X-Men movies in order: The complete chronological & release guide

The X-Men films are among the most thrilling narratives in the superhero universe, introducing viewers to a society of strong people known as mutant human beings born with special powers. These films gave the world memorable characters such as Wolverine, Professor X, Magneto, Mystique, and others. They also present universal themes such as identity, power, and what it means to be different in society.

In the X-Men franchise alone, 14 films have been released since the first X-Men film was released in the year 2000. These include major saga movies, individual character films, spin-offs, such as Deadpool and the more recent Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

The chronology is not, however, very easy to follow. This is because the order in which the films were produced is not the order in which the parts of the story take place. Some happen in the past, some in the future, and some in parallel universes. They have got time travel, reboots, redoing the action, and numerous versions of the same characters. Hence, watching the films in the correct chronological order might be a bit challenging. To help you out with the same, here is a list of films in a chronological order (according to the events within the story) alongside the dates of their theatrical releases

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X-Men movies in order

1) X-Men - 2000

The film that introduced X-Men to the big screen, X-Men, begins with Rogue discovering her powers and fleeing home, only to encounter Wolverine, after which she is taken to Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, where they meet Professor X and his team. Meanwhile, Magneto intends to transform human beings into mutants by utilizing a machine, testing it first on Senator Kelly. The film builds to a dramatic climax with a last battle involving Wolverine and Sabretooth at the top of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, whereby Wolverine tries to stop Magneto's scheme.

2) X2: X-Men United - 2003

An opening scene is shocking, as an attack by Nightcrawler against the White House is depicted. Shortly, the X-Men reluctantly join Magneto to prevent Colonel Stryker, who plans to use Professor X's powers to kill all mutants. Along the way, Wolverine confronts painful memories of the Weapon X program. The film ends in tragedy as Jean Grey sacrifices herself to save the team from a flood.

3) X-Men: The Last Stand - 2006

A so-called "cure" for mutation is developed, dividing the mutant world. Magneto, outraged, declares war. In the meantime, Jean Grey resurrects as Phoenix but has become utterly insane. She kills Cyclops and later, in a devastating scene, Professor X. The final battle on Alcatraz Island explodes, which culminates in Wolverine being compelled to eliminate Jean to prevent the complete destruction of the world.

4) X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 2009

This film gives an account of Logan's (Wolverine) tragic past. It depicts how he fought alongside his brother Victor Creed frequently in his early years, how he is recruited to Team X, and how he acquires his indestructible adamantium claws. Logan loses memory during a confrontation, as he is shot in the head with adamantium bullets, thus setting the stage for Wolverine's journey in the future X-Men films.

5) X-Men: First Class - 2011

This film is a prequel that explores the origin of the X-Men, focusing on the formative friendship between Young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, which blooms as they attempt to prevent the nuclear war over the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, eventually experiencing the meanness of the human world, Erik begins to transform into Magneto, who begins to believe that mutants have to fight back. In the meantime, Charles starts to build the school for gifted mutants. The film also introduces younger versions of Mystique and Beast.

6) The Wolverine: The Last Stand - 2013

Wolverine finds himself in Japan, where he reconnects with a man he had saved during World War II. There, he is drawn into the family feud, and his healing power temporarily goes away. There is also a highlight sequence when he combats scores of ninjas in the snow. He is haunted by visions of Jean Grey, indicating his inner torment that he has been carrying due to her death.

7) X-Men: Days of Future Past - 2014

Mutants are hunted by Sentinels, which are deadly machines, and this hunt will be conducted in the future. Wolverine is hurled into a time trip in 1973 to alter the past in order to prevent this foreseen future. He is forced to prevent Mystique from killing one of the scientists named Bolivar Trask, whose killing creates the Sentinel program. It appears to be one of the most successful scenes as by using his forces, Magneto moves the entire stadium and throws it down to the White House.

8) Deadpool - 2016

This film is absolutely different in tonality. It is goofy, quick, violent, and loaded with jokes that go against the fourth wall. Wade Wilson is an ex-mercenary who turns into Deadpool as a result of the experiment that leaves him with disfigurement but almost immortality. He takes a revenge quest to hunt down the man responsible for destroying his life. Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead, two X-Men characters, are also introduced in the movie.

9) X-Men: Apocalypse - 2016

There is an awakening of a powerful and old mutant, Apocalypse, who tries to create a new world by destroying the one that exists. He hires Magneto, Storm, Psylocke, and Angel as his Four Horsemen. In the meantime, new young mutants Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler enter the school. The highlight of this part is, for example, the scene when a whole crowd is saved from the clutches of menace by Quicksilver - shot in slow-motion, accompanied, a la James Bond.

10) Logan - 2017

This is the Wolverine finale. Mutants almost become obsolete. An aging and weary Logan leads a dulled existence, tending to a very sick Professor X. He comes across Laura, who is a young girl with claws that are identical to his, a genetic daughter of his. Logan, eventually, dies in a savage finale to preserve her and other mutant children. The last speeches and a quiet ending have a great emotional effect.

11) Deadpool 2 - 2018

Deadpool loses his beloved woman, which makes him want to defend a young mutant called Russell. He assembles the X-Force, and almost the entire team dies in humorous circumstances during their initial mission. Cable, a time-traveling soldier of the future, can also be found in the movie. A brief yet commendable scene between Wolverine (through ancient footage) and a guest appearance of the entire younger X-Men crew evading Deadpool exists.

12) X-Men: Dark Phoenix - 2019

X-Men go on a space rescue mission to save astronauts. But things take a turn when Jean Grey is struck by a different cosmic power. It empowers her, yet at the same time makes her frightening and unruly. As Jean struggles to control her new energy, her darker impulses begin to resurface and lead her to accidentally kill Mystique, which shatters the team. The film is focused on exploring Jean's internal struggle and the conflict in the relationships she shares with others.

13) X-Men: The New Mutants - 2020

This spin-off is an account of five young mutants who are locked up in a dimly lit hospital. It is a hard turn into the horror territory, making it different from the other films in the franchise. Each mutant has to live through all of their nightmares and discover who made their lives miserable. They are stuck in a spooky facility, where they believe that they are under training, yet there is something sinister going on. The film is essentially about confronting fears. The most striking moment is when Illyana Rasputin (Magik) fights the dreadful Demon Bear in her surreal dream dimension.

14) Deadpool And Wolverine - 2024

The multiverse gets broken by Deadpool, and Wolverine is back in a new and yellow comic-book-accurate suit. Together, they team up for the task to repair broken timelines, aided (and hindered) by the TVA (from Loki). This film is the first to combine the X-Men and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, creating a memorable blend full of action, humor, and touching moments.

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A couple of things to remember

Wolverine remains the connecting thread across the saga. He appears in nearly all the films, and the role he plays dominates the entire franchise. The franchise also splits into two timelines, with Days of Future Past initiating a turning point that resets parts of the universe. On the other hand, Deadpool films exist on the fringes with loose connections and a distinct tone, style, yet still very much a part of the world of the X-Men. In the end, no matter which version or timeline is followed, it all comes back to Logan. Whichever side you take in the movies, Logan is the emotional send-off.