The Must-Watch Hulk Movie on Netflix That Marvel Fans Can't Afford to Miss

Summary

Hulk (2003) is not on Disney+ and had a mixed reception, but it offers a unique character study and is worth watching for fans of the character. It's now available on Netflix.

Hulk's role in Marvel projects established the precedent for Stan Lee's speaking cameos, marking the first occasion he had lines in a Marvel film. Lee continued to make speaking appearances in subsequent Marvel movies until his final portrayal in Avengers: Endgame.

Despite its imperfections, Hulk holds significant significance in the history of Marvel movies, as it ventured into a serious storytelling approach for extraordinary characters. This paved the path for the growth and evolution of Bruce Banner and Hulk within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Bruce Banner, the acclaimed hero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has a lesser-known film titled Hulk (2003) that can now be streamed on Netflix. This movie holds significance as it was the first Marvel film to accomplish a now-classic Marvel feat. Unlike other Marvel characters, whose film rights are clear with Disney or Sony, the ownership status of Bruce Banner and the Hulk's movie rights remains uncertain. Directed by Ang Lee and featuring Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, Hulk received mixed reviews but offers an intriguing glimpse into the earlier Marvel movies before the MCU era. Fans of the character may find it worth their while to give it a watch.

However, it is important to note that Hulk (2003) is not available on Disney+, as it was not produced by Disney or Marvel Studios. Unlike several other superhero movies of its time, Hulk failed to gather an immediate fanbase. The film's uneven reception can be attributed to its deviation from the typical superhero genre. Although the movie does showcase the Hulk's destructive abilities, it focuses more on exploring the complex relationship between Bruce Banner and his father, highlighting the inner struggle within him. Those interested can now view the film on Netflix and form their own opinion.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Hulk Features Stan Lee's First Speaking Role In A Marvel Movie

Apart from being an engaging project on its own, Hulk holds significance as it established the precedent for future cameos by Stan Lee in Marvel projects. Prior to Hulk, Lee made appearances in various other ventures such as The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989), Mallrats (1995), and The Ambulance (1990). While some of these roles were part of Marvel projects and featured dialogue, it was in Hulk that Lee first uttered lines in a Marvel production. As most are aware, Stan Lee subsequently became well-known for his speaking cameos in Marvel movies, with his final appearance taking place in Avengers: Endgame.

Despite some pacing issues and flaws in its action sequences, Hulk holds significant value in the history of Marvel movies. Although its slower storytelling style may not have appealed to everyone, it was a crucial experiment in presenting serious narratives for larger-than-life characters, transcending the perception of comic book characters as mere plot devices on-screen. The evolution of the MCU's Bruce Banner and Hulk owes much to Lee's rendition, making Hulk a fitting companion to The Incredible Hulk in the absence of more recent MCU releases centered around the character.