#16: “…And I’m All Out of Bubblegum”

Despite its initial lackluster reception, John Carpenter’s They Live! achieved cult status, partly due to Roddy Piper’s iconic line in a scene pitting him against aliens. Piper’s improvisation gave birth to the legendary line “I have come here to chew bubblegum … and I’m all out of bubblegum,” a moment that has since been endlessly parodied and celebrated in pop culture.

This spontaneous addition injected the film with a dose of irreverent humor. It contributed to its enduring appeal, cementing Piper’s status as a cult icon and immortalizing the film within the realm of cult classics.