15 Best Quotes From Bill & Ted

Bill and Ted (played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, respectively) were first introduced to the world back in 1989 when they hit the big screen in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. The movie was a roaring success and the heavy metal-loving slackers won the hearts of millions across the globe with their endearing personalities.

Since the first movie, another two have been released, Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey in 1991 and its legacy sequel Bill and Ted Face The Music in 2020. During their time-traveling escapades the pair have encountered medieval maidens, legendary rockstars and even death himself. Throughout it all they’ve maintained an unwavering level of carefree optimism and good-hearted humor.

Their inimitable vernacular and choice of words has led to some of cinema’s most iconic quotes. Here we take a look at 15 of the best quotes from them and some of the eccentric cast of characters they’ve encountered throughout the movie franchise.

15 “Be excellent to each other.” – Bill

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

One of the most iconic quotes from the franchise, Bill first delivers the simple yet deeply profound phrase at the end the duo’s history class. With the whole movie leading up to this moment, the quote perfectly encapsulates the pairs’ positive, good-hearted attitudes.

A Mantra To Live By

Straightforward and to the point, the underlying message is one of kindness and respect that transcends age, culture, and context. It is emblematic of the pair’s outlook on life and, despite the movie being over 25 years old, remains a great mantra for all to live by to this day.

14 “Bodacious!” – Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Reportedly a blend of the words “audacious” and “bold,” the word “bodacious” has been around for some time but was brought to the public’s attention in An Officer and a Gentleman. Bill and Ted took the word, though, and completely made it theirs and have become synonymous with it ever since.

Part of Their Distinctive Surfer-Dude Lingo

Bill and Ted are known as a pair of under-achieving, carefree, heavy metal-loving, surfer dude types and this is reflected in their distinctive use of vocabulary. Taking California surfer slang and adding their own unique flair, it’s the incorporation of unusual words like “Bodacious” into their everyday vernacular that makes them such an intriguing, affable and unique comedy duo.

13 “It seems to me the only thing you’ve learned is that Caesar is a salad dressing dude” – Mr. Ryan

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Being book-smart was never Bill or Ted’s strong point. Their Excellent Adventure though sees them in dire need to improve their grades, which sets up the premise for the movie. Through use of a time-travelling phone booth, the pair manage to gather firsthand experience and assemble a team of historical figures to help deliver a one-of-a-kind history presentation in the present day.

Mr. Ryan’s Concerns Are Soon Dispelled

Their history teacher, Mr. Ryan, utters the joke before the presentation commences. Mocking the pair’s lack of knowledge, his skepticism is short-lived, however, as he is quicky won over by the unique, entertaining and engaging presentation and… spoiler alert…passes them.

12 “You killed Ted, you medieval d**kweed!” – Bill

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill and Ted certainly have a knack with words and this is exemplified by Bill’s response to his belief that Ted has been murdered by a knight in medieval England. Fortunately, the attack was not fatal, but alas, the fateful insult had already been exclaimed and etched into the annals of cinema history.

A Creative Insult

A perfect example of their personal lingo, it also demonstrates their love for each other as he is visibly shaken by the demise of his best friend, even if he expresses it in a rather peculiar way. It’s these kinds of verbal idiosyncrasies that keep them so entertaining until the very end.

11 “All we are is dust in the wind, dude.” – Ted

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Imagine the pressure of engaging in a deep conversation with the founder of Western philosophy himself, Socrates. Fortunately for our unlikely heroes, this was no issue as the pair were able to comfortably wax lyrical with the Greek thinker and share some wise words themselves.

Philosophy.

While the pair might not excel in typical school subjects, they are certainly experts in their fields, one of which happens to be rock music. Quoting the lyrics to the 70s rock song Dust in the Wind by Kansas, (which was obviously not in existence at the time of Socrates), Ted was able to simultaneously impress and perplex.

10 “Oh, you beautiful babes from England, for whom we have traveled through time… will you go to the prom with us in San Dimas? We will have a most triumphant time!”- Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Talking in unison, Bill and Ted approach two young ladies of their fancy during their visit to England and courteously invite them to accompany them to their prom a few hundred years in the future.

Modern America Meets Medieval England

Fortunately, their time-traveler intrigue, goofy appeal and irresistible charm won the approval of the fair maidens, and the girls gleefully agree to join Bill, Ted and the cast of historical characters and travel with them.

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

In an attempt to alter the course of history, the dastardly Chuck De Nomolos sends evil Bill and Ted doppelganger robots back in time to murder them. After being lulled into a false sense of security by the robots, they are lured to their death at a cliff edge.

A Comical Throwback

In the previous movie, Bill utters the exact same insult, almost word for word after he believes Ted has been murdered. This throwback to a previous quote acts as great fan service appealing to those likely to appreciate the reference and feel more engaged with the sequel.

8 “Every rose has its thorn, just like every night has its dawn, just like every cowboy, sings a sad, sad song.” – Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

After their untimely death, the pals find themselves at the pearly white gates of heaven as they’re posed with the question of life’s meaning. The pair go on to the deliver the profound quote to the befuddlement of their celestial gatekeeper.

Heavy Metal Music Has its Uses

When required to sound deep, Bill and Ted tend to fall back on the tried and tested lyrics of rock legends of the past. This time around, they settle on the lyrical musings of Bret Michaels from the classic Every Thorn Has It’s Rose by his band Poison.

7 “And over here, our bass player, the Duke of Spook, the Doc of Shock, The Man with No Tan, please say hello to Death himself, the Grim Reaper.” – Bill

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

After the death of Bill and Ted, they find themselves in the afterlife, where they encounter the Grim Reaper, himself. After a somewhat unconventional relationship journey with the character, they decide to invite him into their band as they attempt to unite the world through music.

A Fitting Introduction

The rousing introduction, full of humorous rhymes, brings the crowd to fever pitch as Death struts onto the stage and joins Bill and Ted for a totally excellent rock ‘n’ roll performance to die for.

6 “The best place to be is here. The best time to be is now, and all’s we can say is… let’s rock!” – Bill and Ted

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey (1991)

Throughout the trials and tribulations of their perilous adventures and journeys, it’s rare to ever witness a dip in the pair’s morale and general positivity. The end of their Bogus Journey sees them performing a rock n roll show for the ages and it all kicked off with this timeless quote of positivity.

Embracing the Moment

Like a lot of the movie’s quotes, it’s all about focusing on the moment, making the most of it and embracing life with enthusiasm and open arms. The quote perfectly encapsulates Bill and Ted’s enduring positivity and strength regardless of the circumstances.

5 Bill: “This happy event makes Deacon his own father-in-law.” Ted: “Not to mention making my dad his own son.”

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020)

The third instalment, Face The Music, involves Bill and Ted encountering some very unusual time-travel paradoxes. Here, Bill and Ted hilariously reflect on the complex and confusing nature of time travel and its convoluted consequences on familial relations.

A Convoluted Paradox

Released nearly 30 years after Bogus Journey, technology had drastically advanced, allowing the studio to utilize advanced aging and de-aging effects. This gives viewers the opportunitiy to witness Bill and Ted during different timelines at different times of their lives. Additionally, the movie introduces Ted’s daughter, Wilhelmina “Billie” Logan and Bill’s daughter, Theadora “Thea” Preston.

4 Kelly: “I’ve been waiting to meet you my whole life.” Ted: “It must be very disappointing.”

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020)

Way back in 1989, the unlikely heroes were introduced to the mysterious Rufus, who went onto become a guide, mentor, and friend to them. George Carlin, who played Rufus, sadly passed away before filming of Face the Music commenced. Here, instead, the guidance role is taken up by Rufus’s daughter Kelly.

A Respectful Homage

Rufus was a fan-favorite and played a crucial role in getting Bill and Ted to where they are now. Introducing his daughter is a nice homage to a fantastic character which keeps his legacy alive. The character was named Kelly after George Carlin’s real daughter as a further tribute.

3 “How is that stealing if we’re stealing from ourselves, dude?” – Bill

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020)

Another quote humorously highlighting the complexities of their time travelling escapades. In this scenario, they’ve found themselves in the same space and time as another version of Bill and Ted. When faced with the morally quandary as to whether it’s okay to use their belongings, they agree on the logical conclusion.

Subtly Self-Aware

The movie subtly satirizes the convolutions of time travel by embracing its inherent absurdities and paradoxes. The concept of time-travel can be somewhat overwhelming for the average joe but luckily the ever light-hearted Bill and Ted are on hand as they and the movie playfully acknowledges and exaggerates the genre’s typical pitfalls, such as contradictory timelines and the potential for endless loops.

2 “The truth is I looked at you and saw myself.” – Ted

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020)

Through the magic of cinema, fans were treated to two sets of Bill and Ted on screen at the same time. The younger Bill and Ted come face-to-face with older versions of themselves, and the moment is both heartwarming and utterly absurd at the same time.

Surreal

The different duos converse with each other as if they are completely different people, forgetting they are, in fact, just different versions of each other. The result is a hilariously surreal exchange which is perfectly summed up by Ted stating that he looked too much like himself and was reluctant to open up to him.

1 “So is this some kind of error in a holographic dual field? Or is it a Wilsonian loop causing a temporal singularity?” – Kid Cudi

Bill and Ted Face the Music (2020)

American rapper Kid Cudi makes a brief appearance as a time-traveling version of himself who aids Bill and Ted and their daughters in unraveling the mysteries and complexities of time travel. He demonstrates a surprising and humorous depth of knowledge of quantum physics and time travel, talking in exaggerated scientific jargon.

Famous Cameos

Kid Cudi is not the only famous face audiences are likely to recognize, Face The Music is crammed full of cameos. Highlights include the pair inadvertently stumbling across rock legend Dave Grohl when searching for their future house and Weird Al Yankovic playing his trademark accordion during the end credits.