In honor of DARK PHOENIX turning four years old today, we’re ranking every X-MEN, WOLVERINE, and DEADPOOL movie (including THE NEW MUTANTS) from worst to best. This list does not include alternate editions such as THE ROGUE CUT or ONCE UPON A DEADPOOL. This will stand as our official ranking for 20th Century Studios’ 20-year mutant film slate.
13. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson was great, but they really dropped the ball with Weapon XI/ Deadpool – an absolute travesty. Hugh Jackman and Liev Schreiber easily carry the film as Logan and Victor Creed, respectively. The opening credits sequence with them fighting wars throughout history is a favorite. The cast here isn’t really the problem. I guess my biggest problems with the movie are with the screenplay and direction. There was a whole thing with the writer’s strike, but still…
12. The New Mutants (2020)
The New Mutants isn’t a bad movie, but it isn’t a movie I need to watch multiple times either. Standouts: Anya Taylor-Joy as Magik, Blu Hunt as Dani, and Maisie Williams as Rahne. This felt more like a streaming movie or a pilot episode for a series. The ending didn’t really leave me wanting to see another episode though. They pushed horror in the marketing, but nothing scary or creepy to actually be found here. A plus: The cast worked well together. Before the Disney buyout, producers were hoping to do re-shoots to add extra elements into the film (X-23, Mr Sinister, Warlock), and I think it needed it.
11. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Although it’s my least favorite mainline X-Men film, I will say ‘X-Men Apocalypse’ has an absolutely eXcellent sequence where En Sabah Nur controls the world nukes using Professor X and Cerebro. This movie just didn’t connect with me. It felt a bit generic with its plot, including the villain and his motives. No offense to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it felt the most MCU-like out of any other X-Men film. The third act battle sequences themselves are thrilling, but there are moments when it comes mixed with shoddy VFX and even visible artifacts from green screen. While I love seeing the young X-Men cast in their comic accurate costumes, these were false promises and never revisited again.
10. Dark Phoenix (2019)
‘Dark Phoenix’ doesn’t deserve all the harsh criticism, it’s has many elements of being a good film. Sure, the villainous D’Bari aren’t interesting and lack emotion – snore – but the X-Men finally go into space, and aliens and cosmic entities are part of the story – win! As a directorial debut, Simon Kinberg did fine. I appreciated the drama aspects, and focus on the X-Men being a family. Mystique’s death was shocking, but redundant in execution (Logan, anyone?). The third act (not directed by Kinberg) was a thrilling addition. No complaints about the VFX work here, everything looked great. My biggest gripe is that we only saw the Phoenix bird once, and only for a few seconds. Don’t tease things for the future, show them to us now!
9. The Wolverine (2013)
Hugh Jackman’s passion for telling a good Wolverine story is clear. Wolverine in Japan is a dream come true for longtime comic book fans of the character. Director James Mangold made a great, respectable film… until the third act. Whether it was studio mandated, or a personal choice, including robo-Silver Samurai was a big negative and ended things on a generic note. Just imagine if Logan had to fight a buffed up Samurai in full gear as his final boss? Highlights: Rila Fukushima as Yukio. The scenery. Everything before Silver Samurai.
8. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
This is a fun and action-packed movie. If there’s one thing director Brett Ratner brought to this film series, it’s his energy, with big, explosive action sequences. As an adaption of The Phoenix Saga, it’s terrible, but as another chapter in the X-Men story, it’s perfectly find. Killing off Cyclops and allowing Wolverine to essentially take his place is no bueno, but I was fine with Jean Grey vaporizing Professor X. The entire sequence taking place at her childhood home was pure perfection. Highlights: Storm’s increased role. The cure plotline. Everything Magneto. Third act epicness. Wolverine telling Jean “I love you,” will always make me cringe.
7. Deadpool (2016)
Ryan Reynolds changed the game for R-rated comic book films with ‘Deadpool,’ an absolute classic. Coming from a visual effects background, director Tim Miller deserves a lot of credit for making a blockbuster film that looked more expensive than its moderate $58 million budget. Highlights: Stefan Kapicic voicing a comic accurate Colossus. Every scene between Deadpool and Negasonic Teenage Warhead. Although I do have preference for the sequel…
6. X-Men (2000)
The competition is strong! ‘X-Men’ is a classic! I adore the first entry in this film series – I still remember my first time watching it in theaters with my Dad. Budgeted at just $75 million, director Bryan Singer was able to pull off the unimaginable at the time: A respected, serious, dramatic comic book film with action elements. I’ll never get tired watching this movie – it’s where my love for these characters really blossomed.
5. X-Men: First Class (2011)
‘X-Men: First Class’ has an undeniable change in energy from the original X-Men trilogy. Director Matthew Vaughn brings his English wit and style to this welcomed entry. James McAvoy as Charles Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr, respectively, are revelations; perfect castings for younger versions of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Negative: January Jones as Emma Frost – I think she just didn’t have enough time to fully grasp the character. Highlights: Kevin Bacon’s Sebastian Shaw was a deliciously evil villain. Never forget: Darwin.
4. Deadpool 2 (2018)
At its core, ‘Deadpool 2’ is a film about FAMILY – the best kind of F-word. Dom Toretto, you can step aside. It’s surprising how much emotion is packed into a Deadpool movie. With his perfect comedic timing, and hilarious adlibs, Ryan Reynolds proves time again why he’s a perfect match for the merc with a mouth. A number of memorable action scenes. Standouts: Zazie Beetz as Domino was very fun! Juggernaut vs Colossus was great! Everything involving X-Force and their unsuccesful first mission was great – even if it’s not the serious take on X-Force we know from the comics. Celine Dion! If I need a good laugh, DP2 is where it’s at! Hi, Yukio!
3. Logan (2017)
This film brought me to tears… If you’re a big fan of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, you were probably crying too. Director James Mangold (who deserved a Best Director Oscar nod) upped the gravitas and emotion, with a perfectly tragic finale to Logan’s story. Highlights: Dafne Keen is a revelation. Laura making an ‘X’ on Logan’s grave. Cons: Winchester Incident. Sometimes the best stories are the small, personal stories. This felt like a nice detour, an epilogue.
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
It was hard deciding between ‘Days of Future Past’ and ‘X2,’ but there was a definitive deciding factor. I always have the urge to fast forward to the scenes taking place in the future. It’s not to say the past scenes with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender are boring, but my interest instantly gravitates towards the original X-Men that started this series. The future Sentinels were more thrilling, the action scenes were better, and the set designs were visually interesting. I wanted to spend a lot more time there, than in the past. That said, this is one of the best X-Men films there is. Everyone here is on their A-game. DOFP as an engaging story, where you care about the characters and the the outcomes of their future. I would have loved to see a continuation of this movie with the original cast before the events of ‘Logan.’
1. X2: X-Men United (2003)
‘X2’ is the champion of X-Men films, and possibly all comic book films. It digs into what the X-Men are about, and how the government views the rise of mutants. A political thriller mixed with comic book adventure, with nicely choreographed action scenes – Nightcrawler’s opening! The mansion raid! The X-Jet sequence with Storm creating tornados to combat fighter jets! There’s a thrilling sense of adventure in the third act. At times it feels like you’re watching a classic Indiana Jones picture, with the X-Men running around Alkali underground facilities. The ending with Jean Grey is probably one of the best in cinema, filled with emotion and wonder for the future. Expertly directed by Bryan Singer, with a boasting score from John Ottman, who also edited the hell out of this. The runtime is healthy, with zero filler; I enjoyed the side adven’X2 is the champion of X-Men films, and possibly all comic book films. It digs into what the X-Men are about, and how the government views the rise of mutants. A political thriller mixed with comic book adventure, with nicely choreographed action scenes – Nightcrawler’s opening! The mansion raid! The X-Jet sequence with Storm creating tornados to combat fighter jets! There’s a thrilling sense of adventure in the third act. At times it feels like you’re watching a classic Indiana Jones picture, with the X-Men running around Alkali underground facilities. The ending with Jean Grey is probably one of the best in cinema, filled with emotion and wonder for the future. Expertly directed by Bryan Singer, with a boasting score from John Ottman, who also edited the hell out of this. The runtime is healthy, with zero filler; I enjoyed the side adven
I agree with this list!
New Mutants is at bottom of my list. Yep, even X-Men Origins was better.