Assembling the 16 Best Avengers: Endgame Movie Quotes

In 2019, Avengers: Endgame concluded the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga. It was a film building upon 21 previous entries in the MCU, and a direct sequel to Avengers: Infinity War. Audiences had already been torn apart by seeing the Avengers lose against Thanos in Infinity War. Endgame explored what came after that monumental defeat.

As far as emotional stakes go, Endgame keeps the punches coming. The chilling opening with Hawkeye’s family disappearing during the Snap sets the scene for a movie that grapples with a multitude of themes and characters. As Clint realizes his wife and children are gone, distant booms and crackles fill the sky. Is it merely thunder or instead the sound of crashes and accidents elsewhere as people all over the globe disappear?

Endgame is a rollercoaster. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll maybe even return to theaters to see the new Avengers: Doomsday footage that accompanies Endgame‘s theatrical re-release. To prepare for this MCU event, here are 16 of the best Endgame quotes.

---

“I am inevitable.” – Thanos

• Context: Thanos has defeated the Avengers by gathering the Infinity Stones and committing the Snap. Now, he has retreated to bask in his victory.

This is one of Thanos’ most quotable lines and it speaks to his main philosophy. Unlike other villains, Thanos does not necessarily seek power for the sake of power. His goal is to bring his twisted vision of balance to the universe. Of course, that balance is only achieved through colossal genocide. But to Thanos, it’s a necessary price for peace. The calmness with which he assures the Avengers that his murderous will is inevitable is always proof of why he’s called the Mad Titan.

---

“I went for the head.” – Thor

• Context: Thor has just cut off Thanos’ head after the Avengers track the villain down and discover he’s destroyed the Infinity Stones

Gotta love a callback. At the end of Infinity War, Thor nearly stopped Thanos using Stormbreaker but he didn’t deliver a deadly enough blow. Thanos, victorious at last, told Thor he should’ve gone for the head. Later, once the Avengers finally track Thanos down at his far-off refuge, Thor doesn’t leave anything to chance. He cuts off the Titan’s head without a second thought, a brutal act for a wounded Avenger.

---

“You know, I keep telling everybody they should move on and grow. Some do. But not us.” – Steve Rogers
“If I move on, who does this?” – Natasha Romanoff

• Context: Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff discuss what they should do as heroes in a post-Thanos world

One of the most powerful aspects of Endgame is how it deals with a grieving world. There are of course the angry outbursts (see above, Thor slicing Thanos’ head off) and episodes of crying, but often it’s the quiet moments that hurt the most. When something small and insignificant reminds you of a lost loved one, that pain of loss is almost unbearable. This exchange between Steve and Nat, wondering what their role is in a broken world, flawlessly displays the heartbreaking banality of grief.

---

“Take it easy. You’re only a genius on Earth, pal.” – Rocket Raccoon

• Context: Rocket Raccoon helps Tony Stark and the Avengers construct a time machine

Everybody needs to be humbled, even Tony Stark. Much like Captain Marvel’s earlier reminder that Earth isn’t the only suffering planet in the universe, Rocket points out that Tony’s genius is sometimes limited to a Terran expertise. For the fast-talking super hero, it’s a quick but effective jab.

---

“So Back to the Future is a bunch of b*ll***t?” – Scott Lang

• Context: Scott Lang and James Rhodes discuss various time travel-themed movies and how they don’t match up to how time travel really works

Nobody ever said time travel doesn’t have rules — but maybe they’re just not the rules we’ve been led to expect. Tony Stark criticized Scott Lang’s initial approach to the Time Heist, and Rhodey later expresses his frustration about how confusing time travel is in real life. The movies really didn’t explain anything right. And if you think about it too much, your mind just might melt.

---

“This is the fight of our lives, and we’re gonna win. Whatever it takes.” – Captain America

• Context: Captain America gives the remaining Avengers a confidence boost before the Time Heist

Before the Time Heist, Steve Rogers gives a classic Captain America pep talk to the remaining Avengers. Rocket remarks, “He’s pretty good at that” because Steve really is the best at motivating his team. “Whatever it takes” even becomes an important phrase for Natasha and Clint when they retrieve the Soul Stone.

---

“Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be, Thor. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.” – Frigga

• Context: Thor must retrieve the Reality Stone from Asgard in 2013 and he speaks with his mother, Frigga

There’s no wisdom like the words of a witch. For Thor’s portion of the Time Heist, he must interact with his mother on the very same day she dies. It’s immensely difficult, of course, and Thor can’t help but express his uncertainty of his own path. But Frigga reassures him that even in his failure, he’s still worthy.

---

“So many stairs!” – Hulk

• Context: The Avengers are going down to the lobby in Avengers Tower but they tell Hulk he’s to heavy to get into the elevator

Back in 2012, Tony and Scott attempt to retrieve the Space Stone. Unfortunately, 2012 Hulk busts out of the stairwell, frustrated because his teammates wouldn’t let him ride the elevator. Hulk’s entrance bumps the cube into Loki, who steals the stone and escapes. While this mess-up leads to the trickster’s adventures in Loki, it’s a Hulk-sized blunder for Iron Man and Ant-Man.

---

“I wasn’t always like this.” – Nebula

• Context: Nebula and Rhodey share a heartfelt moment about their pasts during their portion of the Time Heist on Morag

With what could have been a one-note character, Nebula brings so much heart to Endgame. As the least favorite daughter of Thanos, Nebula grew up constantly feeling inferior to Gamora. In many ways, her path to heroics mirrors that of Black Widow. Nebula is proof that trauma doesn’t have to define us forever.

---

“Wow, under different circumstances … this would be totally awesome.” – Hawkeye

• Context: Hawkeye admires the beauty of Vormir

Despite their dire circumstances, Hawkeye makes a good point. For two heroes who have never been to outer space, Vormir is a visually stunning planet … as long as you don’t climb any mountains.

---

“Oh, I don’t judge people on their worst mistakes.” – Black Widow

• Context: Black Widow and Hawkeye debate who will sacrifice themself to retrieve the Soul Stone

Much like Tony, many of Natasha’s Endgame lines carry so much more weight when you know her ultimate fate. For Nat especially, the road to being an Avenger was paved with hardship and horror. That’s why she’s a bit more forgiving of others when they make mistakes. Black Widow remembers the kindness of her teammates in accepting her mistakes and becoming her found family.

---

“You mess with time, it tends to mess back.” – Iron Man

• Context: After Nebula is compromised, Thanos travels from 2014 to the present and the Avengers must deal with this new threat

The core of Endgame is all about balance, and the prices we pay for the things we want. Even time itself is a balancing act. The Time Heist seems to go off fairly well, despite the hitch with Loki, but time still finds a way to correct itself when outsiders tamper with it.

---

“If I tell you what happens, it won’t happen.” – Doctor Strange

• Context: Doctor Strange knows that Tony Stark must sacrifice himself to defeat Thanos, but he can’t tell Tony

At first this sounds like more time travel nonsense. However, when you know how Thanos is ultimately defeated, this line lands so differently. Doctor Strange withholds his knowledge of how the battle might turn out because who knows how Iron Man would react to the decision he’ll be forced to make.

---

“You will.” – Wanda Maximoff

• Context: Wanda Maximoff fights Thanos one-on-one

After all the lost heroes return from the Snap, the battlefield ignites in every direction. Each hero gets their time to shine and when Wanda Maximoff faces Thanos, she nearly takes him down. Even before the Darkhold, Wanda’s power proves to be a match for the super-villain. Only Thanos’ self sacrificial “rain fire” command can stop Wanda’s attack against him, altering the tides of the battle.

---

“She’s got help.” – Okoye

• Context: Okoye, Wanda, the Wasp, Nebula, Gamora, Shuri, Valkyrie, Mantis, and Pepper Potts work together to give Captain Marvel cover

Say what you will about this divisive team-up scene, but it’s certainly memorable. Spider-Man wonders how Captain Marvel will make it through Thanos’ hordes and safely deliver the Infinity Gauntlet, but Wanda and Okoye assure him that she’s not alone. In a comic book world that often feels male-centric, this scene brought together powerful women who might not have crossed paths otherwise.

---

“Part of the journey is the end.” – Tony Stark

• Context: Tony Stark records a hologram message (in case of his death) to say goodbye to Pepper Potts and his daughter Morgan

Everyone is always quick to point out that growth occurs while a journey is still underway. That’s certainly true but all that growth is, inevitably, going toward an endpoint. Every journey must end somehow. For Tony Stark, his message results from facing his own mortality. He hopes for a happy ending but a hero is never guaranteed that. Instead, he finds comfort in telling Morgan, “I love you 3,000” and accepting fate as it plays out. It’s a graceful exit for a beloved character.

---

MCU fans, what are your favorite Endgame quotes?

Join the conversation with other Marvel fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!