The simplest and most straightforward way to experience the X-Men film franchise is by watching the movies in order of their original release date. This approach allows you to follow the evolution of the characters, storylines, and visual effects as they unfolded in cinemas.
X-Men Movie Release Order: The Chronological Path
This list presents the X-Men movies in their release order, offering a clean and simple approach to enjoying the franchise’s cinematic history:
- 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)
Watching in this order offers a glimpse into the changing landscape of superhero films and the different creative directions the X-Men franchise explored over the years. While continuity can be a bit shaky, this order provides a unique perspective on the series’ development.
Diving Deeper: Understanding the X-Men Timeline
The X-Men movie timeline is notoriously complex, thanks to time travel shenanigans and retcons. While release order is easy, understanding the chronological order within the story requires more effort. The “Days of Future Past” timeline reset is largely responsible for the confusion.
The Original Timeline
The first three X-Men movies, along with “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” generally form the basis of the original timeline. However, inconsistencies and retcons become apparent even within these films. “X-Men: First Class” is presented as a prequel, but its connection to the original trilogy isn’t seamless.
The Days of Future Past Timeline
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” alters the timeline, effectively creating a branching reality. The films that follow – “X-Men: Apocalypse,” “X-Men: Dark Phoenix,” and potentially “The New Mutants” – exist within this altered timeline. Understanding this branching point is crucial for grasping the overall narrative.
Deadpool and Logan: Outliers in the X-Verse
Deadpool and Logan exist in their own spaces. Deadpool acknowledges the X-Men universe but frequently breaks the fourth wall, making it difficult to place within a strict timeline. Logan is set in a bleak future, potentially a result of timeline divergences, and stands alone as a powerful, character-driven story.
Choosing the Right Viewing Order: A Matter of Preference
Ultimately, the “best” way to watch the X-Men movies is subjective. Release order is a solid starting point, especially for newcomers. But other options exist, like chronological order within each timeline, or thematic groupings focusing on specific characters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about watching the X-Men movies, designed to provide further clarity and context.
FAQ 1: Why is the X-Men timeline so confusing?
The complexity stems primarily from time travel, introduced in “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and subsequent timeline alterations. This allowed the filmmakers to reboot aspects of the continuity without entirely erasing previous events.
FAQ 2: Does watching in release order spoil the surprises of the prequels?
Potentially, yes. Knowing the fates of characters from the original trilogy might diminish the impact of some events in “X-Men: First Class,” “X-Men: Apocalypse,” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.” However, these prequels also offer enriching backstory, providing context for the original films.
FAQ 3: Should I watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine?
“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” is widely considered the weakest entry in the franchise. Its continuity conflicts with later films, and its overall quality is subpar. While completists may choose to watch it, it’s not essential for understanding the broader story. Its significance is mainly in establishing the origins of Wolverine and his adamantium skeleton.
FAQ 4: Where does Deadpool fit into the X-Men timeline?
Deadpool’s placement is ambiguous. While he interacts with X-Men characters, his frequent fourth-wall breaks and comedic tone make him somewhat detached from the main narrative. He seems to exist in a separate, self-aware bubble within the X-Men universe.
FAQ 5: Is Logan connected to the other X-Men movies?
Yes, Logan is connected, but it depicts a possible future significantly different from the main timelines. While events from the past may have influenced this future, it stands as a distinct and self-contained narrative about Wolverine’s final days.
FAQ 6: Does The New Mutants connect to any of the other X-Men movies?
The New Mutants has a tenuous connection to the other X-Men movies. It was initially intended to be part of the same universe, but its release was delayed, and its connection to the established timelines is minimal. It feels largely disconnected.
FAQ 7: What is the best order for experiencing the Wolverine storyline?
To follow Wolverine’s journey, watch “X-Men,” “X2: X-Men United,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “The Wolverine,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and “Logan.” This order highlights his character arc across the franchise.
FAQ 8: Are there any essential tie-in materials (comics, TV shows) I should know about?
While the X-Men comics offer a rich history and depth, they are not essential for understanding the movies. The movies draw inspiration from the comics but often deviate significantly. Animated series, like “X-Men: The Animated Series” (1992-1997), are more closely aligned with the comic source material.
FAQ 9: What’s the deal with the “Dark Phoenix Saga” in the comics versus the movie?
The “Dark Phoenix Saga” is a classic X-Men comic storyline. The movie adaptations (“X-Men: The Last Stand” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix”) have been heavily criticized for not doing justice to the source material. The comics’ version is far more complex and nuanced.
FAQ 10: With Disney acquiring Fox, what’s the future of the X-Men in the MCU?
The X-Men are now officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The exact plans for their integration are still unfolding. Expect a rebooted or reimagined version of the team within the established MCU continuity.
FAQ 11: Should I skip any of the X-Men movies?
While all the X-Men movies offer something unique, many fans recommend skipping “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and potentially “X-Men: Dark Phoenix” due to their poor reception and negligible impact on the overall narrative. However, completionists might find value in watching them.
FAQ 12: Is there a consensus “best” way to watch the X-Men movies besides release order?
There’s no universally agreed-upon “best” way. Some fans prefer watching the movies in chronological order according to the in-universe timeline before the “Days of Future Past” split, then continuing chronologically with the altered timeline films. Others prioritize character-focused groupings. It all depends on individual preference. The crucial thing is to enjoy the journey through the fascinating, if convoluted, world of the X-Men.