By Marquee Editorial7 entries
The X-Men movie franchise follows genetically gifted mutants, including iconic figures like Professor Charles Xavier, Wolverine, and Magneto, as they navigate anti-mutant sentiment, form powerful teams, and battle formidable foes across various eras. The entries connect through recurring characters and evolving conflicts involving the survival and acceptance of mutants. For a first-time viewer, watching these films in chronological order allows the historical and character developments to unfold sequentially, starting from the early days of the characters' lives through to their modern and futuristic battles, though release order offers a different perspective on the storytelling evolution.

X-Men: First Class
Movie, 2011
Sets up the early history of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr as young men discovering their powers before they became Professor X and Magneto.

X-Men: Days of Future Past
Movie, 2014
Brings together the ultimate X-Men ensemble to fight across two time periods, connecting the younger selves with their future mission.

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X-Men
Movie, 2000
Introduces mutants Rogue and Wolverine arriving at a private academy whose resident X-Men must oppose a terrorist organization.

X2
Movie, 2003
Features Professor Xavier and his team facing anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker, forcing unexpected alliances.

X-Men: The Last Stand
Movie, 2006
Explores the conflict that arises among the X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants when a cure for mutations is discovered.

X-Men: Apocalypse
Movie, 2016
Depicts the re-emergence of the world's first mutant, Apocalypse, requiring the X-Men to unite against an extinction level plan.

Dark Phoenix
Movie, 2019
Showcases the X-Men facing Jean Grey as she spirals out of control after being struck by a mysterious cosmic force.
| # | Title | Type | Year | Rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | X-Men: First Class | Movie | 2011 | ★ 7.3 | Not yet |
| 2 | X-Men: Days of Future Past | Movie | 2014 | ★ 7.5 | Not yet |
| 3 | X-Men | Movie | 2000 | ★ 7.0 | Not yet |
| 4 | X2 | Movie | 2003 | ★ 7.0 | Not yet |
| 5 | X-Men: The Last Stand | Movie | 2006 | ★ 6.4 | Not yet |
| 6 | X-Men: Apocalypse | Movie | 2016 | ★ 6.5 | Not yet |
| 7 | Dark Phoenix | Movie | 2019 | ★ 6.0 | Not yet |
Average audience ratings, in watch order.
You can start with X-Men: First Class, which explores the early lives and powers of Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr before they became Professor X and Magneto.
Release order is not strictly required. Watching in chronological order places the historical prequel and time-travel elements earlier in the viewing sequence to follow the timeline differently.
The provided entry facts do not state whether any specific films can be skipped, so watching all listed entries is recommended to experience every described plot and character evolution.
Watch in this order: 1. X-Men: First Class, 2. X-Men: Days of Future Past, 3. X-Men, 4. X2, 5. X-Men: The Last Stand, 6. X-Men: Apocalypse, 7. Dark Phoenix.
This guide lists 7 entries, released between 2000 and 2019.
X-Men: Days of Future Past has the highest average rating in this guide, at 7.5 out of 10.