Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cartoon violence and demonic imagery in subpar feature.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Marvel's Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell
What's the Story?
MARVEL's HULK: WHERE MONSTERS DWELL begins on Halloween in New York City, and a group of tweens dare a boy to ring the doorbell of what looks to be a haunted mansion. When he works up the nerve to ring the doorbell, the door opens and the kids are greeted with the sight of Dr. Strange (Liam O'Brien) fighting monsters from the world of nightmares, trying to keep them contained so they can return to their human forms. Dr. Strange calls on The Incredible Hulk (Fred Tatasciore) to come to New York City to help him stop these emerging monsters. The duo is joined by the Howling Commandos -- Man-Thing, Vampire by Night, Warwolf, and Minotaur -- to guard New York and the waking world as Dr. Strange and Hulk to do battle with Nightmare, the monster trying to escape the Dream Dimension and conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Hulk must do battle with his alter-ego, Bruce Banner (Jesse Burch), who he has split from, convinced that Banner is the reason for the times when he's defeated.
Is It Any Good?
There are times when this movie feels like little more than a seemingly endless series of violent and/or demonic images. There's a story in this mess somewhere, but there are so many side stories that it's hard for anyone but the most die-hard fans to keep everything straight. Furthermore, the hilariously awful dialogue, especially from Dr. Strange, is so parodic, it sounds like something Will Farrell would exclaim in Elf ("Great Odin's beard!").
Even the overarching message in Marvel's Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell -- that it's ok to be different -- has been done so many times in the X-Men franchise alone, and done so much better. The only remotely interesting side story concerns the Hulk's battle with his alter-ego Bruce Banner. But one side story out of four or five, in addition to the main story, hardly sustains interest over the course of a 75-minute feature. The end result is a jumbled mess of tangled storylines and demonic imagery.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about violence in cartoons like Marvel's Hulk: Where Monsters Dwell. Does it make the stories more exciting or entertaining? Is it always necessary?
Why do comic-book companies and toy manufacturers produce kids' entertainment in which their products are prominently featured?
How have characters like The Incredible Hulk and Dr. Strange managed to remain popular among kids (and adults) for so many years?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 21, 2016
- Cast : Fred Tatasciore , Liam O'Brien
- Director : Mitch Schauer
- Studio : Marvel Entertainment
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Superheroes , Book Characters , Friendship , Holidays
- Run time : 75 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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