The X-Men film franchise, spanning over two decades, presents a significant challenge to viewers eager to experience the saga. The most logical and rewarding viewing order prioritizes narrative cohesion and character arcs, suggesting a viewing sequence that largely follows chronological release while acknowledging the soft reboots and alternate timelines: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (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), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants (2020), and Deadpool (2016) followed by Deadpool 2 (2018). This order allows the core X-Men narrative to unfold naturally, culminating in the poignant conclusion of Logan, while integrating the Deadpool films for their comedic and meta commentary.
Understanding the X-Men Timeline Complexity
Navigating the X-Men film universe requires acknowledging its convoluted timeline. The franchise isn’t a straightforward linear narrative. Soft reboots, alternate timelines, and contradictory character histories complicate matters. The Days of Future Past film significantly altered the established timeline, creating a branching reality that explains inconsistencies and allows for new interpretations of familiar characters. Understanding this core concept of timeline divergence is crucial before embarking on a viewing marathon. It’s perfectly acceptable to treat certain films as existing within distinct, self-contained continuities.
The Original Trilogy and Wolverine Spin-offs
The original trilogy – X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and X-Men: The Last Stand – lays the foundation for the mutant universe. These films introduce key characters, explore themes of prejudice and acceptance, and establish the initial status quo. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, while considered one of the weaker entries, provides an origin story for Logan (Wolverine) and introduces some characters that reappear later. The Wolverine, set after X-Men: The Last Stand, offers a more character-driven narrative and sets the stage for Logan’s ultimate fate.
The “First Class” Reboot and its Impact
X-Men: First Class effectively rebooted the franchise, providing a prequel that explores the origins of Professor X and Magneto’s relationship. It establishes a new timeline and introduces younger versions of iconic characters. X-Men: Days of Future Past brilliantly merged the original cast with the First Class cast, altering the timeline and effectively erasing the events of X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (though elements still exist in character backstories). This film is pivotal to understanding the subsequent films. X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix continue the stories of the First Class characters, but are often considered less successful in terms of critical reception and narrative coherence.
Logan: A Fitting Conclusion (Mostly)
Logan stands apart as a mature, character-driven epilogue to Wolverine’s story. While technically set in the Days of Future Past timeline, its themes of legacy, mortality, and redemption make it a compelling conclusion to the saga, regardless of continuity nitpicks. Treat it as a fitting send-off to Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine.
The Deadpool Movies: Meta Commentary and Comic Relief
Deadpool and Deadpool 2 are standalone films that exist within the X-Men universe but operate on a different level. They offer meta commentary on superhero tropes and provide a comedic counterpoint to the more serious tone of the main X-Men films. They can be watched at any point after familiarizing yourself with the core X-Men characters, though their references will be more appreciated after watching more of the franchise.
The New Mutants: A Horror Outlier
The New Mutants is a horror-infused take on the X-Men universe, focusing on a group of young mutants discovering their powers in a mysterious institution. While technically part of the overall franchise, it’s largely disconnected from the main narrative and can be viewed independently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that arise when deciding how to watch the X-Men movies:
FAQ 1: Is it okay to skip X-Men Origins: Wolverine?
Yes, many fans and critics consider X-Men Origins: Wolverine to be the weakest entry and recommend skipping it due to its plot holes, inconsistent character portrayals, and generally poor execution. While it introduces characters like Deadpool (in a drastically different form), their later iterations largely ignore the events of this film.
FAQ 2: Should I watch the films in chronological order based on the story timeline?
While tempting, watching in strict chronological order (First Class, then Apocalypse, etc.) can disrupt the intended narrative flow and spoil key plot points revealed in the original trilogy. The release order, with slight adjustments, offers a better viewing experience for the first time.
FAQ 3: What is the best order for appreciating Wolverine’s character arc?
To fully appreciate Wolverine’s journey, watch X-Men, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and then Logan. X-Men Origins: Wolverine can be viewed afterwards for completion, but it’s not essential.
FAQ 4: How does Deadpool fit into the overall X-Men timeline?
The Deadpool films exist in a separate, more meta-aware corner of the X-Men universe. While they acknowledge the X-Men and feature cameos from some characters, they largely operate independently. Place them after X-Men: Apocalypse to appreciate the self-aware humor referencing the franchise’s inconsistencies.
FAQ 5: Do I need to watch the X-Men animated series or other media before watching the films?
No, the films are designed to be accessible to viewers unfamiliar with the comics or animated series. However, familiarity with the source material can enhance your appreciation for the characters and storylines.
FAQ 6: What is the significance of X-Men: Days of Future Past?
X-Men: Days of Future Past is a timeline-altering event that effectively soft-reboots the franchise. It allows for new interpretations of characters and storylines, and explains inconsistencies between the original trilogy and the First Class films. It’s a crucial film for understanding the later entries.
FAQ 7: Is Dark Phoenix worth watching?
Dark Phoenix is generally considered one of the weaker entries in the franchise, failing to effectively adapt the iconic Dark Phoenix Saga from the comics. While completionists might want to watch it, it’s not essential for understanding the broader X-Men narrative and many found it dissapointing.
FAQ 8: Should I watch The New Mutants?
The New Mutants offers a different genre experience (horror) within the X-Men universe. If you enjoy horror films or are a completionist, it’s worth watching. However, it’s largely disconnected from the main narrative and doesn’t significantly impact the other films.
FAQ 9: Will I be confused if I skip certain movies?
Skipping X-Men Origins: Wolverine won’t cause significant confusion. Skipping X-Men: Days of Future Past, however, will make understanding the later films much more difficult.
FAQ 10: What’s the best way to introduce someone new to the X-Men films?
Start with X-Men (2000), followed by X2: X-Men United, X-Men: First Class, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. This provides a solid foundation and allows the new viewer to decide if they want to continue with the rest of the franchise.
FAQ 11: What about the future of the X-Men on screen now that Disney owns Fox?
The X-Men are now officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU’s take on the X-Men will likely be a complete reboot, potentially drawing from different comic storylines and character interpretations. Expect a fresh start for the franchise.
FAQ 12: Should I rewatch certain films after watching others to catch nuances?
Yes, rewatching certain films, particularly X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past, after seeing the original trilogy and later entries can reveal subtle connections and deeper understanding of character motivations. This rewatch value adds to the richness of the X-Men film experience.