There are plenty of hilarious Nacho Libre quotes that show why Jack Black's 2006 luchador sports comedy still performs well on streaming almost two decades later. The story follows Ignacio (Black), a cook in a monastery orphanage who cooks by day and wrestles as the masked luchador Nacho Libre by night. The film grossed over $80 million at the domestic box office against its $35 million budget, going on to net a further $19 million internationally (via Box Office Mojo). It also amassed a strong following in the years since its theatrical run, thanks mainly to its array of incredibly quotable one-liners.
Jack Black is a beloved comedic performer thanks to his classic roles in School of Rock and as one half of the musical duo Tenacious D. 2006's Nacho Libre remains one of the best examples of the actor's amazing gift for making audiences laugh with both his skills at physical comedy, timing, and his unique vocal stylings. Black fully commits to the silly role and delivers these hilarious Nacho Libre quotes with his typical wild energy.
Nacho Libre is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+
25 “Do You Not Realize I Have Had Diarrhea Since Easter?”
Señor Ramon (Enrique Muñoz) Lets Ignacio Know How His Cooking Truly Tastes
While there is a lot of quirky humor and sight gags to keep Nacho Libre hilarious, there are some moments where the movie leans into toilet humor incredibly well. While Nacho Libre avoids relying too much on these types of jokes, Señor Ramon's (Enrique Muñoz) very direct complaint about Nacho's cooking is an unexpected laugh-out-loud moment. The idea of measuring the time of this illness to the last major holiday adds a somewhat absurd quality to the joke, rather than just betting on the fact that "diarrhea" will be a word the audience finds amusing.
24 “Ok... Maybe I Am Not Meant for These Duties. Cooking Duty. Dead Guy Duty. Maybe It’s Time for Me To Get A Better Duty!”
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Questions His Role At The Monastary
Nacho Libre may be a comedy but it is also a classic underdog sports movie at its center, with its hero a man with potential and desire who is nevertheless overlooked and unappreciated by the world around him. After Señor Ramon complains about Nacho's cooking, Nacho gently suggests that perhaps he is not the best one suited to these menial tasks. Along with complaining about cooking duty, he suggests "dead guy duty" is also not his favorite, and the fact that Ignacio and his Monastic brethren are so used to this grim task that they casually rank it alongside regular daily chores is hilarious.
23 "To Kiss Your Mouth. I Break My Vows. No No No No No No Way Jose. Unless You Want To.”
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Admits His Conflicted Feelings To Sister Encarnacion (Ana de la Reguera) In Song
Nacho Libre is not just about Nacho's journey to become a wrestler, but it is also about his struggle with his forbidden love for the nun Sister Encarnacion, played by Ana de la Reguera. The feelings he has for her and his attempts to woo her suggest that his oaths as a priest are wavering. However, as Nacho shares his love song about Encarnacion, that message gets even more mixed, with him first emphatically denying that he would break his vows but insisting he would if she wanted to. His conflicted desires expressed through Jack Black's inimitable musical comedic style make for one of the funniest moments in Nacho Libre.
22 “Do You Remember When Everyone Was Shouting My Name, And I Used My Strength To Rip My Blouse.”
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Reveals His Selective Memory
Nacho's early attempts at wrestling do not go well, but they do work to ignite a passion inside of him. He wants to be a winner in the ring, but once the fight is over, he looks back on it as a moment of glory that he wants to continue to chase. Nacho seems to have a warped memory, making his rather embarrassing and clumsy antics seem heroic in his own mind. However, Esqueleto is less enchanted by the whole experience responds with a reality check — "Yea, and I saw them knock you unconscious, ok?" The exchange between the two makes for a humorous exchange that also shows Nacho's optimistic, if selective, way of viewing the world.
21 "I Saw A Bum Here."
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Fails To Cover His Tracks
Nacho usually has a pretty hard time hiding his double life. Not only does he have the kids to watch out for, but he also has to keep his true self from Sister Encarnacion. It's fair to say that Nacho's excuses as to why he's always running off aren't always the best. This is shown as he tries to lead Encarnacion away from the fold by convincing her that he saw two homeless men in need of hearing the gospel, though Encarnacion isn't impressed by his description of them as "bums", and this Nacho Libre quote is all the funnier for Nacho's confusion as to the issue with such a description.
20 "They Tried To Convert Each Other, But They Got Married, Instead — Then, They Died."
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Discusses His Tragic Past
When Ignacio meets Sister Encarnacion in her room in one of Jack Black's best movies, the two make awkward conversation while eating toast. Prompted by Encarnacion, Ignacio explains his backstory, detailing how his parents — being from very different backgrounds — came to meet. He tells her that, though they tried to convert each other, they ended up married. He then curtly explains that they died before whipping out a picture of the two that he had stuffed in his robe. Black's strange delivery of the line adds to the awkwardness (and hilarity) of the moment as Encarnacion is left trying to respond to such a story.
19 "Beneath The Clothes, We Find A Man, And Beneath The Man We Find His... Nucleus."
The Substance Of A Man According To Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black)
Nacho is always trying to impress Sister Encarnacion, and when she catches him in his expensive-looking "recreational clothes," he tries to remind her that no matter how impressive he is, he is still just a man. It's looked down upon for a man of Ignacio's stature to own expensive clothes, so Nacho tries to explain it away. He tries hard to be profound and intelligent — and self-assuredly believes it's working. As he tries to break himself down further, he hilariously manages to get to the "nucleus." Once again, it is Black's delivery that sells the line as the word seems to come out involuntarily, and he wishes immediately that he could take it back.
18 "Tonight, We Are Going Up Against Satan's Cavemen, And I Just Thought It Might Be A Good Idea If You Praise The Lord."
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Gives Esqueleto A Reason To Fight
The subject of religion is a point of contention between Ignacio and his luchador partner in the professional wrestling movie. While Ignacio is firm in his faith, Esqueleto repeatedly states that he's a man of science. Ignacio raises the issue before a match, but Esqueleto isn't moved. Worried about his friend's salvation, Nacho fills a bowl with water and quickly dunks his partner's head in it several times while shouting this matter-of-fact observation, granting him an emergency ahead of the match, with this hilarious Nacho Libre quote referencing a fight against "Satan's Cavemen" as a reason for Esqueleto to feel the faith.
17 "Jesse, I Owe You 4.99 Plus Tax."
A Small Glimpse At How Kind-Hearted Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Truly Is
Nacho tries to be a man of the people, but very few within the monastery actually like him. Perhaps it's because of his quirks or his poor cooking, but no one locally really gets along with him. Of course, he eventually turns the public around, thanks to his alter-ego. The eagle-inspired wrestler tries his best to do right by people, though, even offering tax on the money he owes. It is a moment of Nacho relishing his new acceptance rather than being laugh-out-loud funny, and this Nacho Libre quote also shows that he is a kind person who cares for others, even if he has ambitions for himself.
16 "I Am Singing At This Party."
Ramses's Party Goes In A Hilarious Direction Thanks To Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black)
Nacho loves to sing, but he doesn't do so well when he's put on the spot. When he's in the middle of a party celebrating the legend that is his nemesis Ramses, he's thrown into a situation where he has to sing a song. With a confused band behind him, Nacho starts singing about singing at the party, although it impressively morphs into an ode to Ramses. The impromptu performance doesn't go down well with his guest of honor, who throws a drink straight in his face. However, the scene does get to see Jack Black show off his musical skills, with the improv song's lyrics being hilariously bad.
15 "Get That Corn Outta My Face!"
The Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Moment That Spawned A Meme
Whether it's a drink to the face or a punch to the face, Nacho has quite an obsession with personal space and this getting in his face. When in the middle of an angry moment, his friend Esqueleto offers him some corn on a stick. In a moment of frustration, Nacho yells at him, swatting away the corn. The sudden fury Jack Black displays is so unexpected and hilarious that it ended up being one of the most iconic Nacho Libre quotes to be memed for quite some time after.
14 "I Don't Want To Get Paid To Lose! I Wanna Win!"
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Makes His Wrestling Ambitions Clear
Nacho gives his all to becoming a luchador, but he struggles to become truly great. At first, it is enough for him to show up to wrestling matches and lose because he's still getting money that allows him to make better meals for the kids at the orphanage. As the film progresses, Nacho becomes discouraged and tells his wrestling partner he just wants to win for a change. While Nacho Libre doesn't come across as a very serious competitor, he has the heart and determination that makes him a true underdog worth cheering for, but this Nacho Libre quote is also still incredibly funny thanks to Jack Black's delivery.
13 "They Gave Me No Nutrients!"
Yet More Misguided Science Knowledge From Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black)
In an attempt to better his wrestling skills, Nacho follows the advice of Steven's friend and goes on a short quest for an eagle egg. The whole sidebar is a ridiculous display, but it leads to one of the funniest Nacho Libre quotes. Steven's friend insists that, if Nacho eats the yolk of the egg, he will be endowed with the powers of an eagle. To Nacho's dismay, despite accomplishing this, he sees no improvement in his performance, lamenting the egg didn't even give him "nutrients." It is another example of Black's brilliant delivery as he treats the lack of magic in the egg as such a serious situation.
12 "Hey! Take It Easy!"
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Only Wants A Fair Fight
On Nacho's first night in the ring, he goes in a little overconfident. He decides to send Steven (Héctor Jiménez) in on his own while he tries to garner the audience's affection. He becomes so caught up in this that he is completely oblivious to the torture Steven is enduring in the ring. Once Nacho eventually turns around and sees what's happening, he's aghast. "Hey! Take it easy!" he yells at the other wrestler. It's such a mild response to the beating that Esqueleto is enduring. The fact that Nacho is surprised by the violence of the sport is hilarious and this becomes something of a catchphrase for him as he chastises his rougher opponents.
11 "Be Grateful, Juan Pablo. Today Is Especially Delicious.
Reasons For Appreciating Life From Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black)
It's unclear what kind of ingredients Nacho has to work with daily at the orphanage, but they are clearly subpar. In one of the early scenes of the film, the young children complain about the same old unappetizing food while Nacho tries to reassure him of the tastiness. The lines itself is another funny moment of Nacho taking a very serious tone while saying something utterly ridiculous. However, it is capped off with an even funnier gag as Nacho tries the food himself and his disgusted reaction sends the food out his nose. It is a brilliant bit of physical comedy from Jack Black.
10 "Everything You Just Said, Is My Favorite Thing To Do, Every Day!"
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Woos Sister Encarnacion By Agreeing With Everything She Says
When Sister Encarnacion arrives at the monastery/orphanage, she immediately gets on Nacho's radar. One evening, as they share some toast, Nacho tries to get to know her better. He asks her to tell him about herself, and she gives him a list of her favorite things. After a few of them, he stops her and tells her he likes the very same things as her. It's clear just how much he likes Encarnacion, and Nacho may be fairly new to romance, but, even for a beginner, he's endearing for making such an effort to get to know her.
9 "My Life Is Good! Really Good!"
He Has Many Skills, But Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Is A Terrible Liar
Nacho often finds that his passion for being a wrestler conflicts with his role in the monastery. When Nacho sees some of the orphans wrestling each other, he puts a stop to it and tries to give them a spiel about why wrestling is wrong. He admits that the lives of wrestlers are filled with luxury and happiness, but he tries to convince them that his life dedicated to his faith is just as fulfilling. Sadly, he has trouble even convincing himself. The grimace through which Jack Black says the line makes it all the funnier.
8 "Go. Go Away! Read Some Books!"
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Realizes The Depths Of His Self-Deception
Gradually throughout the movie, Nacho finds it harder and harder to keep up his veneer of being content with his simple life. His speech to the children, including Nacho Libre's Chanco, attempts a brave face as he recounts how even though his life is filled with loneliness it is still fantastic — or so he has always lied to himself to believe. Eventually, Nacho is overwhelmed by realizing how unhappy he is and dismisses the children in this hilariously random way. Once again, it is a line that is not funny on paper, but it is made endlessly funny thanks to Jack Black's memorable delivery.
7 "It's For Fun!"
Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black) Tries To Hide His Hobby
Nacho does his best to keep his wrestling pursuits under wraps, as it would most certainly be frowned upon by the church. However, eventually, one of the orphans, spots him trying on his wrestling costume. Nacho tries to make an excuse for his outfit in a panic by saying that, when you're a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants. Nacho has a way of acting stoic when he's not coming off as a goofball. He delivers this Nacho Libre quote as if he is revealing a deep truth about life, but fails to realize the term "stretchy pants" makes it hard to take any of it seriously.
6 "It Is In The Bible, Not To Wrestle Your Neighbor."
The Teachings Of Jesus Christ According To Ignacio/Nacho (Jack Black)
Though Ignacio does his best to follow his teachings, he's not great at concealing his true desire to embrace his love of wrestling. When Sister Encarnacion wants to dissuade the young orphans from pretending to be luchadors, Nacho steps in to remind them that "it is in the bible to not wrestle your neighbor." It is a moment that suggests, that despite Nacho caring about the orphans and wanting to help people, he doesn't actually know a lot about the bible — and this is made all the more hilarious by his presumption that wrestling and luchadors feature in it.