42 Top Western Movie Quotes

Updated March 9, 2023 | Infoplease Staff
Western boots and hat

Western movies have always been a staple in the film industry and Hollywood. The genre is known for its sweeping landscapes, memorable lines, and iconic characters like Harry Callahan, William Munny, or the Man with No Name. From classic films to more recent releases, movies about the Old West have captured the imagination of audiences around the world. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best Western movie quotes that are sure to transport you to the Wild West and the routine' tootin' days of old.

42 Best Movie Quotes from the Wild, Wild West

  1. "I'm your Huckleberry." — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Val Kilmer's character, Doc Holliday, was known for his quick wit and sharp tongue. This line has become one of the most iconic in Western movie history.

    Wild West landscape
    Source: Getty Images
  2. “You mean you'd trade me for a horse?”
    “It's up to Doc."
    — "The Outlaw”, 1943.

  3. "You gonna pull those pistols or whistle Dixie?" — "The Outlaw Josey Wales", 1976.
    Clint Eastwood's character, Josey Wales, is challenged to a duel. This line perfectly captures the tension and bravado of the Western genre.

  4. "I reckon so." — "True Grit", 1969.
    John Wayne's character, Rooster Cogburn, delivers this line repeatedly throughout the film. It's a simple phrase, but it has become a memorable catchphrase for fans of the movie.

  5. "We're in the West. The West is where you make your own luck." — "The Hateful Eight", 2015.
    Samuel L. Jackson's character, Major Marquis Warren, shares this bit of wisdom. It's a reminder that in the West, you have to rely on yourself to make it.

  6. "You'd be surprised the things you can solve with a gun." — “Doc”, 1971.

  7. "You better put down that gun. You got two ways to go, put it down or use it. Even if you tie me, you're gonna be dead." — "Hombre", 1967.
    Paul Newman's character, John Russell, pulls no punches and minces no words with the snappy dialogue that runs throughout the movie.

    Wild West landscape
    Source: Getty Images
  8. “It’s not dying I’m talking about, it’s living." — “Lonesome Dove”, 1989.
    Captain McCrae, portrayed by Robert Duvall, muses on the ultimate purpose of life in the Wild West.

  9. "You don't have to worry about me, Wyatt. I'm not that drunk." — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Billy Bob Thornton plays a small role as a drunken card player. This line is a great example of the humor that can be found in Western movies.

  10. "My name is John Chisum, and I own everything in this county." — "Chisum", 1970.
    John Wayne delivers this line in his role as cattle baron John Chisum. It's a power move that sets the tone for the rest of the film.

  11. "You're short on ears and long on mouth!" — “Big Jake”, 1971.

  12. "You gonna do somethin'? Or are you just gonna stand there and bleed?" — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Kurt Russell's character, Wyatt Earp, takes on a group of cowboys. This line is a great example of the tough-guy persona that is often associated with Western heroes.

  13. "I'm not a businessman. I'm a business, man." — "Django Unchained", 2012.
    Although set in the pre-Civil War South, this Quentin Tarantino film has all the elements of a classic Western. This line, spoken by Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Calvin Candie, perfectly captures the greed and ruthlessness of the era.

  14. "What was I supposed to do, stand there and let that little boy shoot me full of holes?" — “The Gunfighter”, 1950.

  15. "I have a rendezvous with destiny." — "Young Guns", 1988.
    Emilio Estevez's character, Billy the Kid, delivers this line before a showdown. It's a great example of the poetic language often found in Western movies.

    Wild West town
    Source: Getty Images
  16. "You tell 'em I'm comin'... and Hell's comin' with me, you hear? Hell's comin' with me!" — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Kurt Russell's Wyatt Earp tries to intimidate the local cowboys. This line is a classic example of the Western hero making a grand entrance.

  17. "That's right. I've killed women and children. I've killed just about everything that walks or crawled at one time or another. And I'm here to kill you, Little Bill, for what you did to Ned." — “Unforgiven”, 1992.

  18. "It's not dyin' I'm talkin' about, it's livin'." — "The Quick and the Dead", 1995.
    Sharon Stone's character, a gunslinger named Ellen, delivers this line. It's a reminder that in the West, it's not just about staying alive, it's about living life to the fullest.

  19. "If you're gonna shoot, shoot. Don't talk." — "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", 1966.
    Clint Eastwood's character, Blondie, has little patience for wordy opponents. This line perfectly captures the no-nonsense attitude of the Western hero.

  20. "You're a good man, Charlie Brown." — "A Boy and His Dog", 1975.
    While not a traditional Western, this post-apocalyptic film features a talking dog and a young Don Johnson. This line is a great example of the unexpected humor that can be found in Western movies.

  21. "Well, right now I don't feel too agreeable." — "High Plains Drifter”, 1973.

  22. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." — "Maverick", 1994.
    Mel Gibson's character, Bret Maverick, kisses Jodie Foster's Annabelle Bransford. This line is a great example of the romantic tension that often exists between Western heroes and heroines.

  23. "Fill your hands, you son of a b****!" — "True Grit", 1969.
    John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn challenges a group of outlaws. This line is a classic example of the Western hero's bravado.

    Wild West town
    Source: Getty Images
  24. “Kid, there's something I ought to tell you. I never shot anybody before.”
    “One hell of a time to tell me!"
    — “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”, 1969.

  25. "We're gonna give 'em a war." — "The Wild Bunch", 1969.
    William Holden's character, Pike Bishop, rallies his gang of outlaws. This line is a great example of the camaraderie that often exists between Western heroes.

  26. "I'm gonna kill you, and I don't need a gun to do it." — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Michael Biehn's character, Johnny Ringo, taunts Doc Holliday. This line is a great example of the villain's arrogance.

  27. "I haven't lost my temper in forty years, but pilgrim you caused a lot of trouble this morning, might have got somebody killed..." — “McLintock!”, 1963.

  28. "That's just my game." — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Val Kilmer's line is a great example of the Western hero's confidence.

  29. "You're a Daisy if you do." — "Tombstone", 1993.
    Michael Biehn's Johnny Ringo responds to Doc Holliday's challenge. This line is a great example of the villain's bravado.

  30. "I didn't surrender, but they took my horse and made him surrender. They have him pulling a wagon up in Kansas I bet." — "True Grit", 1969.
    John Wayne's Rooster Cogburn reminisces about a past battle. This line is a great example of the Western hero's nostalgia.

  31. "I want you to round up every vicious criminal and gunslinger in the west. Take this down." — “Blazing Saddles”, 1974.

  32. "You may run me for a long time, but you can't hide." — "Django Unchained", 2012.
    Jamie Foxx's character, Django, delivers this line. It's a reminder that in the West, justice will eventually be served.

    Wild West landscape
    Source: Getty Images
  33. “My mistake. Four coffins." — “A Fistful of Dollars”, 1964.

  34. "I'm gonna get me a little oblivion here, if you know what I mean?" — "The Outlaw Josey Wales", 1976.
    Josey Wales enjoys a drink. This line is a great example of the Western hero's ability to relax, even in the face of danger.

  35. "There's nothin' like a nice piece of hickory." — "The Outlaw Josey Wales", 1976.
    Clint Eastwood's character, Josey Wales, is a master of the one-liner. This line is a great example of the Western hero's humor.

  36. "You're a good-lookin' man. You got a future." — "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", 1966.
    Eli Wallach's character, Tuco, flatters Clint Eastwood's Blondie. This line is a great example of the villain's manipulative nature.

  37. "You just shot an unarmed man!"
    "Well, he should have armed himself if he's going to decorate his saloon with my friend."
    — Unforgiven", 1992.

  38. "Slap some bacon on a biscuit and let's go! We're burnin' daylight!" — “The Cowboys”, 1972.

  39. "I'm not afraid of death. I just don't want to be there when it happens." — "The Outlaw Josey Wales", 1976.
    Clint Eastwood's Josey Wales again delivers a memorable line. This line is a great example of the Western hero's stoicism.

  40. "A man's got to do something for a living these days." — "The Magnificent Seven", 1960.
    Yul Brynner's character, Chris, explains his profession. This line is a great example of the Western hero's practicality.

    Loading a gun
    Source: Getty Images
  41. “It's a hell of a thing, killin' a man. Take away all he's got, and all he's ever gonna have." — “Unforgiven”, 1992.

  42. "I'm the guy who does his job. You must be the other guy." — "The Departed", 2006.
    Not a Western, but this line from Mark Wahlberg's character, Sergeant Dignam, has become a classic. It's a reminder that even in the modern era, the Western hero archetype lives on.

Dyin’ Ain’t Much of a Livin’

Hopefully, these best and most badass Western film quotes have inspired you or made you smile! Great quotes from the likes of cowboys, wranglers, rustlers, and bandits alike make Western movies a great escape for anyone who loves the silver screen.

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