20 Best Iron Man Quotes From The MCU

Throughout Infinity Saga, Iron Man delivered some of the best lines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Aside from being a genius, being sarcastic and witty are some of the hallmarks of Tony Stark, which makes him very entertaining to watch. Robert Downey Jr.’s penchant for words and improvisation only adds to the character’s appeal. Given this, it shouldn’t be surprising there isn’t any scarcity of great quotes from Iron Man during his time in the MCU.

What makes Tony’s quotes great is that they have a wide variation. Many of them highlight just how truly witty he is, but there are some that are surprisingly emotional, either they are earnest and enlightening or downright heartbreaking. Most impressively, Iron Man also has several quotes that predict the future in the MCU. In fact, a couple of his lines still ring very much true years after he died in Avengers: Endgame. So while Iron Man has already been dead for quite a while now, he remains relevant in the Multiverse Saga through his words.

20 “Is It Better To Be Feared Or Respected? I Say, Is It Too Much To Ask For Both?”

Iron Man (2008)

The production of Iron Man is nothing short of legendary. Director Jon Favreau was able to craft an opening that effectively introduces the MCU’s inaugural hero was impressive. Tony’s whole interaction inside the Humvee with his military escort was great, but it was his introduction of the Stark Industries-newly-created Jericho Missiles that gives the public a great explanation of why he’s so successful as an industrialist even though he can be egotistical.

19 “I Shouldn’t Be Alive… Unless It Was For A Reason.”

Iron Man (2008)

After Tony’s captivity in Afghanistan, he returned a changed man in Iron Man. He spent his time perfecting the version of Mark I in his workshop, not having anyone distract him. When Pepper Potts finally confronts him about his dangerous activities, he delivers a surprisingly emotional confession on how he sees his second chance in life.

18 “The Truth Is, I Am Iron Man”

Iron Man (2008)

At the end of Iron Man, MCU changed the superhero movie game forever with just one line from Tony — an admission that he is indeed Iron Man after much speculation. The moment effectively diminishes secret identities in the franchise, allowing the Avengers to have their true personas out in the open. For the longest time, this has remained to be the norm in the MCU.

17 “You Want My Property, You Can’t Have It. But I Did You A Big Favor, I’ve Successfully Privatized World Peace. What More Do You Want?”

Iron Man 2 (2010)

At the start of Iron Man 2, Tony is put on trial for his creation of the Iron Man suit and his independent operation. Despite the efforts of Justin Hammer and some politicians, Tony sassily and cleverly showed why it’s best for Stark Industries to keep his invention. It’s a reminder that despite his renewed sense of responsibility, Tony remains cocky. More importantly, this whole interaction is poised to play a role in Armor Wars.

16 “I Told You I Don’t Want To Join Your Super-Secret Boy Band.”

Iron Man 2 (2010)

After Nick Fury’s Iron Man post-credits scene cameo, he spends Iron Man 2 trying to recruit Tony into the initiative. While also secretly trying to deal with his arc reactor poisoning, he repeatedly turns down the offer, but this is arguably his best put-down to the invitation.

15 “Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist”

The Avengers (2012)

Iron Man and Captain America have always had a complicated dynamic. While the team discusses what to do with Loki, the pair gets into a pissing contest. Steve Rogers mistakenly asks Tony who he thinks he is, prompting arguably the sassiest reply the genius, billionaire could have given.

14 “If We Can’t Protect The Earth, You Can Be Damned Well Sure We’ll Avenge it!”

The Avengers (2012)

The intense one-on-one conversation between Iron Man and Loki in Stark Tower is one of the best verbal tennis in The Avengers. Both characters are known for their incredible way with words. However, what makes Tony’s line really special is how it incorporates the newly-created team name into his threat to the God of Mischief.

13 “Threat Is Imminent, And I Have To Protect The One Thing I Can’t Live Without.”

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Tony’s near-death experience in the fight against Loki in the Battle of New York leaves him shaken. This is the central story of Iron Man 3, which sees the hero experiencing PTSD. In his most vulnerable and even romantic confession, he admits to Pepper that he is so afraid that he won’t be able to protect her from the imminent threat that is coming. o

12 “You Can Take Away My House, All My Tricks And Toys. One Thing You Can’t Take Away… I Am Iron Man.”

Iron Man 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 ends with Tony undergoing surgery to get the shrapnel out of his body. This frees him from needing to use an arc reactor to stay alive. Despite this, he laments in his ending voice-over that despite no longer having it or any of his high-tech gadgets, he is and will always be Iron Man.

11 “Isn’t That Why We Fight, So That We Can End The Fight So We Can Go Home?”

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Iron Man and Captain America may have found a way to work together in The Avengers, but they are still significantly different. Their conversation at the Barton farm in Avengers: Age of Ultron showcases that, with Tony emphasizing the goal of being able to retire from being a hero. It’s also a set-up of their biggest conflict in Captain America: Civil War.

10 “If We Can’t Accept Limitations, We’re No Better Than The Bad Guys.”

Captain America: Civil War (2017)

Marvel leans into the difference between Tony and Steve in Captain America: Civil War when the film introduces the Sokovia Accords. Motivated by his personal experience, Iron Man makes a compelling case for why they need to adhere to the UN’s mandate. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to convince Captain America to oppose it.

9 “I’m Doing What Has To Be Done, To Save Us From Something Worse.”

Captain America: Civil War (2017)

As the Sokovia Accords divide the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, Iron Man makes one final plea to Captain America about finding a compromise. While it isn’t clear yet back then, Tony’s insistence on keeping the team together is rooted in his perceived threat of coming to Earth. Two years after that, his words are proven right with the arrival of Thanos.

8 “If You’re Nothing Without The Suit, Then You Shouldn’t Have It.”

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

While the Avengers are on a break, Tony spends his time mentoring Spider-Man. However, after Peter Parker screwed up in Spider-Man: Homecoming, he gives him a stern lecture about his responsibilities as a superhero. This prompts him to deliver this line that teaches Spider-Man where his power truly comes from.

7 “I’m Sorry, Earth Is Closed Today. You Better Pack It Up And Get Outta Here.”

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

The arrival of Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian in New York at the start of Avengers: Infinity War re-confirms Iron Man’s suspicion of an alien invasion coming to Earth. Despite his worst nightmare coming to life, he still manages to come up with some witty lines while dealing with Thanos’ minions.

6 “I Love You 3,000”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Arguably one of the most quotable quotes from Avengers: Endgame is Tony and his daughter Morgan’s adorable send-off. The line itself doesn’t really make sense, but the fact that it is inspired by Downey’s own relationship with his real-life kids makes it so much more special. Now, the quote is largely associated with him and the love he has for his family.

5 “I Just Want Peace. Turns Out Resentment Is Corrosive, And I Hate It.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Initially against the proposed time heist in Avengers: Endgame, Tony eventually comes to the rescue of the Avengers after he is able to crack the code for time travel. He is first greeted by Captain America, who is frustrated after their failed attempt to send Ant-Man back in time. While the film never brings up what happened to them in Captain America: Civil War, this line essentially puts that water under the bridge for Tony.

4 “It’s Not About How Much We Lost. It’s About How Much We Have Left. We’re The Avengers. We Gotta Finish This.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

As with every plan, things don’t go exactly how the Avengers expect during the Battle of New York’s leg of the time heist in Avengers: Endgame. Motivated to ensure that they win the war, Iron Man gives a rare but rousing speech about taking a leap of faith with Captain America. Luckily for him, Steve is also fully committed to the cause.

3 “You Mess With Time, It Tends To Mess Back.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Iron Man correctly predicted the arrival of Thanos in the Infinity Saga, and while he is dead, he may have also prophetized the threat that Kang the Conqueror brings to the Multiverse Saga. During an almost missable scene in Avengers: Endgame, Tony remarks how time tends to mess back if one messes with it. With his death, his contemporaries are left to deal with the ramifications of that.

2 “And I Am Iron Man.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Avengers: Endgame is praised for a lot of things, including the way it poignantly wraps up Iron Man’s story in the MCU. Bringing back the character’s signature line from the first Iron Man film in 2008 is genius. Interestingly, however, it almost didn’t happen, as the scene was reworked long after the movie was done filming. However, Marvel Studios knew it was the best way to send off Tony, so they went to do the additional work just to add it to the epic blockbuster.

1 “Everybody wants a happy ending. Right? But it doesn’t always roll that way.”

Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Iron Man ends his MCU journey with a retrospective message that serves his story, as well as a meta-commentary on the evolution of the franchise. In the video message, he frames his death in a way that is supposed to be comforting to everyone who is grieving his death. It’s thoughtful and memorable — exactly the best way to send off the universe’s best hero.