Summary

• James Cameron elevated Alien's universe in Aliens, creating an iconic sci-fi action film.
• The well-written script of Aliens produced memorable one-liners that have become pop culture staples.
• Aliens showcased strong character development and fierce protectiveness, with Ripley delivering iconic lines.

Though it is typically looked at as an action movie classic with fantastic set pieces, the most memorable Aliens quotes are a reminder of the great dialogue in the sci-fi hit. Following the claustrophobic thriller nature of the first movie, James Cameron decided to move away from Ridley Scott's version and reimagine the franchise as an action-packed sci-fi story with Ellen Ripley teaming up with a band of marines to take down a colony of the ferocious Xenomorphs before they spread their deadly mayhem across the cosmos.

James Cameron's Aliens was a risky way of continuing the extremely effective franchise, being called one of the greatest sequel movies of all time. Instead of being mindless and fun action, the movie is filled with a lot of great quotes that have stuck with fans for nearly 50 years since the movie's release. Between tough talk from marines, the comic relief of Bill Paxton's Hudson, and Ripley further cementing herself as an action movie icon, the best quotes from Aliens are highlights of the film.

10 "Look Into My Eye!"

Sergeant Apone (Al Matthews)

James Cameron does a great job of establishing his supporting characters and their dynamics before the action starts and the body count begins to rise. One of the best character dynamics is between Sergeant Apone and the reluctant soldier Hudson. Apone has no time for Hudson's constant complaining and it is funny how often he chews out the young marine. However, this exchange is different with Apone showing a bit of his humor in dealing with Hudson's attitude problem.

was more than happy to get out of hyper-sleep and kick off the mission on LV-426, and he signaled his happiness by waking up his dreary, non-enthusiastic Marines with some good old-fashioned military cheer. Nobody shared his feelings, with Hudson taking the time out to complain about how freezing the floor was on bare feet. When Apone asks if Hudson wants him to fetch his slippers, Hudson says he would like that. Apone responds with this quote while tugging down his tugs down his lower eyelid with his middle finger, showing Hudson how little he cares about his comfort.

9 "No. Have You?"

Private Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein)

Before going on to appear in other game-changing James Cameron movies like Terminator 2 and Titanic, Jenette Goldstein made her movie debut in Aliens as Private Xasquez. She quickly established herself as a fan-favorite character with this clever insult to Hudson. Vasquez is the only woman in the main group of marines, but she proves herself to be the toughest of them all. Likely intimidated by this, Hudson attempts to make fun of Vasquez's muscular physique.

In front of the rest of the marines, Hudson asks Vasquez if she has ever been mistaken for a man only for her to switch the question around on Hudson without missing a beat. Hudson is quickly made the butt of the joke and Vasquez cements herself as the tough-as-nails hero who will not be easily pushed around, much like the movie's other female hero, Ripley.

8 "Alright Sweethearts, You Heard The Man And You Know The Drill! A**holes And Elbows!"

Sergeant Apone (Al Matthews)

Actor Al Matthews wasn't faking his tough-guy drill sergeant role in Aliens. He'd served in the Vietnam War and even went so far as to become the first black Marine to reach that rank. He was partially hired because of his real-world believability as a military man, and the effect was top-notch. Though Apone does not last long in the movie, Matthews makes him a memorable character whose early exit helps to set up the high stakes of the sequel.

This line is possibly the best bit of proof of Matthews' past military career as his sharp and memorable commands to his team whip them into shape and get them moving very effectively. The latter portion "a**holes and elbows" is a reference to the only two body parts one's boss should see when they walk by, which signifies that employees are hard at work.

7 "We're On An Express Elevator To Hell, Goin' Down!"

Hudson (Bill Paxton)

Bill Paxton found his breakout role as Hudson in Aliens, one of the standout characters in the movie. Paxton's eccentric and energetic delivery of dialogue is a big part of the reason so many of these lines have stayed with people for so long. One of these moments comes as the team of marines makes preparations for the dreaded combat drop, with the team strapped in and awaiting the countdown. Each dealt with the stress in their own way. Some like Lieutenant Gorman fell ill, while others like Corporal Hicks took the opportunity to sleep.

Hudson is filled with excited anticipation for the moment, putting more fear into those who are uncomfortable. Along with being a funny line that is elevated by Paxton's delivery, it is a moment that is fun to look back on when Hudson begins falling apart later in the movie. It is entirely possible that his excited behavior at this moment was meant to mask the fear he had.

6 "Yo! Stop Your Grinnin' And Drop Your Linen!"

Hudson (Bill Paxton)

Though he makes for a very entertaining character in Aliens, Hudson would have been a rather annoying soldier to have on a mission. Even before he becomes a panicky mess who complains about everything, he basically just makes snide comments and seems to not take any of this seriously until things start to go very wrong. However, he does prove himself to be at least a little useful when the team arrives at the colony on LV-426.

After locating the transmitter beacons which were surgically implanted into the colonists who lived on LV-426, Hudson delivers this line to show he is still treating this all as a joke. It is another moment of Bill Paxton's performance as Hudson being the real reason this character works. Were it not for Paxton in this role, this line and so many others would make Hudson annoying rather than entertaining.

5 "What The Hell Are We Supposed To Use, Man? Harsh Language?"

Private Frost (Ricco Poss)

One of the reasons Aliens stands out in the Alien franchise as its own movie and not just a rehash of the original is because it comes in with its own ideas. While never directly stated, Aliens serves as an allegory for the Vietnam War with the ill-prepared marines going up against an enemy that understands the territory much better than they ever would. It is also critical about how those calling the shots in the military operations are incompetent for many things, including sending soldiers to the slaughter.

Lieutenant Gorman put up a decent façade as an experienced and confident military man, but his haplessness nearly cost him his entire team. After infiltrating the processing plant, Ripley noticed that the team was directly underneath the primary heat exchangers which could be ruptured by their ammunition in a firefight. When Gorman orders the team to not use their ammunition, one of the marines, Private Frost, questions the decision, showing how little respect and confidence the soldiers on the group have for the commanding officers.

4 "I Say We Take Off. Nuke The Site From Orbit. It's The Only Way To Be Sure."

Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

While Aliens could have been an entertaining movie with just the story of marines going up against the Xenomorphs, Ripley's presence in the story adds an exciting new element as she is the only one who truly knows what these creatures are capable of. After losing most of the team to the aliens, the Marines decided to regroup and brainstorm possible counterattack measures. Several ideas came to the fold, but none were deemed viable enough to risk another incursion into the process plant.

Ripley had a better idea, however. She was keen on lifting off and nuking the entire site from orbit using the Sulaco's advanced weaponry which would permanently put an end to the alien menace. The quote helps to show how the experience of the first movie has hardened Ripley. She is not willing to take any risks or half-measures in dealing with this threat. The small moments like this in Sigourney Weaver's performance are what led to her Oscar nomination for Aliens.

3 "Game Over, Man! Game Over!"

Hudson (Bill Paxton)

The first encounter between the Marines and the alien horde was disastrous and resulted in the deaths of several Marines. The rest barely escaped with their lives after some quick thinking and a take-charge attitude by Ripley when Gorman fell to pieces. Safely out of harm's way, the team called for evac via the dropship which was still parked at the colony.

In mid-flight, an alien attacked Corporal Ferro and caused the dropship to crash-land, putting an end to their hopes for rescue. Believing all options had been spent, Hudson lost his cool and decided that they were doomed. It is the moment Hudson's character really starts to steal the show as Paxton turns the marine with a lot of attitude into a panicky and terrified mess. He embraces this side of Hudson and seems to have a lot of fun with the performance.

2 "Get Away From Her, You Bitch!"

Ripley (Sigourney Weaver)

it became a source of catharsis for Ripley

No other quote is as iconic or cool as this one uttered by Ellen Ripley on board the Sulaco. When the Xenomorph Queen was revealed to have stowed away on board, it quickly tore Bishop apart before pursuing Newt through the floor grating. Ripley emerged from the storage bay in a Power Loader to even the odds against the Queen. Stepping forward, she delivers this unforgettable line to the massive alien monster which has become one of the biggest crowd-pleasing lines in movie history.

The quote is memorable for two reasons. First, it demonstrated Ripley's fierce motherly protectiveness over Newt, and second, it became a source of catharsis for Ripley who had finally had enough and summoned all her courage to face down her most terrible nightmare. Part of what makes Ripley such a great hero is that she is able to be afraid which makes her delivery of this line all the more powerful.

1 "Can I Dream?"

Newt (Carrie Henn)

The relationship between Ripley and Newt offers a very human element to the exciting action movie. With Ripley missing so much time being in hypersleep, she lost her own daughter back on Earth. Seeing her take on the mother role with Newt is sweet and makes her character all the more layered in the sequel. While her protective line to the Xenomorph Queen is more memorable, this quieter moment with Newt is a very effective way to end their story.

After defeating the Queen, Ripley and Newt prepare to go into hypersleep once again. Newt asks Ripley if she can dream now that the ordeal is over and the monsters are gone. Ripley replies, "I think we both can," suggesting they can both find peace. Unfortunately, the revelation in Alien 3 that Newt does not wake from hypersleep is a blow to the happy ending the two characters get here.