Marvel: Every Live-Action Version of The Hulk, Ranked
The Hulk has had a ton of versions throughout the years, from comic books to cartoons. However, there's something special about seeing the Hulk in the flesh during his live-action appearances. Few superhero things are as fun to see as The Hulk standing next to real people, CGI or not.
Each version of The Hulk offers its unique take on the big, green rage machine. Some are smarter, some are more savage, but one thing's for sure: nobody would want to see them angry (except comic book fans).
5 Professor Hulk (2019-Present)
The perfect fusion of Banner and Hulk, or so the MCU claims. In truth, what fans get seems more like Bruce Banner but green. This in of itself isn't a completely bad thing, because Mark Ruffalo's dorkiness does shine through here. It offers fans a fresh new character to enjoy. That being said, this "Hulk" doesn't feel like the Hulk that fans have known and loved throughout the years.
The savagery and almost childlike innocence present in the savage hulk is gone, and it seems like his personality has been completely replaced by Bruce Banner's. For many Hulk fans, that's a bit of a sad thought, especially since The Hulk was his person. There's a clamor for a return to the simpler Hulk, a Hulk that smashes cars and feels good doing it.
4 Hulk (2003)
The first CGI portrayal of Marvel's gamma-green smashing machine had a few hiccups. Namely, many critics cited how absurd the Hulk's design looked in contrast to the grounded realism around him. While an over-the-top appearance isn't inherently bad, the Hulk's saturated green skin, overly large head, and general wonky proportions, took many viewers out of the experience.
Past that, however, Ang Lee was able to provide audiences with a rather somber portrayal of the Hulk, less a raging monster and more a cornered beast being poked and prodded by those who would do him harm. In truth, this Hulk likely takes no enjoyment from smashing, and only wants to be left alone. In this respect, Ang Lee took a lot of notes from Lou Ferrigno's portrayal of the character. He's also the biggest Hulk by far, with the humans barely reaching his waist.
3 The Incredible Hulk (1978-1990)
It's important to pay respect to one's elders, and Lou Ferrigno is the grand-daddy of all live-action Hulk adaptations. Although limited by the technology of its time, as well as a TV budget, Lou Ferrigno still portrays the hulking monster with a heart incredibly well. Much like Ang Lee's Hulk, this version explores the softer aspects of Hulk much more deeply.
It helps that Lou Ferrigno, unlike a lot of the other live-action Hulks, gets a lot more time to develop. The TV episodes give this Hulk a clear personality, a Hulk that only attacks when provoked, rarely goes into a rage that wasn't against people who deserved it and has an affinity for protecting children. The simple scene of Hulk scaring a deadbeat father into realizing the pain he inflicted on his son is somber yet beautiful, especially knowing Banner's sad childhood in the comics.
2 The Norton Hulk (2008)
Technically, this Hulk is also the same as Ruffalo, but there are enough differences in both actions and personality that make him unique from the smiling green giant viewers see today. For starters, this Hulk's appearance is strangely lean and some might even say, a bit of a pretty boy as far as Hulks go. This version of the Hulk has a lean physique (as lean as the Hulk can be at least) and is arguably the sharpest pure fighter out of any other hulk.
While he isn't nearly as deeply written as the other Hulks, he has some of the best action scenes out of all of them. There's an animalistic quality he brings to the table that the other Hulks rarely bring out. His creativity in fights, such as splitting a police car in half to turn it into makeshift boxing gloves, makes for some fantastic action scenes. While his appearance was brief, there is no denying the impressive destruction this Hulk brought to the table.
1 MCU Savage Hulk (2012-2015)
By far, he is the most fully realized version of the Hulk in every aspect. Like the 2003 and 70s show Hulks, this Hulk has a clear soft side that's often explored in the movies. He has a childlike innocence which sharply contrasts with his potential for destruction. However, like the 2008 Hulk, he is no slouch in the action department either, providing some brutal beatdowns on some of the MCU's most threatening villains.
This Hulk also happens to be the funniest, with his portrayal in Ragnarok being the best example. Out of every version of the Hulk, this Hulk seems to be the one having the most fun. His smile when Captain America commands him to smash, his general enjoyment of the gladiator lifestyle, as well as realizing the Avengers as "friends" makes him one of the best Hulks to hang out with. Many fans hope that this version of the Hulk returns in the future, and it's easy to see why.