X-Men Film Series Overview
The X-Men film series includes 13 theatrically released live-action movies produced by 20th Century Fox and now distributed by Disney. The first film, X-Men, premiered in 2000, and the most recent, Dark Phoenix, was released in 2019. The combined worldwide box office for the mainline X-Men films exceeds 6 billion dollars. The series is based on the Marvel Comics superhero team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, has announced plans to integrate the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe starting with the film Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release in 2026. You can find the official Marvel Studios announcements on their website Marvel.com Movies.
For viewers, the core theatrical saga spans from X-Men (2000) to Dark Phoenix (2019). The series includes three main trilogies: the original X-Men trilogy, the prequel trilogy featuring young Wolverine, and the standalone Wolverine films. The television series Legion, set in the same universe, ran for three seasons from 2017 to 2019 on FX. The animated series X-Men '97, a direct continuation of the 1992 animated show, premiered on Disney+ in 2024. The show is produced by Marvel Studios and is available exclusively on the Disney+ streaming platform, which is operated by The Walt Disney Company.
Recommended Viewing Orders
The release order follows the sequence in which the films were originally shown in theaters. It starts with X-Men (2000) and ends with Dark Phoenix (2019). This order reflects the production timeline and the evolution of the visual effects and storytelling style over two decades. The release order is the simplest way to experience the franchise as it was originally presented to audiences. The chronological order within the fictional timeline begins with X-Men: First Class (1962), followed by X-Men: Days of Future Past, and then X-Men: Apocalypse, concluding with X-Men: Dark Phoenix. You can verify the official release dates and box office data on the box tracking site Box Office Mojo.
The Wolverine saga, consisting of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine, and Logan, can be integrated after the original trilogy. X-Men: First Class and its sequel, X-Men: Days of Future Past, serve as prequels that connect to the original trilogy. The character Deadpool, played by Ryan Reynolds, has a standalone film series that includes Deadpool and Deadpool 2, which are known for their R-rating and comedic tone. The Disney+ series The Gifted, set after the events of X-Men: Apocalypse, is another option for expanding the story. For a complete list of all Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, including the upcoming X-Men integration, visit the official Disney+ content page Disney+.
Key Characters and Timeline Connections
The core timeline features Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, also known as Professor X and Magneto, whose conflict drives the narrative. Hugh Jackman portrays Logan/Wolverine across multiple films, with his final appearance in Logan (2017). The character Deadpool, introduced in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, received his own franchise starting in 2016. The Phoenix Force is a central plot element in the original trilogy and the 2019 film Dark Phoenix. The television series Legion explores the mind of David Haller, the son of Charles Xavier, in a unique psychological thriller format.
Marvel Studios President Kevin