Have you ever felt a little lost trying to figure out how to watch the X-Men films? It's a common feeling, really. With so many movies, spin-offs, and timelines that twist and turn, it can feel like a puzzle. You might wonder where to begin, or perhaps which order makes the most sense for the story. This guide is here to help you sort through it all, so you can enjoy the incredible adventures of these powerful individuals without any confusion.

The X-Men universe, you know, it's quite a big one. It features a group of individuals, born with extraordinary abilities, often facing a world that fears and misunderstands them. Their stories span many years, and the films themselves came out over two decades. This means the release order and the story's chronological flow are, well, not always the same thing. That's why figuring out the best way to watch them can be a little tricky for many fans, and for new viewers too it's almost a common question.

This article will show you all the ways to watch the movies, and the best possible option for completionists. We'll go through each film, explain where it fits, and give you a clear path to follow. Whether you want to see the story unfold from the very beginning of the timeline, or simply watch them as they came out, we've got you covered. So, get ready to explore the different ways to experience these amazing tales, and find the viewing order that works just right for you.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction to X-Men Viewing Orders
• X-Men Movies in Release Order
  • 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)
  • Dark Phoenix (2019)
  • The New Mutants (2020)
• X-Men Movies in Chronological Story Order
• Frequently Asked Questions About X-Men Order
• Choosing Your X-Men Path

Introduction to X-Men Viewing Orders

When you think about watching the X-Men films, you basically have two main paths. There's the release order, which is how they came out in cinemas over the years. This can be a good way to see how the franchise grew and changed, and how the special effects improved, too it's almost like seeing history unfold. Then there's the chronological story order, which tries to put the events of the films in the order they happen within the X-Men universe. This second option can be a bit more complicated, as the films jump around in time quite a bit, but it offers a different kind of story flow.

Some people really like to watch movies in the order they were released. It's how most of us experienced them initially, you know, waiting for the next one to come out. This way, you see the story as the filmmakers presented it, with any surprises or reveals happening just as they were intended. It’s a pretty straightforward approach, and many fans still prefer it. It's simple, and it works, more or less.

However, for those who want to see the story unfold from its earliest moments within the timeline, the chronological approach is the way to go. This means jumping between films, sometimes watching a movie that came out much later, but tells an earlier part of the story. It can be a little confusing at first, but for completionists who want every piece of the puzzle in its proper place, this method offers a deep dive into the narrative history. We will cover both ways, so you can pick what feels right for you, or your viewing group, for that matter.

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X-Men Movies in Release Order

Watching the X-Men films in release order is perhaps the simplest way to experience them. It's the order most viewers saw them for the first time. This method allows you to see the progression of the series, how the characters developed, and how the overall storytelling changed over time. It's a pretty natural way to go about it, and it avoids some of the timeline paradoxes that pop up later, you know.

X-Men (2000)

This is where it all began for many of us, really. The first X-Men film introduced us to Professor Charles Xavier's school for gifted youngsters and the powerful, misunderstood individuals who call it home. We meet Wolverine, Rogue, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Storm, along with Magneto, who believes in a different path for their kind. While the original film settled for awards recognition outside of the academy awards sphere, it truly set the stage for a new kind of superhero movie. It showed that these stories could be about more than just action, they could explore big ideas about acceptance and fear, which is actually quite important.

X2: X-Men United (2003)

Often considered a highlight of the series, X2 builds on the first film's foundations. The team faces a new threat in Colonel William Stryker, who has a history with Wolverine and aims to eliminate all individuals with powers. This movie expands the world, brings in new characters, and deepens the connections between the existing ones. It's a pretty intense ride, and many people really enjoy the way the story develops here, so.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

This film explores a supposed "cure" for powers, which causes a deep divide within the community of powered individuals. It also deals with the powerful Phoenix Force within Jean Grey, a storyline that has big consequences for the team. The events here change many things for the characters we had come to know, and it's a pretty emotional watch for some, too it's almost a turning point.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

This movie takes us back to explore Wolverine's past, showing how he gained his adamantium claws and what led him to join the X-Men. We see his early life, his brother Victor Creed, and his time with Weapon X. It fills in some gaps in his story, and it's a look at what made him the way he is, you know.

X-Men: First Class (2011)

This film is a prequel, going back to the 1960s to show the early days of Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto). It shows how they met, how they became friends, and what eventually drove them apart. We see the formation of the first X-Men team and how the conflict between humans and powered individuals began to take shape. It's a fresh start in a way, showing us the beginnings of everything, actually.

The Wolverine (2013)

Set after the events of *The Last Stand*, this film follows Wolverine to Japan, where he faces new challenges and tries to deal with his past. He finds himself in a world he doesn't fully understand, dealing with powerful forces and his own inner struggles. It's a more personal story for the character, really, focusing on his journey and healing.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

This movie combines the casts of the original trilogy and *First Class*, sending Wolverine back in time to change a dark future. It's a pretty ambitious story that tries to fix some of the timeline issues and bring different eras of the X-Men together. It's a pretty big deal for the franchise, and it resets many things, more or less, giving the series a fresh start, which is nice.

Deadpool (2016)

This film introduces Wade Wilson, a former special forces operative who gains healing powers after a rogue experiment. It's a very different kind of superhero movie, known for its humor, breaking the fourth wall, and adult themes. While the original X-Men film settled for awards recognition outside of the academy awards sphere, this later installment notably competed for oscars, showing a different kind of critical success for the broader X-Men related films. It's pretty unique, and a lot of people really love it.

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Set in the 1980s, this film sees the X-Men face off against Apocalypse, an ancient and powerful being who awakens and seeks to reshape the world. It introduces younger versions of familiar characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Storm, as they learn to use their abilities and fight alongside Professor X. It's a big, action-packed story, you know, with some pretty high stakes.

Logan (2017)

This film offers a gritty, emotional, and very different look at Wolverine's final days. Set in a future where powered individuals are few, Logan is aging and his powers are fading. He meets a young girl with similar abilities, and their journey together is deeply moving. This film, like Deadpool, notably competed for oscars, marking a significant moment for the genre and showing that these stories could achieve high critical praise. It's a pretty powerful film, honestly, and many people consider it a masterpiece.

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Wade Wilson returns in this sequel, which continues his unique brand of humor and action. He forms a team of his own, the X-Force, to protect a young powered individual from the time-traveling Cable. It's another wild ride, and it builds on what made the first Deadpool film so popular, so it's a good follow-up.

Dark Phoenix (2019)

This film focuses on Jean Grey's struggle with the immense cosmic power known as the Phoenix Force. When a solar flare hits Jean Grey during a rescue mission in space, her powers become uncontrollable, leading to a dangerous transformation. It explores the darker side of her abilities and the difficult choices the X-Men must make to protect her and the world. It's a pretty intense story, and it brings a major comic book arc to the screen, which is something many fans wanted to see.

The New Mutants (2020)

This film takes a different approach, blending superhero elements with horror. It follows a group of young powered individuals held in a secret facility, where they discover their abilities and face their personal demons. It's a pretty unique entry in the X-Men universe, offering a fresh take on the genre, and it's a bit of a departure from the usual X-Men feel, which is interesting.

X-Men Movies in Chronological Story Order

For those who want to experience the X-Men story as it unfolds through time, from the earliest events to the latest, this chronological order is for you. This approach can be a bit more involved, as it requires jumping between release dates, but it offers a continuous narrative flow. It's pretty much the way to go if you want the story to make the most sense from a timeline perspective, you know.

1. X-Men: First Class (2011): This is where the story truly begins, showing the origins of Professor X and Magneto in the 1960s. It sets up their friendship and their eventual conflict, and it's a really good starting point for the whole saga.
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) - 1973 portions: While this film jumps between timelines, the 1973 scenes follow directly from *First Class*, showing the characters a decade later. It's a crucial point where the past begins to affect the future, and it's pretty important for the overall story.
3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): This film largely takes place before *Days of Future Past*'s 1973 events, showing Wolverine's long life and early experiences. It covers his origins from the 1800s through the 1970s, so it fits well here for his personal timeline.
4. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016): Set in the 1980s, this film continues the story of the younger X-Men team introduced in *First Class* and *Days of Future Past*. It shows them facing their first truly ancient threat, and it's a big step for their development, actually.
5. Dark Phoenix (2019): This film is set in the early 1990s, following the events of *Apocalypse*. It focuses on Jean Grey's powers becoming overwhelming after a space mission. When a solar flare hits Jean Grey during a rescue mission in space, her abilities grow beyond control, leading to a very difficult situation for everyone. It's a pretty intense part of the story, and it changes things significantly.
6. X-Men (2000): Now we jump forward to the early 2000s. This film introduces us to the established X-Men team and brings Wolverine into their world. It's the first film released, but chronologically, it shows a later stage of the team's development, which is pretty interesting.
7. X2: X-Men United (2003): This sequel continues the story from the first X-Men film, building on the relationships and conflicts established there. It's a direct continuation of the narrative, so it fits right after the first movie.
8. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): This film follows directly after X2, concluding the original trilogy's main storyline. It deals with the consequences of the Phoenix Force and the "cure" for powers, bringing many plot points to a head.
9. The Wolverine (2013): This film is set after *The Last Stand*, focusing on Logan's personal journey and struggles in Japan. It's a quieter story, but it shows where he is after the events of the previous film, which is pretty important for his character.
10. The New Mutants (2020): This film's place is a bit flexible, but it generally seems to happen after the main X-Men timeline, featuring a new group of young powered individuals in a more isolated setting. It's a bit of a standalone story, but it fits in the broader universe, you know.
11. Deadpool (2016): Deadpool's films exist somewhat independently but within the broader X-Men universe. The first film introduces Wade Wilson's story, and it's pretty much a unique take on things.
12. Deadpool 2 (2018): This sequel continues Deadpool's adventures, bringing in new characters and more of his signature humor. It further establishes his place in this corner of the world, and it's a fun ride, honestly.
13. Logan (2017): This film is set far in the future, presenting a possible end to Wolverine's story and the X-Men era. It's a very different kind of film, showing a grim future, and it's a powerful conclusion for many characters. While the original X-Men film settled for awards recognition outside of the academy awards sphere, this later installment notably competed for oscars, showing a different kind of critical success for the broader X-Men related films. It's a pretty definitive ending for that version of the character, too it's almost a farewell.

Frequently Asked Questions About X-Men Order

People often have questions about how to watch these films, and that's perfectly normal given how the timelines jump around. Here are some common things people ask, so you can feel more confident about your viewing plan.

Should I watch X-Men in release order or chronological order?

This really depends on what you want from your viewing experience. If you prefer to see how the franchise grew over time, and experience the story as audiences originally did, then the release order is probably best for you. It's simpler and avoids some of the time travel paradoxes. However, if you want the story to flow from its earliest moments in the timeline, even if it means jumping between films, then the chronological order is the way to go. For completionists, the chronological path often feels more rewarding, as it pieces the story together in a different way, you know.

Are the Deadpool movies part of the main X-Men timeline?

The Deadpool movies definitely exist within the broader X-Men universe, but they also have their own unique tone and style. They acknowledge the events and characters of the other X-Men films, sometimes with a bit of humor. While they might not directly impact the main X-Men story in the same way, they are part of the overall world and feature some of the same characters, like Colossus. So, yes, they are connected, but they also stand on their own quite well, which is pretty cool.

What about the upcoming X-Men projects, how do they fit?

As of late 2023, the X-Men characters are slowly making their way into new stories. There are new animated shows and hints of live-action appearances within a larger connected universe. These new projects will likely start fresh or bring in familiar faces in new ways. It's a pretty exciting time for fans, as the future of the X-Men is still unfolding. We'll have to wait and see exactly how these new stories connect, but it's clear the X-Men will continue to be a big part of the entertainment world, which is great, you know. Learn more about X-Men on our site.

Choosing Your X-Men Path

So, you've seen the different ways to watch the X-Men films. Whether you pick the release order for a straightforward viewing or the chronological order for a deeper story experience, you're in for a treat. Each film brings something special to the table, and the characters are, you know, pretty memorable. The X-Men saga is a big one, full of action, emotion, and important ideas about acceptance and what it means to be different. It’s a series that has touched many people over the years, and it continues to be popular even now, which is pretty amazing.

No matter which path you choose, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. These films offer a rich world to explore, with heroes and villains who are, in some respects, very complex. They fight for what they believe in, and their struggles often reflect real-world issues, which is a powerful thing for stories to do. So, grab some snacks, get comfortable, and prepare to be entertained by one of the most enduring and, arguably, most thought-provoking superhero franchises out there. We hope this guide helps you find your perfect way to watch them, and you can always link to this page here if you need a quick reminder of the order, too it's almost like having a map.