The Best Adaptations Of The X-Men To Watch
Photo: Deadpool 2 / 20th Century Fox

The Best Adaptations Of The X-Men To Watch

Ranker Entertainment
Updated May 16, 2024 24 items
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Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite X-Men movie and TV show adaptations.
Latest additions: X-Men '97
Most divisive: X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Over 200 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of All the X-Men Shows (and Movies), Ranked

Of all the Marvel comic adaptations, the X-Men have been late bloomers to the screen. It wasn't until 1992 that the first X-Men animated series got past the pilot, but they've gained steam since then as this list of all the X-Men movies and TV shows prove.

X-Men movies and TV shows haven't always been dealt a fair hand, with some of their characters held back by exclusive licensing, or whatever it was that happened with Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The X-Men comics movies and shows have also run the range of genre and style over the years, from live-action to animated. They even range from the best comic book and superhero movies of all time, like Logan; to some of the worst, like X-Men: The Last Stand.

This list of all the X-Men movies and TV shows is just going to get longer as new X-Men movies are released. Of all the versions of the X-Men on screen, which are your favorites? Vote up the best X-Men shows and moves, from all the team's adaptations.

  • X-Men '97
    Photo: X-Men '97
    1
    13 votes
    A band of mutants are challenged like never before, forced to face a perilous and unexpected future.
  • X-Men: The Animated Series
    Photo: Fox
    Superhuman abilities help the X-Men protect the world against evil.
  • Logan
    Photo: Logan
    3
    110 votes
    In the gritty drama Logan, Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the weary, aging Wolverine. Set in a dystopian future, our protagonist is tasked with safeguarding Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant girl, from dark forces. Patrick Stewart returns as Charles Xavier, struggling with deteriorating health but still offering guidance to Logan. The film, directed by James Mangold, is a departure from traditional superhero narratives, delving into themes of mortality and legacy. It was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 90th Academy Awards - a first for a superhero movie.
  • In X-Men: Days of Future Past, it's a race against time as Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is sent into the past by Professor X (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen). His mission: To prevent an apocalyptic future dominated by Sentinels, robotic enforcers targeting mutants. Teaming up with a younger Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), they grapple with their past selves to alter the course of history. A sci-fi action thriller, this film won Saturn Awards for Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture and Best DVD/Blu-ray Special Edition Release in 2015.
  • X-Men
    Photo: X-Men
    5
    75 votes
    In the action-packed superhero film X-Men, humanity grapples with the emergence of mutants, individuals born with extraordinary abilities. Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), a powerful telepath, seeks peaceful coexistence between humans and mutants, establishing a school for gifted youngsters. His former friend, Erik Lehnsherr (Ian McKellen), now Magneto, harbors a more aggressive approach towards human-mutant relations. The movie follows Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Anna Paquin), two confused mutants drawn into this ideological conflict. Directed by Bryan Singer, X-Men sets the stage for an epic saga that explores themes of acceptance and identity.
  • X2
    Photo: X2
    6
    83 votes
    In the superhero sequel, X-Men 2, our band of mutants, led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), are back in action. They face a formidable foe in William Stryker (Brian Cox), a military man with a personal vendetta against their kind. As Stryker launches an attack on Xavier's school, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), and the rest of the team rally to protect their haven and uncover secrets from Logan's mysterious past. This action-packed film blends thrilling combat sequences and compelling character drama while exploring themes of discrimination and acceptance. The movie has been lauded for its impressive special effects and strong performances, particularly from Jackman and Ian McKellen as Magneto.
  • X-Men: First Class
    Photo: X-Men: First Class / 20th Century Fox
    X-Men: First Class, a vivid tapestry of action and drama, unspools the genesis of the X-Men saga. In this robust prequel, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), who are yet to become Professor X and Magneto respectively, join forces against the dire threat posed by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon). Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, it showcases their transformation from close friends into bitter adversaries. The film, interspersed with thrilling sequences and notable performances, won accolades for its narrative depth and visual effects. It's an intriguing exploration of loyalty, ideology, and origin, leading up to the birth of two conflicting factions in the mutant world.
  • Deadpool
    Photo: Deadpool
    8
    96 votes
    In the genre-bending action-comedy Deadpool, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative turned mercenary. After being subjected to rogue experimentation that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, he adopts the alter ego Deadpool. With his dark humor and penchant for breaking the fourth wall, Deadpool seeks revenge on the man who nearly destroyed his life. Morena Baccarin stars as Vanessa, Wade's love interest, while Ed Skrein plays Ajax, the villainous subject of Deadpool's wrath. This movie has won several awards including two Critics' Choice Awards and a Golden Trailer award. It's a wild ride through unexpected twists and turns, balancing intense action sequences with sharp wit.
  • Wolverine and the X-Men is an animated series that begins with an explosive event that disbands the famous superhero team. In the aftermath, Wolverine reunites the X-Men to prevent an apocalyptic future, taking on a reluctant leadership role in place of the missing Professor Xavier and Jean Grey. The series navigates themes of discrimination, unity, and destiny as the team battles against familiar foes and government forces who are aiming to control and eradicate mutantkind. The show is notable for its mature storytelling approach and complex character arcs, appealing to both younger audiences and long-time fans of the X-Men franchise.
  • 10
    76 votes
    In Deadpool 2, we once again meet the wisecracking, fourth-wall-breaking antihero Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds). This time, he's on a mission to protect a young mutant, Russell (Julian Dennison), from the time-travelling, cybernetically-enhanced soldier Cable (Josh Brolin). Along the journey, Deadpool forms his own offbeat supergroup, the X-Force. This action-packed sequel is filled with irreverent humour and explosive stunts. Directed by David Leitch, Deadpool 2 also stars Morena Baccarin as Vanessa, Deadpool's love interest, and Zazie Beetz as Domino, a lucky member of X-Force. The film cleverly balances its superhero satire with a surprisingly heartfelt story about family and redemption.
  • X-Men: Evolution
    Photo: X-Men: Evolution
    People discover mutant powers and must decide how to use them.
  • 12
    62 votes
    In the 2013 blockbuster, The Wolverine, we follow the journey of Logan (Hugh Jackman), an immortal and angst-ridden mutant. Trading the familiar landscapes of earlier X-Men films for Japan, a locale steeped in tradition and mystique, Logan grapples with his own mortality. The film boasts a fresh perspective on the superhero genre, blending action-packed sequences with elements of drama and romance. The central plot revolves around Logan's struggle to protect Mariko (Tao Okamoto), amidst Yakuza gangsters and political intrigue. With its blend of east-meets-west aesthetics and a compelling narrative, The Wolverine is a notable entry in the Marvel cinematic universe.
  • Legion
    Photo: Legion
    13
    56 votes
    Based on the Marvel comics, the series focuses on David Haller, a powerful mutant.
  • In the 2016 blockbuster, X-Men: Apocalypse, ancient mutant Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) awakens from a thousands-of-years slumber. Misinterpreting the world's state, he recruits a team of powerful mutants, including Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order. Professor X (James McAvoy), leading the young X-Men, must thwart this disastrous plan. A collision course is set for both sides in this action-packed superhero film that delves into themes of power, loyalty, and survival. This ninth instalment in the X-Men series showcases an ensemble cast grappling with their most formidable foe yet.
  • In X-Men: The Last Stand, the mutant community faces its most formidable challenge yet. The discovery of a cure for mutation sparks a battle that will define their destiny. Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his X-Men, including Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry), stand against their former ally Magneto (Ian McKellen), who sees this cure as a threat to mutant existence. A war ensues, with Jean Grey's (Famke Janssen) rebirth as the powerful Phoenix adding an unpredictable element. Directed by Brett Ratner, this action-packed superhero film is third in the X-Men series. It won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film 2007, reflecting its compelling mix of drama, action, and thought-provoking themes.
  • X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men
    Photo: Metaweb (FB) / Fair use
    X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men is an animated television pilot originally broadcast in 1989 on the Marvel Action Universe television block, featuring Marvel Comics’ mutant superheroes the X-Men. The pilot aired infrequently in syndication, and was later released on video. It later served as the basis for Konami's X-Men arcade game.
  • X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a gripping amalgamation of action, adventure, and science fiction genres. The film revolves around the character of Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who embarks on an intense journey to unearth his complex past filled with violence, loss, and mutation. Alongside him is Victor Creed/Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber), a fellow mutant with a shared history, but differing moral compass. The narrative unfolds their tumultuous relationship and the origins of Wolverine's adamantium skeleton and claws. Directed by Gavin Hood, this movie offers a riveting exploration into one of Marvel Comic's most iconic characters.
  • The Gifted
    Photo: The Gifted
    18
    46 votes
    In a world where mutants struggle for acceptance, The Gifted explores the intricate dynamics of family, loyalty, and survival. This drama series, which has garnered critical acclaim for its engaging storytelling, delves into the lives of the Strucker family as they navigate their newfound mutant abilities. With compelling performances from Stephen Moyer as Reed Strucker and Amy Acker as Caitlin Strucker, viewers are taken on an emotional journey filled with moral dilemmas and high-stakes action. As alliances are formed and tested, both humans and mutants must confront their own prejudices in order to protect those they love.
  • 19
    31 votes
    In The New Mutants, five young mutants, held in a secret facility against their will, discover their abilities while wrestling with past sins. Danielle Moonstar (Blu Hunt), Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy), and Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga) are the main characters. As they navigate this new world of mutant powers and secrets, they must confront their fears to escape. Directed by Josh Boone, this movie is a thrilling blend of superhero action and psychological horror, promising an unexpected twist on the classic X-Men saga.
  • X-Men (Anime)
    Photo: user uploaded image
    20
    35 votes

    X-Men (Anime)

  • 21
    32 votes
    In Dark Phoenix, Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) becomes the unwitting host of a cosmic force after a mission in space goes awry. As her powers surge out of control, she grapples with her new identity and the havoc it wreaks on her relationships. The X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), must confront their most formidable enemy yet - one of their own. This action-packed superhero film, part of the X-Men franchise, masterfully explores themes of power, identity, and friendship against a backdrop of interstellar conflict.
  • Wolverine
    Photo: Wolverine
    22
    33 votes
    Marvel's most-popular "X-Men" character goes to Japan.
  • Generation X
    Photo: flickr / CC0
    23
    27 votes
    Generation X is a made-for-TV film directed by Jack Sholder, which aired on FOX on February 20, 1996. It is based on the Marvel Comics comic-book series Generation X, a spin-off of the X-Men franchise. It was produced by New World Entertainment and Marvel Entertainment.
  • X-Men: Darktide
    Photo: user uploaded image
    24
    30 votes

    X-Men: Darktide