There’s no single “right” way to watch the X-Men movies, but chronological viewing, taking into account both in-universe timeline and release date nuances, offers the richest and most rewarding experience. This approach allows you to appreciate the character arcs, evolution of visual effects, and the unfolding of the intricate mutant universe while mitigating potential timeline inconsistencies.
The Best Viewing Order: A Harmonious Blend of Chronology and Release
This viewing order prioritizes story coherence while acknowledging the filmmaking evolution. It aims to minimize jarring shifts in visual style and narrative tone that can occur when jumping haphazardly between films.
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X-Men: First Class (2011): This film sets the stage, establishing the origin stories of Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, their differing ideologies, and the formation of the original X-Men team.
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X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014): This crucial entry blends past and future, effectively soft-rebooting the timeline. Watching it after First Class allows you to understand the stakes and the gravity of changing history.
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): While considered one of the weaker entries, Origins provides backstory on Wolverine’s character. Viewing it after the timeline reset in Days of Future Past minimizes the impact of its inconsistencies. Treat it as a somewhat unreliable historical account.
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X-Men: Apocalypse (2016): Picking up a decade after Days of Future Past, this film introduces younger versions of familiar characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Storm.
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X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019): Another attempt at the Dark Phoenix saga, it’s best viewed directly after Apocalypse for narrative continuity, even if the execution is flawed.
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X-Men (2000): The film that started it all, introducing the core X-Men team and their conflict with Magneto. Viewing it here allows you to appreciate its impact within the context of the expanded backstory provided by the prequels.
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X2: X-Men United (2003): Widely regarded as one of the best X-Men films, X2 builds upon the themes and characters introduced in the first film.
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X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): The culmination of the original trilogy, even with its divisive adaptation of the Dark Phoenix Saga.
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The Wolverine (2013): A more focused and character-driven story, exploring Wolverine’s inner turmoil and connection to Japanese culture.
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Logan (2017): A powerful and emotional conclusion to Wolverine’s journey, set in a bleak and desolate future. This film stands on its own and benefits from the emotional weight of all preceding films.
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Deadpool (2016): While technically within the X-Men universe, Deadpool is best viewed as a standalone film, appreciated for its meta-humor and fourth-wall-breaking antics.
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Deadpool 2 (2018): Similar to the first Deadpool, this sequel is largely self-contained and offers a distinct comedic tone.
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The New Mutants (2020): A horror-infused take on the X-Men universe, also best viewed as a standalone offering.
FAQs: Deep Diving into the Mutantverse Viewing Experience
These FAQs address common questions and concerns regarding the best way to experience the X-Men film franchise.
H3: Should I watch by Release Date?
Release date order is the most straightforward, allowing you to experience the films as they were intended upon release. However, it can lead to jarring tonal shifts and timeline inconsistencies becoming more apparent, especially when transitioning between the original trilogy and the prequels. This method is best for those primarily interested in the evolution of the franchise as a filmmaking product.
H3: What about Chronological Order, as in, the Order of Events within the X-Men Universe?
Strict chronological order, placing First Class first, followed by flashbacks in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, then Days of Future Past and so on, becomes incredibly complex and requires pausing and starting movies to view scenes in order. This can be distracting and disrupts the narrative flow of individual films. The order presented above strives for a balance.
H3: Is X-Men Origins: Wolverine Really That Bad? Should I skip it?
While X-Men Origins: Wolverine has its flaws, it does provide some relevant backstory for Wolverine. It’s not essential, but watching it provides context for his character’s motivations and relationships, especially considering the impact of the timeline reset. However, be prepared for inconsistencies with later portrayals.
H3: Do I Need to Watch the Deadpool Movies to Understand the X-Men Universe?
No. The Deadpool movies are largely self-contained and operate within their own comedic framework. While they occasionally reference the X-Men universe, they are not essential for understanding the core narrative. Consider them optional but highly entertaining side stories.
H3: What is the Correct Order to watch the Dark Phoenix Saga?
The Dark Phoenix Saga is portrayed twice in the X-Men films. The most logical order is watching X2: X-Men United, which hints at Jean Grey’s growing powers, followed by X-Men: The Last Stand, and then X-Men: Apocalypse (introducing Sophie Turner as Jean) and finally X-Men: Dark Phoenix. However, be aware that neither adaptation is considered definitive by many fans.
H3: What impact does Days of Future Past have on the timeline?
X-Men: Days of Future Past effectively soft-reboots the timeline, erasing the events of X-Men: The Last Stand and creating a new, divergent timeline. This allows for future films to explore different directions and storylines without being beholden to the original trilogy’s ending.
H3: How does Logan fit into the X-Men Timeline after Days of Future Past?
Logan exists within a separate, albeit potentially derived, future timeline. It represents a possible outcome of the changed timeline created in Days of Future Past, showing a bleak and desperate future for mutants. It’s best understood as a self-contained epilogue to Wolverine’s journey.
H3: Where Does The New Mutants fit?
The New Mutants is largely disconnected from the main X-Men storyline. It exists within the broader universe but focuses on a group of young mutants in a secluded facility. It can be watched at any point after the initial X-Men trilogy without impacting comprehension of other films. Treat it as a separate, horror-themed entry.
H3: Are the X-Men movies part of the MCU?
The acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney has opened the door for the X-Men to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the existing X-Men films are not currently considered part of the MCU canon. A new iteration of the X-Men is expected to be introduced within the MCU in the future.
H3: What if I only want to watch the “Good” X-Men Movies?
Defining “good” is subjective, but many fans agree that the standout films are X-Men: First Class, X2: X-Men United, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Logan, and the Deadpool movies. Watching these will provide a strong overview of the core themes and characters.
H3: Will watching the movies in a particular order fix the timeline inconsistencies?
No. The X-Men films have inherent timeline inconsistencies, regardless of viewing order. The shifting timelines and retcons are part of the franchise’s history. The proposed viewing order aims to minimize the impact of these inconsistencies by prioritizing narrative flow and character development.
H3: Should I watch the post-credit scenes?
Yes! Post-credit scenes are often crucial for setting up future storylines and hinting at upcoming characters or events. They are an integral part of the X-Men viewing experience and should not be skipped. They provide extra context and can significantly enhance your enjoyment of the franchise. Ignoring them risks missing key plot points and character introductions.