Ouch, What a Comeback! Our 5 Favorite Comeback Lines By Female Movie Characters!

We have to thank movies and TV shows for giving us some of the best lines and comebacks ever written. Whether it’s the superhero shutting down the villain, or a student standing up to his teacher – it’s always entertaining. Our favorite type of comeback, however, is without a doubt when a woman defends her honor. Here are the top 5 comebacks by female characters in a movie!

1. Erin Brockovich, Erin Brockovich (2000): “That’s all you got, lady; two wrong feet in f***ing ugly shoes.” 

In the movie, Julia Roberts plays the struggling single mother Erin Brockovich who sues a major corporation in an environmental lawsuit. Immediately, the lawyers write Brockovich off as stupid given her lack of formal education. Despite that, she still manages to leave a whole law firm stunned with her impressive expertise. She knows her worth and won’t let anyone bring her down – we love to see it! (Stream on Starz)

2. Astrid Leong, Crazy Rich Asians (2018): “It’s not my job to make you feel like a man. I can’t make you something you’re not.”

While Crazy Rich Asians might be a cute rom-com about meeting your boyfriend’s family, it is also an empowering movie for women – and this scene proves why. Astrid (Gemma Chan) is part of the wealthy Young family and a successful businesswoman yet hides this from her husband to not hurt his feelings. When said husband cheats on her regardless, Astrid has enough and owns up to her success, leaving her husband speechless. Yes, Astrid proves that you are never too much and that the right person will be happy for your success. (Available on VOD/Digital)

3. Elle Woods, Legally Blonde (2001): “What, like it’s hard?”

No list would be complete without this iconic comeback from Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Prior to the scene, Elle (Reese Witherspoon) has been broken up with by her boyfriend as he is off to Harvard and doesn’t consider her smart enough to date anymore. After the much-needed crying, Elle gets her life in order, studies day and night, and finally gets into Harvard! When she runs into her ex-boyfriend there, he is speechless – especially when Elle delivers this iconic line proving that she can do anything! (Stream on MGM+)

4. Elise Elliot, The First Wives Club (1996): “Watch me.”

This movie from the '90s is a classic go-to for feeling empowered and like you can overcome any hurdle. Part of that is of course the iconic characters and their even more iconic comebacks, such as this one by Elise Elliot (Goldie Hawn). For some context, Elise is an Oscar-winning actress now turned alcoholic, and her husband, Bill is leaving her for a younger actress. Of course, Elise can’t let this sit on her and consequently liquidates all their assets, leaving Bill with nothing. Bill, however, doesn’t believe that Elise has the guts or skills to pull this off, to which she just says, “What Me”. Truly iconic. (Stream on Paramount+ and Pluto TV)

5. Amy March, Little Women (2019): “Don’t sit there and tell me that marriage isn’t an economic proposition, because it is. It may not be for you, but it most certainly is for me.”

Based on the book Little Women, this movie tells the story of four sisters growing up and falling in love in a post-Civil War Massachusetts. Amy March (Florence Pugh), the youngest of the sisters, is a passionate artist who has to come to terms with reality and the need for financial security. In this scene, her male companion Laurie takes on a very romantic and philosophical view on love. Amy, however, brings him down from Cloud 9 and gives him a reality check on what it means to be a woman. Yes, Amy – speak up for what you know! (Available on VOD/Digital)