Going out with a bang is one of the best ways to die in a movie, and some heroes simply do it in style. Just as some villains in film choose to burn out instead of fade away in a fiery blaze, so too do some good guys commit the ultimate sacrifice, reprisal, or last stand. They're not necessarily the main protagonists though — killing those off is still often a storytelling taboo these days.
Regardless, they're heroes, regardless of whether they're the main guy/gal or the side character. Their last lines are the cherry on top of their noble and spectacular deaths on the silver screen. Each has their own contribution to pop culture, due to the manner of death they have chosen as well as their parting words.
10 Obi-Wan Kenobi – Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope (1977)
“You can’t win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
When Obi-Wan in his current state in Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope first uttered those famous last words, one probably couldn't tell whether he was bluffing or not. Turns out, he sort of wasn't since he became a Force ghost, practically turning immortal in the process.
Several decades later, that line has also been given a library's worth of context, so it now carries more weight than ever. It's a classic case of student versus teacher (or in this case, Padawan versus Master) as Kenobi smugly mocks his former apprentice once more. Vader also has never defeated him up until that point, and his death only made him more powerful.
9 Spock – Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan (1982)
"I have been... and always shall be... your friend. Live long... and prosper."
This old-school quote from the old-school Star Trek carries a hefty sentimental value regarding Spock's loyalty and vestige of humanity. It's only the words he says while speaking to Kirk, after Khan inadvertently compelled him to sacrifice himself to let his friends live.
In his dying moments, dizzy from radiation, Spock still musters up the strength to fix his uniform and impart his most heartfelt dialogue to Kirk about friendship and moving on. Any other time, this would have been difficult for him to talk about, knowing his Vulcan upbringing. That only makes it more powerful.
8 T-800 – Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)
“I know now why you cry. But it’s something I can never do. Goodbye.”
Speaking of seemingly emotionless heroes learning humanity, Terminator 2: Judgement Day is filled with these precious film moments. After securing their victory and keeping John and Sarah Connor safe, Terminator T-800 has one job left to do: destroy himself so that he can't be used to threaten the Connors' safety.
The sad part is that he unintentionally became John Connor's father figure, and the boy has become attached to him. So when John cries to T-800 to not die, the futuristic robot responds with the line above, signaling how he finally understood human emotion and regrets not being able to let it out in its purest form.
7 William Wallace – Braveheart (1995)
"Freedom!"
While Braveheart is more or less a blasphemy in the eyes of UK historians, it's still one of the most fervent, magnificent medieval war movies in existence. It's a fictionalized retelling of the tale of William Wallace as he leads Scotland's biggest rebellion for independence against the English.
Sadly, it ends in Wallace getting caught by his enemies, and tortured leading up to the days of his execution. The English did give him an opportunity to live by invoking mercy, but with his thunderous last breath, he instead shouted that famous line above.
6 Boromir – The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)
"I would have followed you, my brother, my captain, my king."
In one of Sean Bean's most famous roles, Boromir had a huge impact on The Lord of the Rings' plot. He was a lost soul hungry for power, victory, and glory after being forced by his father to look after the kingdom of Gondor. He became obsessed with Gondor's salvation to the point where he craved for the One Ring's power under the pretense of saving his people.
This led to his death. However, he died nobly while trying to defend Merry and Pippin from an Uruk onslaught. During his death, he thankfully made peace with Aragorn and recognized the ranger's true claim to the throne of Gondor, thus redeeming himself.
5 Leonidas – 300 (2006)
"My Queen! My wife. My love."
It shouldn't be that hard to portray someone like King Leonidas. All a director needs is a bearded, buff, loud guy with some stoic undertones in his personality. Leonidas, as played by Gerard Butler, is the typical gym bro action hero aged 30 and above. The hard part, though, is in portraying his soft side.
A few seconds before certain death, Leonidas finally reveals his true yearning: to be in the arms of his queen. However, his duty as a king and the Spartan culture prevents him from having too much of a good thing. Thus, this line is more meaningful for viewers familiar with Spartan customs and traditions.
4 Alfred Borden – The Prestige (2006)
"Abracadabra."
It's a little hard to categorize Alfred Borden as a hero, but his counterpart in The Prestige is a selfish, vengeful, obsessed rich magician played by Hugh Jackman. Their magician battle culminated in Borden's imprisonment and eventual execution.
The executioner asks Borden for his last words before he hangs him. Since he's a magician, he blurts out that iconic line — because alas! He has one more magic trick to unleash on his rival before he dies. We dare not spoil it here, as it's the film's greatest moment.
3 Nux – Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
"Witness me."
Normally, "witness me!" would have been yelled and drilled into the witnesses by Immortan Joe's expendable and zealous war boys. The delivery of this line, however, is an exception, as it came from a disillusioned Nux who went against his father and helped Max and Furiosa.
Nux sacrificed himself and crashed the truck he was driving to eliminate all their pursuers. Before he did though, he whispered a rather muted and melancholic "witness me" to his lady love. It was the very antithesis of the war boy culture, and a sacrificial death that actually has a virtuous purpose.
2 Tony Stark/Iron Man – Avengers: Endgame (2019)
"I am... Iron Man."
Iconic wouldn't even begin to describe this household quote from Iron Man. Before Avengers was even a thing, those words marked the beginning of the biggest cinema franchise at the moment. It was his last line in his solo Iron Man film back in 2008, and also his famous last words when he won against Thanos.
A bit of sleight of hand and some Stark tech, and he managed to snag the most powerful objects in the universe from Thanos' powerful hands. Too bad it cost him his life in the process of using them, but his end gave birth to the MCU's exponential expansion.
1 Duke Leto Atreides – Dune (2021)
"Here I am, here I remain."
Oscar Isaac's performance as Duke Leto Atreides in the latest Dune adaptation was stellar, to say the least. While his role was short-lived to make way for Paul Atreides' development, he died in a risky and tactical move that nearly killed his greatest enemy.
Duke Leto, hiding a poison bomb in his teeth, was aware that he would be brought to the Baron's audience after his defeat in Arrakis. Thus, this final desperate move to retaliate against the Baron was spearheaded by his most famous and most inspiring quote. Too bad the Baron managed to survive.