Is Marvel Hiding a Secret X-Men Movie?

Over the past few years, there have been reports that Marvel has abandoned several planned sequels, including a second Eternals film, another Ant-Man movie, and additional seasons for She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Moon Knight. The Armor Wars project, which was initially announced years ago, remains stuck in development limbo; it’s uncertain if it will ever be released.

Not only does Marvel have two unannounced films on their schedule for the following 18 months, but these movies remain untitled. One is set for release on February 13, 2026, while the other will hit theaters on November 6, 2026. In our most recent video discussing the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we’ll share all the details about upcoming projects and speculate why some believe they might be releasing a secret X-Men film next year. To find out more, watch our video below!

If you enjoyed the video about a possible hidden X-Men film from Marvel Studios, don’t forget to explore more of our videos! We have a variety of content for you, such as one discussing all the Easter eggs found in Episode 3 of Daredevil: Born Again, another diving into which parts of Daredevil: Born Again are reshoots, and an analysis on how additional work saved it from being a disappointment on Disney+. We also have a video detailing all the Easter eggs hidden in the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, to stay updated on all our upcoming videos. New episodes of Daredevil: Born Again air weekly on Disney+.

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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

In its initial conception, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and adapted from some of Jack Kirby’s groundbreaking comics would potentially be among the least significant titles for the company. Regrettably, Eternals fails to coalesce effectively. It largely adheres to Kirby’s fundamental concepts with a handful of minor yet bothersome alterations, such as transforming the antagonistic Deviants into generic, aimless monsters lacking objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting acts from Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, but the lead characters, portrayed by Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, struggle to convincingly convey their supposedly passionate relationship. (Their romance spans 6,000 years, yet they appear as if on their first awkward date.) The script occasionally delves into intriguing themes concerning the bonds between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to discard them repeatedly for a series of predictable fight sequences involving dull monsters. It’s challenging to conceive of a more uninteresting film about immortal alien robots striving to thwart impending doomsday than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

The production of this film appears to have been hastily thrown together, as if Marvel was taken aback by the success of Iron Man and felt compelled to release it quickly. The choice of Tim Roth for the role of the world’s ultimate soldier, who transforms into a large bony creature, feels more like a misstep rather than a fitting casting decision for such an iconic character. (For further details, see here.)

33. Thor: The Dark World

Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ version of Thor, we ended up with a film that felt gloomy and followed a tedious pursuit of a mystical object. This movie featured one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there’s a silver lining, it could be that this underperforming film may have influenced Marvel to take bigger risks, eventually leading to the fresh and dynamic changes seen in Thor: Ragnarok (Read more here).

32. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the poorest in quality – it surpasses three others on this list, after all. However, it’s arguably the most disorganized and intense. Three captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau) are thrown together to thwart a Kree warlord determined on causing trouble for unclear reasons. Despite the actors delivering excellent performances as a team, the plot, though short, is chaotic and questionable, with many unusual decisions that don’t seem to make much sense.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

In another setting, the same actors – that’s been the case with many recent Marvel films, such as The Marvels, and it’s particularly applicable to Captain America: Brave New World. This film finally provides Anthony Mackie’s captivating Sam Wilson a standalone movie, yet disappointingly, it pairs him with an uninteresting antagonist and a narrative overloaded with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk, leaving us questioning the relevance of revisiting Betty Ross’s story.

30. Doctor Strange

In essence, while the extraordinary imagery is captivating, Doctor Strange struggles to break free from the sensation that it’s essentially an updated version of Iron Man 2.0 (with a touch of magic). However, kudos for the clever conclusion involving Dormammu. But, the peculiar cape of Strange left me less than impressed. (You can read more about it here.)

29. Iron Man 2

Despite being better than you may recall, it’s still not exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skillfully conceals many flaws, but not all of them. Trimming 15 minutes of background setup from Avengers could potentially result in a much stronger production. (Read more . )

28. Ant-Man

Ant-Man isn’t bad, but it feels like a smaller version of the expanded Edgar Wright film we should have received. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most memorable non-superpowered characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. (For more information, you can read [here](URL).)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang (played by the intimidating Jonathan Majors) acknowledges that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This seems to symbolize the movie itself: The relatable, low-key universe of the Ant-Man series, known for its witty humor and lovable characters, struggles against the grand, multiversal saga of Marvel Phase 5 on the big screen. As a Marvel blockbuster, it’s acceptable. However, as an extension of the Ant-Man storyline, it falls short of expectations. Regrettably, if you were expecting to see Michael Peña’s beloved character Luis in this installment, you will be disappointed, as he is not featured at all.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compactness, featuring Paul Rudd’s comedic banter with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt speeches, and a tender, family-focused plot about a fractured family striving to mend itself. (Read more .)

25. Captain Marvel

In my opinion, Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers could be the strongest character in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, but her movie seemed to fall short on emotional depth. Nevertheless, it remained engaging due to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with his impressive de-aging visual effects, portraying a younger Nick Fury. (For more details, you can check out the full article here.)

24. Black Widow

2021 marked Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, but instead of taking center stage, she primarily served as a straight character opposite her quippy Russian superhero cohorts, including David Harbour’s self-absorbed Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s standout Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow falls short of being the fitting farewell for the character. Nevertheless, it remains another strong Marvel production, featuring striking stunt scenes and an intriguing villain in the shape of Taskmaster, who possesses the ability to replicate the fighting styles of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second “Thor” movie is somewhat like observing a magician attempting to dazzle you with the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance left us awestruck. However, the second time around, while it remains impressive, it loses some of its shock value. Christian Bale portrays Gorr the God-Butcher effectively, yet his intense and highly emotional villain character doesn’t quite harmonize with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant humor. “Love and Thunder” retains all the components found in Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok”, but they don’t blend together as effortlessly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

The camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in this movie is precisely what you’d expect – it’s thrilling, even surprising at times. The appearances by other characters are unexpected; some might say mind-blowing. However, the plot, while testing the limits of how much information a film can pack without becoming confusing, often leaves you scratching your head. (One could argue that one character has more than enough tragic backgrounds – at least two in this movie!) If you manage to ignore everything happening on screen for even a moment, you’ll have a fairly enjoyable experience. And both Jackman and Reynolds deliver the perfect blend of Deadpool and Wolverine, reluctantly teaming up to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might find yourself wishing the writers (which, let’s be honest, includes Reynolds himself) had lived up to their promises just a bit more.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

As a fellow movie enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on the peculiar take on “Iron Man 2” – The Quirky Version. This film might be worse than you recall, but it manages to remain somewhat engaging. The promotional materials heavily emphasized the conspiracy thriller aspect, yet it failed to deliver as promised. However, Anthony Mackie’s Falcon proves to be an outstanding newcomer to the Marvel Universe, and Chris Evans continues his stellar portrayal of Captain America.

Despite my appreciation for the performances, one aspect that still grates on me is the portrayal of Nick Fury, the world’s greatest spy. It strains credibility that he was the only one among SHIELD who wasn’t privy to the fact that everyone but him and a couple of sidekicks were downright villainous. Come on, Nick! Widen those eyes and see the truth! If you’re interested in more insights, check out the full review [here](link to the full review).

20. Avengers: Infinity War

This film’s grandeur and audaciousness are hard to match, and its finale is truly epic. However, it seems there’s a certain depth lacking. If you’re primarily seeking an action-packed Marvel movie with some witty remarks, then this could be just what you’re looking for. On the other hand, if you prefer these movies for their character development, emotional connections, and moments of respite between the fights, this might not quite hit the spot. (Read more here.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was quite enjoyable, but its quality was somewhat diminished by the broader context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The movie’s plot ultimately led to Tony Stark retiring from his Iron Man persona, only for him to appear in several subsequent films afterwards. Despite Guy Pearce’s underwhelming performance as Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s scenes with a clever child were exceptional. (You can read more about it [here].)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

To begin with: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst a thick gray fog, is visually displeasing due to poor CGI. However, before reaching that point, Shang-Chi could potentially be Marvel‘s finest action film, boasting several intense and intricately choreographed fight scenes. The bus fight scene, in particular, is highly enjoyable. Simu Liu heads a Marvel cast with depth, as Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh deliver compelling supporting performances, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently bring humor to the table. Interestingly, despite not being a popular Marvel villain initially, Kingsley’s portrayal of former Mandarin Trevor Slattery has been transformed into a delightful secondary character.

17. Thor

In an unusual twist, this sprawling space saga takes place primarily in the tiniest town of New Mexico. While “Thor” has its flaws, it stands out among Marvel movies due to exceptional casting and captivating performances that managed to overshadow structural and script problems, a feat that later became synonymous with the Marvel franchise. (Continue reading here.)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ryan Coogler encountered a tremendously tough task while directing “Wakanda Forever”: Apart from creating a sequel that matched the greatness of the original “Black Panther”, he had to accomplish it without Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away during the summer of 2020, just as filming was set to begin. Coogler’s work truly shines when it incorporates his and the cast’s grief for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with their deceased king’s death. However, the remainder of the movie can be a bit disorganized, filled with numerous intriguing concepts, an abundance of characters, and a somewhat confused villain, King Namor from the underwater realm.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The plot of this film falls apart upon slight examination, as it primarily focuses on the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. However, let me tell you: Wow! That airport battle is absolutely thrilling!(Continue reading here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, its quality is similar to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both films have an abundance of villains. On the positive side, this film does a fantastic job of portraying Peter Parker as a character – someone who consistently falls short but never gives up on making things right in the future. Additionally, it introduces the multiverse into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a significant and grand manner, making it a notable milestone in the ongoing saga.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years later, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with an exhilaratingly zany tale of a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi creatively blended his unique style and visuals – such as humor with a twist, maniacal zombies, sudden jumps – into the more conventional Marvel template. (You can read more about it here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite criticisms that it’s not as good as the initial Avengers movie and acknowledging some flaws with Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I remain captivated by the climactic scene where the Avengers unite to rescue every single person in Sokovia – an undeniably Marvel-worthy moment. (You can read more about it here.)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

The length of this film is excessive, with at least four too many post-credit scenes. However, it takes audacity to take Marvel’s lighthearted franchise and create a sequel that ends on a somber note. This is the only Marvel movie that leaves me in tears and also includes jokes about alien deity phallic symbols. In my opinion, this combination makes for an excellent film experience. (You can read more about it here.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that Marvel’s second Spiderman flick, starring the brilliant Tom Holland as our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, is only a slight dip from the first. It offers a delightful blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. While no one utters “with great power comes great responsibility,” this movie embodies that concept just as much as any other Spiderman tale. In Far From Home, Peter Parker (Holland) finds himself in a tug-of-war between his longing for romance with the charming MJ, played by the witty Zendaya, and his obligations from Nick Fury (the ever-irritable Samuel L. Jackson) to thwart a dangerous gang of elemental creatures.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn masterfully concludes his Guardians trilogy with a film that strikes the perfect Marvel balance – thrilling action, quirky science fiction visuals, and deeply emotional characters whose fates we grow deeply attached to. By the finale of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon, once a marginal Marvel character, transforms into one of the company’s most intriguing and tragic heroes. Following a series of less-than-stellar movies, Gunn effortlessly demonstrates his knack for storytelling. Unfortunately, he’s now moved on to oversee DC productions.

7. Avengers: Endgame

Stepping up significantly from “Infinity War,” and arguably second only to it among the Avengers films, this new offering is a grand spectacle filled with monumental action sequences, hearty laughter, and what might just be an unprecedented number of Easter eggs in the annals of any cinematic universe. (You can read more about it .)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films that keep audiences coming back for more, this one boasts captivating characters, thrilling Spider-Man sequences, and an unexpected street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he performs. Aren’t you hooked? (Continue reading here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

At the halfway mark of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the initial “Guardians” movie played a significant role in making Marvel more relaxed and demonstrated that their brand was robust enough to draw audiences to less mainstream properties. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were barely mentioned, but he turned them into an unexpected blockbuster hit. As a matter of fact and without debate, Rocket is undeniably the best Guardian.

(Read more here.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

While this film could benefit from tighter storytelling (as it condenses an entire war into a montage), the portrayal of Captain America, played by Chris Evans, stands out as one of the most successful character adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie transformed a hero often criticized for being dull or outdated into a dynamic, charismatic, multi-layered individual embodying straightforward human values. Ideal for those seeking inspiration. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for intricate links to a larger cosmos, “Black Panther” illustrates the merit of a more self-contained narrative style. Towards the end of the movie, when Black Panther decides to reveal Wakanda to the outside world (and its characters become available for future appearances), it’s intended as a joyful resolution. However, if this decision leads to a sequel that is spread thin with numerous guest appearances, it might not be so delightful after all. (Additional insights can be found here.)

2. The Avengers

Despite the events in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains a remarkable feat that seems almost impossible. Each character is skillfully balanced, the dialogue is concise, and the climactic Battle of New York stands as one of the greatest action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

The original movie remains unsurpassed in quality, as we look back now. Its freedom from commitments to a broader universe contributed significantly to its excellence. Scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, testing his armor and then taking flight for the first time, perfectly encapsulate the excitement of superpowers better than any film in the Marvel or other studios’ histories. (Read more here.)

2025-03-19 16:26