The Definitive X-Men Movie Order: Two Timelines And The MCU's New Dawn
Trying to watch the X-Men movies in order is an exercise in mutant-level complexity, thanks to time travel, retcons, and the eventual merger with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As of December 2025, the Fox-era X-Men franchise spans 13 feature films, split across two major timelines (The Original and The Soft Reboot) and a series of spin-offs that often defy simple categorization. This guide cuts through the confusion, providing both the simple release order and the mind-bending chronological viewing path, ensuring you're ready for the franchise's next chapter.
The entire saga, which began in 2000, has been significantly complicated by the events of X-Men: Days of Future Past, a film that essentially hit a massive reset button on the continuity. Furthermore, with the highly anticipated introduction of the X-Men into the MCU, understanding the original timeline is crucial context for what's coming next. Let's dive into the definitive lists for every X-Men film, including the *Deadpool* and *Wolverine* solo adventures.
The Complete X-Men Filmography: Release Order (The Simple Way)
If you prefer to experience the saga as fans did over two decades, the release order is the simplest way to watch. This list is straightforward and avoids the chronological headaches of time travel, making it the best path for a first-time viewer.
- 1. X-Men (2000): The film that started it all, introducing the core team of Professor X and Magneto's rivalry.
- 2. X2: X-Men United (2003): Often considered one of the best sequels in the superhero genre.
- 3. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): The conclusion to the original trilogy.
- 4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009): Hugh Jackman's first solo outing, detailing Wolverine's past.
- 5. X-Men: First Class (2011): A prequel that begins the 'soft reboot' timeline.
- 6. The Wolverine (2013): A standalone adventure set after *The Last Stand*.
- 7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014): The timeline-shattering event that merges the old and new casts.
- 8. Deadpool (2016): The first R-rated spin-off, largely separate from the main X-Men events.
- 9. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016): Continues the 'First Class' timeline in the 1980s.
- 10. Logan (2017): A dark, future-set end for Wolverine, confirmed to be in its own timeline.
- 11. Deadpool 2 (2018): Further R-rated chaos, featuring Cable and a new team.
- 12. Dark Phoenix (2019): A second attempt at the famous 'Phoenix Saga,' concluding the main 'First Class' timeline.
- 13. The New Mutants (2020): A horror-focused spin-off, its place in the timeline is ambiguous but generally considered a standalone.
The Chronological X-Men Timeline: Two Conflicting Universes
Watching the films in chronological order is far more complicated due to the events of *Days of Future Past*. This film acts as a soft reboot, creating a new, altered timeline. To watch the story unfold in the order it happens within the fictional universe, you must follow two distinct paths: the Original Timeline (the one that gets erased) and the Altered Timeline (the one that continues the story).
Timeline 1: The Original/Erased Continuity
This timeline is the one established by the first three films and is largely undone by the time travel in *Days of Future Past*. It details a darker future for mutants.
- 1. X-Men: First Class (1962): The true beginning, showing the initial partnership and split between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto).
- 2. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1845–1979): While having scenes set in the 1800s, the main events are a prequel to *X-Men*. Its continuity is highly problematic and often ignored, but chronologically it fits here.
- 3. X-Men (2000): The first film, setting up the adult team.
- 4. X2: X-Men United (2003): The team faces William Stryker.
- 5. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): The 'cure' is introduced, and Jean Grey becomes Dark Phoenix.
- 6. The Wolverine (Post-2006): Set after *The Last Stand*, Logan travels to Japan.
- 7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (Future Segments - 2023): The dark, Sentinel-controlled future that motivates Wolverine's time jump.
Timeline 2: The Altered/Continuing Continuity
This path is created when Wolverine successfully changes the past in *Days of Future Past*. It features the younger cast (James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender) and leads to a more hopeful (though still tragic) ending for some characters.
- 1. X-Men: First Class (1962): The events of this film remain canon.
- 2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (Past Segments - 1973): Wolverine's consciousness is sent back to prevent the Sentinel program. This is the pivotal point.
- 3. X-Men: Apocalypse (1983): The team faces the world's first mutant, Apocalypse.
- 4. Dark Phoenix (1992): The final main film in this timeline, dealing with the fallout of Jean Grey's immense power.
- 5. Deadpool (2016): Set in a post-*Days of Future Past* world, confirmed by a cameo.
- 6. Deadpool 2 (2018): Continues the Merc with a Mouth's adventures.
- 7. The New Mutants (Ambiguous): This film is generally considered standalone but could fit here.
- 8. X-Men: Days of Future Past (Final Scene - 2023): The 'happy ending' scene where the original team is alive and well, confirming the success of the timeline alteration.
The Standalone and Definitive Endings
Two films exist outside of these main timelines, functioning as their own separate, emotional conclusions to the characters they feature.
- Logan (2029): Director James Mangold confirmed this film exists in its own separate, dark future, offering a definitive and poignant end for Wolverine and Professor X. It is disconnected from the main Altered Timeline.
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): The upcoming film is expected to be a multiversal adventure, directly connecting the Fox X-Men universe to the MCU via the Time Variance Authority (TVA). This movie serves as a bridge, making it a critical viewing point before the MCU reboot.
The Future: X-Men's Integration into the MCU (Latest Update)
The biggest and most exciting update for X-Men fans is the franchise's official integration into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney brought the mutant characters under the Marvel Studios banner, and the new era is officially beginning.
While the animated series *X-Men '97* has already made a massive impact, the live-action film reboot is the next major milestone. As of the latest reports, Marvel Studios is reportedly targeting a release date for the new, mainline MCU X-Men film on May 5, 2028. This highly anticipated blockbuster will introduce a completely new cast and version of the team, separate from the Fox continuity, into the established MCU timeline. This means a fresh start, allowing for new interpretations of iconic characters like Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, and Storm, and finally placing them alongside the Avengers.
The upcoming *Deadpool & Wolverine* film is the key transitional piece. It is expected to use the concept of the Multiverse to explain how characters from the Fox universe can interact with the MCU, potentially setting the stage for the new mutant era to fully kick off. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement from Marvel Studios regarding the new team's roster, director, and the confirmed release date for the 2028 film. The era of the X-Men in the MCU is no longer a rumor; it is officially on the horizon.
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