If you’re a person of a certain, demographic, then you might just remember Hulk Hogan? The man who started Hulkmania, who is and was the absolute wrestling legend who graced our TV and movie screens throughout the 80s and 90s; but I bet that you can’t remember all of the movies that he starred in?
With a career spanning more than 40 years, having won six WWE Championships, appearing in multiple movies, having his own reality show Hogan Knows Best, and holding the longest reign in the era of wrestle-mania ever, lasting 1,474 days, Hulk Hogan remains thee No.1 icon of World Wrestling.
If you’re a true Hulk fan then you’ll remember his big hits like Mr Nanny and No Holes Barred, but, there are several other classics on the list like Gremlins 2, and yes, he really did star in a movie called Santa with Muscles.
Suburban Commando
An interstellar warrior visits planet Earth and tries to fit in with a “normal” suburban family.
A Classic 90s Movie
This movie was shot back in 1991 at the height of Hogan’s fame as a wrestling superstar when Hulkmania was sweeping the nation. The Hulk plays Shep Ramsey, a space-traveling renegade who’s having some problems with his rocket which forces him to spend some time here on Earth.
The movie follows Ramsey’s efforts to assimilate into suburbia with some hilarious scenes, including his attempt at skateboarding.
When his space enemies catch up with him here on Earth, Shep’s new friends step in to help him fight back and some action-packed adventure ensues.
Rocky III
Can we please just take a moment to appreciate the iconic image that we see before us?
This is Hulk Hogan playing Thunderlips in Rocky III, filmed in 1982. Yes, Hulk Hogan was in Rocky III.
An Iconic First
This was Hogan’s first cinematic appearance and it’s also one of his most high-profile movie performances in which he fights the Italian stallion Rocky Balboa for a charity match, only to lose by getting picked up and thrown out of the ring by Stallone.
Recently, Hogan credited this movie role with giving him his first big break outside of wrestling as it took him from being a wrestling champion to being a global movie star, but, it also got him fired from WWF.
In an interview with Stone Cold Steve Austin, in 2019, Hogan explained how “Back then, ’78, ’79, if you were a wrestler, you didn’t do TV. You didn’t go do a movie; if you’re a wrestler, you’re a wrestler”.
Not only did this movie part see Hogan get fired from WWF, but he also reportedly put three other stunt actors in hospital while filming the fight scenes, and Stallone ended up pretty bruised and battered too.
3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain
Three Ninja brothers join forces and fight to save their hero (Hulk Hogan) and Mega Mountain amusement park from the malevolent Medusa baddie played by Loni Anderson.
Martial Arts and Ninja Vibes
This movie has all of the martial arts and Ninja vibes that 1998 could handle and unfolds into a fun-filled action, comedy adventure film.
Although watching this movie now, might feel a little outdated, the pure nostalgic value of this cinematic marvel cannot be underestimated; after all, it does star the legendary Victor Wong, that’s right – the “wax on, wax off” dude from The Karate Kid.
The Ultimate Weapon
While the prize for the cheesiest movie title ever might just be awarded to this film, don’t let that put you off as this movie does still hold some classic, nostalgic, and comedic value.
Commando 2:0
Hogan plays “hard-man” Cutter, a heavily mustached mercenary who, just as he’s about to retire, decides to take revenge on his bosses, who he discovers are IRA gunrunners and terrorists.
If you’re looking for some toy soldier-style action, this film has plenty of bombs going off and explosive fight scenes. Even if it does give Arnie, Commando 2:0 vibes, you’ll still get your fix of action, and of course the legend himself; Hulk Hogan.
If you watch the trailer for this movie, unfortunately, it will feel as if you’ve watched the whole film as it pretty much is just a repetition of corny lines, close-ups of Hogan’s muscles, and lots of random smoke plumes appearing from indiscriminate explosive devices. Despite what sounds like a pretty negative review, I’d still say that this is a good movie to watch if you’re a Hulk Hogan fan.
The only thing that’s missing from this film is Hogan shouting “Get to the chopper…”
Assault on Devils Island
South American drug lords, a treasure island, innocent hostages, and Navy Seals; this 1997 action, thriller has it all – including Hulk Hogan.
The Best Cast in Bad Movie History
Hogan plays Mike McBride, who leads a team of Navy Seals on a mission to rescue a group of sporting nationals who have been kidnapped by vigilante drug traffickers. We get to see Hogan battle it out to save the day in all of his muscular, super-tanned glory.
If you’re looking for a Rambo, Rocky, Commando hybrid movie with all of the clichéd nuances of a Ken doll, this is it. But don’t let that put you off, this movie is renowned for having the best cast, in bad movie history, with performances from Trevor Goddard, who played Kano in Mortal Kombat, and the, sadly, recently deceased Carl Weathers, who is well-known for his iconic roles in Predator and Rocky.
One more point about this movie, it would be that the action scenes are literally so bad, that they’re good.
Santa With Muscles, 1996
This is a family-friendly comedy movie, and it makes a nice change to see the Hulk in a less combative role, although of course we are still reminded that this isn’t any old Santa, no, this is Santa With Muscles.
A Christmas Classic
Hogan plays a ruthless millionaire who suddenly believes that he is Santa Claus after getting hit over the head. A bad case of amnesia sees The Hulk transform into a “hero in a hat”.
His character begins bashing baddies, and saving the old, and vulnerable members of his community from crooks, and criminals as he embarks on a crusade to find out who’s nasty, and who is nice.
The Secret Agent Club
Ray Chase is a lonely old man whose wife has passed away. He sells toys, and his son Jeremy doesn’t visit much anymore as he’s always busy with “on business”.
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Well, that’s what the world thinks anyway. What Ray’s son Jeremy doesn’t know is that his father is actually a secret agent who travels around the world completing top-secret peace-keeping missions. On one of his undercover operations, Ray confiscates a high-powered laser gun from a dangerous female criminal.
The fun starts whenever the femme fatal comes looking for her gun. She tracks Ray down and kidnaps him. The only person who can save Ray is his son Jeremy who gathers a group of vigilantes together as they go on a mission to rescue his father.
If that doesn’t sound like a fun, action movie, then I’m not sure what does.
Thunder in Paradise
Hogan plays R.J. “Hurricane” Spencer, an ex-navy S.E.A.L who is struggling to make ends meet.
A Marriage of Convenience
Spencer (Hogan) is a self-professed bachelor, but if he wants to save his beloved super-boat (Thunder) and his business, he must marry a snobby rich woman called Megan Whitaker.
Of course, true love never runs smoothly in paradise, so whenever Megan is kidnapped it’s up to Spencer and his friend Bru to rescue her, or risk losing everything.
Hulk Hogan made three of these movies in a row and the sequels to Thunder in Paradise were the imaginatively titled, Thunder in Paradis II and Thunder in Paradise III.
No Holes Barred, 1989
Hulk Hogan is in his element in this movie as he gets to showcase everything that he learned in his WWE career (including his muscles, and power poses).
The Ultimate Showdown
The plot of this film sees Hogan play a famous wrestler called Rip who is set up to fight against another gigantic, and slightly scary wrestler called Zeus.
An obnoxious TV boss pits the two wrestlers against each other in an attempt to capture maximum audience ratings by putting on the ultimate wrestling showdown, intending to make a lot of money.
This movie is Hulk Hogan at his best, he is at his physical prime, and we get to see him put on a spectacular display of his wrestling prowess.
Mr Nanny, 1993
Sticking with the wrestling theme, this movie sees Hogan play an ex-professional wrestler, who is hired to be the bodyguard/nanny for two spoilt children.
Iconic
This is such an iconic 90s movie, and most kids who grew up through that time will remember this film.
Of course, the film has a cheesy theme, but that’s part of the beauty of it, how could anyone take Hulk Hogan seriously in a pink ballerina outfit? and that’s the whole point, we’re not supposed to.
This is a fun, family-friendly movie that will have you feeling a little nostalgic, and make you laugh a lot.
Little Hercules, 3D, 2009
One of Hulk Hogans more recent movies, Little Hercules premiered in 2009 in 3d cinemas.
A Greek God
Hogan plays the Greek God Zeus in this film and the role actually suits him very well. The plot follows his son Little Hercules, who want to experience what it’s like to live on Earth as “a real boy”. However, as Hercules jumps through time, he finds himself confronted with some unexpected culture shocks which result in some interesting, and funny misadventures.
Unfortunately, this movie wasn’t very well received and it only holds a rating of 2.1 stars on IMDB.
Hulk Hogan is an Icon
To sum up Hulk Hogan’s many movie roles, most follow this sentiment; yes, they can be cheesy, but they’re ultimately nostalgic masterpieces that pay homage to one of the ‘90s greatest icons.
NB : Trial article, extra subheadings added on 21st April
By Catherine
