Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, is one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe largely because he seems to get the best lines!
Intelligent, sarcastic, and not inclined to answer to anyone, he has the best funny quips but also some of the most meaningful dialogue about hope and self-sacrifice.
Tony Stark has appeared in 10 Marvel films. That’s three Iron Man films, four Avengers films, plus The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
With so much screen time, it is hard to choose his very best quotes, but we have chosen what we think are the 30 best lines uttered by Tony Stark since he first appeared on screen in 2008.
1. “Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?”
Iron Man (2008)
Even before he became Iron Man, Stark thought that he could have his cake and eat it too as he demonstrates his latest weapons.
2. “Sometimes you gotta run before you can walk.”
Iron Man (2008)
Stark justifies his dangerous experimentation.
3. “I came to realize that I had more to offer this world than just making things that blow up.”
Iron Man (2008)
Stark explains why he wants to get out of the weapons game.
4. “Iron Man. That’s kind of catchy. It’s got a nice ring to it. I mean, it’s not technically accurate. The suit’s a gold titanium alloy, but it’s kind of provocative, the imagery anyway.”
Iron Man (2008)
Tony’s response when they call him Iron Man in the press.
5. “The truth is… I am Iron Man.”
Iron Man (2008)
At the end of the Iron Man origin story film, Tony Stark is asked to establish a secret identity, but he can’t deny the hero that he has become.
6. “I told you. I don’t want to join your super-secret boy band.”
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony’s initial response to the idea of joining the Avengers.
7. “I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one.”
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Stark explains why he simply can’t turn his technology over to the government.
8. “I’m your nuclear deterrent. It’s working. We’re safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can’t have it. But I did you a big favor. I’ve successfully privatized world peace.”
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Tony Stark exposes his ego and his belief that he does not need to answer to anyone.
9. “I shouldn’t be alive unless it was for a reason. I just finally know what I have to do, and I know it in my heart that it’s right.”
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Stark explains to Pepper why he can’t stop.
10. “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.”
The Avengers (2012)
Who is Tony Stark without the suit? He can tell you.
11. “It’s good to meet you, Dr Banner. Your work on anti-electron collisions is unparalleled. And I’m a huge fan of the way you lose control and turn into an enormous green rage monster.”
The Avengers (2012)
Stark knows how to make an impression when he meets Bruce Banner, the Hulk, for the first time.
12. “We have a Hulk.”
The Avengers (2012)
Loki can’t stop talking about the strength of his forces, but Stark is pretty confident in his team as well.
13. “If we can’t protect the Earth, you can be damn well sure we’ll avenge it!”
The Avengers (2012)
Tony is clear with Loki that no matter what he does, the Avengers will never stop trying to stop him.
14. “Have you ever tried shawarma… I don’t know what it is, but I want to try it.”
The Avengers (2012)
Stark perfectly captures the empty feeling after finally getting what you have been battling for.
15. “I build neat stuff, got a great girl, occasionally save the world. So why can’t I sleep?”
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Tony Stark sums up where he is in life at the start of his third stand-alone movie.
16. “I have to protect the one thing that I can’t live without. That’s you.”
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Tony explains to Pepper why he’s doing what he is doing.
17. “We create our own demons.”
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Stark explains why we tend to be our own worst enemies.
18. “There are people who say that progress is dangerous, but none of those idiots ever had to live with a chest full of shrapnel.”
Iron Man 3 (2013)
Stark explains why resisting progress is the luxury of the fearful.
19. “Actually, he’s the boss. I just pay for everything and design everything, make everyone look cooler.”
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Tony explains his role on the Avengers team.
20. “I tried to create a suit of armor around the world, but I created something terrible.”
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Tony Stark realizes that he may not be able to protect the world from itself.
21. “If we can’t accept limitations, we’re boundaryless, we’re no better than the bad guys.”
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Tony Stark finally realizes that power has limits and tries to put those limits on his old friend Cap.
22. “What if somebody had died tonight? Different story, right? Cause that’s on you. And if you died, I feel like that’s on me.”
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Tony explains to Peter Parker why actions have consequences.
23. “If you’re nothing without the suit, then you shouldn’t have it.”
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Tony’s response when Peter says he can’t live without his Spider-suit.
24. “Dude, you’re embarrassing me in front of the wizards.”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Stark speaks to Stephen Strange and his allies with his usual lack of respect.
25. “I don’t want another single pop culture reference out of your for the rest of the trip. You understand?”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Stark shows his frustration with the banter of the young Spider-Man.
26. “No amount of money ever bought a second time.”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Tony meets his own father in the past and quotes his own future words back to him about seizing the moment.
27. “It’s not about how much we’ve lost, it’s about how much we have left.”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Stark explains why he is focused on building his life rather than trying to change the snap.
28. “Everyone wants a happy ending. Right? But it doesn’t always roll that way.”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Stark admits that you can’t always find a way out in his pre-recorded will.
29. “Part of the journey is the end.”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
In his pre-recorded message, Stark shows his enormous evolution since the start of his story ark.
30. “I Love You 3000.”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The special way that Tony Stark and his daughter share their feelings.