How to watch

The X-Men movies in the correct order

Your ultimate guide to watching all X-Men movies in both chronological timeline and release order 🧬🦸‍♂️

Last updated: September 2 2025

Written by: ChronoChris

From Wolverine’s tragic past to the battle between Charles Xavier and Magneto, the X-Men movies have shaped two decades of superhero cinema. But with prequels, sequels, and spin-offs that jump across timelines, figuring out the correct order can be tricky. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time fan, this guide helps you watch every X-Men movie in perfect order.

⏱️ Chronological Order

  1. X-Men: First Class (2011) — set in 1962IMDb
  2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) — past segments in 1973IMDb
  3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) — spans 1840s to late 1970sIMDb
  4. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) — set in 1983IMDb
  5. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) — set in 1992IMDb
  6. X-Men (2000) — set in the early 2000sIMDb
  7. X2: X-Men United (2003)IMDb
  8. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)IMDb
  9. The Wolverine (2013) — set after The Last StandIMDb
  10. Deadpool (2016)IMDb
  11. Deadpool 2 (2018)IMDb
  12. Logan (2017) — set in 2029IMDb
  13. The New Mutants (2020) — loosely connected, modern settingIMDb

📅 Release Order

  1. X-Men (2000)IMDb
  2. X2: X-Men United (2003)IMDb
  3. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)IMDb
  4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)IMDb
  5. X-Men: First Class (2011)IMDb
  6. The Wolverine (2013)IMDb
  7. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)IMDb
  8. Deadpool (2016)IMDb
  9. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)IMDb
  10. Logan (2017)IMDb
  11. Deadpool 2 (2018)IMDb
  12. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)IMDb
  13. The New Mutants (2020)IMDb

🤔 What Order Should You Watch?

If you’re a first-time viewer, release order is the best way to go. It mirrors how audiences experienced the saga over 20 years, starting with the original trilogy and then expanding into prequels and spin-offs. If you’re already familiar with the series, chronological order offers a fascinating rewatch that shows the mutant timeline unfolding from the 1960s origins to Logan’s heartfelt conclusion.

Why It Matters

The X-Men timeline can feel like a puzzle, with time travel, reboots, and alternate futures. Watching in release order highlights how the franchise grew alongside superhero cinema, while chronological order ties the mutant story into a more linear experience. Both approaches have their strengths: one preserves surprises, the other deepens context.

📚 Related Guides

  • Marvel Cinematic Universe Watch OrderGuide

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