X-Men Movies In Order
The X-Men movies in order and film franchise have been a staple of the superhero genre since its start in 2000. Over the course of twelve films, the series has become one of the most successful comic book film adaptations in history, earning multiple awards and billions of dollars at the box office. This article will provide an overview of all twelve X-Men films, ranking them from best to worst according to critical reviews and audience reactions.
The X-Men franchise is beloved by many fans for its unique blend of action and drama, as well as its exploration of themes such as prejudice and discrimination. The films have featured some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier, Halle Berry as Storm, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Magneto, Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, and many more. With each installment in the franchise providing audiences with something new to enjoy, it can be difficult to decide which movie is the best.
This article provides an in-depth look at all twelve X-Men films from 2000 onwards. Each installment will be discussed in detail with regard to plot points, casting decisions, and overall success. Readers can use this list to get an idea of which movies are essential viewing for any fan of superhero films or comic book adaptations.
X-Men (2000)
X-Men, released in 2000 and directed by Bryan Singer, was the first film in the X-Men series based on Marvel Comics of the same name. It follows a group of mutant superheroes who must join forces to protect the world from those who fear and hate them. Patrick Stewart stars as Professor Charles Xavier, leader of the mutants and mentor to young Wolverine (Hugh Jackman).
The movie includes several iconic characters from the Marvel Comics Universe, including Storm (Halle Berry), Cyclops (James Marsden), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Mystique (Rebecca Romijn), and Magneto (Ian McKellen). Each character brings an interesting dynamic to the story, which is further developed throughout the series. The characters all have different motivations for joining Xavier’s team and their personal journeys are both intriguing and entertaining.
X-Men is a classic action-adventure superhero film that has held up well over time. It effectively introduces viewers to a rich universe full of complex characters with varying backgrounds, each with something unique to offer. As such, it remains one of Marvel’s most successful franchises today.
X2: X-Men United (2003)
X2: X-Men United (2003) is the sequel to the popular 2000 film, X-Men. The movie follows the same characters as they struggle to protect mutants and humans alike. Directed by Bryan Singer, this film expands on the themes of identity crisis and prejudice explored in the first film, as well as introducing new characters.
The plot revolves around the return of Magneto (Ian McKellen) and his attempt to unite all mutants under a single banner. Meanwhile, Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) struggles with his own inner turmoil – between the demands of being a leader for both mutants and humans and his conflicted feelings about his former friend/enemy. Along with these key characters, Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Gambit (Taylor Kitsch) make their debut in this film. Their powers are demonstrated throughout the movie, adding an interesting dynamic to the story.
X2 offers an interesting look at how far people will go when they feel threatened or misunderstood. It also offers a glimpse into how powerful those with mutant abilities can be when united together. As a result, it provides an entertaining exploration of what it means to be human in today’s world –– especially one so full of fear and suspicion toward those who are different from us. Despite its dark themes, X2 still manages to provide viewers with thrilling action sequences that make it worth watching again and again.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) follows the events of X2, with the introduction of a “cure” for mutants to give up their powers. Jean Grey, who had been killed in X2, is revealed to have been resurrected by her own mutant powers and is now a powerful entity known as the Phoenix. Her former lover Cyclops attempts to bring her back under control but fails, setting off a chain of events that leads to a confrontation between the X-Men and an army of mutants led by Magneto and his ally Polaris. Meanwhile, Mystique is still on the run from the government and has become a shape-shifter, able to change her appearance at will.
The climax of this film is an intense battle between mutants on both sides that tests their individual powers. Wolverine and his team are put to the test as they must fight against some of their closest friends in order to protect those they love. Every character gets their moment to shine as they use their mutant abilities in creative ways. Jean Grey’s Phoenix power proves especially impressive as she singlehandedly destroys an entire army using her telekinetic abilities. Despite its massive scale, this battle remains thrilling and exciting until its conclusion.
Ultimately, X-Men: The Last Stand ends with a victory for the X-Men, but not without cost – Cyclops dies during the battle with Jean Grey’s other self. This tragedy serves as a reminder that even when we fight for good causes there can be casualties along the way. It also highlights how powerful each mutant can be when pushed to its limits and encourages us all to strive towards our goals despite any obstacles we may face in life.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) is a film that introduces the origins of the beloved X-Men character, Wolverine. The movie follows Logan as he embarks on a journey to discover his past, and how it relates to his present. The story begins with Logan’s childhood and features flashbacks to his days as a soldier in the 19th century. It then follows him as he meets up with Victor Creed (Sabretooth) and goes on an adventure that leads him to the Weapon X facility. This movie offers great character development for Wolverine, highlighting both his physical prowess and emotional vulnerability.
The cast of X-Men Origins: Wolverine includes Hugh Jackman in the lead role alongside Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth, Danny Huston as William Stryker, and Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. Each of these actors delivers believable performances that bring their characters to life, which allows for a more enjoyable viewing experience for fans of the franchise.
Overall, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is an enjoyable watch for fans of the series and those looking for more background on one of Marvel’s most iconic characters. It offers an interesting storyline and compelling characters that add to the overall x-men universe. In addition, it provides viewers with an entertaining look at the origins of Wolverine’s character development in this beloved franchise.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
X-Men: First Class (2011) is the fifth installment in the X-Men film series and director Matthew Vaughn’s first foray into the superhero movie genre. The story follows a young Charles Xavier, played by James McAvoy, and Erik Lensherr, portrayed by Michael Fassbender, as they explore their mutant powers and abilities in a prequel to the original X-Men film trilogy. The plot follows them as they join forces to form an alliance of mutants to protect mankind from a growing threat.
The movie focuses on the characters’ development from childhood friends to foes who ultimately become the leaders of the two opposing sides of the X-Men universe. McAvoy’s portrayal of Xavier adds a new dimension to his character as he struggles with taking on responsibility for his own actions and becoming more than just a professor. Fassbender’s Magneto is complex and emotionally charged; He is driven by his past traumas more than by any other force and uses his powers unhesitatingly when faced with oppression.
X-Men: First Class is an action-packed superhero movie that introduces some of the most iconic mutant characters of all time, while also exploring issues such as morality, human rights, and fear of difference. The strong performances from both McAvoy and Fassbender bring life to this thrilling adventure that will have viewers rooting for these extraordinary heroes until its explosive conclusion.
The Wolverine (2013)
The Wolverine (2013) is the sixth installment in the X-Men film series. It is a Marvel Comics adaptation featuring Hugh Jackman as the mutant superhero, Wolverine. The movie follows Logan (Wolverine) as he embarks on a journey to Japan. There he is confronted with his past and must confront ghosts from it in order to save himself and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). The movie explores themes of mortality, identity, and redemption.
The Wolverine (2013) offers an emotionally compelling performance by Hugh Jackman. His portrayal of Logan/Wolverine captures the character’s essence while exploring new depths in his backstory. Jackman is supported by memorable performances by Famke Janssen, Rila Fukushima, and Hiroyuki Sanada who bring their characters to life convincingly. The choreography of fight scenes is also remarkable, making intense action sequences both thrilling and visually stunning.
Overall, The Wolverine (2013) is a successful continuation of the X-Men film series that excels in its story, acting performances, and action sequences, while also exploring deeper themes surrounding mortality and redemption. Fans of Marvel comics will appreciate this skillful adaptation that manages to stay true to the source material while offering something new for viewers to enjoy.
X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) is the seventh installment in the X-Men series. This film follows a group of time-traveling mutants led by Professor Xavier and his team, as they attempt to save both humans and mutants from a future war. The story takes place in two different timelines – in the future, mutants are being hunted down by giant robots called Sentinels, while in the past, Wolverine is sent back to 1973 to prevent an event from occurring that would cause this terrible war.
The cast includes many existing X-Men characters such as Wolverine, Professor X, Magneto, and Mystique, as well as several new characters like Bishop and Warpath. The movie also features stunning visual effects showcasing various mutant powers of the characters. It was well received by viewers and critics alike for its entertaining storyline and strong performances by the cast.
X-Men: Days of Future Past combines action with humor, creating an exciting viewing experience that appeals to both diehard fans as well as newcomers to the series. The powerful performances of Professor Xavier and Magneto provide a dramatic backdrop for an intense battle between time-traveling mutants trying to save their species from extinction. Ultimately, it is an ambitious project that succeeds in giving viewers a memorable experience full of excitement and suspense.
Deadpool (2016)
Deadpool, released in 2016 and directed by Tim Miller, is a Marvel Comics-based action comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular character. The film follows Wade Wilson, a former mercenary who is granted superhuman abilities after undergoing an experimental treatment. These mutant powers enable him to heal quickly from injuries, making him virtually immortal while also giving him the ability to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience.
Reynolds’s portrayal of Deadpool has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its irreverent take on the traditional superhero genre, as well as for his comedic timing. Deadpool is a self-proclaimed antihero; he does not always act in the interests of justice or follow a strict moral code. Instead, he often uses excessive violence and insults in order to achieve his goals, which can be viewed as entertaining by some viewers.
The film received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release and was a commercial success at the box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 2016. While Deadpool may not be for everyone due to its graphic content and dark humor, it nevertheless represents an interesting new direction for Marvel superhero movies that has allowed them to explore darker themes than they had previously explored.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) is the ninth installment in the X-Men series and was directed by Bryan Singer. The movie follows a team of mutants led by Professor Xavier, as they fight together to save the world from Apocalypse, a powerful mutant played by Oscar Isaac. Apocalypse has the power to control other mutants and he plans on using them to take over the world.
The movie features some of the most powerful mutant powers seen in any X-Men movie. From Nightcrawler’s teleportation abilities to Mystique’s shape-shifting capabilities and Jean Grey’s telekinesis, these mutants are capable of wielding immense power. The battle scenes are some of the best yet seen in an X-Men movie, featuring large-scale destruction and epic fights between good and evil.
Overall, X-Men: Apocalypse is an entertaining addition to the X-Men franchise that showcases some impressive special effects and well-choreographed action sequences. While it may not be as iconic as some earlier films in the series like First Class or Days of Future Past, it still provides an enjoyable experience for fans of the X-Men films. It is worth watching for both its exciting visual effects as well as its emotional moments that tug at viewers’ heartstrings.
Logan (2017)
Logan, released in 2017, is the twelfth installment in the X-Men film series. It stars Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, an uncertain, aging mutant who struggles to protect a young girl with similar powers from the sinister forces that pursue her. The film serves as a sequel to X-Men: Apocalypse and is set in an alternate timeline where mutants are on the brink of extinction.
The film received critical acclaim for its emotionally raw tone, powerful performances, and grounded story. Jackman’s performance as Wolverine was particularly praised, with some critics citing it as his best portrayal of the character. Director James Mangold masterfully crafted a story that is both a swan song for Wolverine and a meditation on mortality and loss.
Key points about Logan (2017):
- Stars Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
- Set in an alternate timeline where mutants are on the brink of extinction
- Received critical acclaim for its emotionally raw tone and powerful performances
The film’s themes of mortality, isolation, and despair resonate deeply with viewers long after its conclusion – making it one of the most emotionally affecting entries in the X-Men franchise. Through its melancholic atmosphere and gripping story, Logan stands out among other superhero films as an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Deadpool 2 (2018)
Deadpool 2 (2018), the twelfth installment in the X-Men movie franchise, revolves around anti-hero Deadpool as he embarks on a mission to protect a young mutant from a time-traveling cyborg. Directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Reynolds, this action-packed sequel was met with both critical and commercial success.
The film centers on Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Reynolds), an adult mutant with superhuman healing powers who is determined to protect Russell Collins/Firefist (Julian Dennison) from Cable (Josh Brolin), an advanced cybernetic warrior from the future. Deadpool teams up with fellow mutants Domino (Zazie Beetz), Bedlam (Terry Crews), Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), and Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgård) to form the supergroup X-Force in order to battle Cable and save Firefist.
This action-packed movie features plenty of violence, dark humor, and fourth wall breaks that Marvel Comics fans have come to love from Deadpool films. Additionally, special effects are used to demonstrate superhero powers such as time travel, teleportation, superhuman strength, and indestructibility. The film also has several memorable sequences such as the X-Force parachute drop and Deadpool’s final battle against Cable.
The table below shows how audiences rated Deadpool 2 compared to its predecessor:
| Deadpool 2 | Deadpool | |
|---|---|---|
| IMDb Rating | 7.7 | 8 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Score | 83% | 82% |
| Overall, critics gave favorable reviews for this witty sequel that succeeds in delivering more of what made its predecessor so popular while introducing new characters with their own unique superpowers. |
Dark Phoenix (2019)
Dark Phoenix (2019) is the twelfth installment in the X-Men movie franchise. Directed by Simon Kinberg, this film follows Jean Grey as she gains cosmic powers and is driven to darkness. It stars Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, and Nicholas Hoult.
The movie centers around Jean Grey’s transformation into the Dark Phoenix after being exposed to a solar flare during a rescue mission in space. The X-Men team must protect her from an alien race known as the D’Bari who are after her newfound power. As Jean struggles with her newfound abilities, she must also grapple with unresolved trauma from her past that has been holding her back from embracing them fully.
Dark Phoenix offers a thrilling ride for fans of the X-Men franchise. The dialogue and special effects are top-notch and create exciting action sequences throughout the film. The cast does an excellent job of portraying their characters’ struggles with identity and morality as they fight to save Jean from herself. While not quite living up to expectations for some viewers, Dark Phoenix remains an enjoyable experience for any fan of superhero films or the X-Men series in general.
The New Mutants (2020)
The New Mutants (2020) is a superhero horror film based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name. It is the thirteenth installment in the X-Men film series and follows a group of young mutants as they discover their abilities while being held in a secret facility against their will.
The movie follows five young mutants: Illyana Rasputin/Magik, Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane, Sam Guthrie/Cannonball, Daniela “Dani” Moonstar/Mirage, and Roberto da Costa/Sunspot. They are being held in a secret facility as part of a mysterious government program that is researching young mutants and their abilities. The mutants soon discover that the facility isn’t just a research center, but also a prison where they are subjected to various experiments and torturous conditions.
The mutants soon learn that they have to work together if they have any chance of escaping the facility alive. They must fight against the facility’s guards and their own fears in order to survive. Along the way, the mutants also discover more about their powers and how they can use them to protect each other.
The New Mutants is a thrilling and suspenseful movie that will keep viewers at the edge of their seats. It is an exciting journey of self-discovery and survival that will leave viewers wanting more. The movie has an excellent cast of talented actors and actresses, including Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Henry Zaga, Blu Hunt, and Alice Braga. The special effects are also top-notch and the action sequences are intense and gripping.
Overall, The New Mutants is an exciting superhero horror that is sure to leave viewers wanting more. The movie is visually stunning and the performances from the cast are outstanding. It is a thrilling, suspenseful, and action-packed adventure that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Conclusion
The X-Men movie franchise is one of the most successful series in history. Spanning twelve films, it has captivated viewers from 2000 to 2019 with its story of a group of mutants struggling to save the world from destruction.
The first X-Men movie was released in 2000 and featured a star-studded cast that included the likes of Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Halle Berry. It set the tone for what would become an iconic franchise by introducing us to Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and its leader Charles Xavier. The subsequent movies built on this foundation, exploring themes like identity and power as well as introducing new characters.
Overall, the X-Men franchise is an impressive feat of filmmaking that stands out among other superhero movies. While each film has its own unique style and storyline, they all come together to form a cohesive narrative that never fails to entertain audiences. Whether you’re a fan of action or character development, there’s something for everyone in this beloved series.
