The Incredible Hulk

Bruce Banner is searching for a way to stop becoming the Hulk. Living in hiding and separated from the woman he loves, he tries to find an antidote while the military pursues the power he wants to escape. The search brings him into conflict with the Abomination. Edward Norton plays Banner in this 2008 film, directed by Louis Leterrier.

This is a different kind of superhero starting point: Bruce wants relief from his power rather than a bigger stage for it. That gives the action a personal question to return to—what would it mean for him to live an ordinary life again? Choose it when you want to spend a whole film with Banner before moving to an ensemble adventure.

We suggest starting with this film if Bruce Banner is the character you want to explore. If you would rather follow the wider film series from the beginning, open the Phase 1 guide and choose its release-order route.

For a character-focused route, begin here with Bruce Banner. For a broader route through the early MCU films, use the Phase 1 release-order guide. The Avengers offers another way to explore the Hulk afterward, with Mark Ruffalo in the role; this page’s cast and portraits describe the 2008 film.

Allow about 1h 54m (114 minutes), the runtime used by this catalog and its viewing plans. The Disney+ listing checked for this guide shows 1h 52m (112 minutes). The catalog total remains unchanged.

This film is not on the current reviewed Doomsday preparation list. That is separate from its value as a film or a starting point.