Warning: This article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange: In The Multiverse of Madness.
The ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe has great characters and riveting storylines that connect in epic ways across various movies and TV shows. One of the best things about the MCU is the quotes, from Iron Man's memorable quips to Groot's one line, which impressively conveys a different message effectively every time he says it.
Many lines from MCU movies are memorable, but some are so good they've been used more than once. These call-back moments have the quotes repeated, sometimes in the same context as when they were first used, while other times they show the change and growth of the characters.
Earth's Mightiest Hero
"I Am Iron Man."
The MCU kicked off with Iron Man's story. It was only fitting that the conclusion to one of the biggest story arcs of the universe ended with him. Although Tony Stark was one character with a plethora of iconic quotes in the MCU, his best was "I am Iron Man."
The first time he said this, he was still new to the role and keeping it a secret from the rest of the world until his press conference confession. In contrast to the first time he said this when he was still uncertain if he could really be considered a hero, the last time he said these words he was making the biggest sacrifice to rid the world of Thanos, even though it cost him his life.
Showing Off The Team's Muscle
"We Have A Hulk."
In Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes battled Loki's army. Typical of Loki, he taunted Tony over the fragility of the Avengers compared to his Chitauri. Tony retaliated by telling Loki they had a Hulk on their team, who later wiped the floor with Loki — literally.
Ironically, it was Loki who used this exact line later in Avengers: Infinity War in response to Thanos' taunts during the attack on Asgard. For the most part, Loki still feared the Hulk at the time, so it was great to see this come full-circle showing how he now relied on the same monster he feared, now that they were on the same side against a greater threat.
A Meet Cute
"On Your Left."
Sam and Steve's first meeting was a hilarious one, setting the two up for the strong friendship that carried on throughout the franchise. And it all began with three words from a chance encounter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier when Steve kept saying the words whenever he passed Sam during his run.
The quote's call-back moment came during an epic scene in Avengers: Endgame when the portals were opening just as Steve was facing Thanos' army alone. Hearing Sam say those words as he and the other Avengers who'd blipped came to back him up helped Steve get his strength back to fight while referencing an iconic moment of their friendship.
Childhood Trauma
"Take My Hand."
Meredith Quill's death was one of the saddest things Peter faced before becoming Star Lord. Just before she died, surrounded by her family, she asked Peter to hold her hand but was gone before he mustered the courage to. This moment replayed later on when Gamora said the same words while he was holding the power stone.
Having two women he cared about saying the same line to him at such crucial moments, and his different reactions to it was a good way of showing how he'd changed with time. It was also a catalyst for him healing from Meredith's death as he finally got the courage to open her last gift to him after the incident with the stone.
Complicated Siblings
"He's Adopted."
Thor and Loki's relationship is a complicated one, wrought with betrayal, especially from the latter. In Avengers, Thor continues to refer to him as his brother despite his many betrayals until Natasha tells him Loki killed 80 people in 2 days and he backtracks and says he's adopted.
Funny enough, Loki says the same to the grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok after initially denying knowing Thor. Despite this and the constant betrayals, these two cool MCU characters still cared about each other and always stood together against other threats that weren't of Loki's doing, such as Hela and Thanos.
A Worthy Hero
"I Can Do This All Day."
Captain America: The First Avenger showed in great detail how honorable, selfless, and brave Steve was, even before he received the serum. Proof of his resilience came during an early scene when a heckler beat him up but Steve kept getting back up and told his assailant he'd go all day, even though he was outmatched.
The inspirational MCU quote came back around when Steve fought Tony to defend Bucky, and again when Steve fought 2012-Steve. The most recent use of the catchphrase is in Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness by Captain Carter.
An Unforeseen Sacrifice
"You Didn't See That Coming?"
Avengers: Age of Ultron introduced the Maximoff twins and Pietro's first words were this taunt to Clint who didn't see his attack coming due to his speed. Clint later used the line on him at the Avengers compound when he shattered the floor beneath Pietro. But, the truly memorable call-back to the quote came when Pietro took several bullets to save Clint.
Pietro's dying words were the exact ones he said to Clint when they first met, but with such a vast difference in the emotion behind the statement. It was a heartfelt quote that showed how their relationship changed from one where Pietro believed the Avengers were the bad guys, to making the ultimate sacrifice to save the same man he'd initially been happy to attack.
A Sad Love Story
"I Just Feel You."
Throughout MCU history, Wanda experiences great loss, and her relationship with Vision is one of the few good things that happened to her. In Avengers: Infinity War, while she and Vision are enjoying some time alone, he asks her to look inside his mind to find out why the mind stone was acting up. Not sensing anything, she tells him she only feels him — an endearing statement that became the couple's catchphrase and also showed that Wanda always felt he was much more than a super-bot.
Vision later says this line to Wanda after insisting that she destroy the stone along with him, to keep it from Thanos. Wanda's heartbroken, "I can't feel you," when she sees Vision's body in WandaVision makes reference to their original catchphrase. Her grief over him and many other people she's lost finally comes to a head in Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness.
Every Life Matters
"We Don't Trade Lives."
With Thanos' army bearing down on the Avengers in Wakanda, Vision offered to sacrifice himself to destroy the mind stone. By his logic, one life wasn't worth sacrificing many others in battle, but Steve disputed that with this quote. Later, during the attack when Steve told Vision to leave and save himself, Vision stayed and quoted his line back to him.
Although Steve had reservations about Vision when he was created, this quote highlights how he and the others had come to accept him as a member of the team. Steve and the rest willingly put their lives on the line to protect him and didn't consider him dispensable just because he wasn't human.
A Bittersweet Love Letter
"I Love You 3,000."
In Avengers: Endgame, Tony's life was one of the few that turned out well in spite of the devastating blip. His daughter, Morgan, was among the biggest and best changes. The little girl was adorable in every scene with Tony, especially when she bid him goodnight with this beloved MCU quote.
Tony said this same line in a message delivered by his hologram at his funeral and his delivery of it brought tears to the eyes of many viewers. The line and Tony's sacrifice show better than anything, how far he came from the billionaire, playboy, and genius philanthropist he was in the beginning to Earth's greatest hero.