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The Definitive X-Men Movie Timeline: How To Watch All 13 Films In Chronological Order (2025 Update)

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Trying to watch the X-Men movies in order is a famously difficult task. The Fox-produced superhero franchise, which spans over two decades and includes 13 films, is notorious for its convoluted and often contradictory continuity, largely due to the time-travel events of X-Men: Days of Future Past. As of , understanding the true chronological flow requires separating the films into two major, distinct timelines—the "Original Timeline" and the "Rebooted Timeline"—and then figuring out where the standalone films like Deadpool and Logan fit into the multiverse puzzle.

This comprehensive guide cuts through the confusion, presenting the only definitive chronological viewing order for the entire Fox X-Men Universe. We've organized the films based on the in-story year they take place, making it easy to follow the journey of characters like Wolverine, Professor X, and Magneto across a century of mutant history and multiple realities.

The Two X-Men Timelines Explained

The entire X-Men film universe is split into two major continuities by the events of X-Men: Days of Future Past. That film's time-travel mission effectively erases the events of the original trilogy and The Wolverine, creating a new, cleaner timeline. To watch the films chronologically, you must understand both paths.

Timeline A: The Original (Now Erased) Continuity

This timeline is the original path of events that begins with the first three X-Men films. It is largely considered non-canon after the events of Days of Future Past, but it is essential for understanding the franchise's origins and character arcs. The events of X-Men Origins: Wolverine are also generally considered to be part of this original continuity, even though it contains numerous continuity errors itself.

  • X-Men: First Class (1962): The true chronological starting point, detailing the formation of the X-Men by a young Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto).
  • X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1845–1979): Mostly set in the 1970s, this film follows Logan's life, his time with Team X, and his adamantium bonding.
  • X-Men (2000): The modern-day introduction of the X-Men team (Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, etc.) and Wolverine. Set in the early 2000s.
  • X2: X-Men United (2003): The team faces William Stryker and a brainwashed Nightcrawler.
  • X-Men: The Last Stand (2006): The first attempt at the Dark Phoenix saga, resulting in the death of Jean Grey and Professor X.
  • The Wolverine (2013): Set after The Last Stand, Logan travels to Japan. This film's ending leads directly into the dystopian future of Days of Future Past.

Timeline B: The Rebooted (New) Continuity

This timeline is created when Wolverine's consciousness is sent back to 1973 in Days of Future Past to prevent a catastrophic event. This change fundamentally alters the future, erasing the original trilogy and The Wolverine from existence and creating a new sequence of events for the younger cast.

  • X-Men: First Class (1962): This film serves as the foundation for both timelines.
  • X-Men: Days of Future Past (1973): The pivotal film. The past events of 1973 overwrite the future, saving the X-Men from the Sentinels. The film ends with a new, optimistic future.
  • X-Men: Apocalypse (1983): The new team of X-Men (including young Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Storm) faces the ancient mutant Apocalypse in the 1980s.
  • X-Men: Dark Phoenix (1992): Set in the 1990s, this is the second, definitive attempt at the Dark Phoenix saga in the new continuity.

The Definitive Chronological Viewing Order (Including Standalone Films)

For the most complete and chronologically sound viewing experience, you should follow the Rebooted Timeline (Timeline B) and then add the standalone films. This is the order that provides the most coherent narrative flow for the majority of the characters.

The standalone films—Deadpool, Deadpool 2, The New Mutants, and Logan—exist in a more ambiguous space. They acknowledge the existence of the X-Men but largely operate independently, often taking place years after the main events of the *Dark Phoenix* saga.

Part 1: The Prequel Saga (Timeline B Foundation)

Start here to establish the core characters and the new timeline.

  1. X-Men: First Class (1962): The beginning of the Charles/Erik relationship.
  2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (1973): The time-travel event that reboots the timeline.
  3. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (1845–1979): Watch the flashbacks, but treat the 1970s plot with caution, as it conflicts with the new timeline.
  4. X-Men: Apocalypse (1983): The team forms in the 80s.
  5. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (1992): The final film of the main X-Men team, set in the 90s.

Part 2: The Original Trilogy (Optional Historical Context)

These films are technically "erased," but they provide important context for the characters and the dystopian future seen in *Days of Future Past*. You can skip these if you only want the clean, rebooted continuity.

  1. X-Men (2000)
  2. X2: X-Men United (2003)
  3. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
  4. The Wolverine (2013): The post-credits scene is the only part that matters for the new timeline, as it sets up *Days of Future Past*.

Part 3: The Standalone and Future Films

These films are generally considered to exist in the Rebooted Timeline, but they are far enough removed to be viewed almost independently. They represent the later, darker, or more comedic corners of the Fox X-Men Universe.

  1. Deadpool (Set around 2016): A self-aware, fourth-wall-breaking adventure that fits loosely into the modern-day of the new timeline.
  2. Deadpool 2 (Set around 2018): Continues Wade Wilson's story, featuring Cable and the X-Force.
  3. The New Mutants (Ambiguous Modern Day): A horror-focused spin-off that exists in the modern-day of the X-Men world, though its exact placement is vague.
  4. Logan (2029): The definitive, tragic end for Wolverine and Professor X. This film is a dark, possible future for the Rebooted Timeline. It is the final chronological film in the Fox X-Men universe.
  5. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): While this film is technically the final release of the Fox universe, its plot involves multiversal travel and the TVA, connecting it to the MCU. Chronologically, it pulls characters from various points in the X-Men timeline, making it a meta-sequel to the entire saga rather than a linear continuation.

Key Entities and Topical Authority in the X-Men Timeline

The complexity of the X-Men timeline is best understood by tracking the key entities and the events they trigger. The concept of a fractured timeline is central to the entire franchise's lore. Understanding the roles of these key figures provides the necessary topical authority to navigate the continuity errors.

Wolverine (Logan): He is the only character whose personal timeline is fully consistent across both continuities, thanks to his slow aging and his role as the time traveler in *Days of Future Past*. His story begins in the 19th century and ends tragically in 2029 in Logan. Tracking his adamantium skeleton and memory loss is key to his chronology.

Professor X (Charles Xavier) & Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr): Their relationship is the emotional core, starting with their friendship in First Class and their ideological split. The younger versions (James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) anchor the Prequel Timeline, while the older versions (Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen) represent the Original Timeline and the reformed future.

Jean Grey & The Dark Phoenix: The powerful cosmic entity Phoenix Force is the source of the timeline's greatest conflicts. It is explored in two distinct ways: first in The Last Stand (Timeline A) and then in the more faithful, yet equally destructive, adaptation in Dark Phoenix (Timeline B). The second attempt is chronologically later in the in-story universe.

The Sentinels: These mutant-hunting robots are the driving force behind the time-travel plot. Their creation is teased in Days of Future Past and their devastating future is shown in the opening of the film, providing the stakes for the timeline correction.

Deadpool (Wade Wilson): His films exist in the modern-day, post-reboot world. His self-referential humor often pokes fun at the X-Men continuity errors, making him an unreliable, yet hilarious, narrator for the universe's later years. His relationship with Cable and the X-Force further expands the mutant universe.

The New Mutants: While a critical and commercial outlier, this film's existence confirms that new, young mutants are still emerging in the modern era of the Fox X-Men Universe, far removed from the main team's drama in the 80s and 90s.

FAQ: Answering the Biggest Timeline Questions

Does Days of Future Past erase the original X-Men trilogy?

Yes, for the most part. The time-travel mission in Days of Future Past prevents the events that led to the dystopian future, effectively creating a new continuity. The final scene of the film shows a future where Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Professor X are alive and the X-Men are thriving, confirming that the events of X-Men: The Last Stand and The Wolverine (which were set after the original trilogy) never happened in the new timeline.

Where does Logan fit into the X-Men chronology?

Logan is the final chronological chapter of the entire Fox X-Men Universe, set in the year 2029. It is a possible future for the Rebooted Timeline (Timeline B). It serves as an emotional epilogue, providing a dark, definitive end to the stories of Wolverine and Professor X, separate from the main team's adventures.

Should I watch X-Men Origins: Wolverine?

While chronologically early, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is notoriously riddled with continuity inconsistencies, especially regarding the character of Deadpool and the timeline of the adamantium bonding. It's not essential viewing, but it does offer the earliest look at Logan's long life and his relationship with Sabretooth. It is best treated as a standalone prequel to the Original Timeline.

x men movies in chronological order
x men movies in chronological order

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