Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsintroduced audiences to a fresh yet emotional take onMarvel’s First Family, delivered with a swathe of iconic dialogue. Rather than focus solely on superhero spectacle, the movie dove into intimate themes of family and sacrifice. Bolstered by standout performances and compelling dialogue,First Stepsbrought the team intothe MCU timelinein style.
Each character – whether it be Reed’s introspective guilt, Sue’s protective fierceness, or Johnny’s growth – was given rich moments that added gravitas to the story. With the unique decision to reimagine the Silver Surfer as Shalla-Bal, the film added emotional depth to an already cosmic threat. Across tense confrontations and heartfelt confessions, thecelebratedFantastic Four:First Stepsprovided a wealth of memorable quotes.
10“That Was Due To Poorly Marked Signage.”
Reed Richard To Ben Grimm
This unexpectedly funny line from Reed Richards adds both levity and vulnerability to his character. Reed isblaming himself for not being able to cure Ben’s rocky condition. Ben tries to comfort him and jokes that Reed isn’t as smart as he thinks.
Ben jokingly asks Reed if he passed his driving test. To which Reed replies:“That was due to poorly marked signage.”It’s a hilarious beat, but also asurprisingly telling one. Reed, known for his brilliance, often hides behind logic and facts.
Yet here, he’s disarmed by Ben’s humor and his own guilt. The line not only deepens the relationship between these two close friends, it shows Reed’s capacity for humility, even if delivered with dry wit. It’s one of the movie’s strongest examples of howFirst Stepsbalances humor and emotion seamlessly.
9“Die With Yours.”
The Silver Surfer To Johnny Storm
The Silver Surfer’s presence inFirst Stepsis haunting, poetic, and mysterious. When Johnny Storm impulsively chases the shimmering alien figure into orbit, he nearly dies in the process. Speaking in her native tongue, the Surfersays something to him that he doesn’t understanduntil much later.
Later, when they reunite aboard Galactus’s station, Johnny asks what it meant. She answers plainly:“It’s a blessing: Die with yours.”It’s a powerful phrase – part blessing, part warning – and one thatechoes throughout the film. It speaks toFirst Steps’core theme of family.
It becomes especially pertinent later when Johnny considers giving his life to protect Franklin. The line also offers insight into the Surfer’s own code, her reverence for connectionin the face of cosmic indifference. It’s simple yet poetic, a line that lingers long after it’s spoken.
8“He Does Not Want. He Feeds.”
Silver Surfer To The Fantastic Four
When the Fantastic Four come face to face with the Silver Surfer aboard Galactus’s imposing space station inFirst Steps, they press her for answers. They ask why Galactus would want to destroy Earth. The Surfer’sreply is chilling: “He does not want. He feeds.”
It is one of the most unnerving moments inthe Fantastic four: First Steps. There’s no malice, no hatred in Galactus’ actions, only instinct. This stripped-down explanation reframes Galactus not as a villain, but asa force of nature– inevitable, unreasoning, and unstoppable.
It reinforces howhopeless the odds truly areand forces the team to think beyond conventional solutions. The line also mirrors the wayFirst Stepshandles its cosmic lore: with gravitas and simplicity. Galactus doesn’t conquer, he consumes. That makes him even more terrifying.
7“I Don’t Want You To Be Like Me, There’s Something Wrong With Me.”
Reed Richards To Franklin
As Reed examines Franklin’s growing powers and tries to determine what Galactus wants with him, he has a quiet, emotional moment with his son. In it, Reed admits something deeply personal.“Most fathers want their son to look like them,”he says, before adding withhonest heartbreak,“I don’t want you to be like me. There’s something wrong with me.”
The moment is a window into Reed’s psyche. Beneath his intelligence lies a man afraid of what his brilliance has cost him, emotionally, morally, even spiritually. It’s a strikingly human moment froma man often seen as cold or clinical.
This is part of what makesFirst Stepssuch a thoughtful adaptation. Reed isn’t perfect. He’s a fathertrying his best to protect his son, even from himself.
6“My Mother Used To Say ‘A Mother Would Move Heaven And Earth For Her Child.'”
Susan Storm To The Fantastic Four & The World
When the world finds out that Galactusoffered to spare Earth in exchange for Franklin, panic erupts. Protesters flood the outside of the Baxter Building, demanding answers. Sue Storm, clutching her son tightly, steps out and addresses the crowd.
Her voice is strong, but full of emotion. She says,“My mother used to say ‘a mother would move heaven and earth for her child.'” It’s not just a touching line, itencapsulates the emotional centerofFirst Steps.
Sue is not only a superhero, but a mother first. This line highlights her strength, her compassion, and her willingness todo the impossible to protect Franklin. It also foreshadows the team’s bold plan to literally move the Earth to hide it from Galactus. The quote grounds cosmic stakes in human emotion.
5“That’s What Family Is. It’s About Fighting For Something Bigger Than Yourself. Connecting To Something Bigger Than Yourself.”
Susan Storm To The World
In the same speech to the crowd of protesters, Sue givesa rallying cry that elevates the entire film’s emotional core.“That’s what family is. It’s about fighting for something bigger than yourself. Connecting to something bigger than yourself.”More than just a line about familial love, it’s about community, legacy, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Sue isn’t just defending her child, she’s reminding the world why the Fantastic Four exist. They’re more than superheroes. They’resymbols of unity and resilience.
This line captures the ideological spine ofFirst Steps, asserting that family (biological or found) is what drives people to be better, braver, and more selfless. Coming from Sue, who oftenserves as the team’s emotional anchor, it feels earned and sincere. A defining quote in every sense.
4“I Will Not Sacrifice My Son For The World. But I Will Not Sacrifice The World For My Son.”
Few lines inFirst Stepsare as complex or haunting as this one. As Sue stands before the angry crowd, shedelivers an impossibly difficult truth: “I will not sacrifice my son for the world. But I will not sacrifice the world for my son.”
The moral conflict in the line is palpable. Sue refuses to be forced into an impossible choice, but alsorefuses to let either side suffer for the other. It’s a masterclass in character writing, showing Sue’s strength not as indecision, but clarity of principle.
She loves Franklin fiercely, but she also knows the value of every life on Earth. The linebalances personal love with heroic dutyand defines Sue as the film’s moral compass. It’s one ofFirst Steps’most powerful moments.
3“What Time Is It, Ben?!”
Johnny Storm To Ben Grimm
The movie smartly nods to the Fantastic Four’s history in fun ways, and this line from Johnny is a perfect example. ThroughoutFirst Steps, Ben Grimmbristles every time someone asks himto say his old cartoon catchphrase,“It’s clobberin’ time.”He insists it’s only from the cartoon series.
Yet Johnny,ever the provocateur, keeps pestering him.“What time is it, Ben?!”he teases – first quietly in a jokey way, asking Ben what time it is at every opportunity. Later, though, Johnny cries“What time is it, Ben?!”in full force as he launches Ben straight into battle with Galactus.
Ben finally relents and offers an iconic rendition of“It’s clobberin’ time!”It’s a brilliant mix of humor, nostalgia, and hype. The scene is hilarious but also thrilling, showing how the team blends old-school flair with new stakes. For fans of the comics and classic cartoons, this wasa moment to cheer for.
2“Tell Franklin Uncle Johnny Loves Him.”
Johnny Storm To The Fantastic Four
Johnny Storm’s arc inFirst Stepsis surprisingly emotional, and it culminates in this devastating line. During the final battle with Galactus at theend ofThe Fanastic Four: First Steps, things begin to fall apart. With Franklin and the planet’s fates hanging in the balance and Galactus gaining the upper hand, Johnnymakes the ultimate decision.
Knowing there’s a chance he won’t return, he radios the team and says,“Tell Franklin Uncle Johnny loves him.”It’sa heartbreaking moment of maturityfrom the character who’s usually the most flippant.
It shows just how much Johnny has grown and how deeply he cares – not just about Franklin, but about the family unit as a whole. The linemirrors earlier foreshadowing of the Surfer’s blessingand gives weight to Johnny’s sacrifice. It’s his most human, heroic moment.
1“We Will Protect You.”
The Fantastic Four To The World
At a press conference before the Fantastic Four launches into space, Reed Richards delivers a speech that captures the heart of the Fantastic Four’s mission. He speaks about science, progress, and theimportance of turning unknowns into knowns. Yet the line that sticks is his calm, resolute promise:“We will protect you.”
He repeats it, not with bravado, but with clarity. It’s a line that reinforces the team’s role, not just as superheroes, but asscientists and explorers who risk their livesfor the sake of humanity. Reed’s words are both reassurance and mission statement.
They tell the world (and the audience) what this version of the Fantastic Four is really about. It’s a simple yet emotionally resonant quotethat reiterates their noble stoicism and determination. It is a rousing, rallying call the defined the team throughoutThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
