The X-Men film franchise, while beloved for performances like Patrick Stewart's Professor X and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, boasts a notoriously convoluted timeline. This guide offers two viewing orders: chronological and release order, allowing you to experience the mutant saga in your preferred way. The chronological order maximizes the impact of reveals and character arcs.
While a simple release-date viewing is an option, we present a chronological arrangement of the 14 films, offering a more cohesive narrative experience. Understanding the X-Men movie timeline's relationship to the MCU? A linked explanation clarifies this complex connection.
With mutants now integrated into the MCU, revisiting the X-Men films provides valuable context. Both chronological and release order viewing options are detailed below.
Jump to:
- Chronological Viewing Order
- Release Order Viewing
X-Men Movies: Chronological Order
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Which X-Men Movie to Start With?
First-time viewers can begin with First Class, following the chronological order. However, experiencing the films as originally released necessitates starting with X-Men (2000).
X-Men Movies in Chronological Order:
1. X-Men: First Class (2011)
Beginning in 1944 and progressing to 1962, First Class introduces young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, detailing the origins of the X-Men and the Brotherhood.
[Read our review of X-Men: First Class.]
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2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Spanning 1973 and an alternate 2023, Days of Future Past blends the original and reboot casts. Its placement is somewhat flexible, depending on viewer preference.
[Read our review of X-Men: Days of Future Past.]
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3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Primarily set in 1979, this origin story details Wolverine's past, including the acquisition of his adamantium claws and an early appearance of Deadpool.
[Read our review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.]
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4. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Set mainly in 1983, Apocalypse features Oscar Isaac as En Sabah Nur, confronting the younger X-Men.
[Read our review of X-Men: Apocalypse.]
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5. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Mostly set in 1992, Dark Phoenix depicts Jean Grey's transformation and concludes the McAvoy/Fassbender-led X-Men saga.
[Read our review of X-Men: Dark Phoenix.]
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6. X-Men (2000)
Set in the early 2000s, this film features the older versions of Professor X and Magneto, played by Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.
[Read our review of X-Men.]
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7. X2: X-Men United (2003)
A direct sequel to the first film, X2 follows events shortly after, culminating in significant developments.
[Read our review of X2: X-Men United.]
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8. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Chronologically the second Phoenix story, The Last Stand features Jean Grey's transformation and conflict with the X-Men.
[Read our review of X-Men: The Last Stand.]
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9. The Wolverine (2013)
A sequel to Origins and Last Stand, The Wolverine deals with the aftermath of the latter and introduces Yukio.
[Read our review of The Wolverine.]
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10. Deadpool (2016)
Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool debut, largely independent of the main timeline, but situated within the same universe. Its placement is flexible.
[Read our review of Deadpool.]
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11. Deadpool 2 (2018)
Similarly loosely connected to the main timeline, Deadpool 2 features younger X-Men and a reference to Logan.
[Read our review of Deadpool 2.]
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12. The New Mutants (2020)
Set in the late 2020s, The New Mutants has a connection to Logan and tells a largely self-contained story.
[Read our review of The New Mutants.]
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13. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Set in 2024, this crossover film defies simple timeline placement, referencing multiple universes.
[Read our review of Deadpool & Wolverine]
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14. Logan (2017)
Set in 2029, Logan depicts a world where mutants are nearly extinct, providing a fitting conclusion to the saga.
[Read our review of Logan.]
20th Century Fox [Theater Icon] [Where to Watch Links]
X-Men Movies: Release Order
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) Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Upcoming X-Men Projects:
Information on future X-Men films and shows, including their integration into the MCU, is included in the original article. This section has been omitted for brevity. Please refer to the original article for this information.
Other 'How to Watch' Guides:
Links to similar viewing guides for other franchises have been omitted for brevity. Please refer to the original article for these links.
