53 'Moonrise Kingdom' Quotes on Life, Young Love, and Family

"Moonrise Kingdom" explores themes of young love, family, and life in a small community, focusing on two young runaway lovers. Read these 53 Moonrise Kingdom quotes below to learn more about the cast.

"Moonrise Kingdom," directed by Wes Anderson, is a coming-of-age film that tells the story of two young lovers, Sam and Suzy, who run away from their homes on a small island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965.

The movie explores the theme of young love and its challenges and the complexities of life in a small community. Sam and Suzy's love story is a central aspect of the movie. They are both outsiders, feeling misunderstood and out of place in their families and community.

They bond over their love of books and music, and more. It features an all-star cast including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton, with Sam and Suzy played by Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward. Read the 53 quotes below from the movie's characters.

Lionel's quote: "You're a traitor to our family." | Image: AmoDays

'Moonrise Kingdom' Quotes by Sam Shakusky, Played by Jared Gilman

"I feel I'm in a real family now. Not like yours, but similar to one." — Sam Shakusky

"I love you, but you don't know what you're talking about." — Sam Shakusky

"What kind of bird are you?" — Sam Shakusky

"I admit we knew we'd get in trouble. That part's true. We knew people would be worried, and we still ran away, anyway. But something also happened, which we didn't do on purpose. When we first met each other, something happened to us." — Sam Shakusky

Sam Shakusky's quote: "I feel I'm in a real family now. Not like yours, but similar to one." | Image: AmoDays

"Watch out for turtles. They'll bite you if you put your fingers in their mouths." — Sam Shakusky

"Why do you consider me your enemy?" — Sam Shakusky

"It's not an accomplishment badge; I inherited it from my mother. It's not meant for a male to wear, but I don't give a [...]." — Sam Shakusky

"Listen to some reason. I don't like you. You don't like me. So, why don't you just let us disappear?" — Sam Shakusky

Sam Shakusky's quote: "Watch out for turtles. They'll bite you if you put your fingers in their mouths." | Image: AmoDays

"Wait. Just in case this is a suicide or they capture us and we never see each other again anymore, I just want to say: Thank you for marrying me. I'm glad I got to know you, Suzy." — Sam Shakusky

"You smell like perfume." — Sam Shakusky

"Wait, these are all library books. In my school, you're only allowed to check out one at a time. Some of these are going to be overdue. Do you steal? Why? You're not poor." — Sam Shakusky

"So, what do you want to be when you grow up?" — Sam Shakusky

Sam Shakusky's quote: "You smell like perfume." | Image: AmoDays

"Sometimes I stick leaves on my hair. It helps cool your head down." — Sam Shakusky

"Are you de-pressed?" — Sam Shakusky

"I made you some jewelry. Are your ears pierced?" — Sam Shakusky

"There's no point, not without Suzy." — Sam Shakusky

Sam Shakusky's quote: "Sometimes I stick leaves on my hair. It helps cool your head down." | Image: AmoDays

'Moonrise Kingdom' Quotes by Suzy Bishop, Played by Kara Hayward

"I always wished I was an orphan. Most of my favorite characters are. I think your lives are more special." — Suzy Bishop

"I'm a raven." — Suzy Bishop

"I lost my temper at myself." — Suzy Bishop

"These are my books. I like stories with magic powers in them. Either in kingdoms on Earth or on foreign planets. Usually I prefer a girl hero, but not always." — Suzy Bishop

Suzy Bishop's quote: "I always wished I was an orphan. Most of my favorite characters are. I think your lives are more special." | Image: AmoDays

"I'd be careful if I were you. One of these days, somebody's gonna get pushed too far. And who knows what they're capable of?" — Suzy Bishop

"Molly's right. I do go berserk." — Suzy Bishop

"You can touch my chest. I, uh... I think they're gonna grow more." — Suzy Bishop

"I think you've still got lightning in you." — Suzy Bishop

Suzy Bishop's quote: "I'd be careful if I were you. One of these days, somebody's gonna get pushed too far. And who knows what they're capable of?" | Image: AmoDays

'Moonrise Kingdom' Quotes by the Other Characters in the Movie

"How can we help her? She's got so many problems. It's getting worse." — Walt Bishop

"I don't care how they do it where you come from. You want pop? You want candy? You want a snake bite kit? Get some money." — Cousin Ben

"You have your orders. Use the orienteering and path-finding skills that you've been practicing all summer. Let's find our man, bring him safely back to camp. Remember, this isn't just a search party; it's a chance to do some first-class Scouting." — Scout Master Randy Ward

"Excuse me. Excuse me, Captain Sharp! As some of you know, I taught Sam for the cartography accomplishment button. He's a smart boy, and he expressed a keen interest in the history of the island's indigenous peoples. In particular, I recall his fascination with the idea of retracing the original path of the old Chickchaw harvest migration. What I'm getting at is this. I think I know where they're going." — The Narrator

Walt Bishop's quote: "How can we help her? She's got so many problems. It's getting worse." | Image: AmoDays

"Listen to me. We're here for friendship. We're going to get you off this island." — Skotak

"Just for the record, 95% of all runaways return home within the first six hours. It doesn't do you any good right now. It's just a statistic. But in all likelihood, Suzy's probably hiding in the closet at her best friend's house playing Chinese checkers at this very moment, as we speak." — Captain Sharp

"I'll be out back. I'm going to find a tree to chop down." — Walt Bishop

"You two are the most appallingly incompetent custodial guardians Social Services has ever had the misfortune to encounter in a TWENTY-SEVEN year career!" — Social Services

Skotak's quote: "Listen to me. We're here for friendship. We're going to get you off this island." | Image: AmoDays

"That's not a safe altitude. Why is it up so high? If someone falls from there, that's a guaranteed death." — Scout Master Randy Ward

"I hope the roof flies off and I get sucked up into space." — Walt Bishop

"You're a traitor to our family." — Lionel

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself." — Laura Bishop

Scout Master Randy Ward's quote: "That's not a safe altitude. Why is it up so high? If someone falls from there, that's a guaranteed death." | Image: AmoDays

"I don't like the snappy attitude. This is the most important decision you've made in your lives. Now go over by the trampoline and talk it through before you give me another quick answer..." — Cousin Ben

"It's been proven by history: all mankind makes mistakes." — Captain Sharp

"Does it concern you that your daughter's just run away from home?" — Laura Bishop

"I'm sorry for your loss. Anyway, that's what you're supposed to say." — Captain Sharp

"I can't offer you a legally binding union. It won't hold up in the state, the county, or frankly, any courtroom in the world, due to your age, lack of a license, and failure to get parental consent. But the ritual does carry a very important moral weight within yourselves. You can't enter into the contract lightly. Look into my eyes. Do you love each other?" — Cousin Ben

Captain Sharp's quote: "It's been proven by history: all mankind makes mistakes." | Image: AmoDays

"Jiminy cricket, he flew the coop." — Scout Master Randy Ward

"[...] your girlfriend stabbed me in the back with lefty scissors." — Redford

"That's very eloquent. I can't argue against anything you're saying. But then again, I don't have to 'cause you're 12 years old." — Captain Sharp

"What's your rush? You've got your whole life in front of yourself. Ahead of you, I mean." — Captain Sharp

Captain Sharp's quote: "That's very eloquent. I can't argue against anything you're saying. But then again, I don't have to 'cause you're 12 years old." | Image: AmoDays

Moonrise Kingdom, released in 2012, is one of Anderson's most beloved films. He is a filmmaker known for his distinctive visual style, offbeat storytelling, and soundtracks. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1969, Anderson studied philosophy before beginning his career in film.

He has since directed a string of successful movies, including "The Royal Tenenbaums," "The Darjeeling Limited," "Rushmore," and "The Grand Budapest Hotel," among others. Read these quotes from another of his movies, "Fantastic Mr. Fox."