List of the X-Men Movies in Chronological Order

04 April 2024

The X-Men Film Universe in Chronological Order

The X-Men film series stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of superhero cinema, blending compelling narratives with a rich tapestry of characters that resonate deeply with audiences. This series, more than just a collection of action-packed spectacles, delves into the complexities of identity, discrimination, and the essence of humanity, setting it apart from its counterparts. Its chronological progression not only charts the evolution of its characters but also mirrors the shifting landscape of societal issues, making each film relevant in its own right.

From the groundbreaking debut in 2000 starring Halle Berry (Cloud Atlas) and Hugh Jackman (The Fountain) that heralded a new era of superhero films to the more introspective and character-driven narratives in later installments, the X-Men series has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre.

Navigating through the X-Men movies in chronological order offers a unique lens through which to experience the growth and challenges of its characters, akin to moving through the pages of a living comic book. This approach not only enriches the viewer's understanding of the X-Men universe but also highlights the series' virtues: its ability to blend high-stakes drama with the personal journeys of its characters, and its courage to tackle complex social issues through the allegory of mutants.

The Complete X-Men Chronology

The entire live-action saga presented in its in-universe chronological order.

1. X-Men: First ClassReleased: 2011

Timeline: 1962

The story begins by focusing on a young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr as they discover their powers against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This film lays the groundwork for the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, exploring the origins of their friendship and the ideological schism that would come to define their relationship.

Lore Note: Actress January Jones, who played Emma Frost, took the role to do something different from her 1960s-set TV show Mad Men, only to discover First Class was also set in the '60s.

2. X-Men: Days of Future PastReleased: 2014

Timeline: 1973 (past) & 2023 (dystopian future)

Connecting the original trilogy's cast with their younger counterparts, this film sees Wolverine's consciousness sent back to 1973 to prevent an assassination that leads to the creation of the Sentinels, mutant-hunting robots that have created a dystopian future. The film effectively reboots the timeline, paving the way for a new series of events.

Lore Note: In the film's universe, President John F. Kennedy was secretly a mutant. His assassination is re-contextualized as a conspiracy against mutants, adding a layer of historical fiction to the lore.

3. X-Men Origins: WolverineReleased: 2009

Timeline: 1845 - 1979

This film delves into Logan's extensive backstory, beginning with the discovery of his powers in 1845 and chronicling his life through various wars alongside his brother, Victor Creed. The main plot, set around 1979, details his recruitment into Team X, the brutal Weapon X program where he gets his adamantium skeleton, and the beginning of his memory loss.

Lore Note: The screenplay was co-written by David Benioff, who would later co-create HBO's Game of Thrones. He intended for the film to be a darker, more brutal R-rated story.

4. X-Men: ApocalypseReleased: 2016

Timeline: 1983

Following the timeline reset of Days of Future Past, this installment is set in 1983. It introduces En Sabah Nur, the world's first and most powerful mutant, who awakens after millennia. Disillusioned with the modern world, he recruits four powerful mutants, including a grief-stricken Magneto, to cleanse humanity and create a new world order.

Lore Note: This film features the third on-screen appearance of Nightcrawler, this time played by Kodi Smit-McPhee. The character was previously portrayed by Alan Cumming in X2.

5. X-Men: Dark PhoenixReleased: 2019

Timeline: 1992

Set in 1992, about a decade after Apocalypse, the X-Men are national heroes. During a rescue mission in space, Jean Grey is struck by a cosmic force that dramatically amplifies her powers but also makes her dangerously unstable. The film focuses on her internal struggle and the X-Men's conflict over how to save their friend from the entity that threatens the universe.

Lore Note: This is the first mainline X-Men film that does not feature Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in any capacity, marking a significant shift for the franchise.

6. X-MenReleased: 2000

Timeline: Early 2000s

The film that started it all. Set in the "near future," it introduces a world where mutants are a reality and feared by many. Logan and Rogue are drawn into the conflict between Professor Xavier's X-Men, who seek peaceful coexistence, and Magneto's Brotherhood, who believe in mutant supremacy.

Lore Note: In the original comics, Sabretooth was introduced as an Iron Fist villain and didn't have a connection to Wolverine until nearly a decade after his first appearance. The film cemented their intertwined history in pop culture.

7. X2: X-Men UnitedReleased: 2003

Timeline: Shortly after X-Men

Picking up after the first film, the X-Men are forced to team up with Magneto's Brotherhood to stop Colonel William Stryker, a military scientist who leads an assault on Xavier's school and plans a global genocide of mutants using his own version of Cerebro.

Lore Note: The iconic "Danger Room" was supposed to be featured, and the set was even built, but the sequence was cut from the final film due to budget and time constraints.

8. X-Men: The Last StandReleased: 2006

Timeline: After X2

A "cure" for mutation becomes available, dividing the mutant community. The conflict escalates with the resurrection of Jean Grey as the all-powerful and unstable Phoenix, leading to a final, devastating confrontation between the X-Men, the Brotherhood, and human forces.

Lore Note: With a budget of $210 million, The Last Stand was briefly the most expensive film ever made at the time of its production.

9. The WolverineReleased: 2013

Timeline: After The Last Stand

Set after the events of The Last Stand, a guilt-ridden Logan is living in self-imposed exile. He is summoned to Japan by an old acquaintance, where he is drawn into a deadly conflict involving the Yakuza and a conspiracy that forces him to confront his own mortality when his healing factor is compromised.

Lore Note: Director James Mangold released an extended, unrated version called the "Unleashed Extended Edition," which features 12 extra minutes of footage, including a longer, more brutal battle with the ninjas.

10. DeadpoolReleased: 2016

Timeline: 2016

While its timeline is notoriously flexible due to the main character's fourth-wall-breaking nature, the film is set squarely in the modern era. It follows Wade Wilson's transformation from a wisecracking mercenary into the disfigured but indestructible anti-hero Deadpool as he hunts down the man who ruined his life.

Lore Note: The costume was designed with fake muscle padding, but when Ryan Reynolds arrived on set, he was so muscular that the padding had to be removed because it made the suit look too bulky and ridiculous.

11. Deadpool 2Released: 2018

Timeline: Late 2020s (relative to Deadpool)

Continuing Deadpool's chaotic adventures, this sequel introduces the time-traveling soldier Cable and the young, volatile mutant Russell Collins (Firefist). To protect the boy, Deadpool forms the X-Force, a team of mostly expendable mutants. The film further plays with the X-Men universe's timeline and conventions.

Lore Note: The footage of the main X-Men team (McAvoy, Peters, etc.) closing the door on Deadpool was shot on the set of Dark Phoenix and sent over to the Deadpool 2 production.

12. The New MutantsReleased: 2020

Timeline: Late 2020s

This horror-tinged installment is set in the contemporary era. It follows five young mutants who are held in a secret medical facility against their will. As they grapple with the traumatic origins of their powers, they must band together to escape their captors and the demonic entities haunting them.

Lore Note: The film is the thirteenth and final installment in the Fox X-Men film series due to Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox, which led to the integration of the X-Men characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

13. LoganReleased: 2017

Timeline: 2029

Set in a bleak 2029 where new mutants have not been born for 25 years, an aging and weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X. Their attempts to hide from the world are upended when they encounter Laura, a young girl with powers eerily similar to Wolverine's, who is being hunted by dark forces. The film serves as a powerful and emotional conclusion to Logan's journey.

Lore Note: The film's gritty, character-driven tone was heavily inspired by classic Westerns like Shane (1953) and dramas like The Wrestler (2008), a departure from typical superhero movie tropes.

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My name is Jimmy Jangles, the founder of The Astromech. I have always been fascinated by the world of science fiction, especially the Star Wars universe, and I created this website to share my love for it with fellow fans.

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