The Lord of the Ringsis one of the most beloved film and book franchises of all time. With an ancient evil on the brink of returning to its full power, an unlikely band of heroes must travel across Middle-earth to destroy the one object that will make him whole again.
The Peter Jackson films do a great job of capturing all the epic battles and legendary heroes that make up The Lord of the Rings. While the books themselves are long, the films manage to contain some of the juiciest lines in history. Some lines inspire, others are infinitely repeatable. These are the eight best quotes throughout the Lord of the Rings series.
8Looks Like Meat’s Back On The Menu Boys
An Orc’s Hungry Declaration
One line that is so much fun to repeat out of context or in front of a nice meal was first cast by the Orcs of Middle-earth. With nothing to eat, it isn’t long before the Hobbits themselves start looking a bit scrumptious. This isn’t the first time Hobbits have been described as tasty, with even Trolls having a taste for a younger Bilbo.
Unfortunately for the Orc who suggests eating Merry and Pippin, the Hobbits are out of bounds. The orc is killed for disobeying orders and with that, meat suddenly becomes more available, just not the way they expected it to be.
7I Am No Man
Eowyn In The Movies VS The Books
It’s always fun when there isa loophole that can be exploited to defeat a powerful enemy. For the Witch King, it is prophesied that no living man can kill him. This spells trouble for most of the heroes fighting against evil. However, it just so happens that Eowyn is no man at all. She is a woman. This leads to the Witch King dying an ironic death.
In the book, the lines read a little differently, with the Witch King taunting that no living man may hinder him. To which Eowyn replies, “But no living man am I”. Perhaps the book did it better with the pacing.
6My Precious
Gollum’s Most Famous Line
Smeagol isa tragic characterwho finds himself trapped under the influence of the One Ring. No matter how much progress he makes in freeing himself by befriending Frodo, the ring is just too powerful. After so many years of keeping it underground, Gollum constantly refers to the One Ring as his precious.
Gollum treats the One Ring like a person rather than an object. He always caresses it and praises it. He wants to keep the Hobbits from tossing it into the fires of Mordor and will even betray those who get close to him if it means getting his hands back on it. It has become one of the most iconic lines in pop fiction.
5For Frodo
Aragon’s Final Battle Cry
As the final battle commences, Aragorn gives a speech to inspire his army. This army is completely outnumbered and consists of the remaining members of the Fellowship as well as the men of Gondor. After giving his speech at the Black Gate, he simply looks back at his ragtag army and mentions who they are fighting for.
Sure, they may die in the battle, but if it allows Frodo to get to Mt. Doom undetected, then the sacrifice is worth it. This occurs during the epic finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
4I Am Fire!… I Am Death!
Smaug’s Epic Cliffhanger
Even if the Hobbit films tend to drag on just a bit too long, they at least haveone very screen-worthy dragon. This is Smaug, who is one of the biggest obstacles for the dwarves in their quest to retake the mountain and the gold.
After a battle that wasn’t really in the books, Smaug is doused in molten gold. While this is painful, it is not enough to slay the beast. In retaliation, Smaug descends to destroy Lake Town, declaring his status over humans and dwarves alike. After uttering this line, the film ends, leaving viewers with one of the best cliffhangers.
3One Ring To Rule Them All
Galadriel and Gandalf Explain The Ring
This line is uttered by both Galadriel during the intro to Fellowship of the Ring, and Gandalf upon discovering that Bilbo’s old ring is the One Ring. While the extended quote is a cryptic telling of Sauron’s power and his influence, the line that sticks out the most is “One Ring To Rule Them All”.
It’s enough to tell you everything you need to know about this particular ring. It’s not just a trinket, but a means to dominate even the most powerful rulers of Middle Earth. It’s a great line to help establish the gravity of the quest at hand.
2You Shall Not Pass
Gandalf’s Final Stand
Spoiler alert, Gandalf dies at the end of Fellowship of the Ring. Is he truly gone, or will he make a miraculous return in the next book or movie? While it’s no secret that he comes back as Gandalf the White, if he were to be gone for good it would have been an epic last stand.
As the Balrog chases after the group, Gandalf stays behind to keep it at bay. He uses magic to destroy the bridge while denying the Balrog passage. Eventually, the bridge collapses, taking both Gandalf and the Balrog down to the depths, which apparently also lead up to the top of the mountain.
1One Does Not Simply Walk Into Mordor
Boromir Spawns One Of The Earliest Memes
One of the most iconic lines isn’t even that big of a deal. During the initial rounds of discussion to determine the fate of the One Ring, it is suggested that it be cast into the fires of Mt. Doom. This treacherous mountain is located in Mordor, one of the most evil places in Middle Earth.
To this, Boromir simply states that Mordor is not a place you’re able to just walk into. The line, however, became one of the earliest internet memes due to his expressions while saying it. There have been countless templates to fit almost any situation that might warrant the joke.
