Back in 2010, fans of the young Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) were treated with the introduction of Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, when she burst onto the screen in Iron Man 2. It has been more than ten years, and finally, fans of this essential MCU character will get to see Black Widow in her own feature film.
Over the years, Scarlett Johansson has given viewers dozens of reasons to fall in love with this super-spy turned heroine, from her endearing performance to the countless times she took enemies down with acrobatic ferocity. She also contributed her fair share of memorable dialogue, demonstrating she was so much more than just the pretty girl Avenger.
10 "Love is for children, I owe him a debt."
- Movie: The Avengers (2012)
It's too often that women on a team of mostly men get relegated to love interest or damsel in distress. Black Widow breaks out of those shackles with this memorable quote where she assures Loki that she can't be manipulated by romantic sentiment.
This is also one of the first moments to establish the enduring bond between her and Hawkeye, a relationship that resonates throughout the story all the way until its tragic conclusion in Avengers: Endgame.
9 "First rule of going on the run is: walk, don't run."
- Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The MCU has given audiences plenty of iconic on-screen duos from Thor and Loki to Rocket and Groot, but Nat and Cap are one of the most memorable duos in the entire series because of the incredible chemistry they have together.
They are the personification of Yin and Yang since they balance each other out so well. Here, Nat schools Cap on criminality 101, playing off his heroic innocence as the consummate good guy. She shows that others are in safe hands with her.
8 "Either one of you know where the Smithsonian is? I'm here to pick up a fossil."
- Movie: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
In classic Marvel fashion, every character gets their moments of levity to balance out the drama and action of the superhero life. Black Widow is no exception to that, getting her own memorable one-liners (usually at Cap's expense).
Yet again, Johansson seamlessly blends charm and wit with killer instincts, characteristics that make Black Widow as lovable as she is.
7 "Are you incapable of letting go of your ego for one [...] second?"
- Movie: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Natasha Romanoff might be the only Avenger who could say anything to another member of the team that not only cuts deep but makes them genuinely listen without immediately wanting to punch back.
After the team implodes in Civil War and Rhodey has just suffered a crippling injury, Nat hits back at Tony with this scathing assault on his infamous ego after he accuses her of betraying him. The audience knows Black Widow's true allegiance lies to the Avengers as a unit, not a specific faction.
6 "I'm in the middle of an interrogation. This moron is giving me everything."
- Movie: The Avengers (2012)
Audiences learned that Agent Romanoff was not to be underestimated from her screen-time in Iron Man 2. However, her introduction in Avengers where she mops the floor with three grunts while tied to a chair was such a fist-pumping sequence.
Most people prefer the "put you on hold" line, but her delivery of the "interrogation" line makes one need to do a double-take to make sure they understood her correctly. That is some James Bond-level confidence.
5 "Just like Budapest all over again."
- Movie: The Avengers (2012)
Black Widow and Hawkeye are the grounding element of the team to whom the audience can relate because they are the mortals amongst gods. What makes them so uniquely suited to a team of misfits is the fact that they share such a storied history.
The bond between them serves as the foundation upon which the other relationships in the team can be built and that's why they are vital for the team's success. Besides that, though, it is a super memorable line from a movie full of outstanding moments.
4 "She's not alone."
- Movie: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Natasha helped to embody the spirit of family and brotherhood throughout the Avengers run. Audiences quickly learned that despite her blemished past, Black Widow was willing to throw down for any of her new friends, even against an incredibly powerful soldier of Thanos like Proxima Midnight.
Aside from being such a seminal moment for woman power in the franchise, this line was called back in Endgame as a touching dedication to Nat's eventual sacrifice and her unwavering commitment to those she wished to protect.
3 "Staying together is more important than how we stay together."
- Movie: Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Despite the festering deterioration of the Avengers from within, Nat did everything she could to be the glue that could hold it all together. Her arc from independent super-spy to the keystone of the Avengers pays off in this line, where she foreshadows her allegiance to the team over her allegiance to one side.
In many ways, the irony of her years of being a heartless double-agent for the Russian government is what gave her the strength to choose unity over personal feelings. Black Widow even endured having to fight her best friend Hawkeye in order to do what she knew to be right for the team. That is a true test of character.
2 "I used to have nothing. Then I got this job...this family...but nothing lasts forever."
- Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Black Widow's most heartbreaking performance is arguably during this conversation with Cap, where she is struggling to hold the pieces of her old life together despite half of it just being snapped out of existence by Thanos. She evokes incredible feelings of sympathy because it's human nature to not let go of the past.
Nat's journey from a solo killing machine to an invaluable cog in something completely selfless and virtuous illustrates the human capacity for growth, empathy, and redemption in everybody. Nat shows the audience that it's worth dedicating yourself to something despite the chance of it being gone one day.
1 "You tell them yourself."
- Movie: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
There can be no other winner for the best quote by Black Widow than when she affirmed her conviction to sacrifice herself to give her best friend a chance at getting his family back.
It is quite believable, in that fateful duel on Vormir for the soul stone, that either Hawkeye or Black Widow would have jumped to their death without hesitation for the other, but Nat reminds viewers that a life that is essential to others is worth saving. Nat's final act of heroism, while shocking and melancholy, ultimately lets not only Hawkeye see his family again, but gives the Avengers the means to triumph over Thanos once-and-for-all.