8 Most Iconic Casablanca Movie Quotes and Why They Are So Well-Known

Captain Louis Renault is the prefect of police in Casablanca who has self-serving behavior. In this scene, Renault is still at odds with Rick, and claims to shut down his bar because he’s just so shocked that there’s gambling, which is ironic as he’s also pocketing the money that he’s earned for the evening.

Renault doesn’t hide the fact that he doesn’t really care about right or wrong anymore, he just wants to pick the winning side. So he goes overboard with how “shocked” he is that there’s gambling, while he’s doing it as well. It just gets funnier when the croupier enters and gives Renault his winnings, making the scene one of the best Casablanca movie quotes.

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Even though funny quotes seem to be more infamous, the ones that bring tears to the eyes are just as memorable. One of the best Casablanca movie quotes comes from the Norwegian beauty, Ilsa Lund. She’s Victor Laslzo’s wife and Rick’s former lover. She’s a devoted wife, waiting with his husband when he is unable to obtain a visa.

In Paris, Isla falls in love with Rick when she believes her husband is dead. But when he was very much so alive, she had to write to Rick saying that she could never see him again. At the end of the movie, at the final conversation between Rick and Ilsa, they share a heartwarming moment that they will always have Paris, the little bubble they had with so much love and joy. Nonetheless, they can’t stay together, breaking the hearts of so many viewers.

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Another one of the most amazing Casablanca movie quotes from Ilsa Lund, and is also often remembered incorrectly by the general public. Most say this quote is “Play it again, Sam”, in a snappier way, but it’s simply “Play it, Sam”.

Ilsa is talking to Sam, the piano player, who does a fantastic job of heightening the film’s bittersweet emotions and exploration of nostalgia. Plus, the song name is one of the most iconic songs in the film and was even featured alongside the Warner Bros. Pictures logo in many studio films.

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Before we hear Ilsa expressing her moment with Rick, Rick has something to say to her. This goes with the quote but is yet another one of the best Casablanca movie quotes. During the final conversation between Ilsa and Rick, Rick encourages Ilsa to go with Victor, and if she doesn’t she’ll regret it.

Rick is first introduced in the film as a sour man who is still not over losing the love of his life, Ilsa. And through the movie, he has to balance what he values more, her, and helping her husband. The last conversation between them is poetic, and romantic, and will forever go down as one of the best lines and Casablanca movie quotes.

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You can’t have a list of memorable Casablanca movie quotes without this iconic line. This is the climax of the film when Major Strasser, played by Conrad Veidt, is shot. This is the height of the film and where everything is wrapped up perfectly. The film’s central antagonist is a central part of the film, while it can often be overshadowed by the romance between Rick and Ilsa, but nonetheless is the epitome of Casablanca.

When he finds all the suspects as he asks, it’s also the moment when Renault turns on Strasser and becomes Rick’s ally, given that Renault is aware that Rick was the one who shot him. It’s a snappy line that plays a huge impact on Renault’s character arc. Even though Renault and Rick had their differences, it shows a level of respect between the two characters.

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Captain Renault is back with another one of the best Casablanca movie quotes. In an exchange between Rick creates even more mystery than answers when Rick tries to figure out exactly where Renault’s interests lie. It also gives us a question of where exactly Rick’s allegiance lies as well.

The conversation sees the two characters together asking about Rick’s intentions at Casablanca. Rick answers simply because of his health, and the waters. But that causes Renault to question him saying there is no water, and that they’re in a desert, Rick answers, in a humorous way, that he was misinformed. It’s witty, mysterious, and a great line by Blaine and Renault.

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The movie just focuses on three people who are having their issues. And one of the best Casablanca movie quotes sums up these feelings in a single line. This is another line that is expressed at the end of the movie when Rick can let Ilsa go.

A tearful Ilsa is mourning the loss of the relationship that could have been, but a heroic moment by Rick urges her to get on the plane with Victor because what Rick is doing is just too important in hopes of defeating the Nazis. He expresses that the problems that they are having don’t amount to anything compared to it all, and is a heartbreaking line that puts everything into perspective.

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One of the memorable Casablanca movie quotes comes from the main protagonist, Rick Blaine. The relationship between Rick and Renault starts rocky, but this line is a funny, sincere quote that shows off one of the best romances.

It’s the final line, just after Rick has helped both Laszlo and Ilsa escape, and after giving her a bittersweet goodbye. At this point, he knows they’re safe, and in the moment of a small amount of peace, Rick comes up to Renault and expresses that they’re at the beginning of a beautiful friendship. It’s also significant that Rick called him Louie, giving the officer a cute nickname.