What Does “I Love You 3000” Mean and What Do You Say Back?

PDF download Download Article
Learn the history behind this fan-favorite Avengers line
PDF download Download Article

There are tons of iconic, tear-jerking quotes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The line “I love you 3000” was first spoken in the Marvel Movie Avengers: Endgame and instantly captured the hearts of fans. But where did it come from and what does it mean? How do you respond when someone says it to you? Keep reading to find out!

Meaning of “I Love You 3000”

“I love you 3000” is a quote from Avengers: Endgame that basically means “I love you more than anything.” The line was first said by Morgan Stark, Tony Stark’s daughter after he tucked her into bed. In his last hologram at the end of the movie, Tony turns to Morgan and says “I love you 3000” before disappearing.

Section 1 of 3:

What does “I love you 3000” mean?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    “I love you 3000” is a famous catchphrase in the MCU. The first person to use this line was Morgan Stark, the daughter of Tony Stark (AKA Iron Man), in Avengers: Endgame . In that scene, Tony tucks Morgan into bed and says “I love you tons,” and Morgan says, “I love you 3000.” [1]
    • At the end of the movie, Tony sacrifices himself to save the universe. After his funeral, his wife Pepper Pots plays a hologram he recorded of himself. In the end, Tony turns to Morgan and says “I love you 3000” before disappearing forever. [2]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Where does “I love you 3000” come from?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The original script for the movie had Morgan say “I love you tons” in response to Tony. Robert Downey Jr., who plays Tony Stark in the film, said that one of his children said “I love you 3000.” Co-director Anthony Russo told the screenwriters about that story, and it made its way into the script. [3]
    • Before the backstory of this line was revealed, fans theorized that it was a clever reference to the 3000-minute combined runtime of all the MCU movies. [4]
    • The line was later used by Gwenpool in the 2019 comic Gwenpool Strikes Back #2 . [5]
Section 3 of 3:

Replying to “I love you 3000”

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There are tons of ways to say “I love you” to that special someone. “I love you too” is always a classic way to reply, but you can also reference the movie back to them by saying “I love you tons” or “I love you 3000.”
    • “I love you, too.”
    • “I love you tons!”
    • “I love you 3000.”
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If the person you’re talking to loves Marvel movies, tell them you love them back with another memorable MCU quote. Whether your love for them is romantic or platonic, these touching quotes and one-liners are sure to make a Marvel fan smile. [6]
    • “I’m with you ‘til the end of the line.” (Bucky and Steve, Captain America: The Winter Soldier )
    • “But what is grief, if not love persevering?” (Vision, WandaVision )
    • “When you love something, you protect it. It is the most natural thing in the world.” (Thena, Eternals )
    • “I just feel you.” (Wanda and Vision, Avengers: Infinity War )
    • “You ever feel lost? Just look into the eyes of the people you love.” (Star-Lord, Thor: Love and Thunder )
    • “I love you guys.” (Tom Holland Spiderman, Spiderman: No Way Home )
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-I-Love-You-3000-Meaning-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If someone says “I love you 3000” and you don’t feel the same way or you aren’t comfortable saying it back, let them know over text or in person when you’re somewhere private. Try to keep your response short so they won’t misinterpret what you’re saying. [7]
    • “I’m sorry, I don’t feel the same way.”
    • “I care for you as a friend but I don’t have romantic feelings for you.”
    • “I really enjoy spending time with you, but I’m not interested in you in that way.”
    • “Thank you so much for telling me, but I don’t feel the same way about you.”
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      What Does “Pookie” Mean? Plus, How to Use It
      200+ Best Expressions to Say “I Love You More than…”
      What Does W/ Mean over Text or Online?
      What's a Twunk? Definition, When to Use & More
      What Does “Awww” Mean? Definition, Responses & More
      Signs That Someone Has "Golden Retriever Energy"
      Funny Ways to Say Hello: 45 Cool and Creative Options
      What Does "Have a Great Weekend" Mean? Replying In Person & Over Text
      Are Evening and Night the Same Thing? Not Exactly.
      What Does "BBL" Mean? Definition & Uses on Social Media and More
      What Does WYD Mean? Snapchat, Texting, and More
      How to
      Use “It Was a Pleasure Working with You” (Plus, the Best Alternatives)
      How to
      Use a Dictionary
      What Does "Hear Me Out" Mean? Plus, How to Use It
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/news/endgame-love-you-3000-meaning-robert-downey-jr/
      2. ↑ https://screenrant.com/avengers-endgame-iron-man-message-tony-stark-funeral/
      3. ↑ https://screenrant.com/avengers-endgame-i-love-you-3000-line-downey/
      4. ↑ https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/55445-avengers-endgame-easter-eggs-i-love-you-3000-im-not-crying-your-crying
      5. ↑ https://screenrant.com/avengers-endgame-love-you-3000-comic/
      6. ↑ https://screenrant.com/mcu-best-quotes-about-love/
      7. ↑ https://www.seventeen.com/love/dating-advice/a43944172/how-to-tell-someone-you-dont-like-them/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 22,444 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement