Back to the Future is one of the most iconic and revered movies to come out in the 80s. With two successful sequels, it’s heralded as one of the best film franchises to stand the test of time (pun intended). For years it has been discussed, argued over, dissected and analyzed about its time travel paradoxes and themes. It’s such a layered series of films that you catch new, small things each time you watch it (like the nod to Used Cars, an early collaboration by director Bob Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale).
But one of the best things about the Back to the Future franchise is just how quotable it is. From the first film to the third, you can pick and choose a line from any of the film’s characters. And while we like quoting and creating memes from Marty, Doc, and George McFly, it’s the franchise’s main antagonist, Biff Tannen, that deserves a lot of our love. Biff has always been portrayed as despicable. From his first introduction as an adult to when we meet him as a teenager, then as an old man, he’s a terrible human being. His indecency spreads to his family too. From Griff, the psycho grandson from the future and as distant relative Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen from the 1800s, the Tannens are a certain kind of awful.
To celebrate the original’s 35th-anniversary inclusion in the newest Loot Sci-Fi crate, let’s look back at the best quotes of Biff Tannen and his crazy family.
“What are you looking at, butthead?” – Biff Tannen
The movie that made calling someone a butthead both an insult and a winky reference to this classic film. To this day I still call people buttheads, to honor cinema’s biggest bully.
“Hello? Hello? Anybody home? Huh? Think, McFly! Think!” – Biff Tannen
The rapping he does on Crispin Glover’s head is like nails on a chalkboard, but the line is fantastic. It’s so good it can be used in any situation and on anyone. Try it out today on a random stranger! They’ll either laugh like McFly or you’ll be arrested for assault. Maybe both.
“Why don’t you make like a tree and get out of here?” – Biff Tannen
Biff can easily be summed up by this sentence alone. Some may say he’s so ignorant he doesn’t understand what he’s saying. I like to think only a genius could come up with a mixed metaphor that’s this brilliant.
“What kind of stupid name is that?” – Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen
You can say this to anyone you meet at a party. Seriously, you can. Go make a new friend today!
“What’s wrong, McFly. Chicken?” – Griff Tannen
Insults in the future are the same as the insults of today. Only in the future, you can bean someone in the head with a retractable baseball bat and chase them on hoverboards. The future is pretty rad.
Be your own Biff by subscribing to Loot Sci-Fi and celebrate 35 years of Back to the Future! Now make like a tree… and get outta here.
