Jump directly to the content
'Houston, we have a problem'

Apollo 13 quote is the most-used Oscar winning movie quote by Brits

Tom Hanks spoke the words 'Houston, we have a problem' in the 1995 movie, and the one line has stood the test of time

APOLLO 13 has been recognised as the Oscar-winning movie with the most popular quote said by British people.

The movie, which saw Tom Hanks take on the role of astronaut Jim Lovell in the 1995 production, has proved to be a huge hit among film buffs with the line "Houston, we have a problem" being ranked in first place for the most used line from a film used in everyday life.

Apollo 13
4
Apollo 13 has been ranked as the film with the most popular quotesCredit: BBC

Ahead of the Oscars this weekend, Sky Cinema - who are the only channel to air the awards ceremony live in the UK - commissioned a study to find out which award-winning movie has had the biggest impact on our lives.

And the iconic line in the drama, based on the mission to make it to the moon was number one, was ranked in first place ahead of The Wizard of Oz's "there's no place like home" quote, and "Run Forrest run" line in Forrest Gump.

The poll, carried out on 2,000 adults, saw Apollo 13 pitted ahead of Fone With the Wind, Dirty Dancing and Goldfinger's hit one-liners with 35 per cent of British people insisting they regularly use the quote in their everyday conversations.

Apollo 13
4
Tom Hanks' line "Houston, we have a problem" is the most iconic movie lineCredit: �1995 Universal Studios All Rights Reserved

However, the words ushered by Tom's character were not the same as those spoken by Jim when he undertook the real life mission, as he said: "Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here."

The survey also found out on average people will recite a film quote up to three times a day, while 15 per cent of those who took part in the study will retell lines from a movie they have never watched.

Sky Cinema's Group Director, Ian Lewis, has insisted the sign of a "truly great classic" is not only winning an Oscar, but how often those phrases are used and if they are passed down through generations.

He said: "One sign of a truly great classic is winning an Oscar, but another is how much it enters people’s lives."

Apollo 13
4
The film was pitted as the most popular film and it received 35 per cent of the votes in a survey carried out by Sky CinemaCredit: Alamy

He continued: "We often see that phrases from great films of generations gone are still used by Brits in everyday life situations, regardless of age, proving just how influential these award-winning movies can be.''

Other movie lines that have proved to be a hit include Leonardo DiCaprio's "I'm the King of the world" in Titanic, "You're gonna need a bigger boat" from 1975 Jaws, and the Star Wars line "May the force be with you".

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial's unforgettable phrase "E.T. phone home", along with the finger pointing gesture is also in the top 10 movie recital moments, as well as Terminator 2's "Hasta la vista baby."

Apollo 13
4
Tom Hank's line in Apollo 13 was not what astronaut Jim Lovell said word for word at the timeCredit: AP:Associated Press

The survey has found 13 per cent of people will re-quote Dory's signature phrase in Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming" when in a tricky situation, while others will refer to the late Patrick Swayze's line "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" when in need of a pick me up.

It is safe to say there is a quote for every moment, and some film buffs will have no qualms citing their favourite movie quote when on a date.

There is no doubt bartenders are hit with the words "A martini. Shaken, not stirred" when orders come rolling through, which is said by James Bond in Goldfinger.

Oscars 2019 – when are they being held and who has been nominated for this year’s Academy Awards?

THE 30 OSCAR-WINNING QUOTES WE MOST USE IN EVERYDAY LIFE

1. 'Houston, we have a problem.' Apollo 13, 1995
2. 'There's no place like home.' The Wizard of Oz, 1939
3. 'Run Forrest, run' Forrest Gump, 1994
4. 'May the Force be with you.' Star Wars, 1977
5. 'Hasta la vista, baby.' Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991
6. 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.' Gone With the Wind, 1939
7. 'E.T. phone home.' E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, 1982
8. 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.' The Godfather: Part II 1974
9. 'Show me the money!' Jerry Maguire, 1996
10. 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner.' Dirty Dancing, 1987


Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.

We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.