Summary
TheHulkhas been a major part of theMarvel Cinematic Universefor over a decade, being now one of the few remaining original Avengers. Based oneverything known aboutAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, there’s a strong chance Bruce Banner will likely return to the MCU sooner rather than later. However, the character’s path in the universe so far has been unusual, and there are questions about what direction his future will go. This is especially true given the Hulk’s transformation into Smart Hulk, blending Banner’s brain with his counterpart’s brawn.
With rumors that aWorld War Hulkmoviecould be on the horizon forthe MCU timeline, there are great hopes that Banner’s story will be expanded soon. While in his most recent appearance in the MCU, the Hulk wears a Hawaiian shirt and introduces his son at a family barbeque, the prospect of him once again entering a berserker rage is a much anticipated concept. A prospective major Hulk storyline could make the past of the character all the more important - and all the more complicated, since the hero’s main story is told throughout so many different MCU movies.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
July 15, 2025
10 Best Hulk Villain Quotes In Marvel Movies & Shows
The Hulk boasts a great Rogue’s Gallery, which has delivered many iconic quotations throughout the numerous Hulk adaptations in movies and TV.
Every MCU Hulk Movie In Order
Hulk Has Appeared In 10 Marvel Cinematic Universe Projects
Hulk’s arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been long and complex. Frombeginning with his own film starring Edward Norton as the scientist Bruce Banner, there were some difficulties between the actor and the production team. He was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, who has since played an increasingly domesticated version of the brutish monster. While Hulk’s smashing action was executed well in some places, the character’s evolution has been an unusual and interesting journey, and there is still promise for where the MCU is going with the character.
The Incredible Hulk
Cast
The Incredible Hulk (1977): In this film, scientist David Banner suffers a gamma radiation overdose, triggering a transformation into a giant, muscular green creature whenever he becomes angry. This condition compels him to undertake a journey to understand and control his monstrous alter ego.
The Incredible Hulkintroduces the character quickly in the Marvel Universe, eschewing the origin story. Instead, Banner is already on the run and in hiding. As circumstances evolve,Banner and his Hulk persona become dragged into confrontations with the Abomination as he scours the globe, searching for a cure to contain the Hulk.Focused on that tension more than anything, the film feels barely connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even this Edward Norton character iteration seems to be unrecognizable from the Mark Ruffalo version that would appear in his next film.
The Avengers
The Avengersquickly rids itself of the tension between Bruce Banner and the Hulk in one iconic scene. When Bruce mutters,“That’s my secret, Cap. I’m always angry,“the Hulk is effectively introduced as the MCU sees him. Recast with Mark Ruffalo, this film gives one of the most fun executions of the character. Rather than being weighted by the emotional turmoil resulting from his duality,this Bruce Banner integrates with the Hulk and uses it to his advantage and that of the heroes. Many iconic smashing scenes follow, cementing the best iteration of the character.
Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 pits genius-billionaire-playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark (Iron Man) against the Mandarin, an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his world destroyed by his mysterious antagonist, he embarks on a dangerous quest to find those responsible. His journey will test his character at every turn. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him and determine whether or not the suit makes the man or if Tony himself is the hero.
Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner makes a brief cameo appearance inIron Man 3during a post-credit sequence. As Tony narrates the film, it is revealed at the end that he is speaking to Bruce Banner, who is acting as a sort of therapist to the hero. Banner then says,“I’m not that kind of doctor,“giving the moment some levity. This scene does work, however, to connect the relationship between the heroes briefly. Following Tony and Bruce’s shared passion for science inThe Avengers, this short, humorous scene helps to connect relationships better and suggests behind-the-scenes growth between the characters.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015, follows Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, as they contend with Ultron, a rogue AI with plans for global annihilation. This Marvel sequel sees The Avengers form uneasy alliances and embark on a perilous global adventure to thwart Ultron’s schemes.
Avengers: Age of Ultronattempts to do some interesting things with the Hulk, but most of these fall flat. A romance between Bruce and Natasha is introduced, but it fails to be effective and is not addressed again in later films.Hulk loses control in this film in a new way,and after Tony is forced to use the Hulkbuster armor to slow him, Bruce decides he is too much of a threat to remain with the team. He is shown departing in a Quinjet, setting up future appearances off-world.
Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok, released on June 04, 2025, is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It features Chris Hemsworth as Thor, who is imprisoned on the other side of the universe, racing against time to return to Asgard to prevent Ragnarok and confront the formidable Hela.
In one of the most fun executions of the Hulk character,Thor finds himself in a gladiatorial ring in a fight against the green monster. Believing that the Hulk is the same person he always was, he joyfully declares,“he’s a friend from work!“before being attacked. The film draws from the “Planet Hulk” storyline, and sees Bruce Banner trying to regain control of himself while living on the distant planet of Sakaar. The events of the film show a growing cooperation between Thor and Banner, that eventually leads directly into the opening ofAvengers: Infinity War.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the Avengers and their allies to face a new threat from the cosmos, Thanos, who seeks to collect the Infinity Stones. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, unites numerous superhero characters in a battle to prevent Thanos' ambition of altering reality itself.
Avengers: Infinity Waropens with the Hulk being beaten senseless by Thanos.Following the development of Hulk as arguably the “strongest Avenger,” this scene quickly solidifies the enormous threat that Thanos represents.The hero is then thrown down to Earth, where he warns the Avengers of Thanos' impending attack. Notably, from this point, Bruce does not turn back into the Hulk. WhileInfinity Wardeleted scenessuggest there was a plan for Hulk to transform, the film only allowed Bruce to contribute to the final battle while wearing the Hulkbuster armor.
Captain Marvel
Captain Marvel is set in the 1990s and introduces Carol Danvers, portrayed as one of the universe’s most powerful heroes. As Earth becomes entangled in a galactic conflict between two alien races, the film explores an unseen chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
One of the credit scenes inCaptain Marvelcontains a brief appearance by Bruce Banner. The hero is part of the remaining Avengers team following the events ofInfinity War.The Avengers get their hands on the device used to call Captain Marvel, and she arrives to assist them in their endeavors.The mood is dour, but this scene does provide some hope for the future of the team, where only a few heroes, including Black Widow and Bruce Banner, even remain. This scene does little for the Hulk as a character, but does set up the opening ofAvengers: Endgame.
Avengers: Endgameprovides an odd culmination of the Hulk’s character path, with aSmart Hulk twist.Rather than continuing along the previous tensions between Hulk and Banner, the two have unified into Smart Hulk in the five years sinceInfinity War.
Hulk wears a cardigan and glasses and is given the brute strength of the beast while containing the scientist brain of Bruce Banner. In the film, he contributes to the time travel science needed to send the group back in time, and expresses a discomfort around smashing things, establishing this iteration of the character as very different from the usual Hulk. While a largely unexpected twist for the character, this proved mostly effective in the movie itself.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: This film introduces Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Confronted by his past, he becomes entangled with the mysterious Ten Rings organization, which challenges his identity and abilities. Released in 2021, the movie explores themes of family and legacy.
Hulk is strangely human again in a post-credit scene forShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Following the unification of Hulk and Banner in the previous film, this led to some confusion, butit was later explained that Banner has an inhibitor he can wear when he wishes to present as human.There is little more of note to this scene, which sees the Avengers looking to work with Shang-Chi. Still, this shift is notable and is explained further in a later Disney+ series.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk in Marvel’s Disney+ TV seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.She-Hulkis a half-hour comedy series that follows the story of Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner/Hulk’s cousin. Jennifer is an attorney who must juggle her life alongside being a 6-foot-7-inch hulk. Unlike her cousin, Jennifer is capable of managing her transformation at will. With these newfound powers, Jennifer will head-up a new superhero division at an opposing law firm while trying to learn what it means to be a hero. Additional casting includes Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, with Tim Roth joining the cast as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, the villain who originally appeared inThe Incredible Hulkfilm.She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis a part of the MCU’s Phase 4 and originally aired in August 2022.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawhelped to expand the world of the Hulk, and to build a whole family of similarly powered Hulks.Hulk’s blood allows Jennifer Walters to turn into a Hulk, and he trains her on how to use these powers before departing the series for most of its run.The series, however, does have a notable conclusion when a third member of the Hulk family is introduced, as Hulk’s son Skaar attends a family barbeque with him in a short scene. The impact of this character and his future in the MCU remains to be seen.
Non-MCU Hulk Movies Explained
Eric Bana And Lou Ferrigno Have Played The Character In Disconnected Works
Two iterations of the Hulk have been executed onscreen separately from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first was in a popular series,The Incredible Hulk, which also included some feature releases on television, includingThe Trial of the Incredible HulkandThe Incredible Hulk Returns. These programs featured Bill Bixby as Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk and were very popular, nearly leading to their own Daredevil spinoff series. These are entirely disconnected from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and can be watched separately.
In 2003, during a period of great energy surrounding superhero films, Ang Lee directedHulk, which featured Eric Bana as the titular hero. The film was criticized for its strange style, and resembles comic book storytelling in how it uses panels to show movement. The film also featured Jennifer Connelly as Betty Ross and Sam Elliott as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. The film is an origin story and is not connected to the Marvel Cinematic Universe rebootThe Incredible Hulk.
Hulk has remained a popular character for the Marvel brand and will continue to be relevant in the future. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has done much work in recent years adding to the Hulk’s story and legacy.This will continue inCaptain America: Brave New World, where the Red Hulk will debut and some performers fromThe Incredible Hulkwill return to the universe for the first time. Hulk has a vital legacy established in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, and it appears to be far from over, as new, exciting stories forHulkseem poised to follow soon.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
