All 14 X-Men Movies, Ranked

As a lifelong fan of comic books and a devoted moviegoer, I have had the privilege (and sometimes the pain) of witnessing the evolution of the X-Men franchise over the past two decades. Having grown up with the original trilogy, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia for those early films, which captured the spirit and excitement of the comic books that first drew me in.

As a movie critic looking back on the origins of the X-Men, I must admit that these extraordinary beings came into existence as a natural extension of my earlier success with the Fantastic Four. Co-creator Stan Lee once shared this anecdote: “The Fantastic Four sold so remarkably well, and my publisher and I thought, why stop there? We decided to create another group.”

Introduced as comic book characters in 1963, the mutants didn’t appear on the big screen until 2000 when Bryan Singer and David Hayter collaborated to bring the tales of Professor X, Magneto, Jean Grey, and Wolverine to cinema-goers. Since then, there have been numerous sequels, prequels, and spinoffs featuring these characters. Regardless of the time period, the X-Men continue to captivate audiences due to their unique qualities. Stan Lee’s decision to make them mutants is actually what keeps their popularity alive. The X-Men tap into the feelings of those who identify as outsiders – be it through a deep affection for comic books, sexuality, race, or any other marker of social difference. Unlike typical superheroes, the X-Men are relatable underdogs: they may possess extraordinary abilities but are often perceived as weak, misunderstood, and fighting for acceptance. It’s easier to empathize with their struggles rather than those of characters like Tony Stark.

Regrettably, Hollywood hasn’t consistently delivered on the X-Men franchise. Some of its top films missed the cultural mark set by subsequent Marvel movies, and while Hugh Jackman shone brilliantly as Wolverine, his solo outings had their rough patches. It’s Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool films that effectively satirize these challenges in the X-Men cinematic history. With the release of Deadpool and Wolverine in theaters, here’s a ranking of every X-Men movie from least to most favorable.

14. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is widely criticized for its subpar portrayal of Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, but the film has numerous other flaws as well. The origin story of Wolverine fails to offer new insights into the character and instead diminishes his complex background by filling in the blanks, making him less intriguing. Moreover, the movie struggles under the weight of connecting it to a broader X-Men universe. (It’s not the only film with this issue, but X-Men Origins: Wolverine grapples with it significantly.) The production was disastrous for Fox as well; an early copy of the film leaked online and the negative reception forced Fox to reboot not just Wolverine but the entire franchise, abandoning the planned “Origins” series and opting instead for the “First Class” concept.

13. The New Mutants (2020)

1. One peculiar aspect of watching “The New Mutants” upon its release, aside from the fact that it was viewed in a cinema during a pandemic, was realizing that it was intended to launch a series of films, yet while watching it, you knew deep down that this series would never materialize. The film’s convoluted production history is now so widely known that the movie feels like a failed project from the very beginning, and nothing in its jumbled together, tonally inconsistent blend of horror and fantasy dispels the feeling that you’re watching something long dead.

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

I can understand how disappointing it was for X-Men fans when Brett Ratner took over the director’s chair for one of their movies. With the past controversies surrounding both Ratner and Bryan Singer, who were previously involved with the franchise, it seemed that X-Men had a hard time finding suitable directors.

11. Dark Phoenix (2019)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=1-q8C_c-nlM

I’ve followed the production of this “X-Men” film with this particular cast, and I’ve got to admit, it’s been a rocky road filled with subpar test screenings and reshoots. But instead of labeling it as an historic disaster, I’d describe it as a monotonous, repetitive slog. It hits all the same notes we’ve heard before, lacking depth and enthusiasm that makes each beat feel perfunctory and tired.

10. The Wolverine (2013)

1. In an attempt to restore the Wolverine character after the disappointing “Origins” film, this project was initially slated for Darren Aronofsky’s direction, and it’s hard not to imagine how incredible that would have been! However, James Mangold stepped in, taking the story to Japan for a fresh setting and feel, but not quite delivering the overhaul the studio envisioned. Hugh Jackman remains reliable as ever, and the film gains from making Wolverine less than invincible, but “The Wolverine” ultimately feels more like a company-driven endeavor rather than a creatively driven one.

9. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

1. “Eternally recognized for the blockbuster that submerged the planet’s most captivating actor, Oscar Isaac, beneath layers of CGI and blue makeup, Apocalypse, despite its flaws, still possesses certain appeals; this film boasts a remarkable cast, although it appears their involvement may be more tied to long-term contracts than genuine commitment. (Jennifer Lawrence, frequently adorned in blue, seems weary of these films.) Many of the finest moments seem reminiscent of the far superior X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the movie struggles to regain its footing after the silliness of its villain, who seems increasingly like a less impressive version of Thanos as time goes by.”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1842bd1c-43d2-4a5a-ad12-ffafc168c93d?autoplay=false

8. Deadpool & Wolverine

1. Your appreciation for Deadpool & Wolverine might hinge on your level of fascination with the business transformations happening between Fox, Disney, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Deadpool 2. However, even if you are captivated by these corporate changes, it’s unlikely that you find them as intriguing as the movie itself does. Over time, the universe surrounding Deadpool – initially a single character with occasional support from two lower-tier X-Men and battling a villainous British man – has expanded in proportion to its box office success. This expansion has engulfed Deadpool himself amidst numerous corporate influences pulling it in various directions. Essentially, while the series retains some appeal, primarily due to Ryan Reynolds’ enthusiasm and Hugh Jackman’s over-the-top portrayal of Wolverine, the core essence of the Deadpool films (the sense of disbelief that such antics are possible in a superhero movie) has been overshadowed by CGI, world-building, cameos, and references that require extensive Wikipedia research to comprehend. Furthermore, even though the film satirizes multiverse movies, it still feels exhausting to be immersed in yet another one. Regrettably, this film appears more bloated and less focused compared to its predecessors, which could signal potential challenges for the many more installments expected in the future.

7. Deadpool 2 (2018)

1. After the initial success of mocking the big-wigs in the first installment, how do you avoid becoming part of the establishment for the second round? This is the quandary that hangs over Deadpool 2: The rough and tumble original film took jabs at Marvel and X-Men, but the sequel had to acknowledge its status as a major studio production like all other big-budget superhero movies. To circumvent this issue, Deadpool 2 primarily relies on being even funnier and more explicit than its predecessor. Additionally, the sequel boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Josh Brolin delivers a compelling villainous performance that differs significantly from his portrayal of Thanos, but Deadpool 2’s true asset is Zazie Beetz. She brings Domino to life with her confident and cunning portrayal. Although Domino claims luck as her superpower, it seems like an ordinary ability, right? However, Beetz’s sophisticated performance will leave you convinced that it is indeed a unique power.

6. Logan (2017)

1. “Generally regarded as one of the top X-Men films, Logan stood out by emulating Wolverine’s legendary status with a serious, R-rated narrative that mimicked the grandeur and scale of a Western. This film provided Hugh Jackman an opportunity to bid farewell fittingly to the character who catapulted him to stardom. However, we must admit that this somber, self-important drama seems overly proud of its own weightiness. But don’t let that diminish Jackman’s exceptional performance as the weary, melancholic superhero embarking on his final significant mission before retiring. With Patrick Stewart portraying a similarly declining Charles Xavier, Logan is a film deeply preoccupied with mortality and thus overly focused on wrapping things up neatly. Despite its gloomy tone equating to profundity, Logan deserves recognition for its ambition and vision – something that’s glaringly absent in the lower-ranked standalone Wolverine films.”

5. X-Men: First Class (2011)

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the captivating reboot, “First Class,” which takes us back in time to witness the origin stories of our beloved X-Men characters. Matthew Vaughn, the director behind “Kick-Ass,” toned down his signature action flair to craft a compelling period thriller that beautifully blends character development with traditional superhero elements.

4. Deadpool (2016)

2016 marked a refreshing shift in the superhero genre as Ryan Reynolds’s portrayal of the unconventional Deadpool aligned with audience’s fatigue towards formulaic, morally upright comic-book movies. Unlike its predecessors, Deadpool stood out for its profane humor, over-the-top violence, and unique blend of Reynolds’s witty characterization and emotional depth, showcased in films like Mississippi Grind. This R-rated superhero film served as a breath of fresh air amidst the creatively stagnant X-Men franchise, making it feel like a defiant farewell to the series’ past. In reality, Deadpool is simply too edgy and cool to associate with the mutant crew.

3. X-Men (2000)

2000’s X-Men stands out as a significant milestone leading to our modern-day obsession with superhero films. Released just three years after Batman & Robin, which marked the end of an era for a particular type of comic book adaptation, X-Men introduced us to a group of strong, noble, and occasionally insecure mutants fighting against their evil counterparts. The essence of what makes these Marvel characters great was evident from the very first movie: Professor X’s selfless heroism, Magneto’s cunning villainy, Wolverine’s captivating charm, and the idea that the X-Men represented societies’ marginalized and endangered communities. Fun and exciting, X-Men remains refreshingly unique as it wasn’t burdened by the expectations that have since become commonplace in nearly every superhero movie – it managed to be its own creation, oblivious to the impending comic book film boom it would help ignite.

2. X2: X-Men United (2003)

In a similar vein to classics like Superman II and The Dark Knight, X-Men United surpasses its predecessor, X-Men, by delving deeper into the initial film’s themes and expanding its storyline. This sequel introduces a menacing government official (played by Brian Cox), who threatens Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. As a result, our heroic mutants are compelled to form an uneasy alliance with Magneto and his followers. While X-Men set the stage for modern superhero films, X2 truly embodies what we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years – it offers a blend of high-octane action sequences and thought-provoking ideas about heroism. Furthermore, the romantic triangle involving Wolverine, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), and Cyclops (James Marsden) is intensified in this installment, becoming the film’s emotional core. Compared to Avengers: Endgame, X2 may appear relatively modest, but it was an epic production when it was released.

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

Originally planned as a creative method to revive the series featuring fresh actors while preserving the essence of the original, the idea of time travel allowed Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen to encounter their younger counterparts, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. However, this concept evolved into an outstanding self-contained tale that was exhilarating, humorous, and endearing. Not only did we delve into the origins of these characters, we witnessed their impact on world history; it’s worth mentioning that this is the only X-Men film featuring a scene at the Paris Peace Accords. Singer masterfully managed to interweave scenes from both past and future in his return to the franchise, and remarkably, he introduced fresh dimensions to time travel – something we thought was unattainable. Additionally, enhancing Jennifer Lawrence’s role significantly contributed to the film’s success. This series often straddles the line between silliness and lofty ambition, but with this installment, it managed to strike the perfect balance: robust enough to matter, yet agile enough to keep moving.

1. Grierson & Leitch frequently discuss films and host a film-focused podcast. Keep up with their insights by following them on Twitter or visiting their website.

2024-07-29 21:54