took place.

As the young athletes take a moment to catch their breath, Coach Boone compares the team's struggle to work together to the bloody battle that happened nearly a century ago.  "If we don't come together, right now... we too will be destroyed -- just like they were" , are some of the influential words Boone shares. As haunting as his speech becomes, it ends on a hopeful note of  "maybe we'll learn to play this game like men."

5 Dead Poets Society: Mr. Keating's Passion For The Arts Breathes Life Into The Audience

Viewers were not prepared for the emotional tour de force of  Dead Poets Society , the story of one English teacher's unique efforts to help his students live their best lives and overcome the pressures pushed onto them. With many of his students carrying a misunderstanding of why they are studying poetry and the arts, Mr. Keating shares poetic words of his own on the connection between poetry and the passion of life.

In his speech, he shares the words,  "poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for" , and in an effort to convince the young students to think and live for themselves, he adds,  "you may contribute a verse."  The inspiring speech ends with a call to action, both for the characters and the audience,  "What will your verse be?"

4 Hidden Figures: Mary Jackson's Bold Speech Stirs Up Viewers' Courage

With the restriction of segregation holding her from her potential, Mary Jackson's historical fight for an equal education is shared in the remarkable film  Hidden Figures . Mary was already brilliant in engineering before she was given the official job, but she needed the credentials from an accredited school in order to be granted the promotion.

The only school available was, at the time, an all-white high school. Mary boldly stands before a judge and declares  "I have no choice but to be the first."  The genius of her character shines in this scene as she makes a direct connection with the judge, who she points out has done some history-making of his own. The bold approach works and the judge allows her to bend the segregation laws, an empowering step for Mary and for the audience watching.

3 Good Night, And Good Luck: Edward R Murrow's Harsh Criticisms On Media Still Have An Impact Today

Though a moody piece ,  Good Night, and Good Luck presents a light at the end of the tunnel as far as the abuse of mass media goes. It highlights the monumental work of reporter Edward R. Murrow and his fight against the extremes of McCarthyism. It also emphasizes his belief in the power of radio and television broadcasting.

His speech in the film may be a bit dreary for those looking to be uplifted, but it hits inspirational notes where it needs to. In the words from the film,  "This instrument can teach. It can illuminate and, yes, it can even inspire,"  a sentiment that means a great deal to those who share in Murrow's ideology on the power of media.

2 The Princess Bride: Inigo Montoya's 'Introduction' Was Worth The Great Build Up

Inigo Montoya is incredibly likable even though he's helping one of the villains in the  The Princess Bride . His life as a rogue swordsman has all been for the sake of finding the man who murdered his father and taking his vengeance. Coincidentally, that same man is an enemy of the story's hero, Wesley, giving Inigo the support he needs to reach his goal.

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For decades he practiced the same speech over and over again, introducing himself to his father's killer, but when he finally has the man in his clutches, he loses, or so it seems. Unwilling to give in to his devastating wounds, Inigo repeats the same speech, raising his voice louder and louder as his attacks grow in power. At last, he has the murderer right where he wants him and deals the final blow, making for one of the most exciting final battles in cinema that has stood the test of time.

1 Pursuit of Happyness: Chris Gardner's Speech On Chasing After Dreams Applies To All Ages

In one of his most inspirational films, Will Smith plays Chris Gardner, a man down on his luck after he and his son are evicted from their home. The father and son struggle living out on the street as Chris works hard to land a job at a brokerage firm. Toward the end of the film, Chris and his son are playing basketball together as the little boy proclaims one day he'll become a pro player. Without thinking, Chris shuts down his son's dream to spare him from disappointment .

After seeing the impact of his negative words, Chris tells his son,  "Don't ever let somebody tell you, you can't do something, not even me."  He then encourages his son to go after his dreams, telling him  "If you want something, go get it. Period." For everyone in the world, no matter their age, this speech inspired by a true underdog, means a lot.

NEXT:  10 Most Inspirational Anime Speeches That Will Motivate Anyone

Cinematic Masterpieces: 25 Monologues That Shaped Film

A movie monologue is a speech given by a single character. The best monologues from movies mostly happen at important turning points, i.e., at the point of no return or near the end – at the movie’s climax . In other words, the most famous monologues in movies can turn the tide.

For the monologue to be convincing, the character who holds the speech has to convince the audience – big or small – in the film so that we, as viewers, are persuaded, and our disbelief is suspended.

I mention the rhetorical appeals throughout the article to add context to the quotes. If you’re unsure about what ethos, logos, and pathos are, click here .

1. The Newsroom: “America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.”

In this powerful monologue from The Newsroom (2012) , Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) explains to a sophomore why he thinks that America isn’t the greatest country in the world anymore.

Notice how he uses logos and pathos, which tells us that he has both the brain and the heart when it matters.

2. Contact. – Jodie Fosters Pitch

In this scene from Contact (1997) , we see Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) trying to secure funding for her SETI project.

Test your knowledge in the ultimate sci-fi movie quote quiz .

Notice how she abandons logos for pathos when she is initially denied funding by the board. And it’s her passion that convinces the mystical billionaire S.R. Hadden (John Hurt) to fund her research.

3. The Dark Knight: Joker meets the mob and does a Pencil Trick

In this scene from Batman: The Dark Knight (2008) , we see the Joker (Heath Ledger) trying to convince the mob of Gotham City to pay him half of their money to kill Batman.

Notice how he establishes credibility and authority (ethos) from the beginning so that the mob knows he is no fool (pun intended).

Heath Ledger did a great job as Joker, and his posthumous Academy Award for this role is well-deserved.

4. Hidden Figures. “Be The First” Appeal To The Judge

In this scene, Hidden figures (2016) , we see a strong appeal made by one of the female protagonists, Marie Jackson (Janelle Monáe), to the skeptical judge to allow her to attend an all-white high school.

In this 1-minute monologue, notice how she uses pathos to establish common ground and get the judge to see it from her point of view.

5. Independence Day. President Speech.

In this cult scene from Independence Day (1996) , the President of the United States, Thomas J. Whitmore (Bill Pullman), gives a motivational speech to the Air Force before the final battle against the aliens.

It’s a powerful speech. It comes from authority (ethos) – POTUS himself – who in the movie is raised to a pedestal as if he is not only the president of the US but the entire human population on earth.

The motivational speech is a pure pathos appeal based on fear and hope – we fight, win, or die!

Independence Day has many memorable lines. Check out the best quotes from the Independence Day movie .

6. The Devil’s Advocate. Al Pacino’s monologue about God

Here’s a great example of a monologue from the antagonist in a movie.

In this scene from The Devil’s Advocate (1997) , we see the devil (Al Pacino) giving a speech about God. As the devil himself, you won’t find a more authoritative figure (ethos) except for maybe God.

The monologue is a pathos appeal – rooted in anger, of course – to establish a common ground with our protagonist, Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves).

7. Scent of a Woman. “I’ll Show You Out of Order!”

Here’s a dramatic monologue by Al Pacino from the movie Scent of a Woman (1992) .

In this scene, the blind military veteran Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Al Pacino) defends the young prep school student Charlie Simms (Chris O’Donnell).

We see Slade establish credibility and authority (ethos) through his powerful appearance and references to his time in the military.

And though he is blind, he sees right through the school’s hypocrisy, which he unveils with his passionate choice of words and intonation (pathos).

It’s a great scene and an iconic performance by Al Pacino.

8. Braveheart: Freedom Speech

In this monologue from Braveheart (1995) , we see William Wallace (Mel Gibson) give a powerful speech to the clansmen of Scotland.

The pathos appeal is rooted in fear of losing their independence and freedom from England. And the purpose is to persuade the clans to unite and fight against the English army.

9. Good Will Hunting. “Your Move Chief”

Here’s a favorite scene from one of my favorite films, Good Will Hunting (1997) .

In the scene, we see the therapist, Dr. Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), giving Will Hunting (Matt Damon) an important lesson about life.

The monologue from Williams’ character becomes the turning point for Will, as he finally decides to be honest with his therapist and himself.

Williams’s character has life experience and credibility (ethos). Though he might not be a genius like Will, he knows enough (logos) to dismantle Will’s intellectual bullshit, which up to this point, has worked as a shield not to let anyone see who he is inside.

Maguire sees right through Will’s facade. It’s a warm and caring talking-to and lecture (pathos) that persuades Will to drop his guard and open up, and one of the best moments in the film.

Robin Williams did a great job in this movie and was rewarded an Academy Award as Best Actor in a Supporting Role, well deserved if you ask me!

10. Good Will Hunting. “My boy’s wicked smart”

Here’s another scene from Good Will Hunting.

In this scene, we see some of Will’s (Matt Damon) genius as he rips apart a condescending Harvard student, Clark, who tries to make a fool of his best friend, Chuckie (Ben Affleck).

We see how Will uses logos to outwit Clark (Scott William Winters) while establishing authority and dominance (ethos) at the same time.

He already has the upper hand when he suggests a fight, as both he and Chuckie are used to fighting, as we can see from their bruised faces.

Ultimately, it’s a double-win for Will, as Clark loses to muscles and brains.

Speaking of wins, it’s no surprise that the script, which Damon and Affleck wrote, received an Oscar for Best Screenplay.

11. Wall Street. “Greed […] is Good”

In this scene from the movie Wall Street (1987) , we see the anti-hero Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) persuading the audience at a shareholder’s meeting, announcing that “greed [..] is good. Greed is right, greed works”.

He establishes himself as an authority when he speaks of himself as a liberator of companies instead of their destroyer. He refers to the massive amount of money his takeovers have afforded other shareholders through the years.

The monologue aims to persuade the shareholders that it is a good idea to accept Gekko’s takeover bid.

He does this by – apparently – establishing a common ground (pathos) with shareholders on the floor while speaking against the vice presidents on the board who make a lot of money.

12. Apocalypse Now. “The Horror”

In this monologue from Apocalypse Now (1979) , we see Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) recalling the horrors of war. We’re invited into his mind to witness first-hand the cause of his insanity.

It’s a horrifying monologue (no pun intended) filled with pathos, which contrasts Kurtz’s screwed reasoning that if you can embrace horror, then you can “kill without feeling… without passion… without judgment”.

In doing so, Colonel Kurtz equals being able to kill without emotion and conscience with strength in its purest form.

13. The Matrix Reloaded. The Merovingian on Causality

In this scene from The Matrix Reloaded (2003) , we see the antagonist, The Merovingian (Lambert Wilson), lecturing Neo et al. on causality, i.e., cause and effect.

As a program himself (logos), he separates himself from human avatars in the matrix – embodied by the female guest – who are controlled by emotions and instincts (pathos).

The “why” in his monologue is reasoning (logos) and power.

If you don’t understand – “why,” a.k.a. the cause – you become a slave to your emotions (pathos) and those who understand the “why” because they can control you by manipulating those emotions.

14. Kill Bill Vol. 2: Kill Bill on Superheroes

In this memorable performance from Kill Bill Vol. 2 (2004) , we see Bill (David Carradine) speaking about how Superman differs from other superheroes.

Other superheroes – like Spider-Man – are weak and human, except when they have transformed into their superhero alter ego and put on their mask.

It is the opposite way around with Superman. Superman is always a superhero underneath his cape, and his alter ego, Clark Kent, is the weak one.

The speech is an analogy to female assassin Beatrix Kiddo (Uma Thurman), a.k.a. The Bride, a.k.a. Arlene Plimpton.

As her former teacher, Bill doesn’t condone her wish to live a simple life like Arlene Plimpton. In Bill’s perspective, becoming Mrs. Plimpton resembles Superman becoming Clark Kent – a weak alter ego. Bill sees Beatrix Kiddo as “a natural born killer.”

As her former teacher and a feared assassin, Bill already possesses much authority (ethos). And though the Superman analogy might seem like a logos appeal, it is a pathos appeal where Bill tries to re-establish a common ground with his former apprentice.

It’s the classical “we are the same you and I” antagonist monologue, only it is wrapped in clever Tarantino writing.

15. Ratatouille. “Anyone can cook”

Here’s a scene from one of my favorite Disney films, Ratatouille (2007) by Pixar.

It’s a wonderful climactic monologue near the end of the film, where the cooking of the rat Remy (Patton Oswalt) and Linguini (Lou Romano) is judged by the feared food critic Anton Ego (Peter O’Toole).

It’s not only a well-written monologue on art and criticism. It is also about the transformative power of acceptance, courage, and risk-taking, as Anton Ego has to revise his biased views on cooking.

As a feared food critic, Anton Ego has established himself as an authority (ethos) that can make or break a restaurant through the power of his words (logos).

But when he writes the review, he risks and loses this credibility. Instead, he is reborn and reconnected with the happy feelings from his childhood (pathos), which he hasn’t been in contact with for years.

16. Mona Lisa Smile. Katherine’s speech to the class.

In this Mona Lisa Smile (2003) scene, we see art history teacher Katherin Ann Watson (Julia Roberts) in a passionate speech to her students at Wellesley College in 1953.

Julia makes a strong pathos appeal to get the students to see that there is more to life than getting married and fill out the roles the girls “were born to fill” – as her highly conservative student Elizabeth “Betty” Warren (Kirsten Dunst) had written in an editorial for the college paper.

She also uses logos appeals as she shows the class contemporary ads with demeaning portraits of women, which act like a mirror to the young students.

It’s a powerful 2-minute monologue of female empowerment.

17. The American President.

In this monologue from the movie The American President (1995) , we see the Democratic President of the US, Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), giving a speech before the press about free speech.

He also rebukes the attacks by his political opponent – the Republican Senator Bob Rumson.

It’s a passionate monologue (pathos) starkly contrasting his earlier measured speeches (logos). Again, we see how logos is overtaken by pathos when it matters.

18. Malcolm X

In this powerful speech from the movie Malcolm X (1992) , we see Malcolm X (Denzel Washington) address Harlem’s citizens.

It’s a classic us-against-them speech in which he first establishes a common ground with the black community of Harlem (pathos) by peeling away all that could divide them and then putting them against the white man, a.k.a. the government and politicians.

19. A Few Good Men. “You can’t handle the truth!”

In this famous movie monologue from A Few Good Men (1992), we see Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) admitting that he ordered Code Red – a violent extrajudicial punishment – which led to the death of marine officer William Santiago.

Up until this point, the courtroom battle has been a case of providing evidence and a battle of wits (logos) between Jessep and lawyers Daniel Kaffe (Tom Cruise) and JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore).

But as Kaffe catches Jessep in a lie, things heat up, and Nicholson gives a powerful and passionate monologue rooted in anger (pathos), starting with the famous words, “You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!”

It’s also an excellent example of using a rhetorical question to set up the answer.

20. Skyfall. “Mommy was very bad.”

In this scene from Skyfall (2012), James Bond (Daniel Craig) meets the villain Silva (Javier Bardem) for the first time.

Check out our list of the best 007 movies of all time .

As Silva enters the room where Bond is held captured, he gives a disgusting (pathos) monologue about getting rid of a rat infestation on his grandmother’s island when he was a kid.

The rats thrived by eating coconuts, and the way to get rid of the rats was to capture them in an oil drum and let them eat each other until there were only two left.

The two survivors will now have changed their nature to feast on rats instead of coconuts and are released into the wild.

Of course, the two surviving rats are an analogy of Bond and Silva, whose nature has been changed as they are both trained MI6 agents. Instead of killing other rats, the two agents have a license to kill other humans. – Or at least one of them does. For Silva, killing is a feast in itself.

21. Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction (1994)

Another honorable mention is Jules Winnfield’s (Samuel L. Jackson) citation of the verse Ezekiel 25:17 in Pulp Fiction by Quentin Tarantino:

Anyone familiar with Pulp Fiction might remember that the quote appears twice in the film.

The second time is in the final scene where Jules lectures Ringo, a.k.a. Pumpkin, on how to be a bad-ass motherfucker – or is it a shepherd?

Here is the monologue in full.

Well, there’s this passage I got memorized: Ezekiel 25:17: ‘The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.” I’ve been sayin’ that shit for years. And if you heard it, that meant your ass. I never gave much thought to what it meant. I just thought it was some cold-blooded thing to say to a motherfucker before you popped a cap in his ass. But I saw some shit this mornin’ made me think twice. Seee, now I’m thinking: maybe it means you’re the evil man. And I’m the righteous man. And Mr. 9-millimeter here, he’s the shepherd protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness. Or it could mean you’re the righteous man and I’m the shepherd and it’s the world that’s evil and selfish. I’d like that. But that shit ain’t the truth. The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin’, Ringo… I’m tryin’ real hard to be the shepherd. – Jules Winnfield

22. Meryl Streep in One True Thing (1998)

In this heartwarming (and heartbreaking at the same time) monologue, Meryl Streep plays a cancer-stricken mother, Kate Gulden, talking to her daughter Ellen (Renée Zellweger). The latter is upset with her father, George (William Hurt).

It’s a moment of truth about marriage, the idea of a good father, and life and death at the most basic level. And it’s filled with pathos.

It’s another excellent performance from Meryl Streep, who was nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.

23. ‘Tears in the Rain’ by Rutger Hauer in Blade Runner (1982)

I’m a huge Blade Runner fan, so this may be biased. But I love this final monologue from the Nexus-6 model Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer):

It’s a pivotal moment in the film because the Nexus model chooses to save Rick Deckard’s (Harrison Ford) life.

At this point, it is assumed by most that Deckard is human, so for a Nexus model to save a human enforces the Tyrell Corporation’s idea of creating robots that are ‘more human than human.’

Viewed analytically, the logos from the cold-blooded soldier Nexus-6 model makes way for a pathos-filled moment in its final hour.

24. John Goodman in The Big Lebowski (1998)

One of the movie’s most hilarious monologues is from Walter Sobchak (John Goodman). Granted, this movie is filled with crazy dialog and scenes and is one of the best comedy movies of all time .

In this scene, Walter gives a ceremonious speech before he scatters Theodore Donald ‘Donny’ Kerabatsos’s (Steve Buschemi) ashes near the sea while The Dude (Jeff Bridges) listens in the background.

A trusted friend and bowling partner, Donny was true to the trio until the end. Donny dies from a heart attack after an altercation with the nihilists who’ve just set the Dude’s car on fire at the movie’s end.

But even though the three friends have bowled for years, the Dude and Walter don’t know much about Donny. So Walter has to make up a speech on the spot, which is more logos than pathos.

Here it is in full:

Donny was a good bowler and a good man. He was… he was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors… and bowling. And as a surfer, he explored the beaches of southern California from La Jolla to Leo Carillo and up to Pismo. He died.. he died as so many young men of his generation before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him… as you took so many bright, flowering young men at Khe Sanh, and Lan Doc, and Hill 364. These young men gave their lives, and so Donny. Donny who loved bowling. And so… Theodore Donald Karabotsos… in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been… we commit your final, mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Goodnight, sweet prince. – Walter Sobchak

25. Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator (2000), directed by Ridley Scott, is one of my favorite movies. It’s a great story, and it is filled with amazing performances – not at least by Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Russell Crowe as Maximus.

In this pathos-filled scene, Commodus realizes that his father, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), won’t let his son be the new emperor of Rome. Instead, he’ll pass the torch to his general Maximus.

Commodus tries to redeem himself and let his father know that he is ready to be the new emperor:

[Commodus] You wrote to me once… listing the four chief virtues. Wisdom, justice, fortitude, temperance. As I read the list, I knew I had none of them. But I have other virtues, Father. Ambition. That can be a virtue when it drives us to excel. Resourcefulness. Courage. Perhaps not on the battlefield, but… there are many forms of courage. Devotion… to my family… to you. But none of my virtues were on your list. Even then, it was as if you didn’t want me for your son. [Marcus Aurelius kneels: Oh, Commodus… you go to far.] [Commodus] I search the faces of the Gods for ways to please you, to make you proud. One kind word, one full hug where you pressed me to your chest and held me tight… would have been like the sun on my heart for a thousand years. What is it in me that you hate so much? All I’ve ever wanted was to live up to you. Caesar. Father. [Marcus Aurelius: Commodus. Your faults as a son is my failure as a father.]

Tough love! That’s ancient Rome’s idea of a good father for you! Probably not the best or wisest way to respond to a disgruntled son from whom you’ve just denied the emperor’s throne.

Honorary mentions: Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator

Any famous movie monologues list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this quote from the final scene in The Great Dictator (1940) by Charlie Chaplin.

The quote is as relevant then as it is today:

Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent, and all will be lost.– A Jewish Barber A Jewish Barber

The quote encompasses pathos, logos, and ethos, making this one of the best movie monologues ever.

What makes great monologues from movies?

It can be valuable and fun to view and understand the monologues from a rhetorical perspective and apply the rhetorical appeals ethos, logos, and pathos .

Ethos, logos, and pathos are tools you can use to persuade an audience and turn them to your side.

An ethos appeal is the speaker’s credibility and authority, a logos appeal is to logic and reasoning (in what’s being said), and a pathos appeal is to the audience’s emotions and passions.

For a monologue to be effective, the character has to have credibility, and he or she has to speak with pathos, a.k.a. passion. In other words, he or she has to speak to our hearts.

I find that pathos, more than logos, often powers these speeches.

Monologues aren’t just for protagonists.

However, the best monologues from movies aren’t reserved for the protagonist. Villains have held some great movie monologues throughout film history, which we’ll examine.

Monologues for villains are so common that Disney’s Pixar made fun of them in The Incredibles. Check out this comedic monologue from Syndrome:

So, without further ado, here are the best movie monologues of all time (in no particular order).

If you’re an aspiring actor, it’s time to start practicing monologues yourself. Here, you can see some great examples of 1-minute monologues for auditions.

So those were the best film monologues I could think of.

Did I miss any obvious ones? What are your favorite famous movie quotes?

Let me know in the comments below.

Jan Sørup is a indie filmmaker, videographer and photographer from Denmark. He owns filmdaft.com and the Danish company Apertura, which produces video content for big companies in Denmark and Scandinavia. Jan has a background in music, has drawn webcomics, and is a former lecturer at the University of Copenhagen.

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4 thoughts on “Cinematic Masterpieces: 25 Monologues That Shaped Film”

This is really helpful for my drama class, and it has one that I’ve looked for before and couldn’t find, so thank you.

Thank you. I’m glad you found it useful. Good luck in drama class 🙂

Yoo I needed a monoloague to declaim in class, this website helped me a lot to find it. Thankss!!!

thank you so much this help me in my performance.

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Screen Rant

10 most inspiring sports movie speeches.

Some of the most motivational speeches in film history come from iconic sports movies that instill crucial lessons in life both on and off the field.

The most inspiring sports movie speeches of all time light a fire under every sports fan's heart. They are typically given by head coaches of underdog teams who need a pre-game or halftime locker room pick-me-up to encourage the pursuit of victory against a challenging opponent. They can also arise in other unique ways that encapsulate the feelings of sportsmanship, teamwork, and a love of the game that reminds every athlete, coach, and fan why they play ball.

The timeless tale of inspiring underdogs in sports movies is the culmination of blood, sweat, and tears as well as fearlessness in the face of a formidable opponent. The best speeches in sports movies often remind those it is intended for to keep up their determination and maintain their belief in themselves. The most inspiring moments in sports movies come from the mutual desire to become greater than the sum of any given team's parts and often speak to notions of greatness and achievement that transcend the court or playing field.

RELATED: 12 Awesome Sports Movies Not Based On A True Story

10 Hoosiers - “I Don’t Care What The Scoreboard Says”

In the 1986 classic basketball film Hoosiers , Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) delivers a passionate speech to his Hickory High School Huskers varsity team. Dale walks into a timid locker room in a make-or-break moment that will determine how the Indiana team will approach their big game. Dale's speech denounces the common anxieties that come with pre-game jitters, reminding his team not to focus on winning a distant state championship but to instead remember that the road to victory begins with one step. Dale encourages his team to forget about the crowds and the scoreboard, which leads to an iconic slow clap that fires the Huskers up before they hit the court.

9 Remember The Titans - “Leave No Doubt”

Remember the Titans is full of inspiring moments, but none capture the same intensity of the mid-game motivational speech given by Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). During the Northern Virginia Regional Championship Football Game, Yoast pulls his defensive players aside and reinforces their main objective, telling them to blitz the opponent's quarterback all night. After one of his star players quits during the game, Yoast improvises by subbing in back-up Alan Bosley (Ryan Gosling) and delivered the legendary line "You make sure they remember, forever, the night they played the Titans. Leave no doubt!"

8 Glory Road - “Take It”

The most motivational speech in the basketball film Glory Road is delivered by head coach Don Haskins (Josh Lucas) to his Texas Western basketball team as they are just two minutes from winning a national championship. In the huddle during a timeout, Haskins reminds his players that the key to winning a championship is about heart and which team wants to win the most. His inspiring speech encourages the underdog basketball team to take the victory from the established favorites since they will not hand it over simply. The speech is a declaration of the required willpower that turns competitors into champions.

7 Field Of Dreams - “People Will Come”

James Earl Jones delivers one of the most iconic speeches in all sports movies in Field of Dreams . Terence Mann (Jones) paints a portrait of what the baseball filed will inspire if Ray (Kevin Costner) builds it in his cornfield. The speech intercuts with Ray's contemplation of whether he should sell his property to ensure that he won't lose all of his financial assets. The inspirational speech creates the vision of a magical baseball field that will captivate every fan and player's attention and will ultimately prevent Ray from having to sell his beloved property. Mann memorably reminds Ray that if he builds the field, people will come.

6 Friday Night Lights - “Perfect”

Before the popular Friday Night Lights television series began, a 2004 movie of the same name starred Billy Bob Thornton as Coach Gary Gaines. Gaines delivers a brutally raw and honest speech to his team of football players that reminds them of the fleeting nature of life, encouraging them to seize the opportunity to win while they still have it. Gaines reiterates to his team at their most crucial and vulnerable moment that his notion of being "perfect" is not about winning the game, but about becoming good, reliable people through the game. It's a poignant speech that dives into how life is much bigger than any sports game.

RELATED: 10 Saddest Sports Movie Moments That Will Definitely Make You Cry

5 We Are Marshall - “You Cannot Lose”

We Are Marshall is one of the most devastating sports films ever made with many tear-jerking moments. Coach Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) brings his college football team to the final resting place of former Marshall players and staff members who died in a tragic plane crash. In a grim yet powerful speech, Lengyel reminds his players that although their opponent is physically stronger and more efficient than them, they aren't aware of how passionate they are. Lengyel's message touches on the deepest motivation of any sports competition, which is the commitment and heart in every player and team that can fuel an underdog to victory.

4 Coach Carter - “Our Deepest Fear”

One of the most motivational speeches in sports films is surprisingly not delivered by a coach but a player. In Coach Carter , point guard Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) stands up and recites a poetic monologue that demonstrates the life lessons Coach Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) had taught him during their basketball season. Cruz begins by saying, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." The moment delivers one of the rare speeches in sports movies that is applicable to philosophy and life in all areas, making it exceptionally profound even to non-sports fans.

3 Rocky Balboa - “It’s Not About How Hard You Hit”

Another beautifully constructed speech that applies to life outside the ring can be found is 2006's Rocky Balboa . Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) gives an impassioned pep talk to his son that delicately criticizes and motivates him to rise to difficult challenges. One of the most poignant parts of the speech is when Rocky says, "It ain't about how hard you can hit, but about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." It's an incredible message about the importance of resiliency and overcoming obstacles in order to find success and happiness in life.

2 Miracle - “Great Moments Are Born From Great Opportunity”

In Miracle , Coach Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) delivers one of the best pre-game speeches of all time. Brooks's command of the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team is akin to an army general, which is appropriate given the international tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War at the time. Brooks's speech is focused on the unification and determination required to achieve the highest form of victory. It stresses the importance of disavowing any self-doubt in order to make the most of rare opportunities when they are given.

1 Any Given Sunday - “Life Is A Game Of Inches”

The most inspirational speech in all sports movies is performed by Al Pacino in Any Given Sunday . Coach Tony D'Amato (Pacino) gives a speech that is motivational, heartfelt, relatable, and poetic all at once, proclaiming that life itself is a game of inches that must be earned, just like football. The speech is performed like a sermon that highlights the significance of margins of error in both football and life, which makes all the differences between winning and losing. D'Amato's speech perfectly combines passion, intelligence, and philosophy to create the most inspiring sports movie speech of all time.

• Scriptwriting

Best Movie Monologues — Top 20 Ranked for Writers & Actors

M ovies have been known to transport us to different worlds, times, and experiences through the power of storytelling. And one of the most magical ways that movies do this is through the use of monologues. From inspiring speeches that make us want to stand up and take action to heart-wrenching confessions that bring us to tears, the best movie monologues can capture the essence of a film and stay with us long after the credits have rolled. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best monologues in movie history that have left an imprint on our hearts and minds. 

Watch: "You Talkin' to Me?" Scene Breakdown

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Best Monologues from Movies

20. call me by your name  (2017).

Call Me By Your Name Monologue 

In the film Call Me By Your Name , Elio’s father, played by Michael Stuhlbarg shares a powerful monologue with his son as they sit quietly together. The father reflects on his own experiences with love and heartbreak, and shares a powerful message about the importance of embracing life's challenges and being courageous in the face of uncertainty. 

The monologue is a poignant moment of connection between father and son, and a reminder to all of us to live fully in the present moment, and to never be afraid to take a chance on love, no matter where it may lead us.

Best Movie Monologues in Dramas

19. manchester by the sea (2016).

Manchester by the Sea Police Station Scene

Manchester by the Sea is a powerful film that deals with themes of grief, loss, and redemption. One of the most memorable moments in the film comes in the form of a monologue delivered by the character Lee Chandler, played brilliantly by Casey Affleck, in a police station. 

The monologue is a raw and heartbreaking exploration of the human condition and is a testament to the film's incredible writing and acting. The scene is a pivotal moment in the story and showcases the power of cinema to move us deeply and challenge our understanding of the world around us.

Best Monologues from Movies 

18. gone girl (2014).

Gone Girl  •  Cool Girl Monologue

In Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl , one of the most memorable and chilling moments comes in the form of the "cool girl" monologue by Rosamund Pike playing Amy Dunne. The monologue is both a scathing critique of societal norms and a poignant examination of the masks we wear to fit in.

With razor-sharp prose and a gut-punch of a message, the "cool girl" monologue is a standout moment in an already-iconic novel.

Famous Movie Monologues

17. hidden figures (2016).

Hidden Figures Bathroom Speech Scene

This powerful monologue from the award-winning   Hidden Figures is short, but powerful. As one of the few black women working as mathematicians at NASA during the Civil Rights era, Katherine Johnson, played by Taraji P. Henson, is constantly faced with discrimination and segregation. 

Her words ring with a raw truth and an unflinching determination to fight against the systemic racism that surrounded her every day. The bathroom may seem like a small issue, but it becomes a poignant symbol of the larger struggle for equality and dignity in a world that seeks to diminish the humanity of those who do not fit into its narrow mold.

Oscar Winning Best Monologues from Movies

16. everything everywhere all at once.

Everything Everywhere All at Once  •  Monologue 

One of the most recent monologues on this list comes from The Daniels’ iconic Everything Everywhere All at Once  (2022). The scene features the character of Ling, played by Michelle Yeoh, who reminisces about a past life where she wished to share the mundane yet intimate moments of daily life with someone she loved. 

We brought the monologues into StudioBinder’s screenwriting app to analyze it further and see how it helped land Ke Huy Quan his first Oscar.

The monologue is a testimony to the emotional depth and subtlety of the film's storytelling, and it will surely leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

15. The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow 

While the writing of the monologue itself can’t be attributed solely to the Coen’s, their adaptation of it on the screen as well as Denzel Washington’s brilliant performance gives it a spot on this list. 

In this  adaptation  of  Macbeth from the Coen Brothers , Denzel Washington delivers a haunting performance in the iconic "Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow" monologue. The Coen Brothers' haunting imagery , coupled with Washington's unforgettable performance, makes this one of the most captivating and memorable adaptations of Shakespeare's tragedy.

Tarantino’s Best Movie Monologues

14. inglorious basterds (2009).

Inglourious Basterds Monologue

Brad Pitt's opening monologue in one of Quentin Tarantino's best movies , Inglourious Basterds , is a tour de force in cinematic storytelling. Playing the role of Lt. Aldo Raine, Pitt delivers a fiery and captivating speech that sets the stage for the entire film.

His aggressive and almost comical demeanor adds to the intensity of his words, as the audience is pulled into the world of WWII-era Europe. 

As an actor, Pitt brings a larger-than-life quality to the role that perfectly captures Tarantino's punk rock style of filmmaking. Overall, Pitt's opening monologue in Inglourious Basterds is a masterclass in acting and writing, and sets a tone for the film that is both exciting and unforgettable.

Famous Movie Monologues in Voice Over

13. american psycho (2000).

Morning Routine  •  American Psycho

The morning routine voice-over monologue in American Psycho has become one of the most iconic and recognizable scenes in film history. Christian Bale's portrayal of the psychotic Patrick Bateman perfectly captures the absurdity and darkness of the character's morning rituals. 

The monologue's absurdity and dark humor have made it a favorite among fans, and it has since been parodied and referenced in countless films, TV shows, and even internet memes. Bale's mesmerizing performance and the monologue's unique mix of horror and humor have solidified its place in cinema history as one of the most memorable and iconic monologues.

Best Movie Monologues in Action Films

12. the matrix (1999).

Blue Pill or Red Pill  •  The Matrix

"Red or blue? The choice is yours." These famous words spoken by Morpheus in the sci-fi blockbuster, The Matrix , have become synonymous with the idea of making life-altering decisions. The moment when Morpheus holds out his palms, offering Neo the choice between the red pill and the blue pill, is a pop culture classic. 

The red pill or blue pill monologue is more than just a movie quote, it's a metaphor for the truth-seeking journey we all embark on at some point in our lives. Whether we choose the red pill and accept the harsh realities of the world or the blue pill and live in blissful ignorance, this moment in The Matrix will forever be remembered as a pivotal point in cinematic history.

11. The Godfather  (1972)

THE GODFATHER  •  Opening Scene

While there are a few great monologues in one of the greatest gangster films of all time The Godfather perhaps the most iconic is found in the opening scene.

"Bonasera, Bonasera." These two simple words, uttered by Salvatore Corsitta have become synonymous with cinematic brilliance. The opening monologue delivered by Corsitta is a masterful display of storytelling that sets the tone for what is to come. In just a few short minutes, we are transported into the world of the Corleone family and understand the power dynamics at play. 

The melancholic music, coupled with the somber tone of the scene is a stark contrast to the violence that lies ahead. Salvatore Corsitta's monologue is not only a scene-setting device but also an iconic moment in cinematic history. 

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Robin Williams’ Famous Movie Monologues

10. good will hunting (1997).

Robin Williams' Speech  •  Good Will Hunting

Robin Williams' performance in Good Will Hunting was unforgettable, particularly his powerful monologue in the park scene. In that scene, Williams, who played the character of therapist Sean Maguire, talked to Matt Damon's character Will Hunting about love, loss, and life.

It was a perfectly written and performed monologue that achieved exactly what it had to for the plot, character, and emotional story

Williams' performance in Good Will Hunting remains a testament to his incredible talent and his ability to connect with audiences in meaningful ways. His work in the film will be remembered for years to come as a true cinematic masterpiece.

9. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption  •  Rehabilitation

Through his measured and melodic delivery, Freeman brought a sense of wisdom and gravitas to his monologue in The Shawshank Redemption , making it a standout moment in the film. He spoke with empathy and insight about the challenges of re-establishing oneself in society after being incarcerated.

Critics and audiences alike praised Freeman for his performance, which was a testament to his incredible talent as an actor. His portrayal of Redding remains one of the highlights of his career, and his monologue is often considered to be one of the most poignant and memorable moments in the film.

Brando’s Best Movie Monologues

8. apocalypse now (1979).

Apocalypse Now: Marlon Brando Horror Speech 

It would be difficult to have any sort of best monologue list without one mention of Marlon Brando. In one of Francis Ford Coppola’s best films Apocalypse Now , Brando's character, Colonel Kurtz, delivers a haunting speech in which he reflects on his experiences during the Vietnam War.

Despite the notorious challenges on set with Brando, his performance in the monologue scene is truly mesmerizing. He was given free reign to improvise (since Brando never read the script) which in the end contributed to the truly immortal performance.

Overall, Brando's monologue in Apocalypse Now is a testament to his talent as an actor. Despite the challenges, he was able to deliver a performance that is still talked about and revered today.

Monologues Movies Female Performances

7. fences (2016).

Fences  •  The Same Spot As You Scene

Viola Davis' performance as Rose in the film Fences cements her as one of the best actors working today. As Rose confronts her husband (Denzel Washington) about his infidelities and his failure to appreciate her sacrifices, Davis delivers a raw and emotional performance that leaves a lasting impact on the audience. 

Her words are filled with pain and frustration, yet also with a deep sense of resilience and determination. Through her powerful delivery and aching vulnerability, Davis captures the essence of a woman who has endured years of hurt and betrayal but refuses to be broken. It's a stunning moment in a truly unforgettable film.

Great Monologues in Movies

6. to kill a mockingbird (1962).

All Men Are Created Equal  •  To Kill a Mockingbird

In the film adaptation of Harper Lee's masterpiece novel, To Kill a Mockingbird , Gregory Peck delivers a stunning closing argument monologue that leaves a lasting impact on the viewer. 

Peck plays Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer defending a black man falsely accused of rape. With unwavering conviction, Peck captures the essence of Atticus, delivering a poignant speech that speaks to the human spirit and embodies the virtues of courage, compassion, and equality.

His masterful portrayal of Atticus Finch is a testament to his exceptional talent as an actor and solidifies his place as a Hollywood legend.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Pulp Fiction  •  The Gold Watch monologue

In the iconic film Pulp Fiction , Christopher Walken proves his ability to captivate audiences even when he has only a few minutes of screen time. Playing the role of Captain Koons, Walken's character regales a young Butch Coolidge with the history of the watch, which had been passed down through generations of Coolidge's family. 

The intensity in Walken's voice and delivery captures the attention of audiences as he recounts the watch's journey from a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam to Coolidge's father, who died with the watch hidden in his rectum. 

Rocky’s Best Monologues from Movies

4. rocky balboa (2006).

Rocky Balboa's inspirational speech

In the 2006 film Rocky Balboa , Sylvester Stallone delivers an inspiring monologue as Rocky Balboa, the boxing legend, as he motivates his son. 

Stallone's delivery is masterful, depicting the wise and grounded wisdom of a seasoned fighter imparting his knowledge to his son. It is a powerful speech that resonates with anyone who has had to face struggles and hardships in life, and it serves as a reminder that the only things that can truly hold us back are the limits we place on ourselves.

3. Persona (1966)

Persona  •  Alma’s Confessions

The 1966 film Persona features a riveting monologue delivered by Bibi Andersson in her role as Alma, a nurse caring for a mentally unstable actress. In the monologue, Alma pours out her innermost thoughts and feelings, confessing her darkest secrets and desires to the actress. 

The monologue provides a deep understanding of who Alma is, giving the audience insight into her complex psyche.  The monologue beautifully explores the themes of identity, self-discovery, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. 

Spielberg’s Dramatic Monologues from Movies

2. jaws (1975).

Jaws  •  The Indianapolis Speech Scene 

The Indianapolis Speech monologue in one of Spielberg’s best films Jaws is considered one of the most iconic movie monologues of all time. In the scene, Quint, played brilliantly by Robert Shaw, tells the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the horrific events that followed. 

Shaw's delivery of the monologue is spellbinding, drawing the audience in with his captivating storytelling and vivid descriptions of the shark attack, the struggle for survival, and the aftermath. Even decades after the movie's release, the Indianapolis Speech remains a powerful moment in one of cinema’s most unforgettable films. 

Best Monologues from Movies of All Time

1. the great dictator (1940).

Charlie Chaplin  •  Final Speech from The Great Dictator

Charlie Chaplin's closing monologue in the film The Great Dictator is a powerful plea for peace, unity and compassion, and it remains one of the most iconic speeches in cinema history. The speech denounces fascism, anti-Semitism, and intolerance, and calls for humanity to embrace love, respect and brotherhood. The speech's universal message is as relevant today as it was when the film was made over 80 years ago. 

It continues to inspire people all over the world to strive for peace and to stand up against hate and oppression. Chaplin's eloquent words remind us that, as human beings, we have the capacity to create a better world for ourselves and for future generations. 

The Best One-Liners in Cinema

On the opposite end of the monologue is the cinematic one-liner. Check out our next article to see some of the best single-line deliveries in all of cinema, ranging from comedies to dramas.

Up Next: Best One-Liners→

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10 Best and Most Inspirational Speeches in Movies

By Film Threat Staff | August 8, 2019

In addition to plot and cast, a vast number of movies can impress viewers with speeches they contain. In some cases, they are as meaningful that become assigned to be analyzed in the educational process. This blog post can be useful as online help with your assignment if you face issues with finding motivational sources for your presentation or writing task. You can read the  writemypapers.org review to find out more about writing help. It provides consideration of the best ten inspirational speeches from modern and classical movies.

When students need to write a speech, there are a few ways to help them compose a masterpiece. The first way is to turn to a  speech writing service  where they can hire a professional writer who will write a custom speech that meets their demands, and the other way is to have a look at some strong examples presented in this article.

10. “The Show Goes On” Wolf Of Wall Street (2013)

In Wolf Of Wall Street , the main hero’s speech is inspiring because it includes consideration of success, mainly financial. Presented instances of how people achieve wealth, after being poor ones, can make individuals to take a chance when an opportunity appears. His speech has since, apart from being an honorable person, it is also significant to have decent living conditions.

9. “We are special” Gridiron Gang (2006)

The speech of the coach (Dwayne Johnson) reflects that all people are special, regardless of any circumstances, like imprisonment. He inspires to think that even in cases when human is not a part of high society, he or she can achieve considerable goals and show that he or she is worth to be recognized. It is only essential to make efforts and do all actions one can to be better.

8. “Dream” The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

It is worth saying that the entire film is quite touching since it reflects relations between father and son. In this scene, an adult man teaches his son to fight for his dream, when people around consider it impossible. The main idea of the speech: if somebody believes that you can not achieve your goals, then do not listen to such people. They are not right if they see you as a person with no power to reach your goals.

7. “Our Deepest Fear” Coach Carter (2005)

In Coach Carter , speech goes about fear to be successful, since it implies the possibility to influence other people. However, success can become an inspirational tool, which can make other people also to get past fears. Moreover, in the speech, one can see the rethinking of how it is significant to make efforts in order to “shine.”

6. “Being Perfect” Friday Night Lights (2004)

The movie includes a scene with the inspiring speech of the coach, who talks about what it means to be perfect. From his perspective, being perfect lies in the attitude towards relatives and friends, in love and truth, which a person express. His words can make an individual think over the noted points, as valuable indicators of perfection. As well, one can consider whether he or she expresses love towards surroundings, tells the truth, and have no remorse.

5. “Respect each other” Remember the Titans (2000)

Speech presented in Remember the Titans goes about friendship and respectful attitude to each other. It can make an individual think over the significance of peaceful relations since disagreements are destroying for mankind. The hero insists on being respectful despite any features of individuals like race, nationality, or point of view. From the selected scene, one can recognize that friendly relationships can be quite useful in achieving common goals, especially when it goes about teamwork.

4. “Presidents Speech” Independence Day (1996)

In this film, the president of America talks about the significance of humankind and friendship among all nations. His speech is inspiring since it goes about unification, which can be beneficial in terms of struggling with enemies and saving people. In general, it reflects the need to forget about nationality, race, gender, and other feature of identity because without focusing on them, humans can easily cooperate and protect humankind more effectively. This speech can be quite useful for consideration of international relations.

3. “Freedom” Braveheart (1995)

This scene contains the speech of William Wallace (Mel Gibson) about freedom, as an essential part of a human being. From his point of view, freedom is more significant than mere life with its routine. As well. The speech can inspire individuals to take actions for the sake of more meaningful things like love, faith, truth, or pride, instead of making nutrition and sleep crucial.

2. “Get Busy Living” The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

This inspiring speech reflects the faith of a person in a successful and happy future, even if it requires a lot of efforts to achieve this goal, while another man surrenders. At this point, each person can choose own path, namely “get busy living” or “get busy dying,” as the main hero says. Therefore, you should always think about the future life with a positive attitude, and imagine how and where you will be happy.

1. “We are Mutants” Stripes (1981)

In the selected scene, the main hero John Winger (Bill Murray) talks to his military colleagues, inspiring them to be good soldiers. From his speech, it is possible to emphasize the significance of identity background, which is forming by generations. His statements can inspire individuals to be proud of their bloodline, even if their ancestors are not recognized as worthy people. Thus, this speech can be considered as an inspirational one in terms of American patriotism. 

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Not a single female speaker? Shocking

[…] gives a rousing speech about the world uniting against aliens. It’s been cited as one of the greatest speeches in film history on many different websites. Despite the widespread acclaim for this […]

Once you see the gender-based attack by valueless politicians in “The Contender,” where a female up for selection as VP is slandered by Congressional sleaze, you can appreciate the skillful civics lesson-counterattack orchestrated in the name of privacy. It seems party-specific to those who don’t recognize universal rights and decency.

How does Al Pacino’s “Game of inches” speech from Any Given Sunday not make this list? Should be top of the pile🙈

THE DESCENT

“I used to think if I died in an evil place then my soul wouldn't make it to heaven. Well, fuck. I don't care where it goes as long it ain't here.” –...

Science fiction films of the 1950s were usually low budget affairs where rubber masks and cheap monster suits reigned supreme. Of course, classics that...

SUNDANCE 2007, LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY…

Getting ready to rock Park City all over again, and I can't wait. In fact, to be honest, my Sundance started Monday of this week, when I started catching...

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C o m i n g    S o o n !

� Copyright 2001-Present. American Rhetoric by Michael E. Eidenmuller All rights reserved.

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The King's Speech

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Colin Firth gives a masterful performance in The King's Speech , a predictable but stylishly produced and rousing period drama.

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The Funniest Famous Movie Speeches Of All Time

Some of the funniest movie speeches ever, not surprisingly, can be found in some of the most hilarious classic film comedies. Whether it's Bluto trying to be motivational by rallying his frat brothers in the comedic Animal House , Ferris' many speeches to the camera in Ferris Bueller's Day Off  or Groucho Marx entertaining a room filled with party-goers in Animal Crackers , these funny movie speeches represent the best of the best where hilarity is concerned. Check out inspiring movie speeches and the best tough guy monologues , too! 

Limiting a list of funny monologues from movies was a challenge– while most of these are from comedy movies, others are from funny parts of more serious movies. I'm sure I left off some of your favorites, so if I did, please add them. This is an Open List, meaning anyone can contribute. Please do! And while you're here, vote on your favorites, too.

What are some famous funny speeches? What are the funniest movie speeches ever? Looking for more movie speeches and monologues? Check out this list of the most inspiring movie speeches and this list of the best, most famous movie monologues for fun!

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It's a good non-specific symptom. A lot of people will tell you that a phony fever is a dead lock, but if you get a nervous mother, you could land in the doctor's office. That's worse than school. What you do is: you fake a stomach cramp, and when you're bent over, moaning and wailing, you lick your palms. It's a little childish and stupid, but then, so is high school.

I did have a test today. That wasn't bulls**t. It's on European Socialism. I mean, really, what's the point? I'm not European, I don't plan on being European, so who gives a crap if they're socialist? They could be fascist anarchists - that still wouldn't change the fact that I don't own a car. Not that I condone fascism, or any -ism, for that matter. Isms, in my opinion, are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism - he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon: "I don't believe in Beatles - I just believe in me." A good point there. Of course, he was the Walrus. I could be the Walrus - I'd still have to bum rides off of people.

Matthew Broderick delivers a series of really clever, genuinely funny speeches straight into the camera in 1986's Ferris Bueller's Day Off . Hard to pick a favorite, but this might be it!

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-a**, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey s*** he is! Hallelujah!

More Clark Griswold, you say? Why yes, of course. Second best Clark Griswold flip-out ever, this one from 1989's Christmas Vacation .

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• # 25 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 25 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

So, OK, like right now, for example, the Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all "What about the strain on our resources?" But it's like, when I had this garden party for my father's birthday right? I said R.S.V.P. because it was a sit-down dinner. But people came that like, did not R.S.V.P. so I was like, totally buggin'. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, squish in extra place settings, but by the end of the day it was like, the more the merrier! And so, if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion, may I please remind you that it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty?

Cher's speech to the class expressing her unique views on Haitian immigrants in 1995's Clueless  is definitely interesting. Clueless  is a great comedy - and, in my opinion, pretty underrated.

• Dig Deeper... 15 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Clueless'
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• And Deeper... The House Party In 'Clueless' Was Even Wilder Behind The Scenes

Happy Gilmore

My name is Happy Gilmore. Ever since I was old enough to skate, I loved hockey... wasn't the greatest skater though. But that didn't stop my dad from teaching me the secret of slapping the greatest slapshot. My dad worshiped hockey, my mom didn't, that's why she moved to Egypt, where there's not a hockey rink within 15 hundred miles. Dad always took me to games to cheer for our favorite player, Terry O'Riley, the Tazmanian Devil. He wasn't the biggest guy in the league, but he feared nobody, just like me. Handsome fellow huh? He always said that when I grew up I could be anything I wanted to be, but I never wanted to be anything but a hockey player. Yeah my childhood was going great, but life is full of surprises. After the funeral, I was sent to live with my grandma in Waterberry. I was kinda nervous since I really didn't know her that well, but she dressed like Gene Simmons from KISS to cheer me up, she's the sweetest person in the world. See after my dad died I developed kinda a short fuse. You see that kid over there just stole my party blower, and instead of asking for it back, I felt that I had to belt him in the head a bunch of times with a hammer. Look at me go. But I was always quick to say I was sorry. During high school I played junior hockey and still hold two league records; most time spent in the penalty box, and I was the only guy to ever take off his skate and try to stab someone. After I graduated I had a lot of different jobs; I was a road worker, a janitor, a security guard, a gas station attendant, and a plumber. Lately I've been working construction, it's not a bad racket, I'm a pretty good shot with a nail gun, but one day my boss, Mr. Larson, uh got in the way. Apparently he also has a short fuse. Look at that monster. He got a few lucky punches in there, but I still feel I won the fight. Anyways, those other jobs weren't for me. I was put on this planet for one reason, to play hockey.

Adam Sandler's 1996 comedy Happy Gilmore  is a hilarious movie, and Happy's explanation here about why he was put on the Earth to play hockey is a classic example.

• Dig Deeper... 'Happy Gilmore' Is Secretly A Drama About Dealing With Loss And Grief
• # 76 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 16 of 703 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films

I think you’re all f**ked in the head. We’re ten hours from the f**king fun park and you want to bail out! Well, I’ll tell you something, this is no longer a vacation, it’s a quest. It’s a quest for fun. I’m gonna have fun and you’re gonna have fun. We’re all gonna have so much f**king fun we’ll need plastic surgery to remove our g*d damn smiles! You’ll be whistling "Zippity Doo Da" out of your a**holes! (laughs) I gotta be crazy! I’m on a pilgrimage to see a moose! Praise Marty Moose! Holy s***!

Clark Griswold is barely hanging on, and in this hilarious bit from 1983's Vacation , Chevy Chase delivers without question one of the funniest rants from any comedy movie ever.

• # 32 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 134 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 162 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

License to kill gophers by the government of the United Nations. Man, free to kill gophers at will. To kill, you must know your enemy, and in this case my enemy is a varmint. And a varmint will never quit - ever. They're like the Viet Cong - Varmint Cong. So you have to lie back on superior intelligence and superior firepower. And that's all she wrote.

Bill Murray's demented groundskeeper, Carl Spackler, in 1980's Caddyshack  is my favorite Murray character ever. His description of why gophers (aka Varmint Cong) must die is a classic.

• Dig Deeper... Drug-Fueled Stories From Behind The Scenes Of 'Caddyshack'
• # 33 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 40 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men

National Lampoon's Animal House

Over? Did you say 'over?!' Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough...the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go! Come on! (runs out, nobody follows, runs back in) What the f**k happened to the Delta I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? 'Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble.' Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Wormer, he's a dead man! Marmalard, dead! Niedermeyer...

Otter interrupts Bluto's motivational speech at this point, throwing his support behind his frat brother, even though he's "psychotic."

In this classic funny speech from 1978's Animal House , Bluto (John Belushi) has just learned that Dean Wormer has kicked them all out of school. His speech rallying tries his fraternity brothers together is one for the ages.

• Dig Deeper... Behind The Scenes Stories From 'Animal House' That Are Way More Insane Than The Movie
• # 48 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men
• # 227 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies

Blazing Saddles

I don't know if you ever heard of me before, but I used to be called 'The Waco Kid.' I was just walking down the street, and I heard a voice behind me say, "Reach for it Mister!" I spun around and there I was face to face with a six-year-old kid. Well I just threw my guns down and walked away....little bastard shot me in the a**! So I limped to the nearest saloon, crawled inside whiskey bottle, and I've been there ever since.

Gene Wilder's Jim (The Waco Kid) delivers a hilarious speech explaining his history in 1974's Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles .

• Dig Deeper... 13 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From The Making Of 'Blazing Saddles'
• # 32 of 288 on The 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
• # 87 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

Jane, it's me, Funny-face. You love Frank Drebin. And Frank Drebin loves you. Jane, listen to me, if you don't love me, you might as well pull that trigger, because without you, I wouldn't want to live anyway. 

I've finally found someone I can love - a good, clean love... without utensils. It's a topsy-turvy world, Jane, and maybe the problems of two people don't amount to a hill of beans, but this is our hill and these are our beans. Since I met you, I've noticed things I never knew were there - birds singing, dew glistening on a newly-formed leaf, stop lights. Jane, this morning, I bought something for you. It's not very much, but pretty good for an honest policeman's salary. It's an engagement ring. I'd have given it to you earlier, but I wanted to wait until we were alone. I love you, Jane.

Leslie Nielsen's speech of love at the end of The Naked Gun is not only funny, but heartwarming in a simple way.

• # 86 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 361 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 20 of 232 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

Animal Crackers

Friends, I'm going to to tell you of the great mysterious wonderful continent known as Africa. Africa, God's country. And he can have it...Well, sir, we left New York drunk and early on the morning of February second. After fifteen days on the water and six on the boat we finally arrived on the shores of Africa.

We at once proceeded 300 miles into the heart of the jungle where I shot a polar bear. This bear was 6 foot 7 in his stocking feet and had shoes on. This bear was anemic and couldn't stand the cold climate. He was a rich bear and could afford to go away in the winter. From the day of our arrival we led an active life. The first morning saw us up at six, breakfasted, then back in bed at seven. This was our routine for the first three months. We finally got so we were back in bed at six-thirty.

One morning I was sitting in front of the cabin smoking some meat There wasn't a cigar store in the neighborhood. As I say, I was sitting in front of the cabin when I bagged six tigers. I bagged them, I bagged them to go away, but they hung around all afternoon. They were the most persistent tigers I've ever seen. The principal animals inhabiting the African jungle are moose, elk and Knights of Pythias .

Of course you all know what a moose is, that's big game. The first day I shot two bucks that was the biggest game we had. As I say you all know what a moose is? A moose runs around on the floor, and eats cheese and is chased by the cats. The elks on the other hand live up in the hills, and in the spring they come down for their annual convention. It is very interesting to watch them come down to the water-hole; and you should see them run when they find it is only water-hole. What they're looking for is a elk-a-hole. One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I'll never know. But that is entirely irreverent to what I was talking about. We took some pictures of the native girls, but they weren't developed. But we're going back again in a couple of weeks...

Now, of course I had to include the Marx brothers on this list somehow. In this hilarious speech, Groucho Marx (as Captain Jeffrey Spaulding), describes his many adventures in Africa to a captive group of party-goers in the classic 1930 movie Animal Crackers .

• # 232 of 703 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 236 of 630 on The 600+ Funniest Movies Of All Time
• # 14 of 48 on The 48 Best '30s Comedy Movies

The Big Lebowski

Donny was a good bowler, and a good man. He was...he was one of us. He was a man who loved the outdoors, and bowling, and as a surfer he explored the beaches of southern California from La Jolla to Leo Carillo, and up to Pismo. He died.. he died as so many young men of his generation before his time, and in your wisdom, Lord, you took him. Just as you took so many bright, flowering young men at Khe San, and Lan Doc, and Hill 364. These young men gave their lives, and so did Donny. Donny who loved bowling. And so, Theodore Donald Karabotsos.. in accordance with what we think your dying wishes might well have been....we commit your final mortal remains to the bosom of the Pacific Ocean, which you loved so well. Goodnight, sweet prince.

Walter's eulogy for his buddy Donny in 1998's The Big Lebowski  goes horribly wrong (and yeah, he has to somehow tie all of this in to Vietnam). After this speech, delivered on a beautiful bluff, Walter (John Goodman) dumps Donny's ashes - which promptly blow all over The Dude.

• Dig Deeper... 15 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'The Big Lebowski' That Show Why The Dude Abides
• And Deeper... 'The Big Lebowski' Fan Theories That Really Tie The Film Together
• # 54 of 191 on The Best Movies For Men

City Slickers

Value this time in your life kids, because this is the time in your life when you still have your choices, and it goes by so quickly. When you're a teenager you think you can do anything, and you do. Your twenties are a blur. Your thirties, you raise your family, you make a little money and you think to yourself, "What happened to my twenties?" Your forties, you grow a little pot belly you grow another chin. The music starts to get too loud and one of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grandmother. Your fifties you have a minor surgery. You'll call it a procedure, but it's a surgery. Your sixties you have a major surgery, the music is still loud but it doesn't matter because you can't hear it anyway. Seventies, you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale, you start eating dinner at two, lunch around ten, breakfast the night before. And you spend most of your time wandering around malls looking for the ultimate in soft yogurt and muttering "how come the kids don't call?" By your eighties, you've had a major stroke, and you end up babbling to some Jamaican nurse who your wife can't stand but who you call mama. Any questions? 

Mitch's career day speech at his kids' school in 1991's City Slickers  definitely deserves a spot of honor on this list. Billy Crystal is hysterical in this movie!

• Dig Deeper... 9 Behind-The-Scenes Stories From 'City Slickers'
• # 129 of 288 on The 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
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Raising Arizona

That night I had a dream. I dreamt I was as light as the ether, a floating spirit visiting things to come. The shades and shadows of the people in my life rassled their way into my slumber. I dreamt that Gale and Evelle had decided to return to prison. Probably that's just as well. I don't mean to sound superior, and they're a swell couple of guys, but maybe they weren't ready yet to come out into the world. And then I dreamed on, into the f*ture, to a Christmas morn in the Arizona home where Nathan Junior was opening a present from a kindly couple who preferred to remain unknown. I saw Glen a few years later, still having no luck getting the cops to listen to his wild tales about me and Ed. Maybe he threw in one Polack joke too many. I don't know. And still I dreamed on, further into the f*ture than I'd ever dreamed before, watching Nathan Junior's progress from afar, taking pride in his accomplishments, as if he were our own, wonderin' if he ever thought of us, and hopin' that maybe we'd broadened his horizons a little, even if he couldn't remember just how they got broadened. But still I hadn't dreamt nothin' about me 'n Ed, until the end. And this was cloudier, 'cause it was years, years away. But I saw an old couple bein' visited by their children, and all their grandchildren too. The old couple wasn't screwed up, and neither were their kids or their grandkids... And I don't know. You tell me. This whole dream, was it wishful thinkin'? Was I just fleeing reality like I know I'm liable to do? But me and Ed, we can be good, too. And it seemed real. It seemed like us, and it seemed like, well, our home. If not Arizona, then a land not too far away, where all parents are strong and wise and capable, and all children are happy and beloved. I don't know. Maybe it was Utah.

• # 122 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 632 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 60 of 232 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

Team America: World Police

See, there's three kinds of people: dicks, p*ssies and a**holes. P*ssies think everyone can get along, and dicks just want to f*ck all the time without thinking it through. But then you got your a**holes, Chuck. And all the a**holes want us to sh*t all over everything! So, p*ssies may get mad at dicks once in a while, because p*ssies get f*cked by dicks. But dicks also f*ck a**holes, Chuck. And if they didn't f*ck the a**holes, you know what you'd get? You'd get your dick and your p*ssy all covered in sh*t!

Random bar guy offers a downtrodden Gary a simple (and highly offensive) speech explaining how the world works in 2004's Team America: World Police .

• # 8 of 61 on The Funniest Movies About Politics
• # 427 of 703 on The All-Time Greatest Comedy Films
• # 88 of 114 on 50+ Movies That Need Sequels

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

He said war was too important to be left to the generals. When he said that, 50 years ago, he might have been right. But today, war is too important to be left to politicians. They have neither the time, the training, nor the inclination for strategic thought. I can no longer sit back and allow Communist infiltration, Communist indoctrination, Communist subversion and the international Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids .

• # 96 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 721 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 1 of 61 on The Funniest Movies About Politics

It was this brother who, on the day of her death, swore to the good Lord above that he would follow in her footsteps, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just, just owe it all up to her. But on her terms. As a woman. And just as proud to be a woman as she ever was. For I am not Emily Kimberly, the daughter of Dwayne and Alma Kimberly. No, I’m not. I’m Edward Kimberly, the reckless brother of my sister Anthea … Edward Kimberly, who has finally vindicated his sister’s good name. I’m Edward Kimberly. Edward Kimberly.

Dustin Hoffman delivers a hilarious speech in 1982's Tootsie , and you betcha he's on this list. Here, he decides he wants off of the soap opera (where he's been playing a woman, Dorothy). So he goes for the big reveal, letting everyone know that Dorothy is really Michael.

• # 229 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
• # 549 of 769 on The Most Rewatchable Movies
• # 125 of 232 on The Best '80s Comedy Movies, Ranked

After that, it got pretty late and we both had to go. But it was great seeing Annie again. And I realize what a terrific person she was and how much fun it was just knowing her. And I thought of that old joke. You know, the, this, this guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, 'Doc, uh, my brother's crazy. He thinks he's a chicken.' And uh, the doctor says, 'Well, why don't you turn him in?' And the guy says, 'I would, but I need the eggs.'

Well, I guess that's pretty much now how I feel about relationships. You know, they're totally irrational and crazy and absurd and - But uh, I guess we keep going through it because most of us need the eggs.

• # 59 of 96 on The Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture
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'Aussie girl' Nicole Kidman celebrates historical AFI Lifetime Achievement honour with Keith Urban and daughters

Morgan Freeman spoke the words, but most Hollywood stars who took to the stage at the AFI lifetime achievement awards agreed "Nicole Kidman makes movies better".

The line came in a video parody of Kidman's AMC Theatres “we make movies better” advertisement that opened the Saturday night ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The Australian actor has been celebrated for her 40-year career in movies by the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Kidman became the eleventh woman and only Australian to be given what is dubbed as the highest honour in US cinema.

She was born in Hawaii to Australian parents and grew up in Sydney. 

"I am just so honoured to be on this list with the greats and to be able to represent my country," she told reporters on the red carpet. 

"I was born in Hawaii, I've worked all over the world but I'm an Aussie girl and I'm standing here in Hollywood going 'oh my God this has actually happened'".

Kidman was joined by her husband, singer Keith Urban, and their daughters who walked the red carpet for the first time. 

She was also joined by sister Antonia Kidman, her husband and their six children.   

Meryl Streep, former winner of the award, and her co-star in The Hours and Big Little Lies, presented Kidman with the award. 

Streep drew tears from Kidman when describing what she believed motivated her.

“People call it bravery when an actress bares all and leaps off into the unknown and she dives deep into the darker parts of what it is to be a human being,” Streep said.

“But I don’t think it’s bravery. I think it’s love. I think she just loves it.”

Australia's most successful actor?

With one Oscar win and several nominations as well as numerous other accolades, Kidman has to be one of Australia's most successful exports to Hollywood.

In 2006, she was Hollywood's highest paid actor, said to have earned about $17 million per movie at the time.

Co-chair of the Australian Film Critics Association Nadine Whitney said her long and varied career is due to her hard work and generous spirit. 

"Nicole has been working since she was a young teen and she hasn't slowed down, she is very much a self-made star," she said.

"Like Lillian Gish and Elizabeth Taylor (also award recipients) her career spans decades."

Speaking before entering the ceremony, Kidman said the award is a pay off for some of the risks she took in her career. 

"I've made so many risky films to the point where people go, 'you're actually going to do that movie?' and I'm like 'yeah I am,'" she said. 

"I think it's the kid in me but it's also just the kid that went to drama school and we did everything there.

"We weren't confined to 'oh my gosh you're the wrong age for that, or oh my gosh, that's a really weird play' you just did every role and it's such a good way to approach a career."

Kidman has worked as an actor since she was 14. 

Her breakthrough Hollywood role was in the movie Dead Calm in 1989. 

"People remember her from all eras of her career and there is a Nicole for everyone," Ms Whitney said. 

Ms Whitney said she's also a trailblazer for other Aussie stars in her generation and those after. 

"It was Nicole who brought her best friend Naomi Watts to the attention of Hollywood.

"If Nicole is attached to something it happens."

Looking forward to the next generation of Australian actresses taking Hollywood by storm, it's hard to look past stars like Margot Robbie who Kidman may have had a part in paving the way for.  

The pair starred in the movie Bombshell in 2019 and Robbie told media she was starstruck working with Kidman at the time.

 Ms Whitney said she's not surprised Kidman is the first Australian to win the Lifetime Achievement award

"Just breaking down the stats on who has won the award means you can notice that firstly it skews towards men," she said. 

"Only eleven women have won the award. Of those eleven women only three have been from outside of America. Julie Andrews, Elizabeth Taylor, and now Nicole."

"I am in no way suggesting that anyone with an award doesn't deserve it.

"Just that the industry moves slowly."

But she said, there are other strong contenders. 

"The standard for the award is Enrichment of American Culture', I would argue that Peter Weir is most certainly a candidate at some point," she said. 

"I hope one day will see career awards one day for Cate Blanchett too."

Fellow Aussies Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman all gave video tributes to the first from their country to win the award.

She's also celebrated as an icon in more ways than film with the AFI recognising her work as a producer and in roles on television and the stage.  

She is also known for her glamour on red carpets since the nineties. 

It was announced back in November of 2022 that Kidman would receive the award, first handed out in 1973, whose previous winners include Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Alfred Hitchcock, Gene Kelly, Sidney Poitier, Barbara Streisand, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Denzel Washington and Julie Andrews.

The ceremony originally was scheduled for June of 2023, but delayed because of Hollywood's strikes.

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Mariska Hargitay Compares Amy Schumer to Mom Jayne Mansfield in Tearful Speech (VIDEO)

The SVU  star got emotional during her  Variety  Power of Women speech, and recognized fellow honorees like Schumer and Shonda Rhimes.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay was moved to tears at a Hollywood event, overwhelmed by the love of her fellow women in entertainment. She also gave a special shoutout to a fellow honoree, paying her the highest compliment by comparing her to her mother, the late Jayne Mansfield. Here's what she said.

Mariska Hargitay chokes up during her Variety Power of Women speech

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Watch Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Thursdays on NBC  and next day on  Peacock .

At the Variety Power of Women luncheon, actress Glenn Close introduced Hargitay so movingly that the mom of three needed a moment to collect herself. At the podium, Hargitay wiped her eyes and asked, "Does anyone have a tissue?" Hargitay continued to the audience, "You understand my predicament," and then to her friend, "I’m speechless, Glenn. That was the most beautiful and generous introduction I’ve ever heard about anyone, ever."

Still choked up, Hargitay added, "Sorry, guys, it's a lot!" and then joked about her continued tissue usage: "Wow, that's charming."

RELATED: What Mariska Hargitay Wants for Benson and Stabler: "Our Chemistry Is Undeniable"

Mariska Hargitay compares Amy Schumer to mom Jayne Mansfield

To begin her remarks, Hargitay took time to generously compliment her fellow honorees, including singer Anitta and writer-producer Shonda Rhimes. But she paid comedian Amy Schumer special attention.

"Amy, I met you and I fell in love with you as everyone does, immediately. You make everything better, you make shoulders go down and [you] relax people and turn anything that’s stressful into immediate fun," she said, around four minutes into her 20-minute speech, which you can watch below.

"I saw you tonight — today — and I saw you in your glorious sequin-y pink dress, and I immediately thought, and I said to you, I feel like my mom is here with me. Because you’re Jayne Mansfield incarnate right now," Hargitay said. An actress of the 1950 and '60s, Mansfield was Hargitay's mother, but died when her daughter was just 6 years old.

"I always look for signs [that] she’s here, and she is today with me, and what you said tonight — today," Hargitay said, catching herself in an error and explaining, "I’m drunk... I shouldn’t have had the third scotch and I apologize to Variety . Hopefully next year you’ll get a sober honoree," drawing laughs from the crowd.

Hargitay plowed ahead. "Anyhoo! You just make everything better. I see you and I’m like, immediately happy. And I want you to nuzzle me in your bosom." We would love to see that.

RELATED: Mariska Hargitay's Husband Painted This on Their Living Room Wall to Celebrate SVU

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'Unfrosted': Jerry Seinfeld's movie about the fictional history of Pop-Tarts

NPR's A Martinez talks to comedian Jerry Seinfeld about his new Netflix film, Unfrosted . It's a made-up history of Pop-Tarts, and the cereal rivalry between Post and Kellogg's.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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Speak No Evil

A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare. A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare. A family invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, goes from a dream vacation to a psychological nightmare.

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‘Media firestorm’: Israel protest at professor’s home sparks heated free-speech debate

Controversy followed a viral video of pro-Palestinian students interrupting a dinner held by a Berkeley free-speech defender

D uring a dinner for students that the dean of the University of California, Berkeley law school held in his house’s backyard earlier this month, a woman wearing a hijab and checkered Palestinian scarf suddenly stood up with a microphone and amplifier. What followed lasted only a couple of minutes, but has led to a fierce debate about the limits of free speech, drawn death threats for those involved, and created a “media firestorm”, as the dean, Erwin Chemerinsky, has put it.

Some short and chaotic viral videos illustrate part of what happened. One of them shows the woman, Malak Afaneh, as she gives a Ramadan greeting; she is accompanied by a small group of other student protesters. As Afaneh begins reading a speech about the Israel-Gaza war, Chemerinsky and his wife, the law professor Catherine Fisk, quickly cut her off.

“This is not your house,” Fisk says, putting her arm around Afaneh’s shoulder and trying to grab the microphone. “This is my house.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” a protester says. “Stop touching her. Stop touching her.”

“Get her to leave my house,” Fisk says.

“You don’t have to get aggressive,” a protester says.

“We have attorneys,” Afaneh says. “We have attorneys.”

“ Please leave our house,” Chemerinsky says. “You are guests in our house.”

“This is our first amendment right,” Afaneh insists. “The National Lawyers Guild has informed us … ”

The video cuts off. Afaneh and the other protesters were forced to leave without finishing their statement, but the fallout of the abrupt encounter has continued to reverberate.

Afaneh, who is Palestinian American, has said she was physically assaulted by Fisk and suggested that she was discriminated against for her identity “as a visibly Muslim, hijab-wearing, keffiyeh-repping, Arabic-speaking woman” and for her pro-Palestinian stance. Since the incident, she said, she has received messages on social media accusing her of being a terrorist. For their part, Chemerinsky and Fisk have been getting death threats, Chemerinsky said.

As the death toll of Israel’s offensive in Gaza nears an estimated 34,000 Palestinians killed, protests and disruptions at US colleges and universities have become commonplace, with the Berkeley episode only one in a series of recent heated confrontations related to the war.

On Thursday, New York police arrested more than 100 students encamped at Columbia University in a demonstration for a ceasefire and the school’s divestment from Israel. Those arrests came the day after the president of Columbia, Minouche Shafik, was grilled by members of Congress over allegations that the war has spurred antisemitic incidents at Columbia and on other campuses.

But Chemerinsky’s record as a scholar of constitutional law and defender of free speech, including pro-Palestinian speech, has prompted thorny questions about whether the targeting of his home was a fair or effective protest tactic.

Jameel Jaffer, the director of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute, said on Twitter that he found the Berkeley incident “very sad”, and that the “commandeering of the dinner was bound to backfire”. He argued that it was a mistake to target Chemerinsky. “There has to be a more constructive way of engaging with him,” he wrote.

Afaneh is unapologetic. She feels that the protest, despite being cut short, was successful: “Its intention was to hold the law school accountable, and to show that the community is watching.” She says she has filed an administrative complaint against Fisk and Chemerinsky for religious discrimination and is considering further legal action.

A bout a week before the protest at Chemerinsky’s house, Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), a Berkeley student group that Afaneh co-heads, declared that they would hold a protest at the dinner unless Berkeley’s law school divested money that the students said is used to fund Israeli arms. Chemerinsky, who holds the dinner at his home every year, declined to engage with the activists and has said he has no control over the university’s investments. (Disclosure: I have edited op-eds that Chemerinsky has written for the Guardian, most recently in 2021.)

Activists from LSJP circulated a flyer on campus that depicted Chemerinsky holding a blood-stained knife and fork, with the caption “No dinner with Zionist Chem while Gaza starves!” The flier charged the university with putting $2bn of student tuition money toward “supplying weapons and jets to the Israeli occupation”. The University of California’s investment office could not be reached for comment at time of writing.

“I found the image very disturbing,” Chemerinsky told me. “One of the worst antisemitic tropes is blood libel. And a number of Jewish students and Jewish staff came to me and said: ‘Can’t you take [the flyers] down?’ And I said no, that so long as they post them in accord with law school posting rules, they’re allowed to do that.”

The students later replaced the flyer with a version that did not show blood on Chemerinsky’s knife and fork but was otherwise the same. “If you look at the poster, it’s not objecting to anything that I’ve said or done,” Chemerinsky added. “It was hard for me to see this as objecting to anything other than that I’m Jewish.”

He says he doesn’t know whether the students who created the poster understood its connotations. “But let me put it to you this way: if it were a caricature of a black dean, with an explicitly racist trope, what would have been the reaction in the community? Would it have been any answer to say: ‘Oh, we didn’t know that was a racist trope’?”

Afaneh denies there was an antisemitic undertone. “We had put out that poster to show that the [University of California] has blood on its hands,” she told me, “and that Dean Chemerinsky, as a UC representative and the dean of our law school, is complicit. If he was a Muslim that supported genocide, I would have put blood on the poster. If this was my mother that supported genocide, I would have put blood on the poster. He’s trying to spin this as a personal attack [on] his Jewish identity.”

Chemerinsky has described himself as a Zionist. He also represented the family of Rachel Corrie, an American activist who was killed in 2003 while trying to block an Israeli bulldozer from razing a Palestinian village in Gaza, and has generally defended freedom of speech and of association, including for pro-Palestinian activists.

In 2022, Law Students for Justice in Palestine and other Berkeley student groups made national headlines when they adopted a bylaw that forbid supporters of Zionism from speaking at their events. Chemerinsky conceded that student groups had the right to refuse to give a platform to certain views.

But he condemned the rule for effectively excluding many Jews from speaking to the groups. He signed an open letter against the bylaw, which argued that “all students should be freely admitted to all student groups”.

The fine line that Chemerinsky tried to walk – defending a right while condemning how that right is exercised – came under increased strain after Hamas’s attack on Israel. A week after Hamas fighters killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostage, his colleague Steven Davidoff Solomon published an explosive op-ed in the Wall Street Journal entitled Don’t Hire My Antisemitic Law Students.

Solomon’s op-ed argued that the anti-Zionist bylaw at Berkeley was symptomatic of a “broader attitude against Jews on university campuses that made [Hamas’s] massacre possible”, and urged legal employers not to hire graduating law students who had endorsed the anti-Zionist bylaw or similar statements.

In the eyes of Solomon’s critics , he was effectively using his free speech to argue for punishing others for how they used theirs. More than 200 Berkeley law school alumni signed an open letter addressed to Chemerinsky, condemning Solomon’s op-ed.

Chemerinsky’s response disappointed them and others upset about the op-ed: he defended Solomon’s right to his opinion, then went on to publish his own op-ed , titled Nothing Has Prepared Me for the Antisemitism I See on College Campuses Now. The piece argued that anti-Zionism is often tinged with antisemitic or eliminationist rhetoric, and expressed disappointment that some critics of Israel had seemed to celebrate or downplay the violence of Hamas’s attack.

“Of course, criticism of the Israeli government is not antisemitism, any more than criticizing the policies of the United States government is anti-American,” he added. “I strongly oppose the policies of the Netanyahu government, favor full rights for Palestinians, and believe that there must be a two-state solution.”

Yet that caveat did not satisfy pro-Palestinian activists at Berkeley, particularly since many felt and feel that Chemerinsky and the administration had not done enough to protect them from harassment by Zionist groups.

Nor has Chemerinsky been insulated from criticism from the right. Following the viral controversy at his home, the conservative political magazine City Journal cast Chemerinsky as a naive liberal who had indulged his students’ radicalism and been repaid poorly.

“Dean Erwin Chemerinsky was shocked to discover this week that Berkeley Law is a bastion of progressive illiberalism,” one column read. “Among sane, rational people, Chemerinsky is widely admired. He doesn’t deserve this, except in the sense that he should have known better: this is, after all, what happens when revolutions eat their own.”

W hen I spoke to Camilo Pérez-Bustillo, the executive director of the National Lawyers Guild, Bay Area chapter, he declined to say whether the leftwing legal organization had given Afaneh legal advice – citing client confidentiality – but defended her actions. I asked Pérez-Bustillo why protesters would target Chemerinsky.

“He is a very influential figure within UC Berkeley,” Pérez-Bustillo argued, “someone that the leadership at Berkeley listens to, or should, and he also has special responsibilities as the dean of one of the leading law schools in the country and as someone who in his career has normally been associated with denunciation of these kinds of human rights violations.” With Gaza, however, “he’s been silent, now, as to the issue of genocide, as to the need for a ceasefire, as to the human rights abuses that continue to be rampant”.

Yet the idea that the first amendment protected Afaneh’s right to interrupt a school-sponsored event, as she suggested, is almost certainly untrue, according to most legal experts. Alex Morey, an attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (Fire), expressed surprise that a law student would think that she had a legal right to disrupt an event, even if it was sponsored by a public university, or that the NLG or any organization might advise her as much.

“We have reached a low-water mark,” Morey told me. “This is a Berkeley law student who seems woefully unaware of what her first amendment rights and responsibilities are. We’d like to see universities stepping into their educational role and helping guide these students in their first amendment education.”

Chemerinsky had expected that there could be protesters, he told me, but thought that they would picket outside his house.

Jaffer, who hosts a podcast exploring the free speech fallout in the US from the Israel-Gaza war, feels that pro-Palestinian speech has generally faced an unfair playing field.

“There’s been a wave of censorship and suppression since October 7,” he told me, adding that much of it has been designed to suppress pro-Palestinian speech. “All these questions would be important even if the United States had no connection to this war, but censorship of speech relating to the war in Israel and Gaza is censorship of speech relating to a war in which the US is deeply implicated.”

Jaffer wishes Chemerinsky had reacted differently to the protest.

“I’m not unsympathetic,” he said, “because I do understand why he might have responded differently in his own home than he would have on the law school campus. At the end of the day, though, I think it would have been better if he had allowed the student to have her say and then continued with the dinner. I’m not making a first amendment argument here; I’m making an argument about free speech culture. But I think that would have been a better result.”

Chemerinsky pushed back on that idea. “She did speak for a couple minutes,” he told me. “No, normatively, it’s not desirable to say that someone can disrupt a dinner in my backyard. You don’t have the right to do that. You also don’t have the right to come and deliver a message that was completely inappropriate to the occasion. And, again, put this in context. This person is the [co-head] of an organization that just posted a blatantly antisemitic flier about me.”

I asked Chemerinsky if he wished things had gone differently that evening.

“Oh, God,” he said, under his breath, then struggled for a moment to find his words. “What happened happened.”

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How Rebel ‘Star Wars’ Fans Saved the Original Movies

George Lucas wants them to fade into oblivion. But some fans spent more than a decade digitally restoring the original “Star Wars” trilogy, preserving the movies as they were shown in theaters.

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By Sopan Deb

Han shot first.

As we celebrate the most hallowed of holidays — May the Fourth, also known as “Star Wars Day” because, you know, “may the Force be with you” — let us all agree that a long time ago, in a galaxy that now feels very far away indeed, Han shot Greedo first. No amount of special editions or George Lucas declarations will change that, even if, uh, Lucas actually did change that scene. If you seek the originals, these aren’t the films you’re looking for.

A rebellion began in 1997, when Lucasfilm first released altered “special editions” of the first trilogy, adding new or revised scenes, computer-generated effects and expanded worlds. Ever since, fans have clamored for high-definition releases of the unaltered movies. Lucas has resisted and has continued altering them, insisting he is fulfilling his vision for the films, which was technologically and financially impossible when they were first made — though he once called altering art “barbaric .”

So if you want to see the original “Star Wars” trilogy — as they were shown in theaters, a bit softer and grainier (and with Han Solo definitely shooting the bounty hunter Greedo first , not in self-defense, as he now does) — you’ll have to rely on some rebel fans like Robert Williams.

Williams, a Philadelphia-based computer programmer, is part of a group of five people called Team Negative One, one of a few “Star Wars” fan groups that, for more than a decade, have collected 35-millimeter prints of the first “Star Wars” movies and laboriously restored them in 4K. Known as Project 4K, the movies are titled by the years they were released: 4K77 , 4K80 and 4K83 .

“Our goal was to find a way to make it look as good as the official releases ,” Williams said.

The restorations are not authorized and come from film reels that were meant to be returned or destroyed after cinemas were done with them. While their legality is in question, fans and preservationists argue the public has a right to view art, including film, in its original form. Lucas, however, has reportedly said to fans : “Grow up. These are my movies, not yours.”

In February, Team Negative One announced the completion of the trilogy project, with a 4K version of “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Many of Lucas’s edits of the original movies were cosmetic changes. An extended shot here. A beep there. More computer-generated background figures, some replacing models or puppets, and color changes.

But some changes shifted character arcs, such as the famous scene in the original “Star Wars” with Greedo and Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, at the Mos Eisley Cantina . In that 1977 release — later retitled “A New Hope” — the outlaw Han shoots and kills the bounty hunter, without much provocation, setting up a redemptive arc.

Since the 1997 edition, Han fires in self-defense, an edit that drew scorn from some fans, who took up “Han shot first” as a battle cry (featured on unofficial merchandise ) and boycotted DVD releases. Even “South Park” pilloried Lucas over the edits.

Lucas, in 1997, said the new special editions would be the definitive versions. “The other versions will disappear,” he said. “Even the 35-millimeter tapes of ‘Star Wars’ out there won’t last more than 30 or 40 years. A hundred years from now, the only version of the movie that anyone will remember will be the DVD version.”

Williams, 49, met his fellow restorers on the message boards of a site called Original Trilogy . Williams, who grew up in Britain, first saw “Star Wars” in theaters in 1977 and in the 1980s fell in love with the films by watching them on television every Christmas.

Team Negative One wasn’t the first to attempt such an ambitious project. One, known as the “ Star Wars Despecialized Edition ,” led by Petr Harmy , reassembled the movies from DVDs, VHS tapes and laser discs . Harmy’s and Williams’s groups have collaborated.

Restoration begins with finding the original film reels and digitizing them. Williams said that over the years, his group’s sources for the reels had included eBay and collectors who had them in storage. The films are then run through an old-school projector. Once the film is scanned, the team goes through it frame by frame, cleaning and upgrading it.

The first restoration was done in 2016 with “A New Hope.” Over the next year, the group came across an almost pristine reel of “Return of the Jedi,” the third film in the trilogy. It was completed in 2017 — without Darth Vader yelling “Nooooo!” as he kills the emperor.

“The Empire Strikes Back,” however, took seven years, because the group had to restore a damaged print of the film .

Lucas, in an interview with The Associated Press in 2004, said that the altered versions of the films were what mattered to him.

“It’s like this is the movie I wanted it to be, and I’m sorry you saw half a completed film and fell in love with it,” Lucas said at the time . “But I want it to be the way I want it to be.”

In 2012, Disney purchased the rights to the “Star Wars” franchise along with Lucasfilm . Williams said he had never heard from either Lucasfilm or Disney about the unauthorized theatrical editions. Representatives for Disney did not reply to a request for comment.

In the meantime, new film reels have been found, meaning the work on the trilogy continues. Williams’s group is also working on a 1977 documentary, “The Making of Star Wars,” the 1997 “special editions,” because they were also altered, as well as the prequel trilogy, to preserve how they looked on film before being digitized. Team Negative One’s works aren’t posted in full on platforms like YouTube but are downloadable on forums like Original Trilogy and on archive.org.

The fans who restored the films aren’t rejecting Lucas’s creative vision, Williams said.

“ They’re not really upset that he made the changes, because some of them are pretty cool and actually make the films better,” Williams said. “They’re really upset that he didn’t also release the original version alongside it. Just put two discs in the box. We’d have been happy.”

Sopan Deb is a Times reporter covering breaking news and culture. More about Sopan Deb

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