The Rocky Horror Picture Show was released over 40 years ago but is as popular as ever, and the most fabulous Rocky Horror quotes are a testament to its longevity. The film follows Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) as they go on a road trip after getting engaged and get stranded at Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s (Tim Curry) mansion. The film received mixed reviews upon release but developed a cult following. With hidden meanings about the glam rock movement and gender expression, there is plenty to dissect in each viewing.

The movie is still highly regarded due to the original music from Richard O’Brien and the screenplay from O’Brien and Jim Sharman. Tim Curry's stand-out film is often a yearly tradition for many around Halloween during which time Rocky Horror quotes and one-liners run amok, but there really isn't a bad time to watch it. Movie theaters around the world offer special showings of the film, keeping its cult status alive for decades. Rocky Horror Picture Show is intensely quotable, and many fans could probably recite it from start to finish.

"There's No Crime In Giving Yourself Over To Pleasure."

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry)

When Brad and Janet spend the night at Dr. Frank-N-Furter's castle, the mischievous interstellar scientist visits them both in their individual rooms. This scene is problematic in some ways, as both are initially hesitant about Frank-N-Furter's advances as he sneaks into their beds. However, both also soon realize that they're all-too-keen to indulge him with a night of physical ion.

Oh, come on Brad, it it, you liked it didn't you? There's no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure. Oh, Brad, you've wasted so much time already. Janet needn't know - I won't tell her!

It's when Frank-N-Furter visits Brad that one of the best Rocky Horror Picture Show quotes comes. After realizing it was Frank-N-Furter's touch he was feeling and not Janet's, Brad is conflicted, but Tim Curry's extravagant scientist tells him "there's no crime in giving yourself over to pleasure". This line sums up one of the thematic messages of the 1975 movie, which was as much a rebellion against the hyper-conservative attitudes of mainstream culture in the 1970s as it was a raucous sci-fi musical.

"If Only We Were Amongst Friends... Or Sane Persons!"

Janet (Susan Sarandon)

Many of the best Rocky Horror quotes from Brad and Janet come when they take a moment to step back and comment on the absurdity of their predicament. This particular line from Susan Sarandon's Janet is one of the funniest of these moments, however. For Brad and Janet as characters, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a story of awakening and self-discovery, though they go on a somewhat terrifying journey to get there (from their perspective, at least).

At one point, Janet laments on the fact that their situation (which started with a simple mundane car malfunction) would be much easier to deal with if they were in the company of trusted peers. However, the comment goes from simple to a hilarious highlight of The Rocky Horror Picture Show when she adds "or sane persons!" It perfectly sums up how the events at Frank-N-Furter's manor seem from Brad and Janet's perspective, making it one of the many great lines from the musical that manages to capture the essence of the story in a few simple words.

"It's Just A Party, Janet."

Brad (Barry Bostwick)

When Brad and Janet first arrive at Frank-N-Furter's castle in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Janet is instantly aware that things aren't what they seem, and whatever awaits the couple in the Gothic mansion won't be good. Brad, however, is much more naive, and confidently rebuffs her protests. Of course, Brad's confidence will inevitably be his downfall, and it's this that makes his claim of "it's just a party, Janet" one of the funniest quotes in Rocky Horror.

The entire interaction between the two has some memorable moments outside of this, and is in many ways the last conversation the pair have before they're stripped of their conservative innocence when it comes to just how bombastic life can truly be. It's a quote that's definitely better after the first viewing of the movie, as it's only funny once the viewer knows what's coming, but that doesn't make it any less hilarious for Rocky Horror Picture Show fans.

"It's Just A Jump To The Left"

The Criminologist (Charles Gray)

Of all the musical numbers in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, none can match the "Time Warp" when it comes to popularity, notoriety, or having an impact on pop-culture. The song itself doesn't seem to have much meaning, even within the context of the story, which is partly what makes it so great. However, when it comes to the funnier Rocky Horror Picture Show quotes that stick with fans, it's when the narrator, Charles Gray's Criminologist, gets involved that stands out.

The Criminologist taking over to speak a few lines of the "Time Warp" is a complete juxtaposition to the bombastic full-ensemble chorus of the rest of the song - and it works incredibly well. Hearing Charles Gray's matter-of-fact and serious tone explaining that "it's just a jump to the left" comes completely out of nowhere. While it's totally different to everything else in the musical number, it's become an essential part of the experience for Rocky Horror Picture Show fans.

"Do You Think I Made A Mistake Splitting His Brain Between The Two Of Them?"

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry)

Tim Curry's performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show was career-defining, and arguably a reason that the 1975 movie became so timeless. It's difficult to imagine anyone else in the role (even though many others have filled his shoes in various stage performances). However, while Frank-N-Furter is mainly memorable for his wild costumes and attitude towards unlocking repressed sensuality in others, he also has some incredibly funny moments when he reveals his slap-dash approach to his scientific exploits.

One of these moments makes for an incredibly hilarious Rocky Horror Picture Show quote that sometimes gets overlooked amidst the bombastic musical numbers and spectacle of the many great costumes. When discussing what could have gone wrong with his creations, Eddie and Rocky, Frank-N-Furter asks his peers if it might have been a mistake giving each of them only half a brain. It's a subtle comment but one that reveals just how little the visitor from the planet of Transylvania actually understands human beings.

"I Would Like, If I May, To Take You On A Strange Journey."

The Criminologist (Charles Gray)

Since he is the narrator, the Criminologist wasn't actually there at the time of the events at Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mansion, but he still had some memorable Rocky Horror Picture Show quotes. Many of his lines give the audience a breather from the spectacle of the movie, but he also kicks off the entire story, asking the audience to go on a journey with him.

In his very first line, the Criminologist opens by saying, “I would like, if I may, to take you on a strange journey,” which is a great way to begin the story that is about to unfold. His opening line is unforgettable, but so is his final line of the film. It's one of the more attention-getting Rocky Horror quotes, perfectly setting up audiences for the strange tale while simultaneously not giving audiences enough warning at all.

"It's Not Easy Having A Good Time. Even Smiling Makes My Face Ache."

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry)

His dissatisfaction eventually culminates in wanting to take over the planet...

There's no denying that Rocky Horror Picture Show is still popular today and a spectacle from start to finish. From the costumes to the music to the story reveals the musical is always giving the audience a huge show. Frank-N-Furter is at the center of all of that and often the one with the best Rocky Horror quotes. He's constantly encouraging others to be themselves, sure, but he's also actively putting on that show and pushing a good time on his guests.

Even for the most extroverted of people, that level of performance can get tiring, especially for someone like Frank who perceives that for all the adulation he receives, he's not getting his way. His dissatisfaction eventually culminates in wanting to take over the planet, which is a more extreme reaction than the average person might have when they don't feel like engaging. He blurts out this quote after having to turn many of his guests and homeworkers to stone before putting on his final performance.

“‘Emotion: Agitation Or Disturbance Of Mind; Vehement Or Excited Mental State.’ It Is Also A Powerful And Irrational Master.”

The Criminologist (Charles Gray)

The Criminologist starts this line of his narration by reading the dictionary. It’s meant to be a dig at Janet as he calls her a “slave” to her emotions while Columbia and Magenta see her on the monitor with Rocky. For the audience, however, Janet is finally allowing herself to feel. She and Brad begin the movie as completely buttoned up, guarding all of their emotions, even their fear.

Their experiences with Rocky and Frank throughout the Rocky Horror Picture Show allow them to be open with their emotions and provide them both with a sexual awakening. Though the audience doesn’t see what happens to them after the events of the movie, it’s clear that their experience in the manor with the people from another planet and their scientific experiment is going to fundamentally change them.

“And You Shall Receive It, In Abundance.”

Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry)

This line seems generous and pretty harmless out of context. Within the context of the movie, however, it earns a chuckle from the audience and gives a quick window into who Frank is. The full exchange involves Magenta and Frank. Magenta tells Frank she asks for nothing after he commends her staying by his side. When she says that, he tells her she will receive it, not even being subtle about the fact that he plans on offering those loyal to him absolutely nothing in exchange for their help.

It’s something that might go right over the heads to the audience on their first watch, but it’s easy to catch on the many rewatches of Rocky Horror most fans of the movie will participate in. It makes it clear how selfish Frank is in one simple line, and how singularly focused he is on doing things for his own pleasure rather than anyone else’s. He might help in Brad and Janet awakening parts of themselves they’ve kept hidden, but he’s done it out of his own selfish desires.

"You're Like a Sponge. You Take, Take, Take, And Drain Others Of Their Love And Emotion."

Columbia (Nell Campbell)

Shortly after Rocky is brought to life, Eddie bursts out of the freezer and into the laboratory to start the “Hot Patootie” musical number. While everybody is impressed by his act, Dr. Frank-N-Furter is not. Frank-N-Furter ends up bludgeoning Eddie with an ax, which obviously devastates Columbia, who also had a relationship with Eddie.

Columbia confronts Frank-N-Furter with one of the most apt Rocky Horror quotes, which consequently allows actress Nell Campbell’s acting ability to really shine through. She's usually ed for her dancing in the movie, but this one line captures the bulk of her emotions. Distraught by Eddie’s death, Columbia yells at Frank-N-Furter, telling him how horribly he treats people. She compares him to a sponge, saying, “You chew people up, and then you spit them out again,” before insulting Rocky.