X2 | Rotten Tomatoes

X2

PG-13

Released May 2, 2003

2h 14m

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

TRAILER

for X2: Trailer 1

List

X2: Trailer 1

1:40

View more videos

85%

Tomatometer

249 Reviews

85%

Audience Score

250,000+ Ratings

Stryker (Brian Cox), a villianous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of the X-Men. This threat re-ignites the call for a mutant registration act. Stryker starts a full-out assault on Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) mansion and school. After escaping his plastic cell, Magneto (Ian McKellen) proposes a partnership with Xavier and the X-Men to combat this new formidable enemy they both have in common.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Hulu

Watch X2 with a subscription on Disney+, Hulu, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

Critics Consensus

Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.

Read Critics Reviews

Alonso Duralde

The Advocate

X2 is pretty much all that you’d ever want out of a comic book movie -- it’s smart, it’s breathlessly paced, the characters have at least 2 1/2 dimensions, and the action sequences are jaw-droppers, even on the small screen.

Apr 5, 2022

Full Review

Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

The truth is, the film is never again as good as its brilliant opening sequence.

Jan 10, 2018

Full Review

Barbara Ellen

Times (UK)

X-Men 2 remains a decent enough sci-fi effort, which delivers on most of the levels fans could expect. Too bad it's hampered by a plot that wouldn't get green-lit for an average episode of Buffy.

Jan 3, 2018

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

At 135 minutes it never feels long, thanks to a driving pace, rapid crosscutting between parallel stories, and spectacular action scenes that never forget about the characters at the center.

May 4, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Inspiring hope for equality and further suggesting that governments are at the mercy of the populace, the franchise actionizes these themes to gratify both the mind and senses as few comic book movies have ever done to this point.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 15, 2023

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

It does more than any other live action superhero film to convey the sheer wonder of superpowers.

Jul 23, 2021

Full Review

Read all reviews

Marcus M

While it's better than the first, I still think that they're on the same level. X2 has a lot of great characters, and the previous movies themes and tones blend almost perfectly into this one. The only thing holding this back from being better is that it's, again, dated, and that the emotional payoff at the end, while good, I think could've been better.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/24

Full Review

Jason D

X2 Os far better than the first one it has more action and a better story what a blast from it action packed opening to the action packed third act what a blast The road to Deadpool & wolverine

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

Jay H

I like this more than the original, but it never quite reaches the heights it strives for.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

Alysha S

As has been written, the film is better than its predecessor. The script is tight, the acting is incredible, and the action would be remarkable except for special effects that could have been better. That's because the film was released 10 years after "Jurassic Park." Most importantly, philosophy underlying the story is compelling and worth talking about. The film seems to have also left a lasting impression 21 years later, as many shots are remembered.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/14/24

Full Review

Ariel V

Another sequel better than the first.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/02/24

Full Review

Hargie M

While the first installment laid the groundwork with its fresh take on the mutant saga, the sequel feels like it's trying to cram too much onto the plate, resulting in a slightly overstuffed narrative.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Bryan Singer

Director

Patrick Stewart

Professor Charles Xavier

Hugh Jackman

Logan

Ian McKellen

Erik Lehnsherr

Halle Berry

Ororo Munroe

Famke Janssen

Jean Grey

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

82%

83%

X-Men

TRAILER

for X-Men

57%

61%

X-Men: The Last Stand

TRAILER

for X-Men: The Last Stand

38%

58%

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

TRAILER

for X-Men Origins: Wolverine

74%

60%

Superman Returns

TRAILER

for Superman Returns

67%

69%

The Incredible Hulk

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

The Best Superhero Movie of Each Year Since 1998

Your Epic Movie Franchise Binge Guide: The Best Way to Watch the Biggest Series

What to Watch with Flack Star Anna Paquin

X2: Trailer 1

1:40

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Stryker (Brian Cox), a villianous former Army commander, holds the key to Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the future of the X-Men. This threat re-ignites the call for a mutant registration act. Stryker starts a full-out assault on Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) mansion and school. After escaping his plastic cell, Magneto (Ian McKellen) proposes a partnership with Xavier and the X-Men to combat this new formidable enemy they both have in common.

Director: Bryan Singer
Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter
Screenwriter: Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty, David Hayter, Bryan Singer, Zak Penn
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Marvel Films
Rating: PG-13 (Sci-Fi Action|Brief Language|Sci-Fi Violence|Some Sexuality)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $214.9M
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

Most Popular at Home Now