What is Shrek's most famous quote?

"Ogres are like onions." Shrek says it in Shrek (2001) while explaining to Donkey, in the swamp, that ogres have more depth than people give them credit for. It is the line most people remember him for.

Is "Better out than in, I always say" from the first Shrek movie?

No. That line is from Shrek 2 (2004), said at breakfast in Far Far Away before Shrek meets Fiona's parents for the first time. It is often misremembered as a line from the original 2001 film.

What does Shrek say to Fiona's parents about being an ogre?

"Well, here's a newsflash for you: whether your parents like it or not, I AM AN OGRE." Shrek says this in Shrek 2 (2004) during the awkward first dinner with King Harold and Queen Lillian.

Does Shrek say "This is the part where you run away" more than once?

Yes. He first says it in Shrek (2001) when he reveals he is an ogre to Donkey in the swamp, and he says it again in Shrek Forever After (2010) in the alternate timeline where ogres are hunted.

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14 Shrek Quotes

Shrek

Shrek is the grumpy, swamp-dwelling ogre who just wants to be left alone until a talking donkey, a cursed princess, and a tiny tyrant of a lord drag him into three sequels' worth of adventures. His lines work because he says the quiet part out loud: he is loud about being an outsider, blunt with in-laws, and surprisingly tender when it counts. Below are his real lines, each with the film and scene it comes from.

“This is the part where you run away.”

Shrek (2001); Shrek reveals he is an ogre to Donkey in the swamp and expects him to flee in terror

“What are you doing in my swamp?”

Shrek (2001); Shrek confronts the fairy tale creatures Lord Farquaad has dumped on his land

“Ogres are like onions. Layers! Onions have layers. Ogres have layers!”

Shrek (2001); Shrek explains to Donkey that there is more to him than people assume

“I'm an ogre. You know. 'Grab your torch and pitchforks.'”

Shrek (2001); Shrek introduces himself to Donkey in the swamp, expecting the usual fear

“You know what? Maybe there's a good reason donkeys shouldn't talk.”

Shrek (2001); Shrek, annoyed by Donkey's chatter on the road to Duloc

“Thank you! Thank you, very much! I'm here 'til Thursday. Try the veal!”

Shrek (2001); Shrek jokes with the crowd after beating Lord Farquaad's knights in the Duloc tournament

“For five minutes. Could you not be yourself... FOR FIVE MINUTES?!”

Shrek 2 (2004); Shrek snaps at Donkey to behave before meeting Fiona's parents

“Well, here's a newsflash for you: whether your parents like it or not, I AM AN OGRE.”

Shrek 2 (2004); Shrek, fed up during the tense first dinner with King Harold and Queen Lillian

“Stop! Back away from my wife!”

Shrek 2 (2004); Shrek steps in to defend Fiona in Far Far Away

“Better out than in, I always say.”

Shrek 2 (2004); Shrek is unapologetic about his manners at breakfast before meeting Fiona's parents

“Calm down? Who do you think we're kidding? I am an ogre! I'm not cut out for this, Fiona, and I never will be.”

Shrek the Third (2007); Shrek panics about being next in line for the throne after King Harold's death

“This is the part where you run away!”

Shrek Forever After (2010); Shrek, in the alternate Far Far Away where ogres are hunted, repeats his old line out of habit

“Sometimes I wish I had just one day to feel like a real ogre again.”

Shrek Forever After (2010); Shrek vents at his kids' chaotic birthday party about missing his old, scarier life

“I know that the reason that you turn human every day, is because you've never been kissed. Well, by me.”

Shrek Forever After (2010); Shrek tries to remind an alternate-timeline Fiona of their true love before Rumpelstiltskin's deal runs out

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Shrek quotes: FAQ

What is Shrek's most famous quote?: "Ogres are like onions." Shrek says it in Shrek (2001) while explaining to Donkey, in the swamp, that ogres have more depth than people give them credit for. It is the line most people remember him for.
Is "Better out than in, I always say" from the first Shrek movie?: No. That line is from Shrek 2 (2004), said at breakfast in Far Far Away before Shrek meets Fiona's parents for the first time. It is often misremembered as a line from the original 2001 film.
What does Shrek say to Fiona's parents about being an ogre?: "Well, here's a newsflash for you: whether your parents like it or not, I AM AN OGRE." Shrek says this in Shrek 2 (2004) during the awkward first dinner with King Harold and Queen Lillian.
Does Shrek say "This is the part where you run away" more than once?: Yes. He first says it in Shrek (2001) when he reveals he is an ogre to Donkey in the swamp, and he says it again in Shrek Forever After (2010) in the alternate timeline where ogres are hunted.