Ranking All The X-Men Movies

The X-Men franchise stands as a towering force in the realm of superhero cinema, carving a space for mutants and extraordinary abilities on the silver screen. From the grandeur of ensemble casts to the poignancy of character-driven narratives, the X-Men movies have left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. As we embark on a journey to rank these cinematic marvels, let’s delve into the box office performance, cast performance, and the critical and audience reception that has propelled these films into the hearts of fans and critics alike.

13. “Dark Phoenix” (2019)

Box Office Performance: While “Dark Phoenix” generated over $252 million globally, it struggled to match the commercial success of its predecessors, marking it as the lowest-grossing film in the franchise.

Cast Performance: The talented ensemble struggled to uplift a narrative that received mixed reviews, with the performances not reaching the heights of its predecessors.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “Dark Phoenix” received mixed to negative reviews, with critics and audiences citing pacing issues and a lackluster conclusion. Consequently, it stands at the bottom of our ranking.

12. “X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016)

Box Office Performance: Earning approximately $543 million worldwide, “X-Men: Apocalypse” garnered a moderate commercial reception, falling below the marks set by its predecessors.

Cast Performance: Despite a stellar cast, the film received mixed reviews on character development and performances, with some characters feeling underutilized.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: While the film fared relatively better with audiences, it received mixed reviews from critics, resulting in a middling position in the X-Men cinematic lineup.

11. “The Wolverine” (2013)

Box Office Performance: Earning around $414 million globally, “The Wolverine” maintained a fair commercial presence, showcasing a moderate performance at the box office.

Cast Performance: Hugh Jackman’s performance as Wolverine received praise, with the film highlighting the character’s depth, despite some mixed reactions to other characters.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: Receiving moderate reviews, “The Wolverine” found itself in a middling position, acknowledged for its focus on the character of Wolverine but faced criticism for its narrative clarity and pacing.

10. “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006)

Box Office Performance: Garnering over $459 million worldwide, “X-Men: The Last Stand” showcased a solid commercial presence, maintaining a strong box office performance.

Cast Performance: The film’s ensemble cast delivered commendable performances despite mixed critical reactions, particularly Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men: The Last Stand” split opinions among critics and audiences, with its narrative decisions and character arcs being points of contention, solidifying its place in the middle tier of the franchise.

9. “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009)

Box Office Performance: Earning around $373 million globally, “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” maintained a moderate commercial presence, generating a decent box office reception.

Cast Performance: While Hugh Jackman’s performance as Wolverine garnered praise, the film faced criticism for its portrayal of pivotal characters such as Deadpool.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” received mixed to negative reviews, with its narrative choices and character portrayal facing notable criticism, positioning it in the lower tier of X-Men films.

8. “X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)

Box Office Performance: Generating over $747 million worldwide, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” marked a significant commercial success, elevating the franchise’s box office presence.

Cast Performance: The ensemble cast delivered compelling performances, with particular praise directed towards the dynamic performances of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men: Days of Future Past” received widespread acclaim, praised for its time-travel narrative, emotional depth, and stellar performances, securing its position toward the top end of the X-Men spectrum.

7. “X-Men” (2000)

Box Office Performance: “X-Men” made a significant impact, earning over $296 million globally, laying the foundations for the franchise’s future success.

Cast Performance: The film’s cast laid the groundwork for the portraying iconic characters, with Hugh Jackman’s debut as Wolverine and Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of Professor X earning particular praise.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men” received positive reviews, praised for revitalizing superhero cinema and setting the stage for a successful franchise, placing it among the top films in the franchise.

6. “X-Men: First Class” (2011)

Box Office Performance: Earning around $353 million worldwide, “X-Men: First Class” marked a successful resurgence, reigniting commercial and critical interest in the franchise.

Cast Performance: The film’s ensemble cast, particularly James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender’s portrayal of Professor X and Magneto, garnered widespread acclaim.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men: First Class” revitalized the franchise, receiving acclaim for its engaging narrative, compelling performances, and character development, securing a notable place among the top X-Men films.

5. “Deadpool 2” (2018)

Box Office Performance: Earning approximately $785 million globally, “Deadpool 2” proved to be a resounding commercial success, further solidifying the franchise’s box office prowess.

Cast Performance: Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool and the film’s ensemble cast delivered a charismatic and dynamic performance, catering to both comedy and action.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “Deadpool 2” received widespread acclaim, praised for its unapologetic humor, thrilling action, and the expansion of the Deadpool universe, securing a significant position in the top echelons of the franchise.

4. “Logan” (2017)

Box Office Performance: Earning over $619 million worldwide, “Logan” showcased a remarkable commercial reception, standing as a captivating and poignant superhero farewell.

Cast Performance: Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart’s poignant performances, along with the introduction of Dafne Keen as Laura, delivered a resounding impact, resonating with audiences and critics.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “Logan” received widespread acclaim, hailed for its emotional depth, brutal honesty, and the poignant conclusion to Wolverine’s journey, securing its place as one of the franchise’s most revered films.

3. “X2: X-Men United” (2003)

Box Office Performance: Garnering over $407 million worldwide, “X2: X-Men United” elevated the franchise’s commercial presence, solidifying its position as a monumental success.

Cast Performance: The ensemble cast’s compelling performances, particularly Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine and Alan Cumming’s memorable Nightcrawler, left an enduring impact.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X2: X-Men United” received widespread acclaim, praised for its thematic depth, thrilling action, and character development, establishing itself among the top echelons of the franchise.

2. “X-Men: Days of Future Past – The Rogue Cut” (2014)

Box Office Performance: Generating over $7.95 million globally, the extended release of “X-Men: Days of Future Past” presented an expanded narrative, contributing to a successful box office run amid its limited release.

Cast Performance: With the return of the ensemble cast and the expansion of character arcs, the film’s performances garnered widespread acclaim, showcasing the depth of characters and storytelling.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “X-Men: Days of Future Past – The Rogue Cut” received widespread acclaim for its expanded narrative, character depth, and impressive ensemble performances, standing as a widely respected addition to the X-Men franchise.

1. “Deadpool” (2016)

Box Office Performance: Earning over $782 million worldwide, “Deadpool” redefined the superhero genre, marking a resounding commercial and critical success and elevating the franchise in an unprecedented manner.

Cast Performance: Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of the titular character, supported by a skilled ensemble, delivered a performance that captivated audiences with its blend of action and irreverent comedy.

Ratings, Critic, and Audience Reception: “Deadpool” received widespread critical acclaim and fervent audience support, breaking new ground in the superhero genre, securing its position as the apex of the X-Men cinematic universe.

As we’ve revisited the incredible journey of mutants and superheroes, the X-Men franchise stands as a dynamic testament to the evolution of superhero cinema. From the thrilling action of “X2: X-Men United” to the poignant farewell of “Logan,” and the irreverent humor of “Deadpool,” the franchise has produced a diverse array of cinematic spectacles that have left an indelible impact on audiences and critics alike. As we rank these films based on box office success, cast performance, ratings, and critical and audience reception, we celebrate a legacy defined by courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the extraordinary.