Welcome back to the RetrOasis. Today, we’re looking at a finale that still hits right in the solar plexus—even thirty-six years later. I’m talking about “The Death of the Incredible Hulk” (1990).
I’ve always loved the Hulk, from the classic Kirby comics to the campy fun of the MCU, but there’s something about the Bill Bixby era that just feels different. Spinning the rare disc for this review was a bittersweet experience, and honestly, it’s a time capsule of an era that was closing its doors forever.
The Setup: David Bellamy and the Lab of Last Resort
The movie opens with our favorite fugitive—calling himself “David Bellamy” this time—working as a janitor. It’s the classic Hulk trope: David has found a new lab, a new mentor (Dr. Ronald Pratt), and a new sliver of hope for a cure. But David is a perpetual magnet for every two-bit thug and international spy who mistakes a quiet man in a janitor’s uniform for an easy target.
Things go south when a spy network (including a character very clearly modeled after the Black Widow) tries to steal Pratt’s research to create an “Army of Hulks.” The plot drones on like a long, high-stakes episode of the TV show, culminating in a “Hulk out” that feels heavier than usual.
Why This Finale Hits Harder
What makes this movie stand out isn’t the action—it’s the somber, almost melancholy tone. Unlike the previous TV movies (The Incredible Hulk Returns and The Trial of the Incredible Hulk), this one ditches the hokey superhero cameos (sorry, Thor and Daredevil) for a serious spy-thriller vibe.
- The Tragedy: The ending is legendary. No spoilers, but the title isn’t lying. For a character who had previously survived impossible falls and tank shells, the final scene feels less like a failure of physics and more like a deliberate emotional choice. David Banner is finally, tragically, at peace.
- The “What If”: There were plans for a follow-up called The Revenge of the Incredible Hulk, but Bill Bixby’s real-life illness and the movie’s definitive ending stopped it in its tracks. This really was the end of the road.
The Production Grind
Shot in Vancouver, this was Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno’s third and final TV movie collaboration. It’s amazing to think this was nearly an Iron Man or Black Widow spin-off! You can see the DNA of those Marvel characters in the script, even if they couldn’t get the rights to use the names back then.
Why It’s a RetrOasis Resident
- The “AWOL” Streaming Status: Don’t go looking for this on Disney+ or Netflix. As of 2026, The Death of the Incredible Hulk is effectively missing from the major legal streaming platforms. It’s a victim of complex rights issues and its status as a “made-for-TV” relic.
- The Physical Media Quest: If you want to see David Banner’s final bow, you’re going to have to hit the thrift stores or dig through your old DVD collection. The 2003 DVD release is becoming a “white whale” for collectors.
- The Verdict: It’s a solid B+. It lacks the “smash” spectacle of a modern MCU flick, but it has ten times the heart. It’s a fitting, exhausting, and emotional goodbye to a character we all grew up with.
Go find that disc, dust off the player, and give the Hulk one last hurrah. Just don’t make him angry… you might not like the ending.
Do you think the MCU should bring back the “fugitive on the run” vibe for the Hulk, or is the “Science-Bro” version here to stay? Let’s hear it in the comments!
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