Cowboy movie quotes are some of the most iconic lines in film history. They are often full of grit and wisdom, and often provide a sense of adventure and optimism. Whether it’s a line from a classic John Wayne movie, or a modern-day Western, cowboy movie quotes often capture the spirit of the Wild West. From inspiring words of courage, to hilarious one-liners, these quotes have become timeless expressions of courage and resilience. Whether you’re looking for a pithy phrase to express your own inner cowboy, or just need a little inspiration for your next Western-themed project, cowboy movie quotes are a great source of inspiration.
42 Best Cowboy Movie Quotes
1.
“I’m too old for fairy tales.”
– Shane (Alan Ladd), Shane (1953)
2.
“I’m gonna have to shoot him.”
– Will Kane (Gary Cooper), High Noon (1952)
3.
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
4.
“When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.”
– Tuco (Eli Wallach), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
5.
“I’m your huckleberry.”
– Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), Tombstone (1993)
6.
“In this world, there’s two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig.”
– Blondie (Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
7.
“Revenge is a dish best served cold.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
8.
“I’ll be your huckleberry.”
– Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), Tombstone (1993)
9.
“Well, when you have to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.”
– Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
10.
“Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.”
– Joe (Clint Eastwood), Unforgiven (1992)
11.
“I’m the one who said it’s gotta be this way.”
– Will Kane (Gary Cooper), High Noon (1952)
12.
“I don’t deserve this. To die like this. I was building a house.”
– Joe (Clint Eastwood), Unforgiven (1992)
13.
“I’ll be your fever, I’ll be your cold.”
– Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), Tombstone (1993)
14.
“A strange game. The only winning move is not to play.”
– Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), No Country for Old Men (2007)
15.
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do, no matter how much it hurts.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
16.
“I don’t believe in a lot of things, but I do believe in duct tape.”
– The Stranger (Clint Eastwood), Gran Torino (2008)
17.
“What kind of man are you?”
– Shane (Alan Ladd), Shane (1953)
18.
“A man’s gotta know his limitations.”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Magnum Force (1973)
19.
“Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Dirty Harry (1971)
20.
“I won’t be wronged. I won’t be insulted. I won’t be laid a-hand on. I don’t do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.”
– Marshall Will Kane (Gary Cooper), High Noon (1952)
21.
“My mama always said: life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
– Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks), Forrest Gump (1994)
22.
“I’m your worst nightmare.”
– John Ruth (Kurt Russell), The Hateful Eight (2015)
23.
“I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I kind of lost track myself.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
24.
“It’s a strange world. Some people get their kicks stompin’ on a summer bug.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
25.
“It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man.”
– Will Munny (Clint Eastwood), Unforgiven (1992)
26.
“I reckon you gotta do what you gotta do.”
– Bob (Randolph Scott), The Tall T (1957)
27.
“Do you feel lucky, punk?”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Dirty Harry (1971)
28.
“If you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
29.
“I don’t want any trouble. I just want my share.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
30.
“I guess we all die a little inside.”
– Will Munny (Clint Eastwood), Unforgiven (1992)
31.
“You wanna see something?”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Dirty Harry (1971)
32.
“I tried being reasonable, I didn’t like it.”
– Sheriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones), No Country for Old Men (2007)
33.
“I’m gonna have to shoot you now.”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Magnum Force (1973)
34.
“You don’t have to like me, but you will respect me.”
– John Ruth (Kurt Russell), The Hateful Eight (2015)
35.
“I’ve killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille.”
– Joe (Clint Eastwood), Unforgiven (1992)
36.
“I’m your worst nightmare.”
– Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood), Sudden Impact (1983)
37.
“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.”
– Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), Tombstone (1993)
38.
“I ain’t got time to bleed.”
– Blain (Jesse Ventura), Predator (1987)
39.
“I’m all broken up about that man’s rights.”
– Tuco (Eli Wallach), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
40.
“When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.”
– Blondie (Clint Eastwood), The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
41.
“If you want peace, prepare for war.”
– The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood), A Fistful of Dollars (1964)
42.
“It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he’s got and all he’s ever gonna have.”
– Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), Unforgiven (1992)
Conclusion
Cowboy movies are a timeless classic that have withstood the test of time. The iconic quotes from these movies have been quoted and referenced in popular culture all throughout the decades. From the classic line “Yippee-ki-yay!” to the more recent “Happy trails,” cowboy movie quotes are sure to bring a smile to any face. Cowboys may be a thing of the past, but their quotes, wit, and wisdom will live on forever.
References
- “50 Most Memorable Cowboy Movie Quotes of All Time” by IMDB
- “Famous Western Movie Quotes” by Out West Newspaper
