Top 10 Monologues of All Time
- 9 years ago
We all love good dialogue in movies - two characters talking at cross purposes creates some great dramatic tension. But sometimes, the best moment in a film comes when one character steps forward and leaves it all on the table in an overwhelming monologue. These are the 10 best.
What did you think of the list? Do you agree with our selections, or do you think some of our picks are overrated? Do you think one of our honorable mentions should have taken the prize? What do you think is the greatest movie speech ever made? Do any of these monologues still bring tears to your eyes, or a cheer to your heart?
Let us know in the comments!
THE LIST
Caddyshack (1980)
Bill Murray’s purportedly 100% improvised speech about his character meeting the Dalai “Laama” is one of the many high points of the film.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Voice over can be pretty egregious, but Morgan Freeman’s delivery of Red’s final thoughts of the film really brings the whole thing together.
TIE: The Devil’s Advocate (1997) & Cape Fear (1991)
Two great performances where two villains are literally shouting at the heavens.
Persona (1996)
Ingmar Berman’s take on the declaration-of-love monologue really takes the monologue to another level.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Robin Williams’ delivers a speech that breaks down the audience - and Will’s - guard, and changes the dynamic of the two characters’ relationships.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
A father-son talk that caps of a series full of Rocky wrestling with heartbreak, disappointment, and everything else life could throw at him, we could pick no better monologue to represent the “inspirational” speech trope.
Network (1976)
We’d be mad as hell if we’d left this speech off our list.
Jaws (1975)
Quint’s story of how he survived a shipwreck as his crewmates were slowly picked off by sharks succeeds in creating a truly chilling mood.
The Great Dictator (1940)
A bold condemnation of fascism in an era when few were so bold, this movie would not be the same without Shultz’s speech.
A Few Good Men (1992)
There may be no greater setting in movies for a good speech than a court of law, and Jack Nicholson’s speech in A Few Good Men is simply perfection of the art form.
What did you think of the list? Do you agree with our selections, or do you think some of our picks are overrated? Do you think one of our honorable mentions should have taken the prize? What do you think is the greatest movie speech ever made? Do any of these monologues still bring tears to your eyes, or a cheer to your heart?
Let us know in the comments!
THE LIST
Caddyshack (1980)
Bill Murray’s purportedly 100% improvised speech about his character meeting the Dalai “Laama” is one of the many high points of the film.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Voice over can be pretty egregious, but Morgan Freeman’s delivery of Red’s final thoughts of the film really brings the whole thing together.
TIE: The Devil’s Advocate (1997) & Cape Fear (1991)
Two great performances where two villains are literally shouting at the heavens.
Persona (1996)
Ingmar Berman’s take on the declaration-of-love monologue really takes the monologue to another level.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
Robin Williams’ delivers a speech that breaks down the audience - and Will’s - guard, and changes the dynamic of the two characters’ relationships.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
A father-son talk that caps of a series full of Rocky wrestling with heartbreak, disappointment, and everything else life could throw at him, we could pick no better monologue to represent the “inspirational” speech trope.
Network (1976)
We’d be mad as hell if we’d left this speech off our list.
Jaws (1975)
Quint’s story of how he survived a shipwreck as his crewmates were slowly picked off by sharks succeeds in creating a truly chilling mood.
The Great Dictator (1940)
A bold condemnation of fascism in an era when few were so bold, this movie would not be the same without Shultz’s speech.
A Few Good Men (1992)
There may be no greater setting in movies for a good speech than a court of law, and Jack Nicholson’s speech in A Few Good Men is simply perfection of the art form.