The Tombstone quotes from the 1990s Western movie have allowed it to stand the test of time as one of the most popular in the genre. While it is not a proper Western, like those by John Ford, Clint Eastwood, and John Wayne, the movie is a fun thrill ride that re-tells the story of Wyatt Earp and the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. With a lighter tone and a lot of breezy and memorable dialogue, the Western movie has become a favorite among fans of the genre and mainstream movie fans in general.
Besides the stellar performances from the likes of Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp and Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Tombstone has a loyal following due in part to the iconic quotes and one-liners that are peppered throughout the movie. Tombstone is among the most quoted movies of all time, and one look at some of the more well-known lines shows why. The most memorable of the quotes are from Val Kilmer as the antihero Doc Holliday, but everyone from Kurt Russell to Powers Boothe, Thomas Haden Church, and Michael Biehn have a chance to shine.
“Well … Bye”
Curly Bill To Wyatt Earp
Curly Bill is one of the primary antagonists in Tombstone. It’s hard to make a despicable character likable, but making him a snarky, arrogant presence is a step in the right direction. Throughout the film, Bill makes it his mission to take down the Earp brothers and show the Cowboys are in charge. When the brothers are at their lowest, and it seems Bill has won, he says this sarcastic quote in the face of a seemingly defeated Wyatt. This arrogant response makes the following scenes that much more enjoyable as Wyatt still has some tricks up his sleeve.
“Skin That Smoke Wagon And See What Happens”
Wyatt Earp To Johnny Tyler
When Wyatt Earp shows up in Tombstone, he wants to leave his violent past behind him and move on with his life. Wyatt’s first glimpse into the man he used to be is when he enters a casino with a card dealer named Johnny Tyler chasing off the customers. Wyatt confronts the brash Tyler, who tries to intimidate Earp, but Wyatt gets in his face and says this quote, daring the man to draw his weapon. To add insult to injury, Wyatt hits the man multiple times in front of the very people he was insulting, adding insult to injury.
“You’re A Daisy If You Do”
Doc Holliday To Johnny Ringo
Doc Holliday is perhaps one of the most famous figures in the history of the Old West. While the man has been represented many times in film, Val Kilmer’s performance remains one of the most iconic. Doc Holliday joins Wyatt Earp with little to no convincing when he and his brothers confront the Cowboys at the O.K. Corral. Doc makes short work of many of the men, and when one threatens him, Doc approaches the man point-blank and delivers this quote with his arms spread. His fearless playfulness shows his true might.
“In Fact, You’re Probably Seeing Double”
Billy Clanton To Doc Holliday
Billy Clanton is a minor character, and his highlight is taunting a very drunk Doc Holliday while the latter is playing the piano. After Curly Bill guns down Marshall Fred White in the street, Wyatt takes Bill into custody. A group of Cowboys, including Clanton, threatens Wyatt to let their leader go. Doc shows up to help his friend and Billy further taunts him with this quote, insinuating Holliday is too drunk to do anything. However, Clanton looks very worried as he knows there is more to Holliday than meets the eye.
“Look Like Somebody Just Walked Over Your Grave”
Doc Holliday To Johnny Ringo
The gunfight between Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo was built up for most of the movie. When Doc finally confronts Ringo when he’s expecting Wyatt Earp, Holliday delivers this quote. Ringo is a fearless, yet reckless foe and Ringo even tries to talk Doc into leaving, as he knows the odds of beating Doc in a fair gunfight are slim. Doc is perhaps the only person who scares Ringo, and this line shows that Doc not only knows this but takes pride in it. When Doc guns down Ringo easily, it puts an end to the rivalry.
“I Want Your Blood, And I Want Your Soul”
Johnny Ringo To Wyatt Earp
Johnny Ringo is a force to be reckoned with. When members of his Cowboy gang are shot down courtesy of Wyatt and company, he does not take it well. Johnny gets incredibly drunk and confronts Wyatt in the streets of Tombstone, using this quote to let him know exactly what his intentions are. Curly Bill pulls the inebriated Ringo aside before he can do anything, as Doc Holliday steps up. In this state, Ringo wouldn’t have stood a chance against Doc. This threat to Wyatt, though, would strike fear in the hearts of almost anyone else.
“Say When”
Doc Holliday To Johnny Ringo
The iconic showdown scene in The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly is a staple used in several movies that followed. Tombstone has a similar scene when Doc Holliday confronts Ringo. The tension between the two famed gunslingers slowly built and came to a head when Doc nonchalantly said this quote, taunting Ringo to make the first move. This showdown has built up since the two first met in a bar, and they showcased how fast each one is. The scene relishes the fact both men were gunslingers, and it uses this quote to show Doc has the upper hand.
“It Ain’t True”
Morgan Earp To Wyatt Earp
Morgan Earp is the most innocent of the Earp brothers. He joins Virgil in becoming a Marshall because “You gotta back your brother’s play” and for no other reason. Wyatt infers Morgan never killed a man, and he hopes it never happens. Morgan is also a religious man and believes people see a bright light when they die. When Morgan later meets with this fate, he informs Wyatt this isn’t the case as he passes in his brother’s arms. This is one of the saddest quotes in the film, as the most innocent character loses his hope.
“I’m Your Huckleberry”
Doc Holliday To Johnny Ringo
When a drunken Johnny Ringo challenges Wyatt and his brothers, Doc emerges and delivers what is perhaps the most iconic Tombstone quote. He is the man for the job, and he has come to answer Ringo’s call for blood. Doc says it again when he confronts Ringo for the last time. The look on Johnny’s face both times shows he knows he isn’t as good as Doc. This is a line quoted even by people who have never seen the movie or even know its origin, proving the iconic status of the line and the performance.
“Hell’s Coming With Me”
Wyatt Earp To Ike Clanton
When his brother Morgan is killed in cold blood, Wyatt seems to have given up life in Tombstone. He packs up his family and lets Curly Bill know he won. Bill sends two Cowboys to ambush Wyatt on the train, but Wyatt, in turn, Wyatt Earp ambushes them and shoots one down. He lets Ike Clanton live to deliver the message that he’s coming for them, and hell is coming with him.
Wyatt tries for the majority of the film to live a simple, non-violent life. When he is finally pushed to the breaking point, he delivers this spine-chilling line letting the Cowboy know that a beast has awoken. The following scene shows Wyatt and his men hunting down the Cowboys, making good on Tombstone’s tagline that “Justice Is Coming.”