A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| X-Men | |
|---|---|
 Film series logo used from 2014 to 2020 | |
| Based on | |
| Produced by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox[a] |
Release date | 2000–2020 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | Total (13 films): $1.748 billion |
| Box office | Total (13 films): $6.083 billion |
X-Men is an American superhero film series based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. 20th Century Fox[a] obtained the film rights to the team and other related characters in 1994 for $2.6 million. After numerous drafts, Bryan Singer was hired to direct the first film, released in 2000, and its sequel, X2 (2003), while the third installment of the original trilogy, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), was directed by Brett Ratner.
After each film outgrossed its predecessor, a further ten films were released set in the same shared universe, with spin-offs including three Wolverine films (2009–2017), two Deadpool films (2016–2018), and two television series titled Legion (2017–2019) and The Gifted (2017–2019). The 2011 prequel X-Men: First Class acted as a soft reboot of the original franchise followed by its 2014 sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past establishing a new fictional timeline focusing on younger iterations of existing characters, continued into a full tetralogy by X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and Dark Phoenix (2019). The stand-alone New Mutants concluded the series in 2020 after a 20-year-long run.
The X-Men film series has been well received by several critics during its run, with X-Men: Days of Future Past and Logan being their most acclaimed films and with both being considered to be two of the greatest superhero films ever made. With thirteen films released, the X-Men film series is the tenth-highest-grossing film series, having grossed over $6 billion worldwide.
In March 2019, Marvel Studios regained the film rights to the X-Men, along with the Fantastic Four and Deadpool, after Disney acquired Fox for $71.3 billion; they are planned to be integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In October 2020, the films in the X-Men series, along with the Fantastic Four films, were rebranded as "Marvel Legacy films" on Disney+.[1] Patrick Stewart later reprised his role as an alternate Charles Xavier / Professor X in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022).[2] Kelsey Grammer reprised his role as an alternate Hank McCoy / Beast in The Marvels (2023).[3] Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), a sequel to the X-Men film Deadpool 2 (2018), will integrate the series' iterations of Wade Wilson / Deadpool and Wolverine into the continuity of the MCU, respectively reprised by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.[4] A new film featuring the team, which will reboot the franchise for the MCU, entered the early stages of development in September 2023.[5]
Films
| Films | U.S. release date | Director(s) | Screenwriter(s) | Story by | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Men original trilogy | |||||
| X-Men | July 14, 2000 | Bryan Singer | David Hayter | Tom DeSanto & Bryan Singer | Lauren Shuler Donner & Ralph Winter |
| X2 | May 2, 2003 | Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris & David Hayter | Zak Penn, David Hayter & Bryan Singer | ||
| X-Men: The Last Stand | May 26, 2006 | Brett Ratner | Simon Kinberg & Zak Penn | Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter & Avi Arad | |
| Wolverine trilogy | |||||
| X-Men Origins: Wolverine | May 1, 2009 | Gavin Hood | David Benioff & Skip Woods | Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman & John Palermo | |
| The Wolverine | July 26, 2013 | James Mangold | Mark Bomback & Scott Frank | Lauren Shuler Donner & Hutch Parker | |
| Logan | March 3, 2017 | Scott Frank, James Mangold & Michael Green | James Mangold | Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg & Hutch Parker | |
| X-Men prequel films | |||||
| X-Men: First Class | June 3, 2011 | Matthew Vaughn | Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn | Sheldon Turner & Bryan Singer | Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg & Gregory Goodman |
| X-Men: Days of Future Past | May 23, 2014 | Bryan Singer | Simon Kinberg | Jane Goldman, Simon Kinberg & Matthew Vaughn | Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg & Hutch Parker |
| X-Men: Apocalypse | May 27, 2016 | Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg, Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris | |||
| Dark Phoenix | June 7, 2019 | Simon Kinberg | Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg, Hutch Parker & Todd Hallowell | ||
| Deadpool films | |||||
| Deadpool | February 12, 2016 | Tim Miller | Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick | Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg & Ryan Reynolds | |
| Deadpool 2 | May 18, 2018 | David Leitch | Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick & Ryan Reynolds | ||
| Spin-off | |||||
| The New Mutants | August 28, 2020 | Josh Boone | Josh Boone & Knate Lee | Simon Kinberg, Karen Rosenfelt & Lauren Shuler Donner | |
X-Men original trilogy
X-Men (2000)
The film introduces Logan and Rogue into the conflict between Professor Xavier's X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by Magneto. Magneto intends to mutate world leaders at a United Nations summit with a machine he has built to bring about acceptance of mutantkind, but he was not aware that this forced mutation will result only in their deaths.
In 1994, 20th Century Fox and producer Lauren Shuler Donner bought the film rights to the X-Men.[6] Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write, and James Cameron expressed interest in producing.[7] Eventually, Bryan Singer signed on to direct in July 1996. Although he was not a comic book fan, Singer was fascinated by the analogies of prejudice and discrimination that X-Men offered.[6] John Logan, Joss Whedon, Ed Solomon, Christopher McQuarrie, and David Hayter wrote the script, with Hayter receiving sole credit.[6][8] Principal photography began in September 1999 in Toronto, Canada, and ended in March 2000.[9] The film was released on July 14, 2000.[10]
X2 (2003)
Colonel William Stryker brainwashes and questions the imprisoned Magneto about Professor Xavier's mutant-locating machine, Cerebro. Stryker attacks the X-Mansion and brainwashes Xavier into locating every mutant on the planet to kill them. The X-Men must team up with the Brotherhood to prevent Stryker's worldwide genocide.
Hayter and Zak Penn were hired to write their own scripts for the sequel, which Singer would pick, with an aim to release the film in December 2002.[11][12] Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris were hired to re-write the script in February 2002, writing around 26 drafts and 150 on set.[13] Principal photography began in June 2002 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in November 2002. The film was released on May 2, 2003.[11]
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
A pharmaceutical company has developed a "cure" that suppresses the mutant gene, provoking controversy in the mutant community. Magneto declares war on the humans and retrieves his own weapon: Phoenix, the resurrected former X-Men member Jean Grey. A final battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood ensues, and Wolverine must accept that to stop Grey, he will have to kill her.
Joss Whedon's Astonishing X-Men story "Gifted", featuring a mutant cure, was suggested for the primary story. Matthew Vaughn came on board as director in February 2005[14] but left due to the rushed production schedule.[15] Brett Ratner was later hired as director in June.[16] Principal photography began in August 2005 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in January 2006.[17] The film was released on May 26, 2006.[18]
Wolverine trilogy
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
A prequel and a spin-off focusing on the character Wolverine and his relationship with his half-brother Victor Creed, as well as his time with Stryker's Team X, before, and shortly after his skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal, adamantium.
David Benioff was hired to write the screenplay for the spin-off film Wolverine in October 2004.[19] Hugh Jackman became producer as well as star and worked with Benioff on the script.[20] There were negotiations with the studio for Ratner to take the helm of the film after directing X-Men: The Last Stand, but no agreement was made.[21] In July 2007, Gavin Hood was hired as director. Principal photography began in January 2008 in Queenstown, New Zealand, and ended in May.[22] The film was released on May 1, 2009.[23]
The Wolverine (2013)
Set after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the film features Wolverine heading to Japan for a reunion with a soldier named Ichiro Yashida whose life he saved years before. Wolverine must defend the man's granddaughter Mariko Yashida from all manner of ninja and Yakuza assassins.[24][25]
Christopher McQuarrie, who went uncredited for his work on X-Men, was hired to write the screenplay in August 2009.[26] Darren Aronofsky was chosen to direct the film but bowed out, stating the project would keep him out of the country for too long.[27] James Mangold was later hired to direct the film.[28] Mark Bomback was then hired to rewrite McQuarrie's script.[29] Principal photography began in August 2012 in Sydney, Australia, and ended in November.[30] The film was released on July 26, 2013.[31]
Logan (2017)
In 2029, Logan and Charles Xavier meet a young girl named Laura, a test-tube daughter of Wolverine, who is being hunted by the Reavers led by Donald Pierce.[32][33]
By November 2013, 20th Century Fox had begun negotiations for the treatment for a third Wolverine solo film with director James Mangold and Donner attached to produce.[34] Mangold said that it would be inspired by other Wolverine stories from the comic books and it would be made after X-Men: Apocalypse.[35][36] In March 2014, David James Kelly was hired to write the script. In April 2015, Michael Green was hired to work on the film's script.[37][38] Principal photography commenced in May 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and concluded in August 2016.[39] The film was released on March 3, 2017.
X-Men prequel films
X-Men: First Class (2011)
Set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film focuses on the origins of, and relationship between Charles Xavier / Professor X and Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto and their respective teams of mutants, the X-Men and the Brotherhood.[40]
Producer Lauren Shuler Donner first thought of a prequel based on the young X-Men during the production of X2, and later producer Kinberg suggested to 20th Century Fox an adaptation of the comic-book series X-Men: First Class.[41][42] Singer signed on to direct the film in December 2009; however, in March 2010 it was announced that Singer would only be producing.[43] Vaughn, who was previously attached to direct X-Men: The Last Stand, became the director and co-wrote the final script with his writing partner, Jane Goldman.[42] The film superseded a planned X-Men Origins: Magneto film, and the Writers Guild of America arbitration credited Magneto writer Sheldon Turner for the film's story.[44] Principal photography began in August 2010 in London, England, and ended in December. The film was released on June 3, 2011.[45]
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Set years after the events of The Wolverine, the film features the cast of the original X-Men trilogy and X-Men: First Class.[46] The story, inspired by Chris Claremont and John Byrne's The Uncanny X-Men comic book storyline "Days of Future Past", features Wolverine going back in time to 1973 to prevent an assassination that, if carried out, will lead to the creation of a new weapons system called the Sentinels that threatens the existence of mutants—and, potentially, all of humanity.[47]
Matthew Vaughn was attached to direct the film but left in October 2012 to focus on the film Kingsman: The Secret Service.[48] Singer, who directed the first two X-Men films and produced X-Men: First Class, became the director of the film.[49] The screenplay was written by Kinberg.[50] Principal photography began in April 2013 in Montreal, Canada, and ended in August.[51][52] Additional filming took place in Montreal in November 2013 and February 2014.[53][54] The film was released on May 23, 2014.[55]
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Set a decade after X-Men: Days of Future Past, En Sabah Nur, the first mutant, awakens after thousands of years. Disillusioned with the world as he finds it, he recruits a team of mutants to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. Raven, with the help of Professor X, must lead the X-Men to stop En Sabah Nur and save mankind from destruction.[56]
In December 2013, Singer announced the upcoming X-Men film, titled X-Men: Apocalypse, a sequel to X-Men: Days of Future Past. Directed by Singer from a script by Simon Kinberg, Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty, the film was said to focus on the origin of the mutants.[57][58] Kinberg said that it would take place in 1983 and complete a trilogy that began with X-Men: First Class.[59][60] Principal photography began in April 2015 in Montreal, Canada, and ended in August.[61][62] Additional filming took place in January 2016.[63] The film was released on May 27, 2016, in North America.[64]
Dark Phoenix (2019)
Set nine years after the events of X-Men: Apocalypse, the X-Men are superheroes going on increasingly risky missions. When a solar flare hits Jean Grey during a rescue mission in space, she loses control of her abilities and unleashes the Phoenix.[65]
The film was announced in February 2017, with Kinberg confirmed to write and direct in June of the same year.[66] Principal photography commenced in June 2017 in Montreal, Canada and ended in October of the same year.[67][68] Additional filming occurred in August and September 2018.[69][70][71] The film was released on June 7, 2019.[72]
Deadpool films
Deadpool (2016)
Mercenary and former Special Forces operative Wade Wilson is subjected to an experiment that leaves him with new abilities. He adopts the alter ego Deadpool to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life.[73]
In May 2000, Marvel Studios attempted to produce a Deadpool film as part of a distribution deal with Artisan Entertainment.[74] However, by 2004, Marvel was developing the film with New Line Cinema. David S. Goyer was set to write and direct and courted actor Ryan Reynolds for the lead role, but lost interest within months in favor of other projects.[75][76][77] 20th Century Fox acquired Deadpool the following year after New Line Cinema placed it in turnaround and was considering the spin-off in the development of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with Reynolds being cast for the role.[75] After the opening weekend success of X-Men Origins: Wolverine in May 2009, Fox lent Deadpool out to writers with Donner acting as a producer.[78] Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick were hired to write the script in January 2010.[79] Robert Rodriguez was sent a draft of the screenplay the following June but did not pursue it, and Adam Berg emerged as a top contender to direct.[80][81] In April 2011, visual effects specialist Tim Miller was hired to direct.[82] Principal photography began in March 2015 in Vancouver, Canada, and ended in May.[83][84] The film was released on February 12, 2016.[85]
Deadpool 2 (2018)
After a personal tragedy, Deadpool creates the X-Force to save a young mutant from the time-traveling soldier Cable.
In September 2015, Kinberg said that a sequel for Deadpool was in development.[86] By the release of Deadpool, 20th Century Fox greenlit the film, with Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick returning to write, and Miller being looked at to return as director, as he was working on the script at the time.[87] However, in October 2016, Miller left the film due to creative differences with Reynolds and was replaced by David Leitch in November as the director.[88] In February 2017, Drew Goddard had joined as a creative consultant to work on the script with Reynolds, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.[89] Filming commenced in June 2017 in Vancouver, Canada and concluded in October.[90] The film was released on May 18, 2018.[91]
The New Mutants (2020)
Five mutants are discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will. They will fight to escape their past sins to save themselves.[92]
In May 2015, Josh Boone was hired to direct and write a film adaptation of The New Mutants comic-book series. Acting as a spin-off to the X-Men films, it is co-written by Knate Gwaltney, Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber with Donner and Kinberg producing.[93][94] Filming commenced in July 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts.[95][96] The film was released on August 28, 2020, after facing several delays.[97]
Television
| Series | Season | Episodes | Originally aired | Showrunner | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | Network | |||||
| Legion | 1 | 8 | February 8, 2017 | March 29, 2017 | FX | Noah Hawley | |
| 2 | 11 | April 3, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | ||||
| 3 | 8 | June 24, 2019 | August 12, 2019 | ||||
| The Gifted | 1 | 13 | October 2, 2017 | January 15, 2018 | Fox | Matt Nix | |
| 2 | 16 | September 25, 2018 | February 26, 2019 | ||||
Legion (2017–2019)
After completing work on the first season of Fargo at FX in 2014, Noah Hawley was presented with the opportunity to develop the first live-action television series based on the X-Men comics, of which he was a fan when growing up.[98] Hawley was initially pitched two different ideas for the potential series,[99] including an adaptation of the comics' Hellfire Club, but the ideas did not interest Hawley. Instead, he worked with X-Men film series writer and producer Simon Kinberg to reverse-engineer an idea for the series, set in alternate continuity to that of the film series. After discussing an "interesting show in this genre ... that isn't being done", the two settled on the character of David Haller / Legion. Hawley found the character interesting because of his mental illness, and for the potential of the series to depict his unique mindset.[98] He pitched the series as "a deconstruction of a villain ... and a love story".[99]
In October 2015, FX ordered a pilot for Legion, with Marvel Television and FX Productions producing; FX Productions would handle the physical production. Hawley was set to write the pilot, and executive produce the series alongside X-Men film producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, and Kinberg, Marvel Television executives Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory, and Hawley's Fargo collaborator John Cameron.[100] Steve Blackman, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, and Karim Zreik also executive produce.[101] Hawley's initial script for the series was described as "less fractured", "cohesive much more regular." However, he quickly reconceived the series "and decided more Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Terrence Malick, more whimsy, more impressionistic and went in that direction."[99] By January 2016, FX President John Landgraf was confident that the series would be picked up by the network, saying that "the vast majority of things that we pilot do go forward to series" and "the scripts are extraordinary."[102] That May, FX ordered an eight-episode first season of Legion,[103] starring Dan Stevens as the title character, alongside Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Jeremie Harris, Amber Midthunder, Katie Aselton, Bill Irwin, Jemaine Clement, and Hamish Linklater,[103][104] with Navid Negahban and Lauren Tsai respectively joining the cast in the second and third seasons.[105][106]
In January 2016, Landgraf stated that the series would be set in a universe parallel to the X-Men films where "the US government is in the early days of being aware that something called mutants exist but the public is not". He felt it was unlikely that characters would cross over between the show and films, but noted that this could change between then and the premiere of the series.[102] In August, Singer confirmed that Legion had actually been designed to fit into the X-Men film series universe, but also to stand alone, so "you wouldn't have to label" the relationship between the series and the films. He teased plans to have the series "relate to future X-Men movies".[107] At New York Comic Con 2016, Donner said that the series is "far from the X-Men movies, but still "lives in that universe." The only way for X-Men to keep moving forward is to be original and to surprise. And this is a surprise. It is very, very different." Hawley explained that because the series is depicting the title character's "subjective reality", it would not have to address any connections to the films straight away, noting that Fargo, which is connected to the 1996 film of the same name, at first "had to stand on its own feet" before exploring its explicit continuity connections more; "We have to earn the right to be part of this universe. My hope is we create something so strong that the people in the movie studio call and say they would be foolish enough not to connect these things." He did state that "you can't tell this story without" acknowledging that Legion is the son of the same incarnation of Charles Xavier who appears in the films (portrayed by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy).[108]
Donner stated in January 2017 that having Hawley focus on Haller's perspective of reality rather than connections to the X-Men films allowed the series to avoid the convoluted continuity of the films, "because we play with so many different timelines, and we rebooted and not really rebooted and all that" throughout the films. Therefore, "the cinematic universe will not worry about Legion."[99] For the onscreen confirmation that Xavier is Haller's father in "Chapter 7", with Xavier's signature wheelchair shown in a brief flashback, the series' production was able to choose from any of the variant wheelchairs used throughout the film series. They settled on the version from X-Men: Apocalypse, with the prop used in that film being brought out of storage for the show.[109][110] In March 2017, Patrick Stewart was approached about reprising his role as Xavier from the film series in the series' third season, saying he was "Absolutely 100%" willing to reprise the role;[111] while having Stewart return as a present-day Xavier had been "seriously considered" by showrunner Noah Hawley, he elected the older character's presence to be unnecessary upon deciding to have the season revolve around time travel, and, after finding James McAvoy to be unavailable for filming, cast Harry Lloyd as a young Xavier.[112]
The Gifted (2017–2019)
In July 2016, after a series based on the Hellfire Club, an X-Men comic property, did not move forward at Fox, the network made a put pilot commitment for a different X-Men based series. The new pilot, written by Matt Nix, was for an action-adventure series based on ordinary parents discovering their children's mutant abilities. Fox Entertainment President David Madden said that "developing a Marvel property has been a top priority for the network—and we are so pleased with how Matt Nix has led us into this thrilling universe." The series is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Marvel Television, with 20th handling the physical production of the series, and Nix executive producing alongside X-Men film series producers Bryan Singer, Lauren Shuler Donner, and Simon Kinberg, and Marvel Television executives Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory.[113][114] Nix pitched the series to executives as "Running on Empty with mutants".[115] He created an elaborate presentation using Prezi which included photos of preferred actors that he had altered to look like mutants, and graphics to explain how the series would fit in with the continuity of the X-Men films.[116] On May 9, Fox ordered the show to series as The Gifted. The pilot had been called "one of the hottest pilots of the broadcast development season" by commentators.[117] The first season consists of 13 episodes.[118] In August, Len Wiseman joined as a director and executive producer for the season.[119] That October, Nix said that he had planned "a couple of seasons, in broad strokes", and stated that he wanted "to be doing this show for a long time." Noting a growing trend in shorter, self-contained television seasons, Nix said that he wanted the show to feel more like a traditional, long-running story and so have each season end in a satisfying way that does not feel "close-ended".[115]
On January 4, 2018, the series was renewed for a 16-episode second season.[120][121] Described as being designed for "limited runs", Fox had not been in a hurry to give the series an early renewal before then.[120] On April 17, 2019, it was announced that the series had been cancelled by Fox.[122] In February 2017, Jamie Chung was cast as a younger incarnation of Clarice Fong, an original Asian incarnation of the Marvel Comics character Blink previously introduced in the 2014 X-Men film X-Men: Days of Future Past, portrayed by Fan Bingbing.[123][124] Chung was then joined by Stephen Moyer, Sean Teale, Natalie Alyn Lind, Amy Acker, Percy Hynes White, Coby Bell, and Emma Dumont as Lorna Dane / Polaris, the daughter of the incarnation of Magneto portrayed by Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender.[125][126][127][128][129]
Timelineedit
The events of the films are separated into two "timelines"; the original timeline and the new timeline.[130][131] The setting of Logan was initially implied by Hugh Jackman to be set in an alternate timeline and not following the prequel films, before director James Mangold stated that it was related;[132][133] Marvel later officially classified the film as a separate universe from the film series in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z. Within the Marvel multiverse, the original timeline was officially designated as Earth-10005, the events of Deadpool 2 as Earth-41633, the events of Logan as Earth-17315, while the new timeline, consisting of the prequel films, Deadpool and The New Mutants remains undesignated.[134]
Recurring charactersedit
This section includes characters who have appeared in two or more installments in the series.
- An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film.
- C indicates a cameo role.
- E indicates an appearance not included in the theatrical cut.
- O indicates an older version of the character.
- Y indicates a younger version of the character.