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The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) movie poster

Timeline

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1989 · 100 mins · English
JustWatch #6,932 9
Starring
Stan Lee, John Novak, Lou Ferrigno, Bill Bixby, Nancy Everhard, Mark Acheson

After stopping a mugging, Dr. David Banner is arrested for assault and confined. Blind lawyer Matt Murdock, secretly the vigilante Daredevil, convinces Banner to help locate the thieves, suspecting they work for his nemesis Kingpin. Fearing exposure, Banner escapes as the Hulk, forcing Murdock to reveal his own origin and setting the two heroes against the Kingpin’s criminal empire.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (14)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Trial of the Incredible Hulk
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989)

Where can you watch The Trial of the Incredible Hulk? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV and Fawesome: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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14 events in order · contains spoilers

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Banner arrives in the city under a false identity

    David Banner enters a sprawling metropolis hoping to stay hidden as David Belson. He carries the burden of the Hulk persona, seeking anonymity among the crowds. The city, controlled by Fisk and watched by Daredevil, becomes his new battleground.

    When
    early
    Where
    Large city
  2. Subway incident sparks Hulk emergence

    On a commuter train, Banner intervenes as two passengers molest Ellie Mendez. The struggle triggers Banner’s transformation, unleashing the Hulk and causing chaos. Police quickly restrain him after the disruption.

    When
    daytime
    Where
    Commuter subway
  3. Banner arrested and charged

    David Banner is detained by police and charged with assaulting Ellie, who claims her attackers saved her from him. The case is muddled as Daredevil and Fisk close in, implying a larger conspiracy. Banner’s fate hangs on whether Ellie can be persuaded to tell the truth.

    When
    immediately after subway incident
    Where
    Police precinct
  4. Daredevil offers pro bono defense

    Blind defense attorney Matt Murdock offers to take Banner’s case for free, sensing there is more to the story. He explains that Ellie's attackers work for Fisk, whom he is trying to bring down. Banner remains wary but acknowledges Matt’s concern for the truth.

    When
    soon after arrest
    Where
    Matt Murdock's office
  5. Matt visits Ellie; her story falters

    Matt questions Ellie, but she falters mid-interrogation, especially after Matt reveals his heightened senses. She clings to the version that Banner attacked her, creating a dangerous contradiction. Matt grows convinced Banner might be truthful.

    When
    shortly after defense offer
    Where
    Ellie's hospital room
  6. Nurse's lethal injection attempt; Daredevil intervenes

    Fisk orders Ellie's nurse to give her a lethal injection to silence her, but Daredevil breaks into the hospital and stops the nurse. The assault confirms there are powerful forces trying to control Ellie's testimony. Ellie remains a target, and protection becomes a priority.

    When
    soon after interrogation
    Where
    Hospital
  7. Ellie abducted from protective custody

    Angered by Ellie's cooperation, Fisk has her abducted from protective custody before she can testify. The plot to protect Fisk’s reputation intensifies as Daredevil and Banner must act. The stakes rise as Ellie's safety is compromised again.

    When
    shortly after nurse incident
    Where
    Protective custody facility
  8. Hulk nightmare; Hulk breakout in jail

    In jail, Banner experiences a nightmare of transforming on the witness stand. The stress triggers a real transformation, and the Hulk breaks out of prison. The escape escalates tension for the impending trial.

    When
    night
    Where
    Jail/witness stand area
  9. Daredevil confronts Banner; reveals identity

    Daredevil tracks Banner's location and enters his apartment to bring him to stand trial. Banner unmasks Matt Murdock in a tense moment, and Matt explains his origin of powers. Banner begins to see there may be a shared fate with Daredevil.

    When
    after breakout
    Where
    Banner's apartment
  10. Revelation of origins and mutual respect

    Matt explains the radiation accident that blinded him and gave him enhanced senses, and he reveals his inspiration from Tendelli. Banner accepts that Matt’s gifts can be used for good, and the two begin to respect each other as partners. David starts to trust Matt's plan to face Fisk.

    When
    immediately after unmasking
    Where
    Banner's apartment
  11. Fisk's syndicate plan and Daredevil’s apparent death

    Fisk convenes crime bosses to propose a nationwide syndicate and presents footage of Daredevil’s apparent death as leverage. The display shows Fisk's growing control and intimidation. Banner and Daredevil decide to stand up to Fisk together.

    When
    meeting
    Where
    Fisk's office tower
  12. Infiltration to save Ellie

    Banner and Daredevil infiltrate Fisk’s office tower to discredit Fisk and rescue Ellie. They face heavy defenses, and David receives crucial help from Edgar, Fisk's trusted ally who hints at having saved many from Fisk's wrath. The plan hinges on turning the fight back on Fisk.

    When
    stage of infiltration
    Where
    Fisk’s office tower
  13. Climax: confrontation and rescue; Ellie saved

    Daredevil breaches the meeting; crime bosses flee as the plan to shield Fisk’s operations unravels. Banner and Matt manage to save Ellie and expose Fisk’s manipulation. The alliance between Banner and Daredevil solidifies a mutual purpose.

    When
    final confrontation
    Where
    Fisk’s tower meeting room
  14. Parting and pursuit of a cure

    With Fisk thwarted, Banner heads to a Portland radiation lab to search for a cure, while Matt remains in the city to protect it. The two vow to continue fighting Fisk's crime and to keep each other informed. The city is left safer, but the threat from the Hulk remains real.

    When
    aftermath
    Where
    Portland radiation laboratory

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:32

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Timeline questions answered

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was David Banner arrested for attacking Ellie when he was trying to help her?

Banner was arrested because witnesses saw the Hulk emerge during the struggle on the train and assumed Banner was the aggressor. Ellie initially claimed her attackers, the men who were assaulting her, saved her from Banner's Hulk transformation, making it appear that Banner was the one attacking her. The police charged him with assault before the true sequence of events became clear.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the movie, Banner warns that his transformations happen under stress, setting up the dangerous chain reaction.

  • banner arrest
  • hulk transformation
  • ellie mendez
  • assault charges
  • subway incident
Q2

Why does Matt Murdock offer to defend David Banner for free?

Matt Murdock takes Banner's case because Ellie Mendez's attackers work for Wilson Fisk (the Kingpin), and Matt is determined to bring Fisk down. He sees the case as an opportunity to get close to Fisk's criminal operation while helping someone he believes is innocent.

  • matt murdock
  • daredevil
  • fisk
  • kingpin
  • pro bono defense
Q3

Why does Wilson Fisk order the nurse to kill Ellie Mendez?

Fisk wants to silence Ellie because she is the only witness who can identify his men as her attackers. If she testifies truthfully, it would link Fisk's criminal organization to the assault and potentially help Matt Murdock build a case against him. Fisk orders a lethal injection to ensure she can never provide testimony.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Matt overhears visitors to Ellie's hospital room who were sent by Fisk, foreshadowing his control over her.

  • wilson fisk
  • kingpin
  • ellie mendez
  • witness elimination
  • hospital murder attempt
Q4

How does Daredevil find Banner after the Hulk breaks out of jail?

Daredevil uses his enhanced senses, including his radar sense, to track Banner to his apartment. His heightened hearing and smell allow him to locate the fugitive despite Banner's attempts to remain hidden under his alias David Belson.

  • daredevil tracking
  • hulk breakout
  • banner apartment
  • radar sense
  • enhanced senses
Q5

Why does Banner unmask Daredevil to reveal he's Matt Murdock?

Banner uncovers Matt's identity first, then deliberately unmasks himself to demonstrate trust and to convince Matt that he should stand trial rather than continue running. By revealing he knows Matt is also a target of Fisk, Banner shows they're natural allies with a shared enemy.

  • banner unmasks matt
  • daredevil identity reveal
  • trust exchange
  • alliance formation
Q6

What is Matt Murdock's origin and how did he become Daredevil?

Matt Murdock was blinded by a radiation accident at age fourteen, but the same radiation granted him enhanced senses and a unique "radar sense" that allows him to perceive his surroundings. Inspired by his father, a boxer, and guided by police contact Albert G. Tendelli, he became Daredevil, a vigilante dedicated to protecting the innocent from criminals like Fisk.

  • matt murdock origin
  • radiation accident
  • blinded
  • radar sense
  • daredevil powers
Q7

Why does Fisk show crime bosses footage of Daredevil's apparent death?

Wilson Fisk displays what appears to be Daredevil's death to intimidate the assembled crime bosses and demonstrate his power. He uses this to push his plan for a nationwide criminal syndicate with himself as leader, proving that he can eliminate even Costumed vigilantes who oppose him.

  • fisk syndicate plan
  • daredevil death footage
  • intimidation
  • crime bosses meeting
Q8

Who is Edgar and why does he help Banner and Daredevil infiltrate Fisk's tower?

Edgar is Fisk's trusted right-hand man, but he secretly opposes Fisk's methods. During the infiltration, Edgar provides crucial assistance to Banner and Daredevil, hinting that he has saved previous victims from Fisk's wrath. His betrayal weakens Fisk's inner circle at a critical moment.

  • edgar
  • fisks right-hand man
  • betrayal
  • tower infiltration
  • inside help
Q9

Why does Banner leave for Portland at the end of the movie?

After defeating Fisk and securing Ellie's safety, Banner heads to a radiation laboratory in Portland. He's searching for a potential cure for his condition, the ability to control or eliminate his Hulk transformations. This leaves Matt to continue protecting the city alone while Banner pursues his personal quest.

  • banner portland
  • hulk cure
  • radiation lab
  • separation ending
  • banner's quest
Q10

How do Banner and Daredevil rescue Ellie from Fisk's tower?

Banner and Daredevil infiltrate Fisk's office tower together. Banner's presence as the Hulk shifts the balance of power against Fisk's guards. With help from Edgar, who admits them and provides cover, they fight through defenses to reach Ellie in the meeting room where Fisk is addressing crime bosses. Daredevil disrupts the meeting while Banner extracts Ellie, exposing Fisk's manipulation.

Foreshadowing: The timeline shows the two heroes planning the infiltration after Fisk's syndicate meeting, using the chaos of the gathering to their advantage.

  • ellie rescue
  • fisk tower
  • hulk daredevil team-up
  • final confrontation
  • edgar help

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Trial of the Incredible Hulk tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with Fugitive Hero Alliances like The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

On-the-run heroes must trust an unexpected partner to clear their name. If you enjoyed the tense partnership between the Hulk and Daredevil in 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk,' you'll like these movies featuring hunted heroes forced to form risky alliances. Discover similar action-packed stories of fugitives teaming up with unlikely partners to fight powerful foes and prove their innocence.

  • urgent
  • tense
  • paranoid
  • hopeful
  • determined
  • desperate
  • Tone: tense, urgent, hopeful
  • Pacing: fast, action-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a hero on the run, often framed or misunderstood, who crosses paths with another lone figure—a vigilante, a fellow outcast, or a reluctant ally. Their initial distrust gives way to a fragile partnership as they combine their unique skills to take down a mutual threat, culminating in a climactic confrontation that tests their newfound bond.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the 'fugitive alliance' trope, combining high-intensity action with the compelling character dynamics of two misfits learning to work together under extreme pressure. The consistent mood is one of urgency, paranoia, and hopeful determination.

Vigilante vs. Crime Lord Movies like The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

Street-level heroes uncover a vast conspiracy controlled by a shadowy kingpin. Fans of 'The Trial of the Incredible Hulk' will enjoy these movies where heroes like Daredevil take on powerful crime bosses. Explore similar stories of vigilantes fighting to expose and dismantle vast criminal empires, filled with tense investigations, action-packed confrontations, and a clear battle between justice and corruption.

  • tense
  • determined
  • gritty
  • urban
  • conspiratorial
  • anxious
  • Tone: tense, dark, determined
  • Pacing: steady to fast, investigative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot typically begins with a street-level crime that reveals a deeper, city-wide conspiracy led by an untouchable crime lord. The hero, often a lawyer, journalist, or vigilante, works from the shadows to gather evidence and systematically dismantle the organization, leading to a final, personal showdown with the kingpin.

Why they belong together: These movies share a specific narrative structure and world-building element: a clear hierarchy of evil with a mastermind at the top. The appeal lies in the methodical takedown of a powerful antagonist and the classic theme of one hero standing against systemic corruption.

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Movies Like The Trial of the Incredible Hulk

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Every angle

The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (1989) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Trial of the Incredible Hulk in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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