X-Men Films: Your Guide to Watching in Chronological Order

Originating in comics, the X-Men films have gained a massive following, featuring iconic performances like Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Known for their complex timelines with prequels, retcons, and time travel, these movies offer multiple viewing experiences, each shaping how key moments unfold.

While watching in release order is straightforward, we've arranged the 14 films into a cohesive timeline. This approach lets you follow the X-Men saga from its earliest moments, tracing each character's arc from the beginning.

With mutants now part of the MCU, revisiting the X-Men legacy prepares you for what's next. We've also included the release order below for those who prefer it.

Here’s a mostly spoiler-free guide to watching the X-Men films chronologically!

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X-Men Films in Chronological Sequence

Which X-Men Film to Start With?

New to the X-Men franchise? Begin with First Class for a chronological journey through the timeline. Alternatively, to experience the films as audiences originally did, start with X-Men (2000), the series' debut.

X-Men Blu-Ray Collection

X-Men Films in Chronological Order

1. X-Men: First Class (2011)

X-Men: First Class launches a new chapter, rewinding to the earliest point in the franchise’s timeline. Starting in 1944 at Auschwitz, it jumps to 1962, chronicling young Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto as they form the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants.

Read our review of X-Men: First Class.

X-Men: First Class20th Century FoxJun 3, 2011

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

X-Men: Days of Future Past blends characters from the original and newer films, making its timeline placement tricky. Primarily set in 1973, with significant scenes in an alternate 2023, its narrative makes it a versatile fit here or near the timeline’s end, enriched by familiarity with the original cast.

Read our review of X-Men: Days of Future Past.

X-Men: Days of Future PastMarvel StudiosMay 23, 2014

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3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

This first X-Men spinoff begins in 1845 but centers on 1979, delving into the origins of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. It reveals the creation of his adamantium claws and introduces Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson/Deadpool, a key piece of Wolverine’s story.

Read our review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

X-Men Origins: WolverineMarvel StudiosApr 29, 2009PG-13

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4. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

X-Men: Apocalypse features Oscar Isaac as En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse, battling the rebooted X-Men team. Starting in 3600 BC, the story primarily unfolds in 1983.

Read our review of X-Men: Apocalypse.

X-Men: Apocalypse20th Century FoxMay 27, 2016

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5. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)

X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the final film with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, follows Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey as she transforms into Phoenix. Starting in 1975, the story is set mostly in 1992.

Read our review of X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Dark PhoenixMarvel EntertainmentJun 7, 2019

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6. X-Men (2000)

The transition from Dark Phoenix to X-Men isn’t seamless due to timeline shifts, but this first live-action X-Men film, set in the early 2000s, follows next. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen portray the older Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto, succeeding the younger versions played by James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender.

Read our review of X-Men.

X-Men20th Century FoxJul 14, 2000PG-13

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7. X2: X-Men United (2003)

Set shortly after the original, X2: X-Men United follows a brainwashed Nightcrawler’s attempt to assassinate the U.S. President. Major events at the film’s end pave the way for The Last Stand and hint at the Phoenix’s emergence in this trilogy.

Read our review of X2: X-Men United.

X2Donner/Schuler-Donner ProductionsMay 2, 2003PG-13

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

X-Men: The Last Stand, the first live-action film to explore the Phoenix saga, is the second in the series’ internal chronology. It showcases Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey as the formidable Phoenix, confronting the X-Men in the original trilogy’s finale.

Read our review of X-Men: The Last Stand.

X-Men: The Last StandDonner/Schuler-Donner ProductionsMay 26, 2006

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9. The Wolverine (2013)

The Wolverine follows X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men: The Last Stand, addressing the aftermath of those events. Set shortly after The Last Stand, it introduces Yukio, who later appears in Deadpool 2.

Read our review of The Wolverine.

The WolverineSeed Prods.Jul 26, 2013

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10. Deadpool (2016)

After debuting in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson/Deadpool stars in his 2016 solo film. Largely separate from the main X-Men series but set in the same universe, it’s likely set around 2016. A standout Ryan Reynolds film, it can be watched out of order.

Read our review of Deadpool.

DeadpoolDonner/Schuler-Donner ProductionsFeb 12, 2016R

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11. Deadpool 2 (2018)

Like its predecessor, Deadpool 2 lacks a precise timeline but includes younger X-Men and references Logan, suggesting a late 2020s setting. Its standalone nature and fourth-wall-breaking humor make it flexible within the timeline.

Read our review of Deadpool 2.

Deadpool 2Marvel EntertainmentMay 18, 2018

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12. The New Mutants (2020)

The New Mutants, likely set in the late 2020s due to its ties to Logan (2029), offers a self-contained story, making it flexible for viewing around this point in the timeline.

Read our review of The New Mutants.

The New MutantsMarvel EntertainmentAug 28, 2020

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13. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

The 2024 crossover Deadpool & Wolverine, set in its release year, complicates the timeline with references spanning the X-Men and Marvel universes. It exists both within and apart from the main continuity, offering a unique viewing experience.

Read our review of Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & WolverineMarvel EntertainmentJul 26, 2024R