When no one expected it, The Greatest Showman sang, danced, inspired, and full-on dazzled us all. With Hugh Jackman’s star power, the movie grossed over $400 million worldwide. Despite the period setting, The Greatest Showman felt relatable to viewers because of its underdog journey story, something we all relate to in real life.
Apart from all the beautiful songs and exciting set pieces, there is a lot to learn from the dialogue delivered in The Greatest Showman. The movie is packed with inspiring lines that fuel our imagination. They make us believe that we can be whatever we imagine in our wildest dreams; we just have to believe in those.
Let’s jump in and be inspired by some of the iconic lines from The Greatest Showman.
11 Inspiring Lines That Will Make You Believe in Your Magic
1. “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
Appearing just before the closing credits roll, this quote leads us to the core of human effort. When people talk about leaving a legacy behind in the world, it’s not just about the body of work. Those who are remembered for generations are the ones who gave their time, love, and care to others.
Of course, there is a varying degree of selfishness in all of us. Despite that, making people happy is indeed the noblest art.
2. “No one ever made a difference by being like everyone else.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
Dare to be different — this is what P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) means by the line. Stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial to finding what makes you unique. If someone thinks that emulating someone else’s success will somehow also gain them success, then life teaches them the hard way.
3. “Men suffer more from imagining too little than too much.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
In response to a theater critic, P.T. Barnum defends his hyperbolic approach and sells dreams instead of cynicism. Dreaming more than what is told brings wonder and joy to people as it frees them to imagine more than they are told.
The quote is a wonderful observation on how dreaming less is a far greater tragedy than imagining something big or unrealistic that isn’t grounded.
4. “You don't need everyone to love you, Phin. Just a few good people.” - Charity Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
In a moment of vulnerability, Charity (Michelle Williams) reminds her husband that the pursuit of mass admiration and applause is a hollow journey. It will always lead to either disappointment or sadness. Instead, you should always choose quality relationships. You have to learn to accept love from the ones who genuinely care for you.
5. “I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be, this is me.” - Lettie Lutz
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
The breakout anthem “This is Me” is all about self-acceptance. Most people with their imperfections and wounded past have a hard time fitting into a world where things are glorified to perfection.
Performed by the misfits and led by Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle), she finally expresses herself irrespective of how she looks — a stark reminder to us to epiphonize the love we deserve, no matter the imperfections we are born with.
6. “Comfort, the enemy of progress.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) delivers top-notch wisdom that applies to everyone. We have all been in our comfort zone and felt stuck. Life is so uncertain and unpredictable sometimes that it scares us, and we curl up in our blankets. But, without embracing risks, there is no path to greatness.
There is no prize bigger than aligning ourselves with the randomness of life when we decide to put our guards down. Progress bends to our will.
7. “The world is changing, and I refuse to be a part of yours.” - Phillip Carlyle
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
Philip (Zac Efron) delivers this hard-hitting line to his parents, who show disdain towards his date, Anne (Zendaya), and his troupe. He rebels against their world, where social standing towers over a human heart and morality.
It’s a powerful expression of choosing our own personal values over our parents’ expectations. Here, the parents can be a metaphor for any supreme authority, which I’m not saying is always wrong, but isn’t always right FOR US.
8. “From now on, these eyes will not be blinded by the lights.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
This is one of my favorite musical numbers — after his circus is burned down, Hugh Jackman’s circus troupe spots him drinking alone in a bar and reminds him that they are his real family and will stand by him.
He rises with a promise that he’ll never be blinded by the shimmering lights of showbiz again. Even though most of us haven’t achieved a gigantic success yet (pun intended), it’s an important lesson to keep doing your work diligently. Everything else is noise that can lure you into an illusion of self-importance.
9. “Everybody is special, and nobody is like anyone else. That’s the point of my show.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
Well, that should be the point of every art, and P.T. Barnum understood the responsibility when he defended his performers from being called freaks.
In a constant rut to achieve common materialistic goals, we often forget that each of us carries uniqueness. That is rare. The differences between individuals should be looked at as assets, not liabilities. Remember, diversity is beautiful, and it should be celebrated.
10. “A million dreams are keeping me awake.” - Young P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
The hopeful musical montage between young P.T. Barnum (Ellis Rubin) and Charity (Skylar Dunn) captures the restlessness and optimism of a visionary mind.
It resonates with anyone who is excited about the endless possibilities of the future to carve out a better life for oneself.
11. “Trust me, they don’t know it yet, but they’re going to love you.” - P.T. Barnum
The Greatest Showman (2017)Credit: 20th Century Fox
Addressing his performers as they fear getting on the stage, P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) lends them his own confidence. This is what a true leader does: to make people overcome their fears and instill belief in themselves.
Even the most experienced theater artists have doubts when they get onto the stage. So, that’s normal in every aspect of life because you want to be good at your work. However, in those vulnerable moments, you have to love yourself so that the audience can love you too. And consider yourself grateful if you have your own P.T. Barnum to hype you up.
Summing Up
Since it’s a story of an underdog who follows his vision relentlessly to become history’s biggest entertainer, Michael Gracey’s The Greatest Showman is a dreamer's film that’s filled with inspiring quotes one after another.
Which quote resonates with you the most? Let us know in the comments.
