Figuring out how to watch all the X-Men movies can feel like navigating a mutant-infested maze. Our guide provides the definitive viewing orders, explaining the tangled timelines and ensuring you enjoy the complete cinematic saga without confusion.
The Chronological Chaos: Untangling the X-Men Timeline
The X-Men movie franchise, spanning two decades and multiple studios, isn’t known for its linear storytelling. Its time-traveling narratives and retcons have created a wonderfully complex, albeit confusing, viewing experience. There are several ways to approach watching the X-Men movies, each offering a slightly different perspective on the mutant world. However, the most widely accepted and sensible approach is to follow a hybrid approach, weaving between release order and chronological order where it makes the most sense. This balances enjoying the story’s evolution while minimizing timeline contradictions.
Here’s our recommended viewing order:
- 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)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
This order prioritizes release order for the initial trilogy, then dives into the origin stories, utilizing Days of Future Past as a soft reboot to transition into the prequels. Finally, it tackles the later films, acknowledging the unique place of Deadpool and the poignant finale of Logan.
Understanding the Different Viewing Orders
While our recommended order provides the most coherent experience, it’s essential to understand the other potential viewing orders and their pros and cons.
Release Order
Watching the movies in their release order is the most straightforward approach. This allows you to experience the evolution of the franchise as it unfolded in theaters. However, it can be jarring due to the frequent timeline jumps. This order looks like:
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), Deadpool (2016), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Logan (2017), Deadpool 2 (2018), Dark Phoenix (2019), The New Mutants (2020).
Chronological Order
This order attempts to present the films in the historical order of events within the X-Men universe. While theoretically appealing, it can disrupt the narrative flow and character development established in the initial films. This order looks like:
X-Men: First Class (2011), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) (Mostly), X-Men: Days of Future Past (Past Sequences), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Dark Phoenix (2019), X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), The Wolverine (2013), X-Men: Days of Future Past (Future Sequences), Deadpool (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018), Logan (2017), The New Mutants (2020).
Ignoring Timeline Issues (The “Just Enjoy It” Order)
This order simply accepts the inconsistencies and focuses on enjoying each film individually. It involves choosing an order based on personal preference and prioritizing entertainment over strict continuity. This approach often involves grouping films based on specific characters or storylines that interest the viewer.
FAQs: Decoding the Mutant Maze
To further clarify the intricacies of the X-Men film universe, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions:
Q1: What makes X-Men: Days of Future Past so crucial to the franchise?
Days of Future Past acts as a soft reboot, effectively erasing certain events from X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine and creating a new, altered timeline. This allowed the franchise to continue with a fresh start while still acknowledging the original films. It’s the keystone to understanding the prequels.
Q2: Should I watch the extended cuts of any of the movies?
The extended cuts, particularly of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine, offer additional scenes and character development. While they don’t drastically alter the plot, they can enhance the viewing experience for dedicated fans. Consider them supplemental, not essential.
Q3: Where does Deadpool fit into the timeline?
Deadpool and Deadpool 2 exist in a somewhat ambiguous space. While they acknowledge the X-Men universe, their comedic tone and meta-commentary often disregard strict continuity. It is believed they occur after the events of Days of Future Past and likely after Apocalypse but before Logan.
Q4: Is Logan connected to the other X-Men movies?
Yes, but loosely. Logan takes place in a bleak, dystopian future and serves as a definitive conclusion to Wolverine’s story. While it’s technically part of the overall timeline, it functions as a standalone film with minimal direct connection to the earlier entries, especially post-Days of Future Past. Consider it an epilogue, not an integral part of the main saga.
Q5: Is it necessary to watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine?
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is widely considered the weakest film in the franchise due to inconsistencies and poor writing. While it introduces some key characters, its events are largely retconned by Days of Future Past. It can be skipped without significantly impacting your understanding of the overall story, but it does introduce the character of Wade Wilson/Deadpool (though significantly differently than his later portrayals).
Q6: Does The New Mutants connect to the other films?
The New Mutants is tangentially connected, taking place within the same universe but focusing on a new group of young mutants. Its connection to the main storyline is minimal, and it can be viewed independently.
Q7: What about Dark Phoenix? Does it matter to the overall story?
Dark Phoenix retells a familiar story (already touched upon in X-Men: The Last Stand). Its reception was generally negative, and its impact on the overall continuity is minimal, especially considering the impending MCU reboot of the X-Men. It’s arguably skippable.
Q8: What about the FX television shows Legion and The Gifted?
These shows exist in a separate continuity (or potentially multiple separate continuities) and are not considered part of the main X-Men movie universe. They offer interesting interpretations of the mutant concept but are not essential for understanding the films. Legion is particularly stylized and abstract.
Q9: What’s the future of the X-Men franchise after the Disney acquisition of Fox?
The X-Men characters are now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A reboot is expected, with a new cast and potentially a new approach to the mutant mythology. The previous films, while enjoyable, are considered separate from the MCU canon.
Q10: Which X-Men movies are considered the “best”?
X2: X-Men United, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Logan are generally regarded as the strongest films in the franchise, praised for their compelling storylines, character development, and action sequences. X-Men: First Class also receives high marks.
Q11: Are there any essential scenes after the credits I should watch?
Yes, many X-Men movies contain post-credit scenes that hint at future storylines or introduce new characters. Be sure to watch through the credits for X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and The Wolverine. These scenes can offer valuable context and excitement for what’s to come (or what was to come, given the reboot).
Q12: Where can I find all the X-Men movies to watch them?
The X-Men movies are available on various streaming services, including Disney+ (which typically houses the majority of Marvel-related films), Hulu, and through rental or purchase options on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability in your region.
Conclusion: Embrace the Mutant Madness
Navigating the X-Men movie timeline can seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of the different viewing orders and the key events that shape the narrative, you can enjoy the complete saga without getting lost in the chronological chaos. Whether you prefer the release order, a hybrid approach, or simply want to ignore the inconsistencies, the X-Men universe offers a rich and engaging cinematic experience that’s well worth exploring. So, grab your popcorn, assemble your team, and prepare to dive into the world of mutants, powers, and complicated timelines!