Grim Fandango is one of the most beloved adventure games of all time, blending film noir, Mexican folklore, and razor-sharp wit. Released in 1998 by LucasArts and written by Tim Schafer, the game follows Manny Calavera, a travel agent at the Department of Death, as he uncovers a conspiracy in the Land of the Dead. What truly elevates Grim Fandango to legendary status—beyond its art direction and puzzles—is its dialogue. Here are some of the most memorable quotes from Grim Fandango, along with the moments and characters that made them unforgettable.
Grim Fandango Quotes
1. “My scythe… I like to keep it next to where my heart used to be.” – Manny Calavera
This line perfectly sums up Manny’s dry humor and the game’s noir tone. He’s dead, he’s cynical, and he’s somehow still more charming than most living protagonists.
2. “We’re all citizens of the same nation, and our king rides a pale horse.” – Domino Hurley
Domino, Manny’s smarmy coworker, always speaks with dramatic flair. This line reminds you that in the Land of the Dead, everyone has the same fate—but some are trying to cheat it.
3. “Run, you pigeons. It’s Robert Frost!” – Glottis
This hilarious moment comes when the giant orange demon mechanic Glottis uses poetry to scare pigeons. It’s absurd and genius—exactly what you’d expect from Grim Fandango’s tone.
4. “You can’t hide from the Grim Reaper. Especially when he’s got a union card.” – Manny Calavera
A classic noir setup with a union twist. This quote speaks to the game’s world-building, where bureaucracy and death go hand in hand.
5. “I’m selling luxury packages to a better place… to people who just aren’t ready to go.” – Manny Calavera
This is more than a job description—it’s a glimpse into the twisted morality of the game’s afterlife economy. Manny knows his role is flawed, but he’s trying to find redemption.
6. “The marrow of these trees, Manny. They suck it out. It’s like cement!” – Glottis
In this moment, Glottis expresses both his love for machines and his childlike wonder for the bizarre world he lives in. It’s weird, oddly poetic, and totally fitting.
7. “Love is for the living.” – Olivia Ofrenda
Olivia, the bohemian poet and femme fatale, delivers this cold line that hits hard in a world of the dead. Grim Fandango never lets you forget that the dead can feel just as much loss—and longing—as the living.
8. “Nothing beats the feeling of taking a scythe to the face of injustice.” – Manny Calavera
This unofficial motto for Manny highlights his growth from a disillusioned salesman to a righteous, if reluctant, hero.
9. “Maybe I was wrong about you, Calavera.” – Meche Colomar
A simple line loaded with meaning. Meche, the woman Manny wants to help (and maybe love), finally acknowledges that he’s more than just a smooth-talking skeleton. It’s a turning point in their relationship.
10. “What journey are you on, Mr. Calavera?” – Salvador Limones
More Quotes
“I’m not saying I’m always right, but I am never wrong.” – Manny Calavera
Classic Manny confidence with a noir twist.
“I could really use a hug… but I’m too proud to ask for one.” – Glottis
The big soft-hearted demon shows his vulnerability.
“The living still give me the creeps.” – Manny Calavera
Irony at its best—coming from a literal skeleton.
“I squeezed down one of these tubes, like a pixie of plumbing!” – Glottis
A line only Glottis could say with pride and glee.
“You know, sweetheart, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: nobody knows what’s going to happen at the end of the line, so you might as well enjoy the trip.” – Manny Calavera
A perfect summary of Grim Fandango’s philosophy.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bite. Not great for business in a place full of bones.” – Manny Calavera
Playful and dark, as always.
“Why is it that every time we try to help someone, we end up getting shot?” – Manny Calavera
His life—or afterlife—is full of tragicomic irony.
“It’s amazing how the world can change with a single flower.” – Meche Colomar
A rare moment of hope and beauty in a grim world.
“Can’t a guy blow up a building without everybody getting all paranoid?” – Salvador Limones
Revolutionary logic at its finest.
“I’m a professional. My job is to usher souls to their eternal rest… not to babysit the confused.” – Manny Calavera
Reflecting his frustration—and duty.
“I’m the grim reaper, not the grim babysitter.” – Manny Calavera
Another version of his “not my job” attitude.
“Come on, my lovely. Let’s rattle.” – Olivia Ofrenda
Cool, confident, and full of style.
“Rubacava… where the food is cold, the drinks are warm, and the rumors are hot.” – Manny Calavera
Noir writing at its best.
“Life is pain… and we’re not even in life anymore.” – Unknown
A bleak but fitting reflection of the Land of the Dead.
“I just can’t operate without something in my mouth.” – Glottis
He’s talking about a cigar, but it’s classic double entendre Glottis.
“There’s nothing in this world that can take the place of love, except maybe a fine piece of machinery.” – Glottis
Heartfelt and hilarious.
“The road to the Ninth Underworld is paved with good intentions.” – Manny Calavera
A spin on an old saying with a new afterlife twist.
“I hate waiting. I get flashbacks to the DMV.” – Manny Calavera
Relatable—dead or alive.
“You know, there’s nothing sadder than a skeleton who doesn’t dance.” – Unknown
A metaphor for embracing joy—even in death.
“Let the punishment fit the crime… especially when I’m the judge, jury, and executioner.” – Domino Hurley
The smarmy villain’s sense of justice.
Salvador, the revolutionary leader, challenges Manny to find his purpose beyond his paycheck. This line becomes the game’s central question, as Manny transforms from bureaucrat to rebel to savior.
Why These Quotes Still Matter
Grim Fandango’s writing endures because it’s more than clever—it’s layered, heartfelt, and timeless. Whether it’s dark humor, social commentary, or existential reflection, every line serves a purpose. The game may take place in a stylized afterlife, but its dialogue is bursting with life.
If you’ve never played it, the 2015 remastered edition is the perfect way to dive in. And if you have? Maybe it’s time for another trip through the Land of the Dead—one great quote at a time.
The post 30 Grim Fandango Quotes: The Best Lines from a Cult Classic appeared first on NSF News and Magazine.