The Dark Knight Quotes: 46 Classic Lines

Iron Man might have kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, but it was a DC hero receiving all the praise. Batman had been given a new lease on life thanks to Christopher Nolan’s box office surprise thanks to 2005s Batman Begin. In the film, English actor Christian Bale takes on the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman in an origin story set in Gotham City that reinvented the Batman myth. 

The much-anticipated follow-up took things to the next level and introduced arguably the greatest on-screen villain of all time, the Joker, played by a mesmerizing Heath Ledger. The Dark Knight cemented Batman as one of the great superheroes and was widely praised at the time of its release thanks to its character development, intriguing storyline, and The Dark Knight quotes that you’ll find yourself repeating after watching this modern classic.

The ensemble cast is also top-notch, with the likes of Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox, Gary Oldman as James or Jim Gordon (who would go on to be Commissioner Gordon), Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, all absolutely amazing. 

The script for The Dark Knight is full of memorable quotes and conversations that are a big reason why the movie made over $1 billion worldwide and won two Academy Awards, one for best Best Sound Editing and another for Best Supporting Actor, awarded to Ledger posthumously. The Dark Knight quotes are a testament to the film’s excellent writing and character development. Each quote adds to the overall theme of the film, which is the battle between good and evil and the thin line that separates them.

While the original movie and the third and final flick, The Dark Knight Rises – which also stars Tom Hardy as Bane and Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman – are fantastic films that make up the Dark Knight trilogy, it’s hard to go past The Dark Knight as the best movie of the three.

It’s also the best Batman movie of all time, although the latest incarnation starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader is also a well-developed movie. So read on below and see how many of these great Batman quotes you remember from this brilliant movie. 

The Dark Knight Quotes: 46 Classic Lines

Warner Brothers

1. “I am the Batman” – Harvey Dent

2. “I believe whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you… stranger.” – the Joker

3. “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” – Harvey Dent

4. “He thought it was good sport. Because some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money. They can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” Alfred Pennyworth

5. “If you want order in Gotham, Batman must take off his mask and turn himself in. Oh, and every day he doesn’t, people will die, starting tonight. I’m a man of my word.” – the Joker

6. “Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough, sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded…” – Batman

7. “And as for the television’s so-called ‘plan,’ Batman has no jurisdiction. He’ll find him and make him squeal. I know the squealers when I see them, and…” – the Joker

8. “The night is darkest right before dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming.” – Harvey Dent

9. “He’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a dark knight.” – James Gordon

10.” It’s not about money… it’s about sending a message. Everything burns.” – the Joker

11. “Criminals aren’t complicated, Alfred. Just have to figure out what he’s after.” – Bruce Wayne

12. “My answer is yes.” – Rachel Dawes

13. “If you want to kill a public servant, Mr. Maroni, I recommend you buy American.” – Two-Face

14. “You wanna know how I got these scars?” – the Joker

15. “This time, I saved him.” – James Gordon 

16 “Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I’m an agent of chaos. Oh, and you know the thing about chaos? It’s fair!” – the Joker

17 “Give it to me and I’ll do what you should’ve did ten minutes ago.” – Tattooed Pris5 “Have you ever had to talk to the person you love most, tell them it’s gonna be alright when you know it’s not?” – Two-Face

18. “What were you trying to prove? That deep down, everyone’s as ugly as you? You’re alone!” – Batman

19. “When their enemies were at the gates, the Romans would suspend democracy and appoint one man to protect the city. It wasn’t considered an honor, it was considered a public service.” – Harvey Dent

20. “I’m not a monster” – the Joker

21. “You make your own luck,” Rachel Dawes

22. “They need you right now, but when they don’t, they’ll cast you out, like a leper! You see, their morals, their code, it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. I’ll show you. When the chips are down, these… civilized people, they’ll eat each other. See, I’m not a monster. I’m just ahead of the curve.” – the Joker

23. “Well, I grew up in Gotham, and I turned out alright.” – Bruce Wayne

24. “The world is cruel, and the only morality in a cruel world is chance.” – Harvey Dent

25. “Madness, as you know, is a lot like gravity. All it takes is a little push.” – the Joker

26. “Batman has no limits” – Batman

27. “Tonight you’re all gonna be part of a social experiment. Through the magic of diesel fuel and ammonium nitrate, I’m ready right now to blow you all sky-high. Anyone attempts to get off their boat, you all die. Each of you has a remote… to blow up the other boat. At midnight, I blow you all up. If, however, one of you presses the button, I’ll let that boat live. So, who’s it going to be: Harvey Dent’s most wanted scumbag collection, or the sweet and innocent civilians? You choose… oh, and you might want to decide quickly because the people on the other boat might not be so noble.” – the Joker

28. “The whole mob’s after you, and you’re worried about these guys?” – Rachel Dawes

29. “The only sensible way to live in this world is without rules.” – the Joker

30. “Everyone knows you’re Gotham’s, White Knight.” –  James Gordon

31. “Buyer beware. I told you my compound would take you places. I never said they were places you wanted to go!” – Scarecrow

32. “We got you, you son of a bitch!” – James Gordon

33. Alfred Pennyworth: “I trust you don’t have me followed on my day off.” Bruce Wayne: “If you ever took one, I might.”

34. “I had a vision, of a world without Batman. The mob ground out a little profit and the police tried to shut them down, one block at a time. And it was so… boring. I’ve had a change of heart. I don’t want Mr. Reese spoiling everything, but why should I have all the fun? Let’s give someone else a chance. If Coleman Reese isn’t dead in sixty minutes then I blow up a hospital.” – the Joker

35. “I know you’re gonna enjoy this. I’m gonna try and have to enjoy it even more.” – Detective Stephens

36. “A-ta-ta-ta-ta, let’s not blow this out of proportion.” – the Joker

37. “Obviously, we don’t want you doing anything with your hands except hanging on for dear life!” –  Grumpy

38. “You see, I’m a guy of simple taste. I enjoy dynamite, and gunpowder, and gasoline!” – Joker

39. “You spat in the faces of Gotham’s worse criminals. Didn’t you think there might be some casualties? Things were always going to get worse before they got better.” – Alfred Pennyworth

40. “It’s not about what I want, it’s about what’s fair.” – Harvey Dent

41. “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” – the Joker

42. “I’m not wearing hockey pads.” – Batman

43. “Let’s wind the clocks back a year: These cops and lawyers wouldn’t dare cross any of you, so what happened? Did your balls drop off? I know why you choose to have your “group therapy” sessions in broad daylight, I know why you’re afraid to go out at night: The Batman. Batman has shown your true colors. Unfortunately, Dent, he’s just the beginning.” – the Joker

44. Batman: “Then why do you want to kill me?” The Joker: “I don’t, I don’t want to kill you! What would I do without you? Go back to ripping off mob dealers? No, no, no! No. You… you… complete me.”

45. “We must remember that vigilance is the price of safety.”  Mayor Anthony Garcia

46. “Why so serious?” – the Joker