The Hulk has smashed his way through both television and cinematic history, leaving behind a trail of unforgettable moments that have only gotten better with time. While the green goliath has often been seen as Marvel’s uncontrollable wrecking ball, many of his most iconic scenes have aged like fine wine – resonating even more deeply today than when they first premiered. Whether it’s Mark Ruffalo’s nuanced portrayal in the MCU timeline or Lou Ferrigno’s growling brute in classic TV specials, certain Hulk moments have gained new layers of appreciation over time.
When Hulk debuted in The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV movie), he was a more tragic figure than a superhero, drawing comparisons to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As the Marvel universe expanded – especially with the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Hulk transformed into a layered character whose moments often mixed rage with humanity. Over time, advances in visual effects, storytelling, and character development have reshaped how we perceive earlier Hulk scenes. The nostalgia surrounding Lou Ferrigno’s version now carries emotional weight, while Ruffalo’s Hulk gains depth through continuity and shared screen history.
10
The Hulk’s Introduction To The Avengers
The Avengers (2012)
Bruce Banner’s quiet arrival aboard the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier in The Avengers marks one of the most underrated yet vital introductions in the entire MCU. While audiences often remember the Hulk’s rage-filled scenes, this moment of calm – where Bruce meets Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, and Thor in the lab – has only grown in significance over time. There’s a delicate tension beneath every word Mark Ruffalo delivers, portraying a man deeply aware of the monster lurking just beneath his skin.
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Tony’s playful prodding contrasts sharply with Steve’s wary caution, making the scene a subtle battleground of philosophies. Watching this interaction now, it’s easy to see the roots of Bruce’s deep friendships and frictions with his fellow Avengers. It’s also a brilliant character study – highlighting Banner’s humility, intelligence, and ever-present anxiety. With the full arc of Bruce’s journey now visible, this scene feels like the calm before a long emotional storm. It’s not flashy – but it’s foundational.
9
Hulk Vs The Leviathan
The Avengers (2012)
This battle was the moment Marvel audiences truly understood the sheer scale of Hulk’s power in the MCU. As Iron Man lures the massive Leviathan toward the battlefield, it’s Hulk who delivers the finishing blow with a thunderous punch that sends shockwaves through New York – and through the audience. At the time, it was a crowd-pleasing, show-stealing moment, with Banner’s iconic line, “That’s my secret Cap, I’m always angry.”
Yet with hindsight, it’s more than that. The sequence cemented Hulk’s place as a team player, not just a wildcard. In a world filled with gods, soldiers, and billionaires, Hulk stood tall as the raw, unfiltered force that tipped the balance. Today, this scene is a masterclass in timing, teamwork, and payoff. It’s not just memorable anymore – it’s iconic, defining Hulk’s place in the wider franchise.
8
Hulk Fights The Hulkbuster
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
The Hulkbuster scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron was originally hailed as one of the MCU’s best action sequences – and rightfully so. However, with age, it’s become even more compelling thanks to the deeper implications it carries. This isn’t just a visual slugfest; it’s a symbolic clash between Bruce Banner’s loss of control and Tony Stark’s fear of what unchecked power can do.
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The destruction of the African city around them becomes a haunting precursor to the Sokovia Accords, adding a layer of political and moral complexity in retrospect. Knowing where these characters end up – Tony’s ultimate sacrifice and Bruce’s later attempts at merging his personalities – gives the scene even more emotional weight. What once felt like a “cool fight” now feels like a tragic escalation, showcasing how friends can become foes in the blink of a gamma-powered eye.
7
Hulk Teams Up With The Mighty Thor
The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988)
When Lou Ferrigno’s Hulk teams up with Eric Allan Kramer’s Thor in The Incredible Hulk Returns, it initially felt like a cheesy crossover aimed at Saturday night audiences. Yet today, it stands as a charming hint to the larger interconnected Marvel universe many now adore. Long before the MCU perfected the art of cross-character team-ups, this TV special brought together two titans in a way that’s surprisingly fun and ahead of its time.
The low-budget effects and campy dialogue have gained retro appeal, and Ferrigno’s performance – pure rage and emotion without words – remains compelling. Kramer’s Thor, though played more like a Viking biker than the Shakespearean god audiences know now, adds a sense of mythic chaos to the mix. Rewatching the special today, it feels like a scrappy but sincere step toward the MCU’s modern formula and a delightful precursor to the pair’s dynamic in Thor: Ragnarok.
6
Jennifer Walters Becomes She-Hulk
The Incredible Hulk Animated Series Season 1, Episode 7 “Doomed”
In the 1996 animated series, The Incredible Hulk, Jennifer Walters’ transformation into She-Hulk was a major moment for Marvel animation. At the time, her origin felt like a bold addition to the show’s mythos, but it didn’t get the widespread attention it deserved. Now, with the live-action She-Hulk: Attorney At Law show giving Jennifer a cultural spotlight, her animated debut has gained new relevance and appreciation.
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The scene, where she receives a blood transfusion from Bruce and embraces her powers with far more confidence than her cousin, stands out for its progressive take on empowerment – even in a ’90s cartoon format. What seemed like a secondary plotline then now feels like a historic milestone in Marvel’s on-screen legacy. Audiences revisiting the episode today will notice how much care was put into making Jennifer her own hero, laying early groundwork for a character that has since become a favorite.
5
Hulk Offers Scott Lang A Taco
Avengers: Endgame
What first seemed like a throwaway gag in Avengers: Endgame has aged into a surprisingly touching and humanizing moment for Hulk. When Bruce Banner, now Smart Hulk, hands Scott Lang a replacement taco after his was blown away, it lands with a gentle sincerity that cuts through the film’s chaos. In 2019, audiences chuckled at the visual of a massive green Avenger offering up a snack, but now, with more distance from the film and the Infinity Saga’s conclusion, the moment feels like an emblem of how far Hulk has come.
From rage-fueled rampages to small acts of kindness, this version of Hulk shows maturity, compassion, and an inner peace fans never expected to see. It’s a moment that captures the emotional arc Bruce has traveled – melding brains and brawn into someone who looks out for others in big and small ways. The taco scene reflects this in a charming, albeit brief, moment.
4
Hulk Fights The Military
Hulk (2003)
Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003) was a polarizing film on release, often criticized for its introspective tone and experimental editing. However, as the superhero genre has matured, so too has an appreciation for its ambition – especially in scenes like Hulk’s desert battle against the military. What once felt overly stylized now feels ahead of its time, with comic panel-inspired cuts adding visual flair and storytelling rhythm.
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The fight itself is both brutal and poetic, emphasizing Hulk’s isolation as he’s hunted by the very people meant to protect the nation. Eric Bana’s Hulk doesn’t just smash tanks and helicopters – he does it with an almost tragic fury. With the genre now more accepting of deeper themes and auteur takes (such as Logan, Joker etc.), this scene holds up far better than expected. It’s a moment that embodies Hulk’s outsider status and his reluctant role as a force of nature, misunderstood and feared.
3
The University Battle Scene
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
The university battle scene in The Incredible Hulk (2008) was one of the earliest MCU moments to show how grounded and gritty the franchise could get. At the time, it was praised for its intensity and practical effects, but over the years, it has gained new weight thanks to Bruce Banner’s continued evolution. Watching Hulk emerge from the smoke in a hail of tear gas and sonic cannons is still chilling, but now audiences can also appreciate the inner turmoil Bruce is going through beneath the green skin.
The moment balances high-stakes military action with emotional stakes, especially as Betty Ross watches the man she loves vanish into rage. With the benefit of time, this battle isn’t just cool – it’s tragic. It captures the essence of the Hulk: a creature of raw power constantly at odds with the man inside.
2
Hulk Vs Abomination
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
When Hulk and Abomination clash in Harlem during The Incredible Hulk‘s finale, it was a satisfying conclusion to the film’s central conflict. Back in 2008, audiences cheered at the CGI smackdown, but the scene has only grown more interesting in retrospect. With Abomination’s return in Shang-Chi and She-Hulk, and Hulk’s more nuanced personality now established, this brutal brawl reads as an early glimpse into the emotional and physical cost of unchecked power.
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Watching it now, the chaos isn’t just spectacle – it’s a showdown between two opposing philosophies: Hulk’s reluctant heroism vs. Blonsky’s lust for dominance. The scene also stands out for its gritty, nighttime aesthetic and the way it uses the city environment, something later Marvel films streamlined. It’s rough around the edges, but that rawness gives it staying power. With callbacks in newer MCU content, the battle feels less like a footnote and more like an essential piece of Hulk’s story.
1
Stan Lee’s First Marvel Movie Cameo
The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)
Before he became the beloved king of Marvel cameos, Stan Lee made his first live-action appearance in The Trial of the Incredible Hulk as a juror. At the time, most viewers probably didn’t even recognize the comics legend sitting in the courtroom. Yet looking back, this low-key moment now feels monumental – a quiet spark that would become a Marvel tradition spanning decades.
With Lee’s passing in 2018, this cameo has taken on a new emotional resonance. It’s not flashy, not framed for applause, but it’s symbolic: the creator humbly sitting in judgment of his own creation, in a film that tried to elevate Hulk beyond brute strength. For longtime Hulk fans, this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment is now a cherished Easter egg. It reminds us how Marvel’s rise began with small steps and deep roots in passion and storytelling.
