In a cinematic universe filled with gods, billionaires, and super soldiers,Hulkalways finds a way to smash his way into the spotlight. Since his 2008 debut,Marvel’s Green Goliath has evolved from a rage-fueled brute to a surprisingly nuanced, and often hilarious, hero. Though he’s not always at the center of the action, when Hulk does take the stage, he often leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s an unexpected moment of levity, a bone-rattling battle, or an unforgettable transformation, Hulk has proven time and again that he doesn’t need a solo movie to steal the show.
The MCU timeline’s take on Hulk has shifted dramatically over the years. Edward Norton’s portrayal inThe Incredible Hulklaid a darker, more grounded foundation, but it wasn’t until Mark Ruffalo’s debut inThe Avengersthat the character fully found his stride in the franchise. Ruffalo brought both humor and humanity to Bruce Banner, offering a Hulk who was not only destructive but deeply sympathetic.
10Hulk Offers Scott Lang A Taco
Avengers: Endgame
InAvengers: Endgame, amidst the gravity of time travel planning and universal stakes,one of Hulk’s most unexpectedly heartwarming momentscomes in the form of a simple taco. When Scott Lang’s lunch is accidentally blown away by the landing of the Benatar, Hulk notices the mishap and gently offers him a fresh taco. It’s a short, silent gesture, but it lands beautifully – both visually and emotionally.
The comedy lies in the absurd contrast: a massivegreen gamma giant delicately handing a tiny tacoto the smallest Avenger. This small act of kindness from the now-intellectual “Smart Hulk” shows how far the character has come, blending his new gentle giant demeanor with some subtle physical comedy. It’s an instant viewer favorite and proof that sometimes, quiet moments speak the loudest.
9Bruce Hulks-Out On The Helicarrier
The Avengers
Before Hulk became a beloved, taco-sharing Avenger, he was a ticking time bomb. InThe Avengers(2012), Bruce Banner’s terrifying transformation on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier remains one of themost intense sequences in the entire MCU. After being knocked down during Loki’s escape, Bruce finally loses control – and it’s not heroic, it’s horrifying.
The scene plays like something out of a monster movie, with Natasha Romanoff fleeing through the corridors in genuine terror as the raging Hulk pursues her. The cinematography leans into dark shadows and chaos, emphasizing how unpredictable and dangerous Hulk truly is at this early stage. This isn’t a triumphant moment –it’s a nightmarethat reminds just how scary unchecked gamma power can be. In that terrifying chase, Hulk absolutely dominates the scene.
8Naked Hulk Advises Thor
Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarokdelivered a reinvention of both Thor and Hulk, infusing cosmic weirdness and humor into their characters. Nowhere is this better showcased than the moment Hulk casually steps out of a hot tub fully naked. Thor,stunned and slightly disturbed, stares as Hulk walks away, revealing far more than the God of Thunder bargained for.
It’s anoutrageous sight gag that catches audiences off guardbut perfectly matches the film’s irreverent tone. Even better, Hulk choses this moment to finally tell Thor where the Quinjet is on Sakaar. Unlike early Hulk depictions in the MCU that pushed Hulk into the shadows, Hulk is laid bare in all his glory. This absurd mix is peakRagnarok, and it redefined Hulk’s role in the MCU. He wasn’t just muscle; he was officially comic relief.
7Hulk Fights Fenris
One of Hulk’s most epic moments arrives during the battle of Asgard inThor: Ragnarok. After the hilarious sight gag in which Bruce fails to transform and lands limp on the Bifrost, thetension is broken when Hulk finally re-emerges– just in time to launch himself at Hela’s massive undead wolf, Fenris. The sheer scale of the moment is breathtaking: a giant green gladiator brawling a mythical beast at the edge of Asgard’s waterfalls.
It’s a visual spectacle and a satisfying payoff after Bruce’s failed hero entrance. The ferocity of the fight – complete with punches, bites, and mid-air grapples –cements Hulk’s status as Asgard’s unlikely savior. It’s pure comic book chaos and one of the most cheer-worthy moments in the film, with Hulk once again proving he’s always ready to smash.
6"I’m Always Angry"
InThe Avengers(2012), the Battle of New York gave audiences a moment that instantly cemented Hulk as an MCU icon. As the Chitauri descend on Manhattan and chaos erupts, Captain America tells Bruce Banner it might be a good time to get angry. Bruce calmly turns to the team,delivers the now-famous line,“That’s my secret Cap, I’m always angry,”and transforms mid-stride into the Hulk, immediately smashing a massive Leviathan with one punch.
The delivery, timing, and sheer power of the moment were all pitch-perfect. The scene gave Banner complete control over the monster within, flipping the fear of Hulk on its head. In that moment, the rage that once endangered the teambecomes its greatest asset. It’s still one of the coolest, most satisfying Hulk scenes in the entire MCU.
5Smart Hulk Is Embarrassed By Savage Hulk
InAvengers: Endgame, the time heist sends Smart Hulk and the team back to 2012’s Battle of New York – where the original, rampaging Hulk is smashing his way through the Chitauri invasion. While navigating past his more savage past self,Smart Hulk watches with visible embarrassment.He tries to mimic his old persona for cover, half-heartedly smashing a car and groaning,“Rahhh…”
It’s a hilarious moment, not just because of the contrast in mannerisms, but because it’s the first time Hulk has been self-conscious. For a character who’s typically all brawn, this instance ofintelligence cringing at his former chaosis gold. It’s a brilliant meta moment that reflects how far Hulk has come, and it lets Mark Ruffalo flex both his comedic and dramatic chops.
4"Time Travel!"
In the midst of all the exposition and theorizing duringAvengers: Endgame’s planning phase, Hulk manages to drop a perfectly timed one-liner that steals the scene. Scott Lang is accidentally transformed into a child, an old man, and a baby in quick succession due to time travel misfires. Smart Hulk proudly exclaims,“Time travel!”witha big, goofy grin on his face.
It’s hilariously misplaced confidence, he clearly didn’t solve anything nbut the line lands beautifully. It punctuates a chaotic scene with just the right amount of absurdity and humor. This version of Hulk has brains to match the brawn, but he’sstill delightfully awkward in social situations. The delivery is endearing, the moment is quotable, and it highlights Smart Hulk’s unique role as the well-meaning (if occasionally clueless) science bro.
3Smart Hulk Visits Thor
One ofAvengers: Endgame’s most emotionally resonant and surprising moments is Smart Hulk’s visit to New Asgard, where he tries to recruit Thor for the time heist. By this point, Thor has descended into depression and self-loathing, living in isolation with Korg and Miek. When Hulk arrives in the back of a cramped truck – huge body squished awkwardly into a small space – it’salready visually funny.
Yet what really stands out is the tenderness. Hulk doesn’t mock Thor; he supports him with quiet compassion. There’ssomething surreal yet touchingabout seeing two gods of destruction in such a vulnerable, human moment. Hulk’s calm voice and patient demeanor give the scene emotional weight, showing how much he’s matured. It’s subtle, funny, heartfelt, and a true scene-stealer thanks to its sincerity.
2Hulk Smashes Loki
If there’s a single moment thatdefines Hulk’s comedic power, it’s his takedown of Loki inThe Avengers. After Loki delivers a long, arrogant monologue about being a god, Hulk interrupts by grabbing him mid-sentence and slamming him repeatedly into the floor like a rag doll. The scene ends with Loki wheezing on the ground as Hulk grumbles,“Puny god.”
It’s such a sudden, physical gag that it completely flips the dynamic between the two characters and is hilarious every time. The audience had been conditioned to fear Loki’s magic and cunning, but Hulk simply bypasses it all with brute strength and timing. It’s a raremix of cartoonish violence and narrative payoffthat made this scene unforgettable – and gave the MCU one of its biggest meme-worthy moments.
1Hulk Takes The Stairs
Another scene-stealer fromAvengers: Endgamecomes during the Time Heist, when Hulk is forced to take the stairs in Stark Tower after the elevator is too full. As he trudges down, he becomes increasingly irritated, mumbling,“So many stairs…”with each step. Eventually, Hulk bursts through the stairwell door in pure rage, yelling“No Stairs!”andinadvertently ruins the team’s planby knocking Tony Stark’s briefcase loose.
It’s a brilliant example of how Hulk’s presence adds comedic tension to even the most intricate, high-stakes sequence. The MCU doesn’t just use Hulk for smashing enemies – sometimes, hesmashes perfectly laid strategies just by being too big and too annoyed. The whole moment plays like a sitcom gag and shows offHulk’s unintentional chaos in the best way possible.
