Every ‘X-Men’ Movie Ranked from Worst to Best
From the original ensemble to spinoffs and R-rated breakouts, the ‘X-Men’ films span multiple timelines, casts, and tones under 20th Century Fox and, more recently, Marvel Studios’ umbrella. Below is a countdown through every feature connected to the franchise, including the ‘Deadpool’ entries and side stories that still orbit the mutant mythos. Each entry notes essentials like key cast, directors, continuity placement, and notable release context so you can trace how the series evolved across its parallel tracks and crossovers.
‘The New Mutants’ (2020)
This standalone story follows five young mutants confined in a secret facility, introducing characters like Dani Moonstar, Rahne Sinclair, and Illyana Rasputin from Marvel’s ‘New Mutants’ comics. It stars Blu Hunt, Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, and Henry Zaga, with Josh Boone directing. The film was produced by 20th Century Studios and positioned as a horror-leaning spinoff set within the broader Fox ‘X-Men’ continuity. It was completed during the Disney acquisition of Fox and released after several schedule shifts.
‘X-Men: Dark Phoenix’ (2019)
Centering on Jean Grey’s transformation after exposure to a cosmic force, this installment features James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Sophie Turner. Simon Kinberg directed and co-produced, adapting elements from the ‘Dark Phoenix Saga’ storyline. The film continues the prequel timeline that began with ‘X-Men: First Class’ and includes the returning ensemble as younger versions of the core team. It carries a PG-13 rating for intense sequences and language.
‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ (2009)
This prequel details Logan’s early life, Weapon X experimentation, and relationship with Victor Creed. Hugh Jackman leads the cast alongside Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, and Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson in his first franchise appearance. Gavin Hood directed, and the film is set years before the original trilogy within Fox continuity. It was followed by additional solo Wolverine entries and later by the separate ‘Deadpool’ line.
‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (2006)
This chapter addresses a government-developed “cure” for mutation and integrates the ‘Phoenix’ storyline thread for Jean Grey. The ensemble includes Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Famke Janssen, and more, with Brett Ratner directing. It concludes the original trilogy period of the franchise before later timeline reshuffles. The film is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence and features large-scale set-pieces involving the X-Men and the Brotherhood.
‘The Wolverine’ (2013)
Set largely in Japan, this solo entry places Logan amid yakuza conflicts and personal loss, drawing on the Chris Claremont/Frank Miller comic arc. James Mangold directs, with Hugh Jackman starring opposite Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Will Yun Lee. The film explores Logan’s healing factor and vulnerability while connecting to events following the original trilogy. It carries a PG-13 rating, with an alternate extended edition released for home media.
‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ (2016)
Continuing the prequel continuity, the story introduces En Sabah Nur and his Four Horsemen as a global threat. The cast features James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, and Sophie Turner, among others. Bryan Singer directed, expanding the younger team roster with new incarnations of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, and Storm. The movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and destruction, brief strong language, and some suggestive images.
‘X-Men’ (2000)
This franchise launcher introduces Professor Charles Xavier’s school, Magneto’s Brotherhood, and the broader mutant metaphor to mainstream cinema. Directed by Bryan Singer, it stars Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James Marsden, and Anna Paquin. The film established the ensemble approach and laid foundations for recurring characters and themes revisited across later entries. It is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence.
‘X2’ (2003)
The sequel expands the world with Nightcrawler and focuses on Colonel William Stryker’s anti-mutant operations. Returning cast members include Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, and James Marsden, with Brian Cox as Stryker; Bryan Singer directed. The plot drives an uneasy alliance between the X-Men and Magneto’s faction against a common threat. It maintains a PG-13 rating and sets up narrative threads for the following installment.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
This entry teams Wade Wilson and Logan under director Shawn Levy, integrating the characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe while retaining an R rating. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman headline alongside returning and new cast members, with Time Variance Authority elements connecting the story to broader multiverse mechanics. The film’s release marked the first R-rated title within the MCU, following Disney’s acquisition of Fox. Industry coverage noted its mature content guidance for parents.
‘Deadpool 2’ (2018)
The sequel expands Wade Wilson’s world with Cable and Domino, played by Josh Brolin and Zazie Beetz, and introduces X-Force elements. Directed by David Leitch, it continues the character’s self-referential style while adding ensemble dynamics and time-travel hijinks. The production returned key cast like Morena Baccarin, Stefan Kapičić, and Brianna Hildebrand. Official ratings data reflect strong audience response across a large vote count.
‘X-Men: First Class’ (2011)
This prequel charts the early relationship between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr against a Cold War backdrop. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, it stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, and Kevin Bacon. The film reboots the timeline groundwork for subsequent entries, establishing younger versions of iconic characters and a new team formation. Its classification notes action, violence, brief partial nudity, and language.
‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ (2014)
Combining casts from the original trilogy and the prequel line, the story sends Wolverine back to alter a pivotal event that leads to Sentinel domination. Bryan Singer directs an ensemble including Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. The film serves as a timeline bridge, resetting key outcomes while preserving earlier character arcs. Official ratings pages show sustained audience enthusiasm across a large sample.
‘Deadpool’ (2016)
Ryan Reynolds stars as Wade Wilson, an ex-Special Forces operative turned fourth-wall-breaking antihero, in a mid-budget production that became a major box-office success. Tim Miller directs, with supporting roles for Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, and a CGI Colossus voiced by Stefan Kapičić. The film established the franchise’s R-rated comedic action template and paved the way for sequels and crossovers. Ratings data indicates strong, enduring audience approval.
‘Logan’ (2017)
James Mangold directs Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart in a neo-Western-inflected story set in a bleak future for mutants, featuring Dafne Keen as Laura/X-23. The film is rated R for strong brutal violence and language and was released as the final mainline outing for Jackman’s Logan within the Fox continuity. It received widespread recognition for performances, screenplay, and grounded approach to the character. Audience ratings pages document one of the franchise’s highest sustained scores.
Share your own personal lineup of the ‘X-Men’ films in the comments—who lands at the top for you?
