40 Great Indiana Jones Quotes
More than four decades of some of the sharpest, most endearing lines in movie history.
Across the (currently) four Indiana Jones movies, there are too many incredible moments to mention. In the leadup to the premiere of Indy’s fifth, and final, big screen adventure, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, arriving June 30, Lucasfilm.com is going back into the archives of Marshall College to pull some of the best barbs from the archaeologist, as well as his family, friends, and foes.
Here are 40 of some of the most iconic lines from the Indiana Jones movie franchise — and we’ll add more following the release of Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
1. “The Hovitos are near. The poison is still fresh. Three days. They’re following us.” — Satipo
The first line in any Indiana Jones movie, uttered by a young Alfred Molina and setting up a lifetime of adventures. (Well, not for Satipo.)
2. “Indiana Jones. Always knew someday you’d come walking back through my door.” — Marion Ravenwood
With his shadow looming above her Nepalese bar, Indiana Jones is in Marion’s life once again, and so is her call to adventure. Their past is rocky, but their future seems bright (or, at least, interesting).
3. “I am a shadowy reflection of you.” — René Belloq
René Emile Belloq was a great match for Indy, mostly because the men are two sides of the same coin. As Indy spits back: “Now you’re getting nasty.”
4. “They’re digging in the wrong place!” — Indiana Jones and Sallah
There is seemingly only so much a burned palm can relate when it comes to giving directions. Luckily for the heroes, there was an extra bit of information on the back of the real Headpiece to the Staff of Ra.
5. “I don’t know, I’m making this up as I go.” — Indiana Jones
This is how most of Indy’s plans eventually end up, but they seem to work themselves out in the end.
6. “Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” — Indiana Jones
The man might be one of the bravest adventurers around, but make sure not to throw him into a pit of snakes.
7. “It’s not the years, honey, it’s the mileage.” — Indiana Jones
Given a brief respite on the Bantu Wind, Indy and Marion are able to get some much-needed shut-eye, and the audience is allowed to get a brief sigh of relief before the rest of the adventure begins.
8. “Don’t look, Marion! Keep your eyes shut!” — Indiana Jones
As his adventure with the Ark concludes in horrific fashion, Indy has seemingly gone on a personal journey from skeptic to believer. He is now humble enough to shield his eyes from the power of the Ark, avoiding a fate that besets the rest.
9. “It’s beautiful!” — Belloq
Belloq, on the other hand, kept his eyes wide open.
10. “We have top men working on it right now.” — Major Eaton
Eaton (played by William Hootkins, who also appeared as Porkins in the original Star Wars) probably would not take very kindly if he found out that Indy refers to him as one of the “bureaucratic fools” moments later.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
11. “Well, I thought archaeologists were always funny little men searching for their mommies.” — Willie Scott
Anything goes for “famous American female vocalist” Willie Scott, including poking fun at Indiana Jones’ chosen career field.
12. “I followed you on many adventures, but into the great unknown mystery, I go first, Indy.” — Wu Han
In a sad moment, the loyal Wu Han is felled by a covert bullet amidst the clattering and champagne popping of Club Obi Wan. The mission’s stakes are elevated and imbued with a tinge of regret.
13. “Nice try, Lao Che.” — Indiana Jones
Who knew that a closing airplane door could be both incredibly ominous and equally hilarious?
14. “We’re not sinking, we’re crashing!” — Willie Scott
Sometimes, you just have to state the obvious.
15. “Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune and glory.” — Indiana Jones
As Indy explains to Short Round, the quest for the mythical Sankara Stones could put his name in the history books (and provide a pretty penny, as well).
16. “Indy, I love you. You’re my best friend. Wake up!” — Short Round
The most emotionally perilous moment in Temple of Doom (and maybe the entire series). It’s hard not to feel sad and afraid for Short Round, who is surrounded by evil. Thank goodness Indy’s eyes clear and he says, “I’m all right, kid.”
17. “Water, water, water! Water!” — Indiana Jones
The thrilling mine car chase ends with a small masterclass in acting from Harrison Ford: how many ways can you say “water?”
18. “You betrayed Shiva!” — Indiana Jones
Indy’s fight with Mola Ram on the perilous, destroyed bridge ends with the ultimate (literal) cliffhanger. Two red hot Sankara Stones (and one demonic priest) fall into the crocodile-infested waters — one stone remains in Indy’s hand, cooled and ready to be returned.
19. “I understand its power now.” — Indiana Jones
Humbled and wiser from this most recent adventure, Indy makes things right with the village, returning the Sankara Stones.
20. “Anything could happen. It’s a long way to Delhi.” — Indiana Jones
At the very least, traveling abroad with Indiana Jones could surely be labeled as “dangerous.” Who knows what trouble the trio gets into on the way home?
21. “That cross is an important artifact. It belongs in a museum!” — Indiana Jones
The young Indiana Jones we meet on a 1912 scout trip in Utah isn’t too different than his older counterpart. His respect for history and culture seems to come before anything else…including his own safety.
22. “You lost today kid, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it.” — “Fedora”
In addition to gaining a healthy fear of snakes, a new scar, and a small amount of whip training, Indy also learns this valuable lesson from his rival (as well as a new appreciation for headwear).
23. “X never, ever marks the spot.” — Indiana Jones
We’ll see about that!
24. “This is a castle. And we have many tapestries. But if you are a Scottish lord, then I am Mickey Mouse!” — Butler
The butler of the Castle of Brunwald would love the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
25. “No ticket!” — Indiana Jones
Indy, disguised as a ticket agent, punches and then throws a Nazi out the window of a zeppelin. As the rest of the passengers look on in horror, he delivers this hilarious one-liner — and one of the greatest moments in the series.
26. “That’s how Austrians say goodbye.” — Dr. Elsa Schneider
Elsa proves to be full of surprises.
27. “I suddenly remembered my Charlamagne.” — Henry Jones, Sr.
Up to this point, “birds in the sky” have never been used so effectively in aerial combat. Even Junior is impressed!
28. “You have chosen wisely.” – Grail Knight
This noble guardian of the Grail delivers the good news.
29. “Indiana, let it go.” — Henry Jones, Sr.
After a lifetime of searching for the Cup of Christ, the father passes on his illumination to his son, and the Holy Grail falls into the widening cracks of the Temple of the Sun.
30. “I’ve got a lot of fond memories of that dog.” — Indiana Jones
The dog?!
31. “Not as easy as it used to be.” — Indiana Jones
It may have been nearly two decades since the audience saw him last, but Indy is ready for action (even after he was crammed in the back of a car trunk for a few hours).
32. “We seem to be at the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away.” — Charles Stanforth
Having resigned as Dean of Marshall College, Stanforth is in a reflective mood, as he watches his friend pack his bags and leave for New York. With framed photographs of both the late Marcus Brody and Henry Jones, Sr. on the recently-fired professor’s desk, the memories of those who came before adds a solemn note to the proceedings.
33. “If you wanna be a good archaeologist, you gotta get out of the library!” — Indiana Jones
Professor Jones loves a good pun and a great visual aid.
34. “You’re a teacher?” — Mutt Williams
The real question that Mutt should have asked is when does Indy find time to grade papers?
35. “Indiana Jones. About time you showed up.” — Marion Ravenwood Williams
She’s back and she hasn’t missed a beat.
36. “Why the hell didn’t you make him finish school?” — Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones has known he’s a father for all of two minutes and he’s already doing a pretty good impression of his father. He just needs to start quoting Charlemagne.
37. “There were a few, but they all had the same problem. They weren’t you, honey.” — Indiana Jones
There have been many a few women in Indy’s life, but none compare to the charm, smarts, and spunk of Marion Ravenwood.
38. “I want to know…everything.” — Irina Spalko
Spalko is about to come face-to-face with an interdimensional being, and it’s more than she bargained for. The temple begins to get sucked into the widening portal between dimensions, and Irina’s eyeballs are, well, lit on fire.
39. “I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” — Indiana Jones
Wait, what Lucasfilm franchise is this?
40. “Somewhere, your grandpa is laughing.” — Indiana Jones
Henry Jones, Sr. and Mutt Williams would have gotten along great.
Indy’s past adventures — the original four films and The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones TV series — are now streaming on Disney+. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny arrives in theaters on June 30.
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