In 2023, we're seeing a resurgence of things we loved 10 years ago. Britney Spears has made a comeback with her memoir, Five Nights at Freddy's is having a resurgence, and The Hunger Games is once again popular. For The Hunger Games, it's not a reboot or a movie that nobody asked for, but rather a prequel that was much needed. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes was highly anticipated and has been praised by fans of the franchise.
With the resurgence of this franchise, people are revisiting one of the best boyfriends in literary history. Peeta Mellark was quickly beloved by audiences for his devotion to Katniss, his love and his undying kindness through each book and movie. Peeta has proved that he loves Katniss more than anything, even after the Capitol destroys his brain. Let's take a look at the top ten best quotes from Peeta Mellark, through all movies and books.
10 "I think it’s time for a dance."
Peeta is known not only for his loyalty, but also for his wit, and in Catching Fire we get to see Peeta loosen up just a bit. Following the win at the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta have to go on a victory tour. It ends at the center of the capitol at a very lavish party that the two aren't used to. There's more food than they could ever imagine, and once Peeta announces that he's full, one of his stylists suggests a drink that'll make him throw up. Peeta slowly blinks, and chews his food before he says, "I think it's time for a dance."
Why It Makes the List
This quote is so great because it showcases how fed up Peeta is with the capitaland its wasteful ways. When he and Katniss start to dance, Peeta talks about how the people in District 12 are literally starving and the people in the capitol are throwing up their full stomachs to eat more. Peeta keeps his composure, though, and says this simple quote with that smirk on his face that lets you know exactly what he's thinking.
Related: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Breaking Down Every Easter Egg in the Prequel
9 “You here to finish me off, sweetheart?”
In the first movie, Peeta showcases his skills in painting that he learned from his time at the bakery. When Katniss releases the tracker jackers on Cato and his gang, Peeta shows his true alliance and helps Katniss. This results in Peeta having to run for his life and disguise himself along the riverbank. When Katniss finally finds him, he grabs her ankle and says, "Hi." However, in the book, he's much more cheeky as he says, "Come to finish me off, sweetheart?"
Why it's Included
Even as he's on the verge of dying, he has something witty to say. He's suffering from a terrible infection in his leg, he's barely breathing, he hasn't eaten in days, and he manages to say a full sentence to Katniss. Maybe it's for both of their sakes, as Peeta wants to assure Katniss that he's alive, and that he's still himself.
8 “I don’t want to forget.”
At the end of the first movie, Katniss and Peeta have defied all odds and won the Hunger Games together. Katniss took Haymitch's advice and played into what the people of the Capitol wanted to see, a love story. So she did what she had to do, but for Peeta it was real. He actually falls in love with Katniss, and when she suggests that they forget everything that happened during the games, he says, "I don't want to forget."
Why It's a Great Quote
This quote proves how much he fell for Katniss from the jump. He says he doesn't want to forget because it was never a game for him. He never had to fake his love for Katniss, and he realizes at that moment, that Katniss didn't feel the same about him. Even after he knew that Katniss wanted to forget, his loyalty and compassion never wavered, and he stayed with her, always.
7 “Careful, there’s a force field up there.”
Did we mention that Peeta has a sense of humor? Especially when he's on the brink of death? At the start of the 75th Hunger Games, known as the Quarter Quell, Katniss, Peeta and their allies discover that there's a force field around the arena. Peeta ends up hitting it by accident and gets blown back by a shock so bad that it stops his heart. Finnick is able to bring him back to life, and the second he catches his breath, he says this quote.
Why It Makes the List
The closest thing The Hunger Games franchise has to being a comedic relief,is Cesar Flickerman and Peeta's one-liners. Peeta's quips are treasured because usually something awkward or terrible has just happened, and the audience needs it. Also, once again, he's easing Katniss' worries by saying something that's funny but also much needed after he almost died.
6 “You love me. Real or not real.”
When Katniss rescues Peeta from the hands of Snow, it takes a lot of trust to get Katniss and him back on the same page. They're never fully back, but they set up a system of sorts to help Peeta decipher what's real and what's fake. It's a struggle for Peeta, truly, but in a moment of true vulnerability, Peeta asks Katniss this question. Thankfully, Katniss responds with, "Real."
What Makes it Great
It's hard to think about how much trauma and abuse Peeta went through when he was taken hostage by Snow. When Katniss sees Peeta for the first time on screen, it's truly startling because of the drastic physical change. He's completely malnourished and sunken in, so you can imagine how hard it was for him to trust anyone ever again.
5 "I just don't wanna be another piece in their game."
The first movie remains iconic because of how it sets the tone for the entire franchise, and the audience can finally see how the characters were brought to life. Josh Hutcherson was the best pick for Peeta Mellark because of how unsuspecting he is. When Katniss and Peeta are talking the night before the games, Peeta expresses that he doesn't want to be a pawn in the Capitol's game.
Why It's a Great Quote
This quote from Peeta is great but terrible foreshadowing because, of course, in Mockingjay Part One, he becomes a pawn in their horrific game against Katniss. He has so much hope in the first movie because, firstly, he doesn't suspect that he'll win the games, and second of all, all he really needs at that moment is Katniss. We see the harsh transformation Peeta goes through, both mentally and physically, and the audience realizes that his worst nightmare has come true.
4 “If you die, and I live, there’s no life for me at all back in District 12.”
This very devastating but real quote comes from Catching Fire, when Katniss reminds Peeta that there will only be one victor at the end of the Quarter Quell. Peeta urges Katniss that she needs to win because if she died, life wouldn't be worth living. He tells her that she is the only person that he cares about and that life wouldn't be worth living back in District 12 without her.
What Makes it Great
Haymitch said it best when he told Katniss that she doesn't deserve Peeta, not in a million lifetimes. Of course, you can't blame Katniss for how she feels, since she didn't have a choice in order to stay alive. However, you have to admire Peeta's seemingly undying love and loyalty to his childhood friend-turned-fake lover to his true love of his life. No matter what happens to Peeta, all he wants for Katniss is for her to survive.
Related: Why Did The Hunger Games Disappear From Popular Culture?
3 “My nightmares are usually about losing you.”
Following the events of the 74th Hunger Games, it's no surprise that Katniss and Peeta both suffer from nightmares now. As they make their way through the victory tour, Katniss constantly wakes up from her sleep, screaming from fear, and Peeta rushes in each time. Despite the fact that Katniss expressed that she wanted to forget what happened, Peeta still held her throughout the night.
Why It Makes the List
This quote comes from when Katniss tells him about her nightmares, and asks him if he suffers from the same thing. Peeta confirms that yes, he does, but it's different for him because his nightmares consist of him losing her. It just plays deeper into the fact that Peeta attached himself to Katniss, through trauma and real-life love.
2 "If it weren’t for the baby.”
This quote not only rocked the Capitol's audience, but also the real-life audience that crowded into the theaters to watch Catching Fire. When Peeta and Katniss are called back to participate in the Quarter Quell, they both do whatever they can to help each other stay alive. As he has the attention of Cesar and literally everyone who's tuned in, Peeta drops the fake bomb that Katniss is with child.
What Makes it Great
It's almost amusing how they never included Katniss in any plans, seemingly knowing that she would ruin it, either on purpose or by accident. The shock that everyone felt when Peeta told all the districts that Katniss, and he were having a baby. It invokes the capitol for a stop to the games and thus, creating a revolution because they don't want to see the unborn baby die.
1 "Because she came here with me.”
The quote that truly started it all, and what began the love story of all young-adult literary love stories. While Katniss is working with Haymitch, Peeta is forming his own game plan. During the first interview with Cesar Flickerman, Peeta reveals that his heart does belong to someone special, but it's an unfortunate deal, Because it's Katniss!
Why It's Peeta's Best Quote
From the jump, Peeta was on board with the team Katniss plan, and he knew it was always going to be her that would win the entire thing. Haymitch said it best when he told Katniss that Peeta did her the biggest favor by making her desirable. By making someone that the sponsors would want to support. It graduated into being something very real for the both of them, just in different ways that led them to have a family at the end of the franchise.
