If you want to watch the X Men movies in order, there are two main ways: the chronological timeline of the X Men universe or the release order in which the films were released in theaters.
The X-Men franchise is one of the longest running superhero series, starting in 2000 and spanning multiple timelines, prequels, and alternate universes. Because of time travel and timeline resets, many fans find the order confusing.
This guide explains the complete list of X Men movies in order, including both chronological timeline order and release order.
Complete X Men Movies in Order – Table of Contents
- X-Men Movies in Chronological Order
- X-Men Movies in Release Order
- X-Men Movies Checklist (Printable)
- FAQ
X-Men Movies in Chronological Order
Chronological order follows the timeline of events inside the X-Men universe.
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (past timeline – 1973)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- Deadpool (2016)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Logan (2017)
- The New Mutants (2020)
Because of the timeline reset in Days of Future Past, some events technically occur in alternate timelines. However, this order still follows the most logical sequence of events in the X-Men universe.
X-Men Movies in Release Order
Release order is usually the best way to watch the X-Men series for the first time.
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
Watching in release order lets you experience the evolution of the characters and the franchise as audiences originally did.
X-Men Movies Checklist (Printable)
This checklist helps you track every X-Men movie while watching the series.
- X-Men (2000)
- X2: X-Men United (2003)
- X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
- X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
- X-Men: First Class (2011)
- The Wolverine (2013)
- X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
- Deadpool (2016)
- X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
- Logan (2017)
- Deadpool 2 (2018)
- Dark Phoenix (2019)
- The New Mutants (2020)
Download printable checklist (PDF):
Download X-Men Movies Checklist (PDF)
FAQ
What is the best order to watch the X-Men movies?
For most viewers, release order is the best way to watch the X-Men movies. It avoids timeline confusion and follows the story the way the filmmakers intended.
Do the Deadpool movies belong to the X-Men timeline?
Yes. Deadpool is technically part of the X-Men universe, although the films have a more comedic tone and often break the fourth wall.
Is Logan the final X-Men movie?
Logan (2017) serves as a powerful conclusion to Wolverine’s story. However, the broader X-Men universe continues with other characters and timelines.
Why Watching X Men Movies in Order Matters
The X-Men universe includes multiple timelines, character arcs and spin-offs that can easily confuse new viewers. Watching the X Men movies in order helps you understand how characters like Professor X, Magneto and Wolverine evolve across different decades of the story.
Whether you choose chronological order or release order, following a structured list ensures you experience the complete X-Men saga without missing important story connections between the films.
Final Thoughts
The X-Men franchise spans more than two decades of superhero films. Watching the X-Men movies in order makes it easier to understand the characters, timeline changes, and major story arcs across the series.
If you’re watching the franchise for the first time, start with the release order. If you want to explore the story timeline more deeply, the chronological order offers an interesting alternate viewing experience.
This guide provides the complete X Men movies in order so you can easily follow the entire timeline of the franchise.
For official information about the franchise you can also visit Marvel’s official X-Men page.