With 2022 marking the ten-year anniversary since the Avengers were introduced to the world, the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero group has only gone on to strengthen its team. The team’s original members have ensured that the world will always be protected long after they have gone.
- The Marvel Cinematic Universe is at no shortage of superheroes–or their most iconic lines. With countless famous characters joining the current lineup of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as the franchise rapidly approaches the culmination of the Multiverse Saga with the two-part finale event Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, there are endless memorable quotes that fans will always attribute to their favorite Avengers.
The Avengers themselves may be iconic, but just as important are their most memorable lines, which often summarize the character’s entire storyline in just a few words. Each of these iconic phrases has not only become well-known to fans, but has also deepened the overall lore of the MCU.
“There Was No Other Way”
Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War
The events of Avengers: Infinity War pushed each of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to their very limit as the Mad Titan Thanos threatened everything that the team stood for. In a last-ditch effort to get ahead of the supervillain, Stephen Strange gives him the Time Stone as part of his years-long strategy to ultimately achieve victory. Just before dying in the ensuing Decimation, Stephen assures Tony Stark that “there was no other way.”
Dr. Strange is often several steps ahead of everyone else, keeping his knowledge of the future tightly sealed away in his own brain. However, in this brief moment, he gave Tony hope that the Avengers might prevail in the end, simultaneously signaling to rattled viewers that this wasn’t the end of the story just yet.
“I Just Want To Be A Normal, Anonymous Lawyer.”
She-Hulk, She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters has her life turned upside-down when she accidentally becomes the She-Hulk after a car accident. The events of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law see her attempt to reconcile her two halves, resulting in Jennifer lamenting that she simply wants to have her old life back as a normal lawyer.
This line speaks to Jennifer’s overall arc throughout the first season of her show, as she learns to love both of her two very different personalities. Jenn never asked to be She-Hulk, nor did she want such a thing to ever happen to her, but she must still learn how to best cope with the hand life had dealt her.
“What Would Be The Point If I Wasn’t Willing To Keep Fighting?”
Falcon, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
The events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier see Sam Wilson struggle with accepting the mantle of Captain America after Steve Rogers named him his successor. Sam strikes up a conversation with Isaiah Bradley, who warns him that the suffering of Black Americans throughout the generations should prove to him that such a title would be a lost cause. Sam, however, has a different view, wondering what all that suffering was for if not to make his own fight all the more important.
“What would be the point of all the pain and sacrifice if I wasn’t willing to stand up and keeping fighting?”
In this moment, Sam finally realizes how necessary it is for him to be Steve’s successor. He fully accepts his place as the next Captain America, setting himself up to become a leader of the MCU’s next saga as he make the title his own.
“What Happens When I’m Finally Set Free?”
Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel
During 2019’s Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers struggles with her own identity and her power set, which has been hindered by the Kree Supreme Intelligence with an inhibitor for years. Carol sets herself free in the final act, asking the Supreme Intelligence just how powerful she could really be without one arm tied behind her back.
“I’ve been fighting with one arm tied behind my back, but what happens when I’m finally set free?”
It is no secret that Captain Marvel is one of the Avengers’ strongest members, whose abilities have yet to find their limit. In this moment, Carol fully embraces her great strength, using it to bring justice to an Empire that had too long avoided the consequences of its own actions.
“I’m With You Till The End Of The Line, Pal.”
Bucky Barnes, Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes certainly has a future in the MCU, particularly as a member of the MCU’s upcoming Thunderbolts team. However, it is one of his earliest lines in the franchise that fans remember most, as he promises a grieving Steve Rogers that he will always be by his side during an emotional flashback scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Though Bucky would undergo terrible torture in the following years, this proclamation of friendship would remain in his core memory, returning to haunt him when Steve repeats his words back to him during their fight on a helicarrier decades later. It would be enough to give the rampaging Winter Soldier pause–eventually helping him break free of Hydra’s programming.
“Wakanda Forever!”
Black Panther, Repeated Line
There is nothing better to rally behind than a common mantra. The Black Panther’s most memorable line in the MCU also happens to be a rallying call for the nation of Wakanda, which is often repeated in ceremonial activities, in everyday conversation, and just before racing into battle.
This line has the honor of not only becoming iconic in its own universe but also in the real world, as audiences have latched onto these two words in the years since Black Panther’s release. The Wakandans’ inspiring verbal devotion to their country has proven to be so popular, in fact, that it has become the subtitle to the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2018 box-office hit.
“Somebody’s Gotta Look Out For The Little Guy, Right?”
Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming
Peter Parker’s most iconic line comes at the end of Spider-Man: Homecoming as he is offered the Iron Spider suit and a place on the Avengers by Tony Stark. Despite his deep desire to accept these gifts, Peter relents, telling Tony that he feels it is his calling to look out for the “little guy” and be a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.”
This line perfectly sums up Peter Parker as a character, who, despite having great power, is more inclined to use it to help the less powerful. His arc over the course of Homecoming brings him directly to this satisfying conclusion, which has informed his journey over his latest appearances in the MCU.
“I’m Not A Monster, I’m A Mother.”
Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness
After her villainous turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff makes several excuses for her behavior. One such excuse claims that she has wrought havoc throughout the multiverse not because she is a monster, but because she is merely a mother trying to find her way back to her children. This line would later come back to haunt Wanda, as she realizes she has indeed been a monster as a result of the Darkhold’s corruption.
Though Wanda is severely misguided in her philosophies of motherhood, fans can’t help but sympathize with her plight, especially after witnessing her journey in WandaVision. Wanda’s devotion to her children is aided by her complete ability to follow through on her threats, something that fans can experience again now that Multiverse of Madness is on Disney+.
“What Is Grief If Not Love Persevering?”
Vision, WandaVision
Vision has always been the most philosophical member of the Avengers, whose ponderings have made for many quotable lines over the years. The most memorable of these is undoubtedly his views on grief that stemmed from a conversation with Wanda shortly after her brother, Pietro, died during the Battle of Sokovia.
This line is not only one of the most emotional lines from WandaVision, but is also one of the best-written lines of dialogue in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Vision’s philosophy on grief perfectly encapsulates the deepest themes of WandaVision and is surely enough to bring a tear to the eyes of even the most stone-hearted viewers.
“I Used To Have Nothing. Then, I Got This Job. This Family.”
Black Widow, Avengers: Endgame
Of all the Avengers to survive Thanos’s snap at the end of Infinity War, Natasha Romanoff seemed the most inclined to keep the team together. She would later explain to Steve Rogers just how much the team meant to her, as it became the family that she didn’t have before, helping her to better herself when she thought she was irredeemable.
Black Widow’s arc throughout the MCU has been one of the best-developed and most emotional out of all her fellow Avengers. Longing to make up for her misdeeds as a KGB assassin, Natasha perfectly summarizes the effect that being an Avenger has had on her lifelong goal, while also explaining why it is so important to her that the group stays together.
“If You Step Out That Door, You’re An Avenger.”
Hawkeye, Avengers: Endgame
Hawkeye is often underrated as a member of the Avengers, but always proves himself with his encouragement and resilience in the face of danger. Upon discovering Wanda Maximoff hiding during the Battle of Sokovia, he gives her the pep talk she needed, telling her that all it takes to be an Avenger is to get out there and fight.
This is truly one of Clint’s most inspiring quotes in the MCU, which motivated Wanda to continue the fight and become an Avenger herself. Not only would this line indirectly lead to the Avengers’ victory in Sokovia, but it would also spark a lasting friendship between Wanda and Clint.
“Puny God”
Hulk, The Avengers
The Hulk is a creature of few words, but what he does say is always memorable. His most iconic line comes after the Battle of New York, when, upon Loki’s assertion that he is far more powerful than the Avengers, Hulk smashes the villain to the floor, claiming that he is a “puny god.”
Hulk’s mocking of Loki is still remembered fondly even ten years after its first utterance, as a mere two words completely tore down the God of Mischief. To this day, it remains the most famous line the Hulk has ever muttered, while also continuing to haunt Loki, who has never quite recovered from his encounter with the angry green giant.
“He’s A Friend From Work!”
Thor, Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok reinvented not only the franchise, but Thor as a character, injecting some much-needed humor into the God of Thunder. This became quite evident when Thor was thrown into the gladiatorial arena on Sakaar, only to delightedly exclaim that his opponent, the Hulk, was “a friend from work.”
Thor has been privy to a far greater abundance of iconic lines since his revamping at the hands of Taika Waititi, especially when it comes to his relationships with other heroes. Interactions between Thor and Hulk in Ragnarok make fans wish Thor got more screentime with his Avengers teammates.
“I Can Do This All Day.”
Captain America, Repeated Line
Captain America is a man of high moral fiber and unshakeable principles. As such, when he is convicted of fighting for something, it is almost impossible to shake him from that conviction. His repeated line throughout the franchise, “I can do this all day,” has become synonymous with this unmistakable character trait of Steve Rogers.
This line has been repeated so often that even Steve seems annoyed to hear it from his past self in Avengers: Endgame. Nevertheless, the mantra is so densely packed with thematic intent that its repetition still hasn’t worn on fans, who take it as the perfect encapsulation of who Steve Rogers is as a hero and as a man.
“I Am Iron Man.”
Iron Man, Repeated Line
Tony Stark’s most famous line in the MCU is that which started it all and finished it all for his character arc. Tony announced to the world in the first Iron Man film that he was indeed the superhero they had all been discussing, and he did the very same in his final moments when he used the Infinity Stones to wipe out Thanos and his army.
Stark has had countless memorable lines over the years, becoming by far one of the most quotable Avengers in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite his quippy tendencies, however, “I am Iron Man” will always be the character’s most important utterance, which ushered the Infinity Saga into existence, only to poetically bring it to a close eleven years later.
