Can you believe it’s been 30 years since one of the most iconic Black films hit the TV and movie theater screens? “Friday” is a certified hood classic.
Ice Cube did his big one when he wrote the 1995 film which featured heavy hitter acting stars including Nia Long, Chris Tucker, Regina King and John Witherspoon. Focused in the neighborhood of south central Los Angeles, the movie took a comical angle to real life issues and scenarios.
Suggested Reading
The references to this movie are endless and have frankly snuck into the daily vocabulary of the average Black person. Though the sequels were also just as entertaining, nothing will beat the OG. To celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary, let’s take a look at the top moments from the film that make it worth celebrating.
“Bye, Felisha.”
The ultimate utterance of dismissal. I mean you hear this iconic phrase in every day life, music and even other musics following this joint’s debut. You say this to somebody, you truly do not want to be bothered.
“You ain’t got to lie, Craig.”
Chile, even Beyoncé quoted this line in one of her songs. Joi, every Black girl’s favorite ghetto movie vixen, gave Craig a run for his money tryna pry him for the tea – loud enough for everybody in the house to hear through the phone too!
Smokey vs Pastor Clever
Man, Pastor Clever almost killed Smokey’s whole vibe while he was tryna roll up in peace. “Well, round here, between Normandy and Western, we call this here a little twenty-twen-twen niggaaaaaaaaaa,” Smokey bellowed in his finest Baptist preacher man voice.
“DAAAAMMMMMMMMNNNNN!”
Goodness gracious, there’s never been a more visceral reaction to a black eye than when Red took his sunglasses off. He had no business clownin’ anybody else!
“How you get fired on your day off?”
The most valid question ever asked in Black history. Craig done went to pick up his check and found out later that would be his last one. SMH.
Deebo Mind Control
Smokey tried to puff his chest out claiming to have mind control over Deebo while simultaneously admitting to being a straight punk.
“I got mind control over Deebo. He be like ‘Shut the f*ck up.’ … I be quiet. But when he leave, I be talking again,” Smokey said. Applause, everybody, for the bravery.
Craig Losing His High Ass Mind
People like Craig don’t need any stoner friends if they don’t know how to act when they’re high. But let’s also credit Smokey for his persuasion tactics to get Craig to hit the joint. “Mary Jane” by Rick James playing in the background was the perfect pairing to this scene.
Epic Boss Fight
You’d be lying if you said you weren’t sitting on the edge of your seat during this final battle of the movie. At some point, I really thought Craig should’ve considered pulling that trigger. But if he taught us one thing – when in doubt, grab a brick!
“You got knocked the f-ck out!”
To end the historic fight, Smokey just had to put his two cents in to rub it in Deebo’s face. Nothing can trigger a chuckle easier than Tucker’s delivery of this line.
Ezal’s Dramatic Fall
Everyone knows someone like Ezal. The way this man milked his fall at the corner store is peak entertainment.
“My neck, my back…. my neck and my back,” he barked. My guy, are you singing Khia?!
Blacker The Berry
Nobody checked out Debbie as hard as these two. Black women know what’s it like to walk (or speed walk) past two knuckleheads gawking in admiration.
“Older the berry, sweeter the juice,” Smokey said, referencing Debbie’s mother.
“Nigga, it’s the blacker the berry, sweeter the juice,” Craig responded.
“Yeah, she blacker than a motherf-cker, too,” Smokey said.
In Da Kitchen
If you grew up greedy, I know your parents quoted this scene over and over and over. Forreal though, no one knows Mr. Jones’ pain until somebody eat their leftovers.
Mr. Jones’ Announcement
“Don’t nobody go in the bathroom for bout 35-45 minutes. Somebody open a window,” Mr. Jones said interrupting a whole conversation.
Every family knows the man of the house needs the longest time in the bathroom.
Two Things That Match
“No sugar? Damn. Y’all ain’t never got two things that match. Either y’all got Kool-aid, no sugar. Peanut butter, no jelly. Ham, no burger. Damn!” Smokey complained.
I’d complain too, to be honest.
It’s Friday
“It’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got sh** to do!” Smokey said, convincing Craig to hit the joint. As if he needed a reminder that he lost his job, Smokey did have a point… ain’t nothin’ else to do on a Friday.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.