Black Panther: 15 Most Memorable Quotes

With the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, the impact of Black Panther became even more powerful. Not only was the film a groundbreaking achievement for the MCU and a cultural phenomenon, but it also now stands in history as part of Boseman’s amazing legacy, thanks to his awe-inspiring performance as the movie’s lead.

The first Marvel movie to win an Oscar, Black Panther was monumental in many ways. The cast of characters in the film was complex and interesting, and there are many memorable and quotable scenes from the movie, from funny moments to serious ones. The best Black Panther quotes are simply unforgettable.

Updated on March 19th, 2022 by Stacie Rook: With Black Panther’s sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set for release later this year, as well as a Disney+ spin-off series featuring Okoye in development, there’s no better time to revisit T’Challa’s solo movie, which invited audiences into Wakanda for the first time, showing all it had to offer in an outstanding story.

Ulysses Klaue’s Odd Priorities

“Put Some Music On. What Do You Think This Is A Funeral?”

Killmonger rightfully gets most of the attention for being the film’s most memorable villain, as well as one of the MCU’s most complex villains. Andy Serkis’ turns as Ulysses Klaue should not be overlooked, however, as he is a fun and wild secondary bad guy for the film.

During the amazing Busan car chase sequence, the audience gets an idea of just how unhinged Klaue really is. With the Wakandans hot on their heels, Klaue is more concerned about having some good tunes playing than with getting caught. Some villains want power, some want money, and some just want to have fun.

M’Baku’s Sense Of Humor

“I’m Kidding. We’re Vegetarians.”

M’Baku is the intimidating and proud leader of the mountain tribe and a rival of T’Challa, but in addition to this, he is shown to have a fantastic sense of humor.

When T’Challa’s family comes to M’Baku seeking help, he gives them a chilly reception. When Everett Ross then attempts to offer his own opinion, M’Baku threatens to feed him to his children. He then admits they are vegetarians, laughing at his own joke in a moment that shows M’Baku’s humor as well as his intelligence, as he uses Ross’ ignorance against him.

T’Challa’s Declaration Of Power

“I Am Your King Now!”

Black Panther explores T’Challa’s struggle as the new king and what that responsibility means. It also exposes the dark secrets of his father’s time as king. When T’Challa first encounters Killmonger, he sees that he has a ring identical to the one his father gave him. He then realizes something is being kept from him and confronts Zuri.

While it is clear Zuri has the answers, he tells T’Challa that he promised the king he would never speak of it. T’Challa shouts at him “I am your king now!” in a rare moment of him losing his cool, and the scene marks some of Boseman’s best work in the film.

Zuri’s Shameful Secret

“We Left Him.”

Like in the comics, the film shows Wakanda as a highly advanced nation hidden in the shadows from the rest of the world. The movie also explores what is wrong with that idea.

Zuri reveals the truth to T’Challa about his uncle N’Jobu. He explains that he became radicalized while in America and King T’Chaka killed him to save Zuri. When T’Challa asks what became of N’Jobu’s son, Zuri shamefully admits that they left him. Not only does this moment make for a heartbreaking backstory for Killmonger, but it shows that Wakanda has abandoned those in need to keep their secret. This inspires T’Challa to eventually open Wakanda up to the world.

Shuri Longs To Tease Her Brother

“Did He Freeze?”

T’Challa is one of the more stoic and serious of the Marvel heroes, but even he gets distracted sometimes. His main distraction is his former flame, Nakia, who he goes to find on a mission early in the film. Even though Okoye warns him not to freeze when he sees her, T’Challa does just that.

Back in Wakanda, Shuri immediately asks Okoye if he froze. Okoye gleefully reports “Like an antelope in headlights.” showing that even a king and superhero can have the occasional awkward moment, which makes T’Challa even more likable.

T’Chaka’s Words To His Son

“You are a good man with a good heart, and it is hard for a good man to be king.”

Said by T’Chaka to T’Challa, this beautiful quote speaks to the close relationship between the father and son duo, and also says a lot about T’Challa as a character.

Black Panther is about T’Challa’s journey to figure out the kind of king he wants to be, and, at his core, he is a good person with a good heart who wants to do the right thing. While he has his struggles, he is able to figure out how to be a good king as well as a good man.

A Moment Of Sibling Banter

“The real question is, what are those?!”

While Black Panther is full of insightful and wise quotes that illuminate something about the human condition, it’s also full of some amazing one-liners. The characters are all funny in a relatable way that’s not overdone, and one of the most fun characters is definitely Shuri.

The relationship between Shuri and T’Challa is one of the best sibling relationships in the MCU. Seeing the brother and sister joke together and make fun of each other is one of the most enjoyable parts of the movie.

Shuri’s Mind Is Constantly At Work

“Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.”

This wise line from Shuri speaks to her need to always be learning and improving things. As a genius and the smartest character in the MCU, Shuri is always inventing and creating new technology to help make the world a better place.

In many ways, Shuri’s attitude is part of what inspires T’Challa to consider opening Wakanda up to the rest of the world, knowing the impact that his sister could have and the help she could grant to others.

Nakia’s Assertion To T’Challa

“I would make a great queen because I am stubborn — if that’s what I wanted.”

One of the best things about Black Panther is its cast of female characters. Unlike many other MCU films, this movie doesn’t just feature one or two minor or token women. The women of Wakanda are each unique and important to the story in their own ways.

Though in the comics Black Panther has a romance with Storm, Nakia makes for a fantastic MCU replacement. She is an experienced, independent spy and fighter, and her self-assured attitude makes for a refreshing romance and relationship in the MCU.

Shuri’s Wonder At What The Future Holds

“When you said you would take me to California for the first time, I thought you meant Coachella.”

Another line from Shuri is said towards the end of the movie that never fails to get a good laugh.

In addition to being funny, though, this quote does highlight that Wakanda opening up its existence to the world is an act of altruism. They are an advanced society with technology and healing that can benefit the rest of the world. T’Challa and Shuri are already trying to make the world a better place.

T’Challa Shows The U.N. What He Stands For

“In times of crisis, the wise build bridges while the foolish build barriers.”

T’Challa says his final line in the Black Panther movie to the U.N. Assembly in the first post-credit scene, and it is clearly a mirror to real-life political and social issues.

This is an inspiring quote that reminds us all of the importance of working together and the beauty of equality. The quote is also a good example of T’Challa’s governing style, what he stands for, and how he will continue to act as a ruler.

Nakia’s Reminder

“You get to decide what kind of king you are going to be.”

This quote from Nakia highlights one of the central themes of Black Panther, that T’Challa has to figure out what kind of ruler he will become, and if he will do things like his father or forge his own path.

Nakia is a figure in Black Panther who really understands the responsibility Wakanda has to help underprivileged people in the world, learned during her time as a spy. Ultimately Nakia shares many of Killmonger’s ideas, though her response to such beliefs is very different from his.

Okoye’s View Of Weaponry

“Guns, So Primitive.”

A hilarious quote from Black Panther, but also an important one, Okoye says this with her signature disdain, and it definitely makes fans laugh. It’s also a quote that illustrates how Wakanda is the most advanced nation in the world.

These Afro-futurist elements are part of what makes Black Panther such a pioneering movie for representation in blockbuster films.

Killmonger’s Chilling Declaration

“Bury me in the ocean, with my ancestors that jumped from the ships, because they knew death was better than bondage.”

Killmonger says this line near the end of the film before he dies. This Black Panther quote might be the most powerful from the MCU, as it has both personal and historical resonance. While many feel Killmonger is the best villain in the MCU, his backstory proves things are far more nuanced than that.

Unlike the characters who grew up in Wakanda, Killmonger was born into the wider world and lived with the impacts of racism and colonization. This is a powerful and emotional quote with an enduring weight that highlights the importance of this movie for audiences today and in the future, showing its relevance far beyond the world on-screen.

A Battle-Cry For All

“Wakanda Forever!”

This short line is perhaps the most quoted from the movie, and for good reason, as it highlights the central pride that Black Panther brought to many viewers who saw themselves represented in the film’s story and characters.

This quote and its accompanying gesture were important for many people who watched the story. Actors, as well as fans, were doing (and continue to do) the Wakanda Forever salute as a way to express pride in their heritage and show how Black Panther inspired them.

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