How to Watch the X-Men Movies: A Definitive Guide for Every Fan

The X-Men film franchise, spanning over two decades, boasts a complex and often confusing timeline. This guide offers the most accurate and digestible path to experiencing the mutant saga, regardless of your familiarity with the source material.

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Navigating the Mutant Maze: Chronological Order vs. Release Order

Deciding how to watch the X-Men movies boils down to personal preference: do you prioritize experiencing the story as it unfolds within the fictional universe (chronological order) or in the order the films were presented to audiences (release order)? While release order offers the benefit of experiencing the visual evolution and cultural impact of the franchise, chronological order provides a more coherent narrative journey, minimizing potential plot holes and continuity snags. Our recommendation leans slightly towards chronological, with adjustments to optimize the viewing experience.

The Recommended Chronological Order (with adjustments):

Here’s our recommended viewing order, blending chronological coherence with pacing considerations:

X-Men: First Class (2011): Sets the stage for the entire saga, introducing young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr and their formative experiences.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) – Past Segments Only: Begin this movie to establish the dystopian future and the need for time travel, but only watch the scenes set in the past (1973). This seamlessly bridges the gap between First Class and X-Men: Apocalypse. STOP after the 1973 plotline concludes.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016): Follows the aftermath of the events in First Class and sets the stage for a new generation of X-Men.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019): Concludes the prequel timeline, showcasing Jean Grey’s descent into the Dark Phoenix. It’s recommended to watch this BEFORE X-Men: Days of Future Past (Future Segments) to provide context to the events that triggered the timeline shift in that movie.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): While often criticized, it provides backstory to Wolverine and is best placed here to break up the heavier X-Men team-centric films. Be aware it has some continuity issues with later films.
X-Men (2000): The film that started it all, introducing the core X-Men team and their struggle against Magneto.
X2: X-Men United (2003): Considered by many to be one of the best X-Men films, exploring deeper themes and expanding the mutant universe.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): The conclusion to the original trilogy, dealing with the Mutant Cure and the Phoenix Saga. While controversial, it sets the stage for Wolverine’s solo adventures.
The Wolverine (2013): Follows Wolverine’s journey to Japan, grappling with his immortality and past traumas.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) – Future Segments Only: Now complete the movie by watching the future timeline portion of the film. This film functions as a soft reboot, altering the established timeline.
Deadpool (2016): While technically part of the X-Men universe, Deadpool is largely self-contained and can be watched at any point after the initial X-Men trilogy. Its meta-commentary and irreverent humor offer a change of pace.
Deadpool 2 (2018): Continues Deadpool’s adventures, introducing Cable and X-Force.
Logan (2017): A somber and poignant conclusion to Wolverine’s story, set in a bleak future. It’s best watched after the rest of the X-Men films to fully appreciate its emotional weight. This film occupies its own separate timeline, diverging from the “main” X-Men universe due to the timeline changes in Days of Future Past.
The New Mutants (2020): A horror-tinged take on the X-Men, focusing on a group of young mutants held in a secret facility. Its placement is flexible but best viewed after the main X-Men saga.

The Release Order: A Trip Down Memory Lane

For those who want to experience the films as they were released, here is the chronological order of release:

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)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
The New Mutants (2020)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

H3 What about “Legion” and “The Gifted”?

Both Legion and The Gifted are television series loosely connected to the X-Men universe. While they feature mutant characters and themes, they are generally considered separate from the main film continuity. Legion is known for its abstract and surreal storytelling, while The Gifted focuses on a family on the run from anti-mutant persecution. Whether you choose to watch them is entirely up to you, but it’s not required to understand the films.

H3 Is “Dark Phoenix” really that bad?

X-Men: Dark Phoenix is widely considered the weakest entry in the franchise. Its storyline is a rehash of X-Men: The Last Stand, and many fans felt it failed to do justice to the iconic Dark Phoenix saga. However, judging it for yourself is always recommended. Expectations should be tempered.

H3 Why is the timeline so confusing?

The X-Men film timeline is notoriously convoluted due to multiple retcons and inconsistencies. X-Men: Days of Future Past introduced a timeline shift, effectively erasing some past events and creating a new continuity. This can make it difficult to reconcile the different eras of the franchise. It’s best to approach the series with a flexible mindset and not get too hung up on strict continuity.

H3 Should I skip any of the movies?

While every film has its merits, some fans might consider skipping X-Men Origins: Wolverine due to its negative reception and continuity issues. However, it does provide backstory for Wolverine, so it ultimately depends on your level of completionism. Dark Phoenix is also a potential candidate for skipping, but it does feature some of the younger X-Men from Apocalypse.

H3 What are the best X-Men movies?

Generally, the consensus “best” X-Men films are X2: X-Men United, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Logan. These films are praised for their compelling stories, strong character development, and impactful themes. X-Men: First Class also enjoys widespread acclaim for its fresh take on the origin story.

H3 Are the X-Men now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?

Yes! Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the X-Men characters are now part of the MCU. While there haven’t been any major X-Men team-up movies yet, characters like Professor X have already made brief appearances. A full integration is expected to happen gradually.

H3 What’s the deal with Wolverine’s claws changing?

Wolverine’s bone claws in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Logan versus his adamantium claws in the other films are a continuity discrepancy stemming from the timeline issues. The official explanation, however, would be that in the original timeline, as hinted in X2, Wolverine’s claws were always metal and grafted during the Weapon X program.

H3 Do I need to know anything about the comics to understand the movies?

While familiarity with the X-Men comics can enhance your viewing experience, it’s not essential. The films generally provide enough context to understand the characters and storylines. However, knowing the basics of characters like Jean Grey/Phoenix, Magneto, and Professor X will certainly enrich your enjoyment.

H3 Where can I stream or rent the X-Men movies?

The availability of X-Men movies on streaming services varies depending on your region and current licensing agreements. You can typically find them on platforms like Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+. Rental options are also available through services like YouTube Movies, Google Play Movies, and Vudu.

H3 What order should I watch the movies with kids?

If you’re watching with children, consider their age and maturity level. Deadpool and Logan are definitely NOT suitable for younger viewers due to their violence, language, and mature themes. The core X-Men films (X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Apocalypse) are generally acceptable for older kids and teens, but parental guidance is still recommended.

H3 Are there any post-credits scenes I should watch out for?

Yes, several X-Men movies feature post-credits scenes that hint at future storylines or introduce new characters. Be sure to watch the end credits of X-Men: Days of Future Past, X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, Deadpool 2 and X-Men: The Last Stand.

H3 How does “Days of Future Past” change everything?

X-Men: Days of Future Past essentially retcons the events of X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. By sending Wolverine back in time, the timeline is altered, creating a new, branching reality. This allows for new stories to be told without being constrained by the events of the earlier films (though inconsistencies still arise). The future events of Logan still technically occur in a possible timeline branched from the changes to the main timeline, meaning it still ends the story of Wolverine, but perhaps not the Wolverine that audiences have been following across the majority of the movies.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the complex and exciting world of the X-Men films, regardless of your chosen viewing order. Enjoy the mutant journey!