Best Quotes From Predator (1987)

Key Takeaways

• Predator (1987) is a classic action movie that features memorable quotes, some of which have become iconic in popular culture.
• The “Because some damn fool accused you of being the best” line showcases the bond shared between Dillon and Dutch.
• The “What’s the matter? The CIA got you pushing too many pencils?” quote suggests that there is a slight rivalry between Dutch and Dillon.

One of the most iconic films of the 1980s, and a pivotal moment for all action movies and cinema in general, the original Predator movie eventually powered a whole franchise that combined the modern genres of action, horror, and science fiction. The dialogue and plot devices played on the usual tropes as well as subverting them, and it’s easier to appreciate today, with the spirit of nostalgia powering the franchise into the 21st century.

Initially, Predator looked like it was just another obnoxious army recruitment ad disguised as an action flick. When the monster appears, however, the cast of macho men turns into a cast of vulnerable prey and potential victims. In the spirit of appreciation, here are some of the most memorable lines from Predator.

Updated November 11, 2024 by Kristy Ambrose: Predator is still a stellar example of how old tropes can be subverted in brilliant and creative ways, and the story continues to make a few interesting twists.

It’s not just movies or TV shows that have featured the Predator. Some recent examples see the iconic creature appearing in video games, too, and that’s other than the video games that are directly related to the franchise. There’s also some news for 2025 about upcoming Predator movies to continue the cinematic tradition that started the whole franchise.

1 “Because Some Damn Fool Accused You Of Being The Best.”

Dillon’s Opening Line To His Old Buddy Dutch

• A classic macho scene between two Hollywood heavyweights.

Dutch arrives at the rustic army base in the jungle with a clean slate and as he’s being debriefed by the crusty but amicable old officer, he asks why his team was chosen for what seems like a routine army job. The viewer hears Dillon say this line before they see him, and never has there been a manlier greeting in the history of film.

It helped that both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers were at their prime and in the best shape of their lives during this iconic movie moment. Dutch’s enthusiasm here also helped establish the relationship between the two veteran friends, eliminating the need for more backstory. These two army men go way back, and this is made especially apparent through a casual greeting and a firm handshake.

2 “What’s The Matter? The CIA Got You Pushing Too Many Pencils?”

Too Many Pencils Mean Less Muscle, According To Dutch

• A teasing joke that also hints at Dillon’s shady CIA dealings.

The Dillon handshake doesn’t end abruptly. It’s a multiple-staged introductory sequence that provides enough assumed backstory for these two men. They turned a handshake into a mid-air arm wrestling bout. This immediately portrays a strong sense of competition between the two and implies that their friendship has a hint of bitterness and adversity.

That, or they probably just wanted to arm-wrestle without much meaning, but there’s some subtle foreshadowing here along with the exposition. Who survives the upcoming mission will be determined by brains, not brawn. Dutch’s line about Dillon’s CIA involvement and his new line of work saved the film some flashback scenes as to why Dillon left the field.

3 “You Never Were That Smart.”

Dillon Might Be Intelligent, But He Isn’t Wise

• Another indication of how Dillon can’t see the big picture.

Dillon and Dutch have a friendship that goes way back, but things have changed, and the tension between them starts early. Before they even leave, Dillon insists on going on the mission with them, which Dutch is clearly against, but Dillon pulls rank on him and makes it an order.

During the flight to the isolated drop point, Dillon gets excited about the helicopter ride and gushes about how much he missed fieldwork. Dutch might be speaking with some resentment at this point, but he seems to be right about his old friend missing the jungle for the trees. Tensions between Dutch and Dillon continue to escalate and reach a fever pitch when Dutch has to tidy up Dillon’s mess.

4 “Those Eyes. They Just Disappeared.”

Mac Starts To Lose It

• He really did see something, but his fellow soldiers mostly passed it off as psychosis.

The mental strain of being chased by an unknown assassin is another part of the long, slow process of being hunted, and it takes its toll on Mac after Blain is suddenly killed. The two had a longer history as part of the same military unit, and viewers hear something about their past in some personal narrative from Mac before he meets the same fate.

What makes it different for Mac is that he knows what’s coming. When Blain is attacked, Mac finds him in time to see the green eyes of the Predator flashing among the thick jungle leaves. What follows is the famous scene involving a minigun, along with several other massive weapons, that mow down a huge swath of foliage but hit nothing. Poncho asks Mac what happened, but all the stricken soldier can say is this chilling line.

5 “There’s Something Out There Waiting For Us, And It Ain’t No Man.”

The Tracker Reads The Signs

• Billy understands the dangers better than anyone and does so much earlier in the mission.

Everything was going well for Dutch’s elite squad until the Predator began toying with them. One kill traumatized the whole team and had the residual effect of revealing the nature of Dillon’s mission. The whole setup was an inadvertent meatgrinder where there’s only one enemy, the Predator itself.

Even some of the hardiest soldiers in Dutch’s retinue were convinced that they had no chance against such an enigmatic and efficient adversary. Billy, the keenest soldier in the squad, can’t name or describe what he’s been tracking, which is made evident through this quote. Even with his acute nose and other senses, the Predator still spooked him.

6 “We’re A Rescue Team, Not Assassins.”

Dutch Is A Soldier With Morals

• Not only angry at being betrayed but also because his people are in danger.

Speaking of Dillon’s true mission, the film doesn’t disguise how it views the CIA’s shady dealings as ethically bankrupt and destructive. The film established fairly early on that Dillon was indeed working for the CIA and that he outright lied to Dutch about a highly classified suicide mission against unknown opposition.

Dutch’s reaction to Dillon’s deception seemed like the filmmaker’s opinion and take on the CIA’s operations. It was very much an anti-war and anti-military stance in hindsight, especially with all the recorded atrocities committed by intelligence agencies all over the globe, so this line uttered by Dutch carried quite a lot of weight outside of the film’s context.

7 “I Ain’t Got Time To Bleed.”

Followed By The Equally Memorable “Got Time To Duck?”

• Delivered by Jesse Ventura, a former wrestler who was also a state governor in his later years, a real army veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

This testosterone-filled line is brought to the audience by Blain, also known as the tobacco chewer and “Sexual Tyrannosaurus.” The scene where Blain and Poncho were also assaulting the Soviet-funded guerrilla camp had some casual acting, and that’s where the above quote came from.

Blain’s visible bleeding is no cause for concern in the face of the chaos and fire in front of them. This helped fortify the fact that these elite guys weren’t all talk, and their egos and boastfulness were well-earned. That made the Predator’s skill and cleverness when it came to killing them all the more dramatic because, even with all that training and combat experience, they were still no match for the galaxy’s apex hunter.

8 “I Can’t Tell.”

The Line That Signifies This Is Now A Horror Movie

• The cool and calculated facade of the team leader is shattered.

No matter how his men might goof off, panic, or tell crass jokes, Dutch is always the calm and collected leader with a grasp of the hard facts. When Poncho returns after searching for Hawkins, the latest victim, Dutch asks if he’s found the unlucky soldier, or what’s left of him.

Dutch is busy securing the prisoner at this moment, and his face is prominent in the shot to make sure the audience gets a good look at his face when Poncho replies with this line. It’s obvious that he’s upset by what he’s seen, and the way that all color and confidence drains from Dutch’s face that the tables have turned and he is no longer the one in control. From this point on, action becomes survival, and escape is more important than the mission or revenge.

9 “If It Bleeds, We Can Kill It.”

Confirmation That The Predator Was A Mortal Being

• Offers a glimmer of hope in the face of incredible danger.

Thankfully for the heroes of Predator (1987), it turned out that the Predator was a mortal creature and not the urban legend the squad initially believed it to be. This quote came from Dutch himself after Anna said she found drops of strange fluid on the leaves, presumably the Predator’s blood. Such a discovery was not just important for the plot but also for portraying the protagonists (or victims) as mere humans.

They’re still a superstitious bunch and wouldn’t hesitate to associate something they don’t understand with supernatural or metaphysical forces. Arguably, this makes them more relatable as characters. At the same time, it also offers a glimmer of hope to the squad; they have just found out that they have a fighting chance and that the Predator has time to bleed.

10 “The Demon Who Makes Trophies Of Men.”

Anna’s Story Is Pure Nightmare Fuel

• moment Predator (1987) becomes a horror movie.

The character of Anna is simply a prisoner until Dutch understands that they’re all just prey now, no matter what side they were on before. Of course, he knows she speaks English, and he unties her and gives her a quick debriefing. She helps them construct a few traps around their position to draw in the creature, and as they sit quietly and wait, she recounts a local legend.

Complete with chilling music that would accompany the best kind of horror story, it’s the tale of a creature called el demonio que hace trofeos de los hombres or “the demon who makes trophies of men.” Not only does Anna’s story mark the point where the bona fide terror begins, but it also sets up some interesting Predator lore, such as the hottest years being the times when the Predator likes to visit Earth.

11 “Get To The Chopper!”

Now A Famous Line That Became A Catch-Phrase

• Arnold Schwarzenegger has reprised this line in several instances, such as in promo materials for the video game Mobile Strike.

It’s one of the most oft-repeated and memed lines in Predator, and it always has to be said in Arnold’s accent, but it doesn’t exactly hold any significance to the plot by way of subtext or exposition. It’s just the way Arnold says it that makes it so unforgettable.

The line was his most desperate piece of dialogue in the film, and it wasn’t even about saving himself. At the very least, it portrays Dutch as a sympathetic and still morally upright and brave mercenary. A soldier until the end, he chose to fight the Predator head-on, to the death, without begging for help or mercy.

12 “What The Hell Are You?”

The Main Character Speaks For The Audience

• An unsettling line that showcases the hero’s fear, confusion, and uncertainty.

When Dutch defeats the Predator, the payoff is worth it. It’s one of the few moments in the film where the shrouded movie monster’s face and personality are finally revealed. Dutch’s reaction was probably the same as that of the audience, which was sheer confusion, disgust, and bewilderment at the sight of the alien.

The Predator asks him the same question, which tracks with several other times in the film when it mimics human speech and actions. It considered itself the superior being, but it was bested by a mere hairless ape from another planet. Arnold did win, but it easily could have gone the other way, and there was no pandering to his overt masculinity here, unlike with many other action-hero films.