X-Men: Film Series, Spin-Offs, Anime, and TV Shows
This is a brief list of all screen adaptations of Marvel Comics’ X-Men franchise. The adaptations include the main X-Men film series produced by 20th Century Fox, spin-offs such as the Wolverine and Deadpool trilogies, several animated series, two Japanese anime adaptations, and multiple live-action television shows.
Overview
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Main Film Series (2000–2019): Chronicles the struggles of mutants in a world that fears them, focusing on the core X-Men team.
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Wolverine Trilogy (2009–2017): Centers on the character Logan/Wolverine, delving into his past and personal battles.
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Deadpool Series (2016–present): A comedic, fourth-wall-breaking spin-off featuring the mercenary Deadpool.
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Spin-off Films: Explores other aspects of the mutant universe, such as The New Mutants.
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Animated Television Series: Includes several iterations, notably X-Men: The Animated Series, and its continuation X-Men ‘97.
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Japanese Anime Adaptations: Two anime series produced by Marvel, set in Japan.
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Live-Action Television Series: Expands the mutant narrative with new characters and themes.(Wikipedia)
Timeline of Releases
Main X-Men Films
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X-Men (2000) – Directed by Bryan Singer
Introduces the conflict between mutants and humans.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X2: X-Men United (2003) – Directed by Bryan Singer
Explores anti-mutant sentiment and Wolverine’s origin.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) – Directed by Brett Ratner
Focuses on a mutant “cure” and the Phoenix storyline.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: First Class (2011) – Directed by Matthew Vaughn
A prequel set in the 1960s, focusing on the early friendship between Xavier and Magneto.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) – Directed by Bryan Singer
Time-travel story that connects original and prequel casts.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) – Directed by Bryan Singer
Set in the 1980s, introduces younger versions of classic characters.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019) – Directed by Simon Kinberg
A retelling of the Phoenix saga, marking the final mainline Fox X-Men film.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Wolverine Trilogy
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) – Directed by Gavin Hood
Explores Wolverine’s backstory and Weapon X program.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
The Wolverine (2013) – Directed by James Mangold
Set in Japan, dealing with Logan’s mortality.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
Logan (2017) – Directed by James Mangold
Critically acclaimed finale portraying an aged Wolverine in a bleak future.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Deadpool Series
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Deadpool (2016) – Directed by Tim Miller
R-rated film that breaks the fourth wall and parodies superhero tropes.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
Deadpool 2 (2018) – Directed by David Leitch
Introduces X-Force and continues Deadpool’s antihero arc.
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**Deadpool & Wolverine – Directed by Shawn Levy Wikipedia | IMDb
Spin-off Films
- The New Mutants (2020) – Directed by Josh Boone
A horror-themed film featuring young mutants in a secret facility.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Animated Television Series
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Pryde of the X-Men (1989)
A pilot episode that never became a full series, featuring Kitty Pryde as the central viewpoint character.
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X-Men: The Animated Series (1992–1997)
A seminal animated series that introduced many to the X-Men universe.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003)
Reimagines the X-Men as teenagers dealing with high school life and mutant powers.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)
Focuses on Wolverine leading the X-Men after a catastrophic event.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
X-Men ‘97 (2024–present)
A revival of X-Men: The Animated Series, continuing the story with updated animation and storytelling.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Japanese Anime Adaptations
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Marvel Anime: Wolverine (2011)
A Japanese anime series focused on Wolverine’s journey to Japan to rescue his kidnapped lover.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011)
A Japanese anime adaptation that follows the X-Men as they travel to Japan to confront a new threat.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Live-Action Television Series
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Legion (2017–2019)
Centers on David Haller, a powerful mutant with multiple personalities.
Wikipedia | IMDb -
The Gifted (2017–2019)
Follows a family on the run after discovering their children have mutant abilities.
Wikipedia | IMDb
Chronological Timeline (In-Universe)
The X-Men features a complex timeline with alternate realities and time travel. Here is a simplified chronological order:
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1962: X-Men: First Class
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1973: X-Men: Days of Future Past (past scenes)
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1983: X-Men: Apocalypse
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Late 1980s: Pryde of the X-Men An alternate-universe take with a retro-futuristic setting; best placed just before the 1990s as a standalone interpretation.
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1992: X-Men: Dark Phoenix
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2000: X-Men
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2003: X2: X-Men United
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2006: X-Men: The Last Stand
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2011: Marvel Anime: Wolverine Set after Jean Grey’s death (referenced), loosely fitting post-_The Last Stand_ in a divergent timeline.
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2011: Marvel Anime: X-Men Set after the events of the Wolverine anime and also references Jean’s death, likely fitting just afterward in the same alternate continuity.
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2013: The Wolverine
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2023: Logan (alternate future)
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2029: X-Men: Days of Future Past (original dystopian timeline)
Note: Deadpool, Deadpool 2, and The New Mutants remain ambiguously placed due to their meta-narrative elements and unclear continuity. The anime and Pryde of the X-Men are considered alternate universe entries rather than canonical to the main Fox X-Men timeline.