Summary
- Hulk's line "Puny God" proves that in his green eyes, gods aren't much different from humans, as he thrashes Loki in the first Avengers film.
- Banner's line, "I'm always angry," reveals his ability to turn into the Hulk whenever he chooses, shedding light on his constant need to manage his anger.
- The line, "I see this as an absolute win," showcases Banner's optimistic side, as he trusts the scientific method despite others' frustrations.
Bruce Banner and his notorious alter ego, Hulk, have created some of the most memorable quotes in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Dad-like sense of humor and scientific mind of Banner is a great foil to Hulk's ferocious nature and childlike mentality, resulting in some amazing lines over the years. Because of the legal issues holding the character back in the MCU, Hulk hasn't gotten a solo film since the start of the series, with 2008's The Incredible Hulk. Though Disney may have finally secured a Hulk movie to put the character in the spotlight, he's since held more of a supporting role throughout the universe's other franchise.
Still, even as more of a supporting character in the MCU timeline, Hulk is still one of the original Avengers and a fan favorite. His compelling internal conflict between the alter egos of Bruce Banner and Hulk have made for some great drama, but Mark Ruffalo's performance as the character manages to show off his comedic timing as well. From thought-provoking, to funny, to simply heroic and cool, Hulk's lines have a lot to appreciate.
20 "Puny God!"
The Avengers (2012)
Hulk is well-known for his dislike of "puny humans", having spent years on the run from them. When Loki arrives on Earth the first Avengers film, his ego is unchecked, looking down on humans in a similar way. Making the mistake of trying this holier-than-thou attitude on Hulk, he quickly learns the hard way that Hulk doesn't care about his supposed status of godhood.
Thrashing the god of mischief with alarming ferocity, Hulk leaves Loki dazed, confused, and gasping for air. Before walking away, he simply mutters, "puny god", proving that in Hulk's green eyes, gods aren't much different from humans. This delicious reality check for Loki was a gratifying moment, after he spent the whole film gloating about his power and status over humans.
19 "I Didn't See An End, So I Put A Bullet In My Mouth. And The Other Guy Spit It Out"
The Avengers (2012)
It's easy to forget that for Bruce Banner, living with the Hulk's influence is a draining existence. In constant fear of putting others in danger at the drop of a hat, Banner reveals to the other Avengers one of his lowest moments in one of their first meetings, hoping to impress the upon them the gravity containing the Hulk has on him. Making an attempt on his own life, Banner discovers that the creature within him is able to manifest in Banner's body to protect him from even the most immediate physical harm.
This dark line portrays a lot about Banner's character. His willingness to be so vulnerable to his new teammates in the name of collaboration is incredibly brave, matter-of-factly bringing up such a delicate subject just to level with them about the dangers of Hulk. It also shows how far he's willing to go to protect others, forfeiting his chance at life if it means ensuring Hulk would never hurt anyone again.
18 "But Hulk Like Real Fire. Like Raging Fire. Thor Like Smoldering Fire."
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
In Thor: Ragnarok, it's revealed that Hulk has been in control of he and Banner's shared body for longer than ever before. As a result, he gets more development, with more speaking lines allowing audiences a greater window into his personality. In a bonding moment with Thor, Hulk compares them to classical elements, calling himself fire, and Thor water.
Not to be outdone, the prideful Thor asserts that they're both more like fire, only for Hulk to shut him down. The hilarious extent to which the metaphor is drawn out in the name of the two warriors one-upping each other is a great bit of humor that helps develop the two character's budding friendship.
17 “I See This As An Absolute Win!”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Showing off his big brain, Professor Hulk aids what's left of The Avengers after Thanos' snap in an attempt to build a time machine in order to go back in time and prevent Thanos from ever taking the stones. Using the hapless Ant-Man as a test subject, the machine's first trial goes poorly, making Scott Lang's body very old and then very young in a matter of moments rather than moving him into a new point in time. Despite everyone else's frustration at the test's failure, Hulk is excited to have made any progress.
One of Hulk's most quotable lines, "I see this as an absolute win" has seen its fare share of memes, alongside others poking fun at the differences in Hulk and Professor Hulk. Beyond that, the quote shows off Banner's optimistic side, choosing to trust the scientific method despite what his colleagues may think.
16 “That’s My Secret, Captain; I’m Always Angry”
The Avengers (2012)
In one of Banner's first meetings with the rest of The Avengers' original lineup, he comes close to revealing the secret to how he stays calm, but is cut off before he can finish. It's only until later in the film that the audiences gets the payoff for Banner's teased secrets, when Captain America suggests he get angry in the threat of the approaching Chitauri Leviathan. In one of his most iconic lines, Banner reveals his ability to turn into the Hulk whenever he chooses, stating "That's my secret, Captain; I'm always angry."
This line is what cemented Bruce Banner as a fan favorite within the already strong starting roster of the Avengers. It also sheds light into the mystery of Banner's mental state, constantly having to manage his anger to avoid transforming into the destructive Hulk. The ease with which Banner is able to bring forth those emotions is a great moment that made the Avengers both respect and even fear Bruce Banner just a little bit more.
15 “Everything’s Going To Be Alright Now. I Got This. You Want To Know Who I Am?”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
In Thor: Ragnarok, we learn for the first time that Banner seems to be able to remember people he only met as Hulk. Feeling a strange sense of kinship with Valkyrie, who served as the green goliath's trainer, Banner keeps his alter ego from her a secret for most of the film after transforming back. However, when the giant wolf Fenris is set upon the gates of Asgard by Hela, his hand is forced, and he prepares to become the Hulk again to spring into action.
Wanting to reveal his secret to Valkyrie, Banner reassures her that everything will be ok before revealing his secret to her, leaping into the action. Ultimately, this moment is played for laughs, as Banner doesn't transform until after falling, leaving a critically-injured body at the feet of a confused Fenris. Poor Bruce Banner just can't seem to nail the dramatic timing to recapture another cool catchphrase before transforming.
14 “So Many Stairs!”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Though Banner may have mastered being the Hulk with his fusion of both identities by the time of Avengers: Endgame, the film still treats audiences to some classic Hulk rampages thanks to the film's time travel. In the aftermath of the Chitauri invasion of New York, Hulk has yet to cool down enough to transform back into Banner, following the rest of the team into the Avengers tower. Stopped by Tony Stark from taking the elevator, Hulk throws a tantrum as he's forced to take the stairs, prompting him to belt out this line in frustration.
This scene is a great reminder of just how childish Hulk's anger can be, showing great frustration over what should be a mild annoyance. The hilarious juxtaposition of the rampaging Hulk in the straight-laced, sterile environment of the Avengers tower lobby is the cherry on top.
13 “No Banner, Only Hulk!”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
These four simple words got the point across to audiences that this time around, Hulk wasn't going away so easily. Meeting up with Thor after their fight in the arena, the Asgardian tries to make sense of the situation, wondering when Banner will take control again. Hulk's chilling explanation makes it clear that he has had control for the better part of the last two years.
How exactly this came to be is a mystery, but Hulk may have taken over a despondent Banner after being sent far into space in the Quinjet, the scientist giving up hope of living a normal life on Earth. This arc emulates the famous World War Hulk run in the comics, and though Thor: Ragnarok didn't exactly follow through with this premise, an MCU World War Hulk film may still be in the works.
12 “You’re Banner’s Friend”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
After realizing that he's stuck talking only with Hulk, Thor tries to get on the green goliath's good side. Hulk isn't having any of it, however, insisting that Thor is only friends with Banner. This leads Thor to argue the point, hilariously making fun of Bruce Banner to Hulk's face in an attempt to win Hulk's cooperation.
It's easy to forget that Mark Ruffalo also does the motion capture work for Hulk as well as voice lines, on top of acting as Bruce Banner. This dual performance is an impressive feat to keep up throughout the MCU, Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth showing off some great chemistry in this scene.
11 “Thor Home”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Upon arriving at Sakaar, all Thor can think about is getting back to Asgard with a plan to stop his evil sister, Hela, from taking it over. Hulk, however, had been living his best life on the planet, enjoying his fame and fortune as a fighting champion for The Grandmaster. Failing to recruit Hulk, Thor storms off, which Hulk simply allows, knowing what's in store.
As Thor is painfully apprehended by the barrier keeping him confined to Hulk's chambers, the monster laughs, having purposefully goaded him into doing so. His simple remark afterward show's Hulk's newfound ability to be subtle, letting someone make a fool of themselves, and his appreciation for having a new friendly face around.
10 “Tony, Listen To Me. Thor’s Gone. Thanos Is Coming. It Doesn’t Matter Who You’re Talking To Or Not.”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
A quality for Bruce Banner often lost on the other Avengers is his ability to be pragmatic above all else. Having witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by Thanos and his Black Order, Bruce races to frantically warn Tony Stark and the others about the impending invasion of Earth. Attempting to rally the Avengers together while being unaware of the events of Captain America: Civil War, Stark informs Banner that he and Captain America "aren't talking", putting their conflict lightly.
Too focused on saving lives, Banner quickly retorts that Thanos is too dangerous to allow petty squabbles to come in the way of Earth's defense. This scene gives real weight to the threat of Thanos, and makes the events of Captain America: Civil Warseem almost trivial in the face of it. Without Banner's testimony, it's unclear whether Tony would've considered working with Steve Rogers again, even in the face of a powerful external danger to Earth.
9 “Stay!...Please?”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
After managing to endear himself to Hulk, effectively recruiting him to the cause, Thor's next task is more difficult. After asking the jaded and traumatized Valkyrie to return to her ancestral home and face the woman who killed her friends, Thor is quickly spurned, Valkyrie turning to leave. Looking to Hulk for some support, a giant jawbone is tossed in her path, prompting her to stay a little longer, if for the wrong reasons.
This hilarious line demonstrates Hulk's growing empathy, and his desire to keep his newfound friends together. Hearing the word "please" come out of the raging green giant's mouth is comedy enough, but Ruffalo's delivery of Hulk's attempt at polite insistence is what sells the line.
8 “Big Monster?!”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Accepting that Hela is too powerful to defeat, Thor summons the fire giant Surtur to lay waste to Asgard, giving his villainous sister nothing to rule. Unfortunately, the finer points of this plan are lost on Hulk. Always ready for a fight, Hulk springs into action, leaping onto the deity's face and pummeling him in the brow before casually being tossed aside.
Thor is quick to step in and try to persuade Hulk to leave the giant be. Understandably confused, Hulk is deprived of doing the job he's best at; punching giant monsters. Despite whining the hilarious quote in protest, Hulk ultimately relents. Thor's ability to keep him from fighting was probably for the best, as Hulk stood little chance of actually defeating the apocalyptic giant.
7 “The Radiaton’s Mostly Gamma. It’s Like…I Was Made For This”
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
When The Avengers are finally able to gather the Infinity Stones from the past, Tony Stark makes a makeshift Infinity Gauntlet of his own out of his own technology. The question remained as to who should be the one to attempt using it to bring everyone who had been snapped away back. Hulk was the only sensible volunteer, remarking that he had the greatest odds for survival upon harnessing the awesome power of the stones.
Describing the energy emitted by the stones, Hulk reflects on his origins in Gamma radiation, a subject rarely brought up in the MCU since his debut film. Sure enough, Hulk is the able to harness the stones and, with great effort, bring half of the world's population who had been dusted away back to life. This demonstratively establishes Hulk as one of the strongest Avengers, being the only one to use the Infinity Stones and survive the incredible cosmic energies they emit into their user.
6 “Stay Safe. Welcome To The Circus”
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)
Making a brief cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Banner is among the Avengers that Shang-Chi brings the titular artifacts to for analyzation. Alongside Wong, who studies them from a mystical point of view, and Captain Marvel, who offers her extraterrestrial insights, Banner analyzes the rings from a scientist's perspective. Finding them to be utterly remarkable, the group discovers that the rings have emitted some kind of signal, an ominous portent for things to come.
After this discovery, Banner is quick to welcome Shang-Chi and Katy into the fold of super heroism, acknowledging the bizarre and eclectic world of The Avengers by comparing it to a circus. This scene emphasized that not only is Banner still active as an Avenger, but is willing to take the time to mentor and welcome new recruits into the fold, making him a kind emotional center in the business-forward group of heroes.
5 "I Put The Brains And The Brawn Together And Now Look At Me. Best Of Both Worlds."
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Over the five years that had passed between Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame Hulk was one of the surviving characters who had changed the most. Shocking an already overwhelmed Scott Lang, who had just emerged from the Quantum Realm only to find the world in shambles, Hulk explains how he was able to finally come to terms with his affliction. Spending months in his lab, Banner was able to merge his personalities together, finally seeing his condition as more of a blessing than a curse.
This transformation is one of the biggest moments in the character's history in the MCU, and his casual reflection of the events leading up to it leave a lot to the imagination. Able to finally make peace with his situation, Banner's new positive outlook on life had clearly changed his personality as well as his appearance. Whether he and Hulk are truly as one remains to be seen, and the MCU has ways to bring original Hulk back.
4 “I’m Sorry! I Just Get So Angry All The Time. Hulk Always… Always Angry.”
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Hulk's anger is his primary character trait, which can make him as much of a threat to his friends as an asset. During his extended period of control over Bruce Banner, it seems the Hulk is able to realize this. In a stunning moment of clarity and self-actualization, Hulk apologizes to Thor, acknowledging his characteristic anger.
It's shocking enough to hear Hulk ruminate on his emotions out loud, but hearing him actually apologize to someone was certainly new territory for the character. Thor: Ragnarok made it clear that Hulk can have just as much emotional depth and self-awareness as Banner does.
3 “Oh Screw You, You Big, Green A**hole! I’ll Do It Myself!”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Only ever willingly unleashed by Banner when it was time to fight, Hulk's ego was dealt a severe blow due to his defeat at the hands of Thanos. One of the first times any humanoid character had ever matched Hulk in strength, Hulk is thrown into the depths of an existential crisis, refusing to come out. This is much to the dismay of Banner, who finds himself fighting Thanos' minion, Cull Obsidian, with no superpowers.
Frustrated with his alter ego's sudden pacifism, Banner curses out Hulk, vowing to finish the fight himself. Armed with Tony Stark's Hulkbuster armor, Banner faces down the alien invader despite extensive damage having already been done to the suit. This proves that Banner himself is capable of heroics, and is capable of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds even without his rage-induced powers.
2 “Aha! You Guys Are So Screwed Now!”
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
As the battle of Wakanda continued, Thanos forces appear to have gained the upper hand. Luckily, the Avengers are given some relief in the form of a last-minute entrance from Thor, Groot, and Rocket. Banner is overjoyed to see the extraterrestrial trio, taunting Thanos army with glee knowing that one of the most powerful Avengers is on the scene.
Banner's excitement on seeing Thor again is a great callback to the time they spent together in Thor: Ragnarok. There's just something about the childlike glee with which Ruffalo delivers this line that got fans just as excited as he was to see Thor back in action.
1 “Put The Helmet On, We Need The Data!”
She-Hulk (2022)
For as compassionate and heroic as Bruce Banner can be, his scientific side sometimes takes over his empathy. Curious about the specifics of Jennifer Walters' own Hulk powers, Bruce manages to persuade his cousin to reluctantly agrees to participate in some tests. Walters gets more than she bargained for when she finds herself trapped in a box with slowly-advancing saw blades, Banner only watching in an attempt to draw out her Hulk form with a dangerous threat.
Understandably, Jennifer freaks out, trying her best to get out of the situation and get Bruce to stop the dangerous test. Already too invested, Bruce simply tells her to put the goofy-looking helmet back on, revealing a dark side to his scientific curiosity. This scene unearths a usually-ignored side to Hulk, his morbid scientific curiosity sometimes getting the better of him.
Key Release Dates
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The Marvels
Release Date:2023-11-10 -
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date:2024-07-26 -
Marvel's Thunderbolts
Release Date:2024-12-20 -
Blade (2025)
Release Date:2025-02-14 -
Deadpool 3
Release Date:2024-05-03 -
Marvel's Fantastic Four
Release Date:2025-05-02 -
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Release Date:2026-05-01 -
Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date:2027-05-01
