Ranking the X-Men films from Worst to best
The “X-Men” franchise (2000-2019) is one of these franchises that at its worst, offers mindless entertainment. At its best (and this is where you will find it most frequently), it has some of the best sequels of all time with thought provoking dialogue and mature themes as well as top notch action set pieces that do not seem to be affected by time. With spectacular make-up and a restrain towards mind numbing action, “X-Men” and its (so far) twelve entries have kept our interests up since the early noughties, paving the way for the gargantuan wave of superhero flicks that will eventually engulf us later on Marvel style. Having said that, let’s rank all the “X-Men” films including spin-offs and the infamous “Deadpool” (2016-2018) entries.
12. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Director: Gavid Hood
The much maligned and to be fair overhyped entry with a solely focus on everyone’s favorite mutant (played to perfection by Hugh Jackman) deserved better treatment. With studio meddling from very early on to a premature leak of the unfinished film, “Wolverine” did not carry any emotional weight. Since the character has been for loving-it-or-hating-it reasons the main focus in three films that explored subtly his past, this prequel feels misplaced. A disappointing cast, boring fight sequences, lackluster special effects and a persistence to tie itself to the events of the previous films without a sense of continuity makes “Wolverine” a major let down. Despite the valiant efforts of Hugh Jackman and an inspiring opening credit sequence, “Wolverine” sleepwalks through its entire running time.
Best moment: The opening credits hands down.
11. X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019)
Director: Simon Kinberg
After the surprisingly low reception of “X-Men: Apocalypse”, Simon Kinberg decided to hold the reigns of the mutant franchise and revisit the Dark Phoenix saga that he took a hasty stab on Brett Ratner’s “The Last Stand“. Yet, intention is not a conduct for creative output and Kinberg does not have the eye for inventive set pieces. He directs (very few) anemic action sequences with no grandiose factor lacking any concrete emotional stakes. Feeling small in comparison to the bombastic “Apocalypse”, its on purpose labyrinthic plot recycles the same motives that were explored in “The Last Stand” without adding anything exciting. Sophie Turner looks the part but struggles with the character and the script does not make any strong case for and against her decisions. There is a potentially interesting dynamic when the group is torn between different paths of action but these are half-explored. With a underwhelming villain behind the scenes, “Dark Phoenix” is on slightly higher level than “Origins” simply because at least it is competently made.
Best moment: Magneto tries to take out the Phoenix.
10. X-Men: First Class (2011)
Director: Matthew Vaughn
While many consider this to be among the best entries in the franchise, I think that it has tremendous flaws. With a rushed production schedule looming over its head, “First Class” was a missed opportunity. There are some excellent stuff here - the casting of Fassbender is a stroke of genius, Kevin Bacon as the villainous Shaw is spot on and the acting is A grade. However, the tone is uneven, the action uninspired and the costumes leave much to be desired. The satellite characters do not fare any better though with no scenes to shine or dialogue to deliver (like Azrael), some stylistic choices are truly bizarre (e.g., James McAvoy is overabusing the gesture of putting his fingers to his temples) and Emma Frost is totally wasted (again after the “Origins”). Nevertheless, it indicates the start of more greatness to come in the form of “X-Men: Days of Future Past”.
Best moment: Wolverine’s cameo.
9. Deadpool (2016)
Director: Tim Miller
While “Deadpool” felt like a fresh take on the already saturated superhero genre with F-bombs, gratuitous, cartoony violence and a chaotic antihero at its core, revisiting it reveals several weakness. From already outdated jokes and a particularly by the numbers villain, the only thing that saves Deadpool from total mediocrity is Ryan Reynolds (in a role he was born to play) running with an ADHD diagnosis in a pretty much standard story. What could have focused on the emphasis on Deadpool’s chaotic style of action (even Taskmaster could not imitate his style), the film relies heavily on crude comedy and buffoonery tricks (Deadpool is more lucky than a competent fighter) that some stick while others do not land at all. It is a by no means a bad flick and bears a certain amount of entertaining value but if the story was focusing into creating a memorable objective for our hero to reach to, it could have been so much more.
Best moment: The hilarious opening credits.
8. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Director: Brett Ratner
The much maligned third entry of the original trilogy is directed adequately by Brett Ratner. However, it suffers unfortunately from an over excess of ideas. The script tries to cram too many storylines which do not get explored at all. While “The Last Stand” excels in its larger than life set pieces, they lack the standard which “X-Men 2” had set three years prior with its dynamic sequences. Several characters are reduced to glorified cameos and the villains walk around now with simplistic characterization instead of more complex areas to step into. Yet, the Golden Gate bridge sequence is truly a sight to behold (scale wise), there is plenty of action to keep the interest up, certain themes are more hard hitting than anything that has been presented before (even if they are not explored), the actor ensemble is superb, Hugh Jackman is a commanding presence and casting Kelsey Grammer as Beast was a stroke of genius.
Best moment: Magneto moves the Golden Gate Bridge.
7. The Wolverine (2013)
“The Wolverine” attempts to rectify some bits of the sour taste that “The Last Stand” left after killing (or curing) so many fan favourite mutants. With a beloved storyline adapted for the big screen and the intriguing setting of Japan, “The Wolverine” does plenty of things right but unfortunately like most films of the genre, it collapses in its third act with a strong emphasis on CGI. However, Jackman explores additional aspects of Logan’s psyche in a role born to play and the fighting is more raw. The backdrop definitely improves a film that does not have end of the world stakes and gives it a bit of a noir film shade that is a welcome and fresh addition. Rila Fukushima steals the show though as Logan’s “bodyguard” and its adoption of a more adult tone for a film featuring a mutant that can hack and slash his opponents feels naturally complementing.
Best moment: A fight on top of a shinkansen (i.e., speed bullet train in Japan).
6. Deadpool 2 (2018)
Director: David Leitch
More confident this time around and bringing “John Wick” (2004) co-director David Leitch to produce more elaborate fight sequences, “Deadpool 2” just like its predecessor is more of the same. There is an energy that the original film did not possess and with the spot on casting of Josh Brolin’s as Cable and Zazie Beetz as the awesome Domino, the plot creates fun set pieces that will leave you rolling on the floor from the laughs. Yet “Deadpool 2” surprisingly is at its weakest when Reynolds is at the alone at the screen, continuing his schtick for the 100th time which render his efforts tiring after a while. The fighting still leaves many things to be desired with the incorporation of more CGI and makes you wonder how cool would have been if “Deadpool” has a John Wick/Kill Bill-esque approach to its action.
Best moment: X-force begins its landing.
5. Logan (2017)
Director: James Mangold
While I do think “Logan” is a good film, it feels surprisingly repetitive after “The Wolverine” where <again> Logan is becoming powerless and mourns his personal losses. Despite portraying the character eight times, Hugh Jackman can still do wonders with Wolverine though. With an interesting backdrop to unfold the action which bears a more personal touch by putting everyone’s favorite (and most violent) mutant in a different genre - a road movie, Jackman is complemented by an excellent Patrick Stewart who counterbalances the rather simplified material with a dignified performance. Shot beautifully by John Mathieson, when Logan gets loose, he gets really loose in short outbursts of violence that would not feel out of place in a Scorsese movie. Nevertheless, a strong focus on Wolverine’s paternal side is where truly the film excels adding successfully several psychological layers making “Logan” a serious drama rather than a full-blown swan song for the titular superhero.
Best moment: Logan (finally) makes peace.
4. X-Men (2000)
Director: Bryan Singer
The film that started it all, Bryan Singer’s adaptation was Nolanified before Nolan was a thing. Striping off the colorful costumes and cartoony details of the comics (and the much beloved animated series of the 90s), Singer focused on telling a dramatic story first and making a blockbuster second. With clever takes on the beloved mutants fighting for their place in a world where hostility is an every day concern, “X-Men” has aged beautifully in terms of substance. Although it feels like a prelude to something bigger with surprisingly limited action, Singer relies heavily on the cast to do the heavy bidding delivering their lines with panache. Sirs McKellen and Stewart elevate the material to Shakespearean levels of authenticity, supported by newcomers who could have been easily walking caricatures. With outstanding make-up bringing to life convincingly favourite characters (Mystique’s make up is out of this world) and pseudo futuristic production design that does not detract from the story, “X-Men” won’t win awards but definitely sets itself up nicely the road for future installments.
Best moment: A train station stand-off.
3. X-men: Apocalypse (2016)
Director: Bryan Singer
With more is better in his mind, Singer went full on Michael Bay with “X-Men: Apocalypse”. Bringing in a controversial costume design, Apocalypse is the catalyst for all the action that happens on the screen. Being the first (and one of the most powerful) mutant, Singer and his co-writers populate the film with interesting religious undertones and evolution theory. However, despite the lack of screentime for the newer mutants (Psylocke has probably one line!), “Apocalypse” delivers lots of thrills with Oscar Isaac towering over the cast and relishing his role as a prophetic self-proclaimed Messiah for the mutants. Perhaps the most violent “X-Men” film to date under a PG-13 rating, the cast do their best to match Isaac’s dominating presence and although the script does not fully explore certain fascinating aspects, it delivers the goods with spot on special effects and set pieces, appropriately dressed by John Ottman’s religiously inspired score.
Best moment: The opening Stargate-y credits.
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Director: Bryan Singer
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” came out swinging in 2014. Singer returned to the director’s chair after 11 years proving that he has the capability to create exquisite action and jaw dropping sequences with ease. With a surprising emotional core, reliable and believable acting, a clever take on memorable events in the 70’s and a time travel spin, “Days of Future Past” brings a lot more on the table than just blockbuster levels of entertainment. With a wonderful and simultaneously stressed induced score by John Ottman as well as a distinct visual futuristic style, the film comments on small and misjudged actions that could cause an avalanche of events when they are driven by emotional needs and fragile egos. Favoring heavily a focused plot and not bombastic action, the cast handles the script with dignity and watching the new and old X-Men sharing the screen is a cinematic joy. And that use of “Time in a bottle” is simply the greatest in film history in a moment that caused awe in all the cinemas around the world.
Best moment: Quicksilver and “Time in a Bottle” - one of the greatest sequences of all time.
1. X-Men 2 (2003)
Director: Bryan Singer
“X-Men 2” is one of these rare instances where the sequel eclipses the original in every aspect. Technically superb and more advanced, the film leans into concrete storytelling without forgetting to give several characters their moment to shine. Singer never loses his sight here which is primarily the relationships between our heroes in a place where prejudice has prevailed. Packed with incredible action and visuals that to this day look stunning - the attack on the White House is a landmark in stuntwork with a pompous rendition of Mozart’s “Requiem”, brilliant make up and a thoughtful approach to the source material that could have been easily ridiculed at less competent hands, “X-Men 2” is a sequel that offers action, emotion, strong performances and food for thought without taking strongly any side. Characters feel naturally evolved and organically inserted into the plot and Wolverine going berserk on mercenaries in the X-Men mansion is the moment that fans have been waiting for.
Best moment: Nightcrawler attacks the White House.