The Genesis of Superhero Ensemble Films
“12 years before The Avengers assembled in their first blockbuster in 2012, Fox’s debut X-Men film first proved the potential of a comic book team-up,” says an industry expert. We often credit Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU) for revolutionizing the genre, but let’s not forget that the X-Men franchise pioneered it. Not only did it garner critical acclaim, but it also sparked a series of blockbusters that captured the imagination of fans around the world.
A Multitude of Characters to Love
“Since their debut, Professor Xavier’s band of super-powered mutants have starred in 11 further big-screen outings,” often facing Magneto’s ill-guided Brotherhood of Mutants. These films have graced us with unforgettable characters like Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Deadpool, the lovable merc-with-a-mouth. These characters have struck a chord with fans, making them more than mere mutants—they’re cinematic icons.
The Complex Timeline: Where to Start?
But let’s get real; the X-Men timeline can be as confusing as a cat in a hall of mirrors. “From prequels, soft reboots, spin-offs and whatever on earth Days of Future Past counts as, the X-Men chronology is by no means linear,” one expert observes. So, for the uninitiated or even the devoted X-Men fans who need a refresher, the obvious question is: Where do you start?
Cinematic Release Order: A Safe Bet
If you’re willing to experience the movies just like most of the original viewers did, consider watching them in the order they were released. “Studio Fox wouldn’t have released the movies in this order if they thought cinemagoers would be left completely miffed,” says an insider. Here’s your traditional list:
- X-Men (2000)
- X2 (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
The Chronological Odyssey
For those who like to keep things neat and tidy, there’s always the chronological option, which starts you off in the swinging ’60s with X-Men: First Class. You then jump from decade to decade, covering everything from the Cuban Missile Crisis to a dystopian future.
- X-Men: First Class (set in 1962, released in 2011)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (primarily set in 1973, released in 2014)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (set in 1981, released in 2009)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (set in 1983, released in 2016)
- X-Men: Dark Phoenix (set in 1992, released in 2019)
- X-Men (set in 2000, released in 2000)
- X2: X-Men United (set in 2003, released in 2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (set in 2006, released in 2006)
- The Wolverine (set in 2013, released in 2013)
- Deadpool (set in 2016, released in 2016)
- Deadpool 2 (set 2018, released in 2018)
- The New Mutants (set in 2020, released in 2020)
- Logan (2029, released in 2017)
The Double-Timeline Tango
Days of Future Past, the most critically acclaimed installment, spins the timeline on its head. “By altering the past, Wolverine created two contradicting timelines,” according to a film critic. This opens the possibility for two alternate binges, one sticking with the original cast and one exploring the fresher faces of the ’80s and ’90s.
What Lies Ahead
The merging of Disney and 20th Century Fox has opened the door for the X-Men to eventually join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This move could add another layer of complexity—or perhaps simplicity—to the franchise’s tangled chronology.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the labyrinthine world of X-Men movies might require the mind-bending powers of Professor X himself. But the payoff? A rich, rewarding cinematic journey that’s as diverse as its cast of mutants. So grab your Cerebro helmet or just your regular popcorn bucket and get ready for an extraordinary ride.
