Figuring out the X-Men movies in order can feel like navigating a maze of prequels, reboots, and timeline resets. The franchise spans more than two decades, thirteen mainline films, and a mix of release-order and chronological-order viewing paths. This guide breaks down both approaches clearly, so new fans and longtime followers can pick the path that suits them best.
The X-Men series began in 2000 under 20th Century Fox and ran through several distinct eras before Disney folded the mutants into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Along the way, the story picked up spinoffs, an origin trilogy, and a full timeline reboot triggered by time travel. Below, both major viewing orders are laid out, along with where the franchise stands heading into its next chapter.
X-Men Movies in Release Order
Watching in release order shows how the franchise actually evolved, including shifts in tone, cast, and storytelling style. For newcomers, this is generally the easiest and most recommended path.
X-Men (2000) The film that started it all. Professor Charles Xavier’s team, including Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm, faces off against Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants.
X2: X-Men United (2003) Widely regarded as one of the strongest entries in the franchise, this sequel raises the stakes with a government assault on Xavier’s school.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) The Dark Phoenix storyline gets its first film adaptation, alongside a mutant “cure” subplot that divides the team.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) A prequel focused on Wolverine’s backstory, including his history with Sabretooth and the Weapon X program.
X-Men: First Class (2011) Set in the 1960s, this prequel introduces younger versions of Professor X and Magneto, effectively rebooting the franchise’s tone and timeline.
The Wolverine (2013) Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, this installment follows Wolverine to Japan for a more personal, grounded story.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) A time-travel epic that merges the original cast with the First Class era, resetting several earlier storylines in the process.
Deadpool (2016) Ryan Reynolds’ foul-mouthed antihero gets his own R-rated spinoff, loosely connected to the mainline X-Men universe.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) The First Class-era team faces the franchise’s first mutant, En Sabah Nur, in a globe-spanning battle.
Logan (2017) A critically acclaimed, emotional send-off for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, set in a bleak near-future.
Deadpool 2 (2018) Deadpool returns with the time-traveling Cable and a new team of mutant misfits, X-Force.
Dark Phoenix (2019) A second attempt at the Dark Phoenix saga, this film closes out the First Class-era storyline.
The New Mutants (2020) A horror-tinged spinoff following a group of young mutants held in a secret facility, only loosely tied to the main timeline.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) The first X-Men-related film to officially exist within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the MCU alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool.
X-Men Movies in Chronological Order
For viewers who prefer to follow the story as it unfolds within the X-Men universe’s own timeline rather than by release date, this order works better:
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool (2016)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- The New Mutants (2020)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Chronological viewing highlights character arcs more clearly, especially for Professor X, Magneto, and Mystique, but it also means encountering the Days of Future Past timeline reset before seeing the original films it altered. That can be confusing for first-time viewers, which is why most guides still recommend release order for a first watch.
Where to Stream the X-Men Movies
Nearly the entire X-Men film library is available to stream on Disney+, following Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Deadpool & Wolverine is also available on the platform, having completed the franchise’s move under the Marvel Studios umbrella.
What’s Next for X-Men in the MCU
Marvel Studios is actively developing a new, standalone X-Men film that will introduce a fresh cast of mutants into the Marvel Cinematic Universe proper. Jake Schreier, who directed Thunderbolts*, is attached to helm the project, with Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo writing the script.
Casting has been rolling out gradually through 2026. Sadie Sink has been confirmed to play Jean Grey, a character already introduced into the MCU ahead of the new film. Samara Weaving has been cast as Emma Frost, the powerful telepath known for her diamond-form abilities. Kit Connor, best known for Heartstopper, has landed the role of Cyclops, becoming the fourth actor to play the character in a live-action Marvel project.
Additional casting rumors continue to circulate ahead of Disney’s D23 event, with names like Cooper Hoffman and Asa Germann reportedly tied to the Cyclops search before Connor’s casting was finalized. Reports also point to interest in actors for Professor X, Magneto, Beast, Rogue, and other core team members, though Marvel has not yet confirmed a full roster.
The new X-Men film is expected to arrive after Avengers: Secret Wars closes out the Multiverse Saga, with a release currently eyed for 2028. It is widely expected to help kick off the next major saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following in the footsteps of how Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars wrap up the current era. Some reporting suggests production could begin in the United Kingdom before the end of 2026, though Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed a filming start date.
Until then, fans looking to revisit the mutant saga have thirteen original films plus Deadpool & Wolverine to work through, whether they choose release order for the full experience of the franchise’s evolution or chronological order for a story-first approach.
Which order are you watching the X-Men movies in, and who are you most excited to see cast in Marvel’s new mutant reboot? Drop your picks in the comments and check back for the latest casting updates.