The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of amazing lines of dialogue, some of which just got better and better as time marched on. Strong screenwriting and performances are two of the biggest keys that keep the MCU’s pop culture dominance so steadfast, leaving audiences with many memorable quotes over the years. While some MCU lines have aged well, there’s no denying that the most iconic phrases in the entire franchise have aged like fine wine.
The MCU lines that age most gracefully serve as the setup for some extremely satisfying payoffs later in the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. As the movies progress, earlier words are often echoed, taking on a new meaning with the additional context progression. Other times, stand-alone statements can serve as ominous warnings of cataclysmic events to come, making them all the more entertaining to hear again later.
10
“I’m Iron Man”
Tony Stark, Iron Man
The most obvious line for the best-old in the entire series is also one of the best dialogue of the MCU in general. In the last moments of iron man Tony Stark holds a press conference in which he admits to being the Flying, Armored hero spotted around the world. This line will forever change the MCU, cementing the place of Robert Downey Jr. As one of the biggest casting choices ever and largely avoiding secret identities in the Marvel films.
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The movies themselves recognize how iconic the influence of this line has become, choosing to have Tony repeat the words as his last in the series in response to Thanos’ “I am destined.” It’s hard not to be excited to hear Tony admit his old self for the first time after witnessing the epic conclusion. This makes it all the more impressive that the line was actually improvised by Robert Downey Jr. spontaneously while filming.
9
“You’ve become part of a bigger universe, you just don’t know it yet”
Nick Fury, Iron Man
It’s impressive enough that the original Iron Man managed to end on such a strong note with Tony Stark’s closing words. However, the very first MCU post-credits scene also provides a piece of dialogue that only continues to age better with each passing year. Breaking into Tony Stark’s villa and informing him of the Avengers initiative, SHIELD agent Nick Fury warns him “You’ve become part of a bigger universe, you just don’t know it yet.“
Sure enough, with each passing year of the franchise’s cinematic dominance, Fury’s words ring all the truth.
here, Nick Fury all but refers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe by name, Signaling to Tony Stark and the audience themselves that they are standing on the precipice of a great era of films. Sure enough, with each passing year of the franchise’s cinematic dominance, Fury’s words ring all the more true. Going back to this line with modern knowledge is quite a chilling experience.
8
“I could do this all day”
Steve Rogers, Captain America: The First Avenger
Tony Stark isn’t the only flagship hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe who has something of an iconic catchphrase. In the first appearance of Captain America, the still-scary Steve Rogers endures a merciless beating from a local delinquent, only to recover and explain “I could do this all day.”
Rogers says the line again during his confrontation with Red Skull later in the same film, and once more in Captain America: Civil War When fighting Iron Man. The line is even iconic enough to be parodied in later films, due to how well it aged in such a short time. Knowing that every time Captain America says those words, he still pictures himself standing up to another bully, the line just keeps on giving with subsequent rewatches.
7
“If you need me, I’ll be there”
Steve Rogers, Captain America: Civil War
Speaking of Captain America: Civil War, The ideological divide between the two most prominent members of the Avengers provided many more opportunities for fantastic lines. Steve Rogers’ entire closing monologue, narrated by Chris Evans as Tony Stark reads it in the form of a letter, is an underrated gem in the film. Despite their obvious differences, Captain America promises Tony that if he ever needs him and his companions, he is just a phone call away.
Sure enough, when Thanos and the Black Order arrive on Earth Avengers: Infinity War, Tony Stark relents and calls the burner flip-phone Steve gifted him. Captain America keeps his promise, arriving to re-form the Avengers in their moment of greatest need. To know just how sincere Rogers’ commitment was, hearing the line again on another viewing only gets more gratifying.
6
“I have a date…”
Steve Rogers, Captain America: The First Avenger
More than anything else, Captain America is a character colored by tragedy and sacrifice. Always willing to put everything on the line in defense of his country and those who cannot defend themselves, Captain America is truly tested at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger When he realizes that he will have to sacrifice the one thing he wants most, a lifetime of romance with Peggy Carter, to stop HYDRA’s plan. Waking up in the present day, Rogers is unaffected by the modern technology around him, only mumbling “I had a date…“
The acknowledgment of the fact that he missed his chance with Peggy is extremely heartbreaking at first, all the more so as Captain America’s journey through the series progresses. However, at the end of Avengers: Endgame, Steve finally gets the chance to pay off the line by making good on his promise to take Peggy out, living a happy, simple life together with her after going back in time. Knowing that Captain America will eventually get the date he promised makes his initial heartbreak all the more bittersweet.
5
“I am burdened with honorable purpose”
Loki, The Avengers
Few characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have had an arc as turbulent as Loki. The adopted son of Asgard begins the series as a selfish tyrant bent on conquering Earth just to have a kingdom to subjugate all of his own. After the end of his eponymous series, Loki has turned into a selfless god of sacrifice, giving up everyone he loves to sit in the center of time for all eternity.
It is only later that the audience has to learn what exactly this glorious goal was, making the line age even sweeter as the version of Loki gives everything to save everyone.
The title of the final Loki episode in which this happens, Cheers to purpose, Ties back to Loki’s appearance in The Avengers. Asserting his right to rule, Loki claims that he is “Loaded with a glorious purpose.” It is only later that the audience has to learn what exactly this glorious goal was, making the line older sweeter than the version of Loki giving everything to save everyone.
4
“What is sorrow, if not love persevering?”
Vision, WandaVision
WandaVision had to expand the lives of both its title characters during the lulls in action between major crossover movies, resulting in one of the most poignant lines ever dreamed up for an MCU movie. As Wanda mourns the loss of her brother, Vision assures her that her feelings are a good thing, asking “What is grief, if not love persevering?” This beautiful quote is mentioned by Wanda as she mourns Vision’s own death, but the line is applicable in many more circumstances.
The beauty of this line transcends the narrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being a deeply philosophical quote that many viewers can relate to their own lives. In the context of the MCU, the line is also wonderfully old, being a touchstone of Scarlet Witch’s eventual redemption. As the upcoming Vision series looms in the MCU release schedule, it’s likely that line will give fans even more to think about.
3
“Avengers, assemble!”
Captain America, Avengers: Endgame
Lines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe don’t necessarily need to age strictly due to narrative payoff or clever foreshadowing. Sometimes, an iconic line is simply great enough on its own merits to get better over time, and that’s certainly the case with Captain America’s iconic line in Avengers: Endgame. As all the fallen heroes pass through Doctor Strange’s portals, The Avengers The theme blurs just before Captain America can finally leave his famous comic book line.
Famously, Captain America almost got to say “Avengers, assemble!“In Avengers: Age of UltronBefore they are rudely interrupted by the end credits. The tease only made it more satisfying when Captain America finally said the line in earnest, and it only got better with time along with the iconic moment it debuted in. line of the MCU strong years later.
2
“You’re not the guy to make the sacrifice game”
Captain America, The Avengers
It says something about Chris Evans’ subtle performance as Captain America that he’s able to be behind so many of the franchise’s best-old quotes. That said, one of his wonderful lines that just keeps on giving is said about Tony Stark, not long after the two heroes’ frosty first meeting. Seeing Tony’s selfish attitude, Steve questions his abilities for heroic deeds, and accuses him of “You are not the guy to make the sacrifice game, to lay on the wire and let the other guy crawl over you.”
Yet in his last moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Stark does just that, giving up a happy life with his wife and daughter in order to bring back all the lost lives of Thanos’ cap. Knowing where Tony’s hero’s journey ultimately ends makes it all the more exciting to hear Captain America make these allegations, even if they may be true at the time. In the end, Iron Man was as worthy of a hero as the MCU has ever seen.
1
“Revenge has consumed you. I’m done letting it consume me”
Black Panther, Captain America: Civil War
The introduction of black panther in Captain America: Civil War is one of the most impressive aspects of the film, made all the better by the debut of the late Chadwick Boseman’s phenomenal performance. In the film, Black Panther is fueled by revenge, beheading his father’s killer. But when his true prey is finally handed to him on a silver platter, T’Challa realizes the error of his ways, and sees himself in Baron Zemo’s own obsession with getting even with the Avengers.
What makes this line so endearing is how it applies to T’Challa’s successor as Black Panther, Shuri, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Here, Shuri undergoes a similar arc, going from seeding hatred toward Namor and the Atlanteans for her mother’s death to eventual acceptance and forgiveness. Beyond that thematic connection, Boseman’s delivery of the line is easily one of the coldest in the whole MCU.