The Return of the Incredible Hulk

The Return of the Incredible Hulk

Year: 1977

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Alan J. Levi

ActionDrama

While on the run and presumed dead, David Banner, now using the alias Benton, continues his search for a cure. He inadvertently becomes caught up in a plot to murder a young, disabled girl so that her unscrupulous relatives can claim her family’s fortune, forcing him to confront the beast within.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Return of the Incredible Hulk (1977)

Trace every key event in The Return of the Incredible Hulk (1977) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

David Banner infiltrates Genecore as a janitor

David Banner masquerades as a janitor to gain access to Genecore Laboratory. He believes Dr. Ronald Pratt's work may unlock a cure for his gamma-induced condition. By night he secretly studies, edits, and adds to Pratt's research.

Nightly Genecore Laboratory
2

Ronald Pratt confronts the secret helper

Ronald notices the edits and decides to monitor the lab to uncover his secret helper. He confronts the intruder and learns David's true identity as the Hulk's alter ego. The revelation sets the stage for a dangerous, uneasy alliance.

Late night Genecore Laboratory
3

A shared project bonds the trio

Ronald, his wife Amy, and David begin working together on a healing project and a potential cure for David's condition. The Hulk's accelerated healing becomes a catalyst for new experiments. Trust grows as they bond over scientific breakthroughs.

Over the next few months Ronald's laboratory
4

Board pulls funding; shift to David's treatment

Genecore's board halts Ronald's broader program to avoid weaponization and demands a direct path toward David's cure. Ronald is forced to accelerate the treatment in hopes of saving David. Administrative pressure pushes the team toward riskier, faster results.

Months later Genecore facility / boardroom
5

Jasmine infiltrates during the unauthorized procedure

Jasmine infiltrates the lab during David's treatment, intending to steal Ronald's files. Ronald tries to stop her, but she shoves him into a table of chemicals, knocking him into a coma-inducing mix. The disruption triggers David's transformation into the Hulk, who attacks Jasmine and then carries Ronald to safety.

During unauthorized procedure Genecore Laboratory
6

The Hulk attacks Jasmine and protects Ronald

The Hulk confronts Jasmine, forcing her to flee while he ensures Ronald's safety. The transformed David creates a path of escape through the lab, buying time for their escape from the security alarms. This confrontation deepens the complexity of their fragile alliance.

Immediately after the earlier fight Genecore Laboratory
7

Kasha's plan and betrayal among operatives

Kasha orders Jasmine to abduct David to fill gaps in the stolen files. During the mission, Jasmine's co-agents turn on her, and a mortally wounded man reveals Bella's true leadership of the spy network. The revelation reframes the stakes for Jasmine and her allies.

Soon after the fight Genecore / laboratory grounds
8

Jasmine guides David to Ronald's hospital room

David takes Jasmine to her cabin to treat a bullet wound, and she repays the favor by guiding him to Ronald's hospital room without being identified. David speaks to Ronald and helps coax him out of his coma. The unlikely bond between them grows stronger.

Later Hospital
9

Hulk saves Jasmine; romance blossoms

The Hulk rescues Jasmine from another attack by Kasha's men, making her see David in a new light. Their encounter evolves into a growing romantic connection. The pair become a coordinated though precarious team against their pursuers.

Soon after Near hospital / city outskirts
10

Bella kidnaps the Pratts; airfield plan formed

Bella abducts the Pratts as leverage against Ronald's project. Jasmine retrieves the airfield location from a former comrade and alerts the authorities, setting plans in motion to intercept them. The chase moves toward a decisive confrontation.

Following capture Airfield vicinity
11

Infiltration and confrontation at the airfield hangar

Jasmine infiltrates the hangar to aid the Pratts but is captured by the torturer Zed. She cleverly fakes a suicide pill to misdirect him, triggering a police raid that helps free the prisoners. David and the Pratts narrowly evade capture, aided by Jasmine's ruse.

During the confrontation Airfield hangar
12

Plane showdown and the Hulk's final act

Bella boards a plane with Zed and shoots Kasha, who had sought to supplant her. Zed tries to ram Jasmine with the plane, prompting David to transform into the Hulk and crash onto the aircraft. Bella fires at him, hitting the fuel tank and causing a catastrophic explosion that destroys the plane.

In flight Airplane in flight
13

David dies; Jasmine, Ronald, and Amy mourn

The Hulk is killed in the plane explosion, and David reverts to his human form before dying from his injuries. Jasmine, Ronald, and Amy mourn the loss of the man who sought both justice and a cure. The survivors resolve to honor his memory by continuing the healing work he began.

After the explosion Plane crash site / hospital vicinity

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:58

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Movies featuring tragic monster protagonists like The Return of the Incredible Hulk

Stories where the hero's greatest enemy is the monster within themselves.If you were captivated by David Banner's internal battle in The Return of the Incredible Hulk, this thread gathers movies where the hero is their own worst enemy. Discover similar sci-fi and horror dramas about characters grappling with a monstrous inner self, marked by heavy emotional weight and bittersweet resolutions.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives typically follow a character with a hidden or cursed identity, often the result of a scientific or supernatural accident. The plot forces them to confront their inner demon to protect others, leading to cycles of suppression, forced transformation, and self-sacrifice. The journey is one of tragic heroism, where saving the day often comes at a great personal cost.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by the powerful and specific character archetype of the 'tragic monster.' They share a dark, melancholic tone, high emotional stakes centered on internal conflict, and a focus on themes like identity, curse, and the ethics of power. The pacing is often steady, building tension towards an inevitable and costly confrontation.

Gritty 70s sci-fi thriller movies similar to The Return of the Incredible Hulk

Methodical, character-driven stories blending science fiction with real-world suspense.Fans of the urgent, anxious mood and grounded suspense of The Return of the Incredible Hulk will appreciate this collection of 70s-era films. Explore similar movies that merge science fiction ideas with thriller plots, featuring steady pacing, dark tones, and a focus on ethical conflicts in a recognizable, often bleak, world.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives often begin with a scientific premise—an experiment, a discovery, or a curse—that plunges an ordinary person into a dangerous conspiracy or criminal plot. The science fiction element serves as the inciting incident for a more traditional thriller structure involving espionage, betrayal, and a race against time, all filmed with a subdued, realistic aesthetic.

Why These Movies?

The cohesion comes from a shared aesthetic and narrative approach: the distinctive visual and narrative style of 1970s cinema applied to sci-fi themes. They share a steady, methodical pacing, a dark and tense tone, a focus on practical stakes over galactic ones, and a generally high level of intensity driven by life-or-death situations.

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The Return of the Incredible Hulk Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Return of the Incredible Hulk, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Return of the Incredible Hulk Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Return of the Incredible Hulk

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Return of the Incredible Hulk. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Return of the Incredible Hulk

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The Return of the Incredible Hulk Spoiler-Free Summary

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