The Crying Hulk meme originated from various emotional scenes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, specifically highlighting the more sensitive 'Smart Hulk' or 'Professor Hulk' persona seen in Avengers: Endgame. Unlike the traditional rage-filled Hulk, this version of the character expresses deep sadness and vulnerability. The meme went viral as a way for users to express relatable moments of heartbreak, disappointment, or overwhelmed emotions. It is frequently used to contrast the character's immense physical strength with his surprisingly soft emotional state, making it a favorite for situational humor across Reddit and Twitter.