X-Men Movie Franchise: A Comprehensive Guide from Start to Finish

The X-Men franchise has been a staple of the superhero movie genre since the release of the first film in 2000.

Over the years, the series has spawned numerous sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, making it one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. In this article, we will take a look at the X-Men movies in order of their release.

From X to Z: A Complete Guide to the X-Men Movie Franchise!

1. X-Men (2000)

The first X-Men movie introduced audiences to the world of mutants and the ongoing struggle between Professor Xavier and his team of X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants led by Magneto.

The film was directed by Bryan Singer and starred Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Ian McKellen as Magneto.

2. X2: X-Men United (2003)

The sequel to the original film saw the X-Men teaming up with their former enemy, Magneto, to stop a new threat to mutants.

The film also introduced new characters like Nightcrawler and William Stryker. X2 was also directed by Bryan Singer and starred the same cast as the original.

3. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

The third installment in the series saw a new director, Brett Ratner, take over the reins.

The film saw the return of Jean Grey, who had been presumed dead in the previous film, as the villainous Phoenix. The film also saw the introduction of new mutants like Angel and Juggernaut.

4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

The first spin-off movie in the series focused on the backstory of fan-favorite character Wolverine.

The film saw Hugh Jackman reprising his role as the clawed mutant and introduced new characters like Sabretooth and Deadpool.

5. X-Men: First Class (2011)

The series took a new direction with this prequel, which explored the origins of the X-Men in the 1960s. 

The film introduced new actors to the franchise, including James McAvoy as Professor X and Michael Fassbender as Magneto.

6. The Wolverine (2013)

The second Wolverine spin-off saw Hugh Jackman’s character traveling to Japan and facing off against the Silver Samurai.

The film also introduced new characters like Yukio and Viper.

7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

This film saw the original cast of the X-Men films teaming up with the cast of X-Men: First Class to stop a future where mutants are hunted down and killed.

The film was directed by Bryan Singer and starred a large ensemble cast, including Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender.

8. Deadpool (2016)

The first standalone film in the X-Men universe not to feature Wolverine, Deadpool was a critical and commercial success.

The film starred Ryan Reynolds as the titular character, a wisecracking mercenary with regenerative powers.

9. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

The sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past saw the X-Men facing off against the ancient mutant Apocalypse and his Four Horsemen.

The film introduced new characters like Psylocke and Storm.

10. Logan (2017)

The final film in the Wolverine trilogy saw Hugh Jackman’s character facing off against his own mortality and protecting a young mutant girl named Laura.

The film was a critical and commercial success and marked the end of Hugh Jackman’s tenure as Wolverine.

11. Deadpool 2 (2018)

The sequel to Deadpool saw the titular character teaming up with a team of mutants called X-Force to stop the time-traveling villain Cable.

The film also introduced new characters like Domino and Firefist.

12. Dark Phoenix (2019)

The final film in the main X-Men series, Dark Phoenix, saw the X-Men facing their greatest challenge yet as Jean Grey, played by Sophie Turner, becomes consumed by her powers and transforms into the powerful and dangerous Phoenix.

The film also featured new villains like Vuk and the D'Bari.

13. The New Mutants (2020)

The New Mutants was the final film in the X-Men franchise before it was acquired by Disney and merged into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film follows a group of young mutants who are being held in a secret facility and must fight to escape. 

The film features a new cast of young actors, including Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton.

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In conclusion, the X-Men franchise has had a long and successful run, spanning over two decades and 13 films. The series has introduced audiences to a wide array of iconic characters and explored complex themes of discrimination, acceptance, and power.

While the future of the X-Men in the MCU remains uncertain, fans can always revisit the original films and enjoy the journey of the X-Men from their early days to their final battles.