Summary
- Ferris Bueller’s quotable lines add to its lasting legacy in high school movie discussions.
- Friendship between Ferris and Cameron highlights the importance of pushing boundaries.
- Principal Rooney’s character serves as a foil to Ferris, questioning his influence on students.
The endlessly memorable Ferris Bueller’s Day Off quotes add to the movie’s undying legacy. Any discussion of the greatest high school movies ever made will undoubtedly include a mention of Ferris Bueller. The whole film takes place over one day as three high school students ditch school and see the sights of Chicago. It is a simple premise, but Hughes is a masterful storyteller with a strong command of character and plot. Just as important, it’s one of the most quotable movies ever made. When it comes to the best Ferris Bueller quotes, there are several still quoted decades later.
Nearly 40 years after it was released in theaters, John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off remains a beloved teen classic. A lot of this is thanks to the quotes from the movie, which include those by star Matthew Broderick, as well as his friends (Alan Ruck and Alan Ruck) and the incredible supporting cast (with names like Jeffrey Jones and Ben Stein). While Ferris and his friends might have a more epic day away from school than most young students, the classic Ferris Bueller quotes can make anyone nostalgic for those high school days when anything seemed possible.
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20 “He’ll Keep Calling Me Until I Come Over.”
Cameron (Alan Ruck)
The friendship between Ferris and Cameron is one of the highlights of the movie. They are clearly very close friends even though they are so very different. Unlike Ferris and his adventurous spirit, Cameron is morose and anxious. Yet having a friend like Ferris pushes him outside that comfort zone, which can be good for him.
Ferris is so persistent that Cameron knows it would be pointless to try and turn down his offer for an epic day off. It’s part of why Cameron was likely okay after the film. Most people have a friend who is always making plans and encouraging others to come along on their adventures.
It is possible to sympathize with the dilemma that Cameron is in at this moment. Part of him just wants Ferris to leave him alone and he knows if Ferris wasn’t calling he could stay in bed. However, there is a nagging part of him that is curious about what his friend has planned.
19 “What Is So Dangerous About A Character Like Ferris Bueller Is He Gives Good Kids Bad Ideas.”
Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones)
As charming and fun as he is, there is a good argument that Ferris Bueller is the villain of the story. He can be perceived as a self-centered and manipulative person. In that case, Principal Rooney is a more heroic figure.
Taking a step back and examining his role in the movie, it is not so hard to see Rooney’s point of why it is so important he makes an example out of Ferris. He worries about what kind of influence a kid like Ferris will have on students who have potential.
As the fans of this movie get older, they may find Rooney a more relatable character. He is not trying to stop Ferris from having fun just because he is a joyless adult. Rather, he sees the way the rest of the students look at Ferris and how brazenly he breaks the rules and starts to worry for his students.
18 “It’s His Fault He Didn’t Lock The Garage.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
One of the key elements in Ferris’s grand adventure is taking Cameron’s father’s sports car out on the town. As they open the garage and look at the car, Cameron remarks how much his father loves it, while Ferris is just happy the garage is open.
Ferris’s mischievous behavior cannot be condoned, but most young people have had those situations before. Though a situation might be wrong and just asking for trouble, if the opportunity is there, it can be hard to ignore.
Youth is a time for mischief and breaking some rules to a reasonable degree. Ferris is not a thief and would not break in to steal his friend’s father’s car. However, the mere fact that the garage is unlocked provides that area of youthful rationalization in which the blame falls off Ferris himself and is placed on those in charge for tempting him in such a way.
17 “They All Adore Him. They Think He’s A Righteous Dude.”
Grace (Edie McClurg)
As fun as Ferris and his friends are to follow, the adult characters in the movie can be very funny as well. Grace, the receptionist at the school, is one of the standout characters with some hilarious moments of her own.
She even recognizes the popularity the students have for Ferris Bueller, explaining how much they love him. Her remark that he is seen as a “righteous dude,” however, sounds like the typical older person trying desperately to show they connect to the younger generation.
Edie McClurg masterfully delivers this line with a sense of gleefulness at getting the chance to talk this way and total obliviousness about how silly she sounds. As much as the adults in the movie might have a point about reigning in some of Ferris’ behavior, there is also a theme about older generations simply not understanding young people.
16 “Les Jeux Sont Faits. Translation: The Game Is Up. Your Ass Is Mine.”
Ed Rooney (Jeffrey Jones)
Principal Rooney makes for a great antagonist for Ferris in the movie. He abandons his whole day to track down this troublesome student and catch him in the act of skipping school. While these escapades mostly backfire on Rooney, he does go in with a lot of confidence.
When confronting someone he thinks is Ferris, he makes this assertive tough-guy line only to realize it is a girl with a similar haircut as Ferris. Once again, the older audiences get, the more they can see themselves in Rooney’s position at various times.
Those moments of confidence turning into humiliation are the kind of memories that haunt people forever. While the wayward principal finds himself in a lot of awkward situations in the movie, this is one that is especially painful because of how real it is.
15 “One Of The Worst Performances Of My Career, And They Never Doubted It For A Second.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
As Ferris Bueller goes through his various preparations for pulling off his “homesick” scheme, there is the sense that this is not the first time he has done something like this. And while he is a loving son, Ferris is an expert at lying to his parents.
Of course, most children have lied to get out of doing something they didn’t want to do, including going to school. Ferris being able to judge his performance and be amazed that it worked speaks to how much experience he has. It also shows that he might be as devious as his detractors claim he is.
Lying to parents is something that most people are not proud of once they grow up a little and look back. However, it is easy to remember being in Ferris’ position and not getting too worked up about stretching the truth and hiding certain facts. Getting away with it is also a great feeling as kids often take pride in their effective deceptive skills.
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14 “You’re Not Dying. You Just Can’t Think Of Anything Good To Do.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
Cameron is a great character as he is the total opposite of his best friend, Ferris, and he feels like the more typical John Hughes character. He is also home from school on the fateful day of the story, but instead of playing out a fun-filled day, he is in bed feeling sorry for himself.
Cameron feels so sick that he believes he might die. But of course, it’s all in his head, as this Ferris Bueller quote points out: “You’re not dying. You just can’t think of anything good to do.” It’s easy to get those two things mixed up.
Similar to Rooney, Cameron isn’t the fun character that everyone wishes they were, but there are likely a lot of people who see him as the more relatable character. He is filled with the kind of anxiety and angst that troubles many people in their daily lives, not just teenagers. Sometimes having someone to put things into perspective is all these people need.
13 “Ferris Bueller, You’re My Hero.”
Cameron (Alan Ruck)
There are times when Ferris Bueller feels almost like a superhero in the incredible things he can pull off and maintain a positive attitude at all times. However, Cameron is the one who can help remind the viewer that Ferris is just a teen and make him relatable again.
After pretending to drown and be rescued by Ferris, Cameron sarcastically calls Ferris his hero, making the rare times Ferris is caught off-guard in the movie. As with most scenes, the audience follows the story through Cameron.
Cameron is an essential character in the movie as he grounds Ferris. There is a magical aura around Ferris that other people see, but Cameron knows him better than most and likes to poke through the epic reputation to remind his friend that he is not as impressive as the world seems to think. Just as Ferris lifts Cameron up, Cameron is there to bring Ferris back down.
12 “The Question Isn’t, ‘What Are We Going To Do?’ The Question Is, ‘What Aren’t We Going To Do?’”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
While few people have ever accomplished as much as Ferris Bueller did with a day off, everyone can relate to that feeling of endless possibilities with a free day ahead of them. As Ferris looks out over the day ahead, he sees it as an epic journey where anything is possible.
When younger, those days when students were able to escape a day of school and have some fun were like wish-fulfillment. Even if all they did was sit at home and watch television, it felt like anything could happen.
It helps to make Ferris Bueller’s Day Off one of the most nostalgic movies of all time. It perfectly captures that idea of the world being laid out in front and a perfect day to do anything. Even though the stakes are low, the movie makes the day out to be one of the most important adventures of these characters’ lives.
11 “If I’m Going To Get Busted, It Is Not Going To Be By A Guy Like That.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
Another reason the audience so easily comes to love Ferris is that he is incredibly confident. Throughout his day off, as he darts across Chicago, he’s sure that he’s not going to get caught. That confidence remains strong even when he comes up against a rude maître d’ at a fancy restaurant that isn’t buying Ferris’s story.
His friends worry that he’s gone too far, but Ferris delivers two brilliant nuggets of wisdom: “A, You can never go too far. B, If I’m gonna get busted, it is not gonna be by a guy like that.”
Once again, it is not that Ferris is right in this situation, but it is easy to see his side of things. He has lied his way this far and for this man to suddenly stand in their way is too much for his ego to take. With a protagonist this entertaining, it is no wonder that fans are still calling for a Ferris Bueller sequel after so many years.
10 “Nothing.”
Cameron (Alan Ruck)
Even with the “seize the day” message of the movie through the eyes of Ferris Bueller, Cameron also represents a more realistic look at teens. He does not have big plans or ideas for his future, which he freely admits.
When talking about what they will do in the future, Sloane asks Cameron about what he is interested in. He very honestly answers, “Nothing.” As funny as the line is, it is a feeling a lot of people can relate to. This also shows why Ferris looks for nothing at all in his life at this time than to have fun.
The rise of teen movies in the 80s gave insight into how these young people thought and it is something that still strikes a chord with that audience after all of these years. While adults might be pressuring them to look to the future, the honest answer about what they want to do with their life in that moment of youth is likely closer to Cameron’s response.
9 “How Could I Possibly Be Expected To Handle School On A Day Like This?”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
As important as school is for young people, every student has had more than a few days when they wake up on a beautiful and promising day only to realize they are going to be stuck inside a classroom the whole time.
Whereas most of those students simply lament their situation and get ready for school, Ferris actually decides that it is unfair to him and makes plans of his own. Once again, this is a situation where Ferris Bueller is not only convincing himself he is in the right, but he is also convincing the viewer to follow his lead.
It is a charming quote that is another example of Ferris approaching this day and all the rules he is breaking as if he has no choice. To not seize the day that is in front of him would be a crime itself and they are wrong for even suggesting that the best place for him is in a classroom.
8 “This Is The Part Where Cameron Goes Berserk.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
One of the standout aspects of the movie is how Ferris often breaks the fourth wall and recognizes that people are watching all of this. But even though this doesn’t allow him to tell the future, he knows enough to recognize when his best friend is about to lose his mind.
After realizing his father’s prized car was taken for a joyride, there is that sinking feeling that many teens face when they realize the trouble they’ve gotten themselves into. Ferris recognizes that as well and turns to the camera to let the audience know Cameron is about to break down.
Ferris spends the majority of the movie calming Cameron’s nerves and telling him that he is worrying too much. However, this is the first moment where Ferris knows that he cannot contain Cameron’s anxieties and that he might have pushed him too far this time.
7 “‘Isms, In My Opinion, Are Not Good.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
Along with taking the audience on his wild adventure, Ferris Bueller also imparts his pearls of wisdom through his fourth wall breaking. Though he is a teenager, Ferris has a laid-back intelligence about him that is easy to agree with.
When discussing fascism at one point, Ferris declares his distaste for “isms” of all kinds. At first, it just sounds silly, but then it starts to seem like he might have a point there. Ferris is not as smart as he thinks he is, but in this situation, he sometimes shows teens have a better outlook on life than even adults.
It is also a wonderful example of Ferris’ never-ending confidence and ability to just roll with things. He likely knows that this is not the most insightful thing he could have said, but he delivers it as if he is teaching a lesson that is well worth learning.
6 “Pardon My French, But You’re An A–hole.”
Cameron (Alan Ruck)
When Ferris Bueller and Cameron are coordinating Ferris’ scheme to get the day off school, Cameron has to impersonate Ferris’ dad on the phone to the principal. The principal buys it and immediately begins apologizing to Cameron, who takes the opportunity to yell, “Pardon my French, but you are an a*****e!” at the principal of his high school.
As great as educators are, few people wouldn’t have loved to pull off something like this. Not only did Cameron get to perform a hilarious and successful prank call, but he did so while telling off their terrible principal.
As hesitant as he was to get involved with the prank in the first place, it is obvious that Cameron is really embracing it now and having some fun. This is the first sign of Cameron coming out of his shell in the movie and it is not hard to see why he and Ferris have so much fun together.
5 “It’s A Little Childish And Stupid, But Then, So Is High School.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
A lot of detail goes into Ferris pulling off his elaborate sick act, which makes for one of the most entertaining sequences in the movie. He demonstrates the various ways he convinces his parents of his illness without seeming too sick. To replicate clammy hands, Ferris recommends licking his palms. He admits it is “childish and stupid,” but since that is his opinion of high school, he finds it acceptable.
Ferris has a wise-beyond-his-years quality where he is able to look at the circumstances of his life and make a rather mature observation of it. He knows that what he is doing is immature and only takes pride in the fact that it works.
The fact that he also sees high school as “childish” as it makes him seem like he is above it. In this mind, pretending to be sick is a fair trade-off for having to attend high school in the first place.
4 “You’re Still Here? It’s Over. Go Home.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
Thanks to the MCU post-credit scenes, these extra scenes at the end of movies have become expected in just about every blockbuster. But back when Ferris Bueller’s Day Off hit theaters, it was a rare surprise for those few people who stuck around. Following the end credits of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the titular character appears again and addresses the audience.
However, instead of offering some teases of more to come, Ferris points out how silly the whole post-credit thing is by wondering why the viewers are still watching and urging them to go home.
Deadpool homaged this moment himself in that superhero movie. It is a hilarious moment for those who stayed behind to see if there was more being treated to an extra scene while also being called out for how silly it was that they were still there.
3 “Cameron Is So Uptight That If You Stuck A Lump Of Coal Up His Ass, In Two Weeks You’d Have A Diamond.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
There are hints of a fairly tragic backstory for Cameron in Ferris Bueller. However, the movie finds a way to balance the sympathy the audience can have for him while still finding fun in his neurotic nature. This leads Ferris to make a rather rude yet hilarious observation about just how tense Cameron can be.
Most people know people like this, and it’s hard not to just want them to relax. While this might seem like a harsh thing for Ferris to say about his best friend, he is only lovingly concerned for him.
There are always those people who have a hard time relaxing and are always finding things to be worried about. This is another example of how important the friendship between the two characters is. Ferris might be the cause of some of Cameron’s stress throughout the movie, but he also recognizes it as something Cameron needs to address.
2 “Bueller…? Bueller…? Bueller…?”
Economics Teacher (Ben Stein)
Perhaps the most well-known quote from the entire movie comes from Ben Stein as Ferris’s particularly boring teacher. As Ferris is out starting off his wild day of fun, his teacher is slowly taking attendance in the class.
The monotone droning on of the teacher is enough to transport anyone back to those unbearably boring days in the classroom where time seemed to simply stand still. It can make viewers drowsy just watching the hilarious scene unfold.
The glimpses of the rest of the students sitting in the class, barely able to keep their eyes open is the perfect image of those dreadful classes in school with teachers who just didn’t have the charisma to bring the subject to life. If there was any doubt that Ferris was making the right decision in skipping school, this moment washes it away.
1 “Life Moves Pretty Fast. If You Don’t Stop And Look Around Once In A While, You Could Miss It.”
Ferris (Matthew Broderick)
This is the memorable quote that comes at the end of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and it wraps up the movie in a wonderful way. After Ferris had such a great day, he settles into bed, content with his accomplishments.
And while it might have seemed like pure fun and indulgence, Ferris makes a good point about seizing the day. While people can’t just take a day off from their responsibilities whenever they feel like it, Ferris delivers a message about making the most of his time by embracing life whenever he is able.
For much of the movie, Ferris seems like a simple fun-loving guy and maybe even a bit of a slacker who wants to have a little adventure rather than just being stuck in class all day. However, with this final line, it is possible to see Ferris in a more complex way, as someone who understands that there is a lot of joy in life and it is worth catching up on it every now and then while he is able.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
John Hughes’ comedy classic Ferris Bueler’s Day off follows the titular high schooler, a self-assured, charming young man who wants a day off. Going to unheard-of lengths to secure that day for himself, his girlfriend, and his best friend, he conjures up the ultimate scheme to get them out of school. However, his sister and principal are confident he’s up to no good, and his principal will embark on an equally overblown quest to expose Ferris’ truancy.
- Release Date
- June 11, 1986
- Cast
- jennifer grey , Matthew Broderick , Mia Sara , Alan Ruck , Jeffrey Jones
- Runtime
- 103 minutes
