X-Men Movies: Story Timeline

2000 - 202413 Films26h 29m4 Average

This story timeline attempts to present the X-Men saga in chronological order, though viewers should be prepared for significant continuity issues and timeline contradictions. Days of Future Past creates alternate timelines, while various prequels and sequels don't always align perfectly with established continuity.

This watch order provides the most comprehensive narrative experience despite its complexities, beginning with Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr's first meeting in the 1960s and following the mutant struggle through to Logan's final story in 2029. The timeline requires accepting some inconsistencies due to the franchise's time travel elements and evolving continuity. Note that The New Mutants is excluded from this order due to its minimal connection to the main storyline.

There are 3 other watch orders available – see the links up above.

1
X-Men: First Class poster

X-Men: First Class

20112h 12m4.3
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Kevin Bacon

A prequel exploring the origins of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, two young mutants who start as close friends before becoming the iconic adversaries Professor X and Magneto. Together with other mutants, they must unite to face a global threat that will ultimately drive them apart.

ActionScience FictionAdventure
2
X-Men: Days of Future Past poster

X-Men: Days of Future Past

20142h 12m4.5
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen

The X-Men must send one of their own back in time to change a pivotal moment in history in order to prevent a catastrophic future where mutants face extinction.

ActionAdventureScience Fiction
3
X-Men Origins: Wolverine poster

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

20091h 47m3.4
Director: Gavin Hood
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins, Kevin Durand

Logan undergoes the experimental Weapon X program to become the indestructible Wolverine while seeking revenge for his girlfriend's death.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
4
X-Men: Apocalypse poster

X-Men: Apocalypse

20162h 24m3.6
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac

When the ancient and powerful mutant Apocalypse awakens after thousands of years, the X-Men must band together to stop his plan to destroy and remake the world.

ActionAdventureScience FictionFantasy
5
Dark Phoenix poster

Dark Phoenix

20191h 54m3.2
Director: Simon Kinberg
Cast: Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Michael Fassbender

When Jean Grey is exposed to a mysterious cosmic force during a space rescue mission, she becomes incredibly powerful but dangerously unstable. The X-Men must unite to save their teammate while facing an alien threat that seeks to exploit Jean's newfound abilities.

Science FictionActionAdventure
6
X-Men poster

X-Men

20001h 44m4
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden

When two mutants arrive at a school for gifted youngsters, they become involved with the X-Men, a team of superhero mutants who must stop a terrorist organization led by the villainous Magneto.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
7
X2 poster

X2

20032h 13m4.1
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Brian Cox, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen

Professor Xavier and his X-Men must join forces with their usual enemies Magneto and Mystique to stop Colonel Stryker's dangerous anti-mutant campaign. The team faces their greatest challenge yet as rising tensions between humans and mutants reach a breaking point.

AdventureActionScience Fiction
8
X-Men: The Last Stand poster

X-Men: The Last Stand

20061h 44m3.6
Director: Brett Ratner
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry

When a cure for mutations is discovered, the X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict that will determine the future of mutant-kind.

AdventureActionScience FictionThriller
9
The Wolverine poster

The Wolverine

20132h 6m3.5
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Famke Janssen

Wolverine travels to modern-day Japan where he faces his ultimate nemesis and confronts tests that challenge his physical, emotional, and mortal limits.

ActionScience FictionAdventure
10
Deadpool poster

Deadpool

20161h 48m4.5
Director: Tim Miller
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano

Former Special Forces operative Wade Wilson becomes the wisecracking, fourth-wall-breaking antihero Deadpool after a rogue experiment gives him accelerated healing powers. Armed with his newfound abilities and twisted sense of humor, he seeks revenge against those who nearly destroyed his life.

ActionAdventureComedy
11
Deadpool 2 poster

Deadpool 2

20182h4.4
Director: David Leitch
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz

Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool must protect a young mutant from the time-traveling soldier Cable while assembling his own team of unlikely heroes.

ActionComedyAdventure
12
Deadpool & Wolverine poster

Deadpool & Wolverine

20242h 8m4.5
Director: Shawn Levy
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Dafne Keen

A retired Wade Wilson must reluctantly return as Deadpool and team up with an unwilling Wolverine to save his homeworld from an existential threat.

ActionComedyScience Fiction
13
Logan poster

Logan

20172h 17m4.7
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, Patrick Stewart, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Boyd Holbrook

In the near future, an aging Logan cares for Professor X while trying to stay hidden, but their quiet existence is disrupted when a young mutant seeks their help while being hunted by dangerous forces.

ActionDramaScience Fiction