The much-lauded Infinity Saga of MCU films came to a close in 2019, paving the way for a new phase in Marvel's Hollywood development timeline. However, for many fans, the Infinity Saga is still the meat and potatoes of the franchise due to the sheer amount of feeling put into each film.
The film lineup was a roller coaster of emotions leading up to that ultimate scene where one of Iron Man's saddest moments in the MCU plays out on screen for all to see. It wasn't the first time the franchise turned on the waterworks, especially when it came to memorable quotes that tugged at the heartstrings.
Updated on November 13th, 2022 by Colin McCormick: Phase 4 of the MCU has wrapped up with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, perhaps the most emotional MCU story to date. But the previous three phases of the cinematic universe have delivered some truly heartbreaking moments with memorable quotes that still reduce fans to tears. While there are likely a lot more tear-jerking moments ahead, there are still plenty of sad Marvel quotes from the MCU's Infinity Saga to revisit.
“I'm Tony Stark. I Build Neat Stuff, Got A Great Girl, Occasionally Save The World. So Why Can't I Sleep?"
Tony Stark - Iron Man 3 (2013)
This line is delivered with all of the carefree nonchalance that Tony Stark is well known for, which actually makes it far sadder than it first appears. To Tony, the world is a joke, and everything has a punchline if he just looks hard enough. The events of the first Avengers film changed all that, and Tony was never the same.
After encountering the Chutauri warriors sent to Earth by Thanos, Stark began to realize that his best efforts may not be enough. This affected everything from his mood to his focus, and even his sleeping patterns. For someone like Tony Stark to get so rattled is a feat unto itself, making the quote quite tragic.
"It Hurts, Doesn't It? Being Lied To; Being Told You're One Thing, And Then Learning It's All Fiction."
Loki - Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Loki had a rather privileged upbringing as the adopted son of an Asgardian God, but he clearly wasn't impressed when he learned about his true lineage as a Frost Giant. Though Odin did his best to raise the boy as his own, and provide him a chance to be something better than he was, Loki hated him for it.
He transferred this hatred to his half-brother Thor, who just had a run-in of his own with reality when this quote occurs. Loki used the opportunity to try and get Thor to understand his own feelings by capitalizing on a shared feeling of betrayal. It might have seemed like a low blow, but it was Loki's way of finding common ground, as well.
"I All Of Them."
Bucky Barnes - Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Though Bucky Barnes has taken big steps toward redemption, his dark past as The Winter Soldier is something he cannot seem to escape. In Captain America: Civil War, one of Bucky's most shocking crimes was revealed as he was responsible for the murder of Tony Stark's parents.
Tony doesn't take the news well and tries to kill Bucky, questioning if he even re the acts. In the midst of fighting for his life, Bucky makes the heartbreaking ission that, even though brainwashed, the crimes he was forced to carry out still haunt him.
“I Don’t Care. He Killed My Mom.”
Tony Stark - Captain America: Civil War (2016)
One of the most tragic scenes in the entire Infinity Saga takes place in the final act of Captain America: Civil War. As opposed to a standard giant battle against a mindless army, the film's final act featured a fight between just three people – Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Bucky Barnes.
After learning that Bucky was responsible for the death of his parents, Tony flies into a rage. Steve tries to mount his best defense on behalf of Bucky, telling him about his brainwashing. Tony has none of it though and drops this tragic, emotional line before giving in to his own anger.
“I Had A Pretty Cool Dad.”
Peter Quill - Guardians Of The Galaxy 2 (2017)
The final 20 minutes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is quite emotional, on many levels. Yondu sacrifices himself to save Peter Quill after telling him that he feels blessed to have been the one who raised him. The Guardians decide to send him off with a funeral, which is crashed by the Ravagers who come to pay their respects.
Arguably the most heartbreaking moment in the whole sequence is Quill’s eulogy, in which he compares Yondu to his 1980s TV idol, David Hasselhoff. Quill reveals that he wished Hasselhoff was his dad for years, but finally realizes that Yondu was a pretty great substitute.
"Steve? You’re Alive!"
Peggy Carter - Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter had very little time to start their romance before Steve was plunged into the arctic waters and remained frozen for decades. Though they missed a lot of time together, it seems sweet that Steve was able to reconnect with Peggy in the 21st century. However, it is also much sadder than it seems.
With Peggy now much old and frail, she suddenly seems lost mid-conversation and then sees Steve as if she is seeing him for the first time in years, reliving him coming back from the dead all over again. It is a moment that cements them as one of the most tragic MCU couples.
“Well, If I’m Wrong, Then...What More Could I Lose?”
Thor - Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
All throughout Avengers: Infinity War, Thor is determined to get a new weapon forged on Nidavellir that will be capable of killing Thanos. He assumes that because he’s never encountered an enemy he couldn’t defeat. He believes that, as soon as he has the weapon, he’ll be able to take down Thanos.
When Rocket questions this, he explains that his brother, his mother, his father, and his best friend have all been killed, and his home has been destroyed, so if he can’t kill Thanos, then he has nothing left to lose. It's a tragic revelation made even more so when Thor fails to kill Thanos, paving the way for the snap.
“Come On, Spider-Man! Come On, Spider-Man!”
Peter Parker - Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Every on-screen version of Spider-Man featured in films before Civil War was portrayed as an older teenager, but Tom Holland's version has been quite different. His Peter Parker was far younger and lacking in confidence, as opposed to his smart-mouthed alter egos. This meant he handled defeat a lot worse, as well.
The most powerful display of this is in Spider-Man: Homecoming, when he gets trapped under a pile of rubble (lifted directly from the pages The Amazing Spider-Man #33). The level of fear and panic in Holland's portrayal is gut-wrenching, and audiences everywhere sympathized with a kid who honestly thought he was about to die.
"So Was I."
Tony Stark - Captain America: Civil War (2016)
This quote has far more weight than some give it credit for, particularly because it signaled a massive shift in how the superheroes of the MCU would interact, going into the Infinity War act. Just when audiences thought the hatchet would be buried, the wound was driven open again and much wider than before.
Tony was intent on killing Bucky Barnes for the death of his parents, but Steve knew the truth of the matter and sought to intervene. This forced the two to lock horns, driving a wedge right down the middle of their friendship. Regret is present in both of their voices as they share this quote, signaling that things would never be the same again.
