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It’s been over 20 years since the first X-Men was released and became a sensation. However, the universe has been challenging to follow, with a fair share of time travels, flashbacks, and action sequences. In 2019, Disney bought Fox, which means X-Men has now entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, we also have multiverse stuff to understand.
How you watch the X-Men movies will determine how the plot unfolds and characters interact. So, let’s untangle the X-Men timeline order. This infographic is an effort to straighten the 14 releases in chronological order. Also, find out how to make a similar timeline in minutes.
Part 1: X-Men Timeline Chronology Chart and Analysis
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X-Men Trilogy (2000-2006)
To begin with, let's check on the three movies of 20th Century Fox that start the trend.
1. X-Men - July, 2000
The first X-Men live-action, set up in 2000 is the next film in the timeline. It features Patrick Steward and Ian McKellen playing the older Charles and Erik. the movie may get confusing, as many characters have changed and the timeline has been cut.
2. X2: X-Men United - May, 2003
The X2 United picks up from the X-Men with Colonel Striker kidnapping Professor Xavier. We get introduced to new characters like Lady Deathstrike and the brainwashed Nightcrawler, who is ready to murder the President of the United States.
3. X Men: The Last Stand - May, 2006
The final film in the X-Men Trilogy, the Last Sand has Jean Gret getting her powers back and taking on the new mutant cure. Sadly, it’s the last time we see the X-Men team together. From here onward, it’s all about alternate timelines and movie spin-offs.
Prequels of the X-Men Trilogy (2011-2016)
1. X-Men First Class - June, 2011
The First Class is the earliest release in the X-Men franchise timeline. It follows the story of young Charles Xavier along with Erik Magneto and their journey from best friends to frenemies. The film begins in Auschwitz concentration camps and takes you through the Cuban Missile Crisis during the early 1960s.
2. Days of Future Past - May, 2014
As the Days of Future Past combines the original films and newer ones, it is hard to position on the X-Men timeline. Though this release was set up in 1973, the plot features some events from the 2023 alternate version. Plus, what makes it a fan favorite is all the original and prequel actors coming to give you the perfect suspense, action, and confusion.
3. Apocalypse - May, 2016
Apocalypse stars the updated X-Men crew fighting off Oscar Isaac as En Sabah Nur. The film goes all the way back to 3600 BC, but much of it takes place in 1983. This 2016 release cut the audience in half. Some loved the classic villain tale while others thought it was too much action.
4. Dark Phoenix - June, 2019
The Dark Phoenix storyline ends the prequel X-Men series led by Charles and Magneto. It tells the story of the transition of Jean Grey into Phoenix and an alien invasion. The movie starts in 1975 but immediately shifts to 1992, where it mostly takes place.
Films around Wolverine (2011-2017)
The X-Men series goes viral and people love the characters, especially the Wolverine, Logan. In 2011, 20th Century Fox released the first spin-off film, starring Hugh Jackman. He has become world-famous after playing Wolverine in the X-Men Trilogy.
Origins Wolverine - July, 2011
Making his cameo in First Class, Hugh Jackman comes back in the Wolverine’s original film. It starts in 1845 and takes the audience through every major Wolverine war until his character-defining adamantium claw surgery. You will also get the first introduction to Deadpool, an essential character of the Wolverine timeline.
The Wolverine - July, 2013
The Wolverine is not a must-watch for the sake of the timeline. It is a sequel to both the X-Men Original and Wolverine. The movie is based in Japan and is fun to watch with all the Wolverine comic clones and children.
Logan - March, 2017
Logan happens in 2029 where mutants are instinct and we see the X-23 Wolverine clone Laura. The movie marks the last appearance of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, older but no less dangerous. Its action sequences are deadly, which inspires the Old Man Logan comics.
Deadpool Films (2016-2024)
Deadpool - February, 2016
After his first appearance in X-Men Original Wolverine, Ryan Reynolds came back with his solo film Deadpool. Though it is in the same universe, the film is separate from the main timeline. It seems like the movie takes place in 2016 around the time it was released.
Deadpool 2 - May, 2018
Deadpool was better received for its long scenes and younger X-Men cameos. And, like the first release, this movie doesn’t have the exact time it takes place. The film is about complex time travel with Cable jumping throughout to murder and save. We also get to see Ryan jumping through times to make changes.
Deadpool And Wolverine - July, 2024
The new release “Deadpool and Wolverine” is officially in the Marvel Universe, following Disney’s takeover of Fox in 2019. It picks up from Deadpool 2 where he gets the time device to travel across the multiverse. Eventually, he unites with Wolverine and the two save their reality.
The last film of the series: The New Mutants - August, 2020
The New Mutants follows a set of mutants locked in a mental institution. They team up to escape their fate and take on fierce demons. Though this release was planned in the '90s, it ended up happening in 2017.
Part 2: Make an X-men Timeline with EdrawMax
Want to create a similar timeline for your favorite movie timeline or series? It is easy and quick. Here is how you can do it.
Before you begin, install the EdrawMax desktop version and log into your Wondershare account.
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Step 1:
Visit the Templates section from the dashboard and type X-Men Timeline in the search box. It will display several options. Decide one and press Use Immediately.
Step 2:
Add or remove text labels in the timeline. Click anywhere on the canvas and start typing. Change the font size and design from the on-screen prompt.
Step 3:
Drag the timeline frame to extend it.
Step 4:
Timelines are better with visuals. So, go to the Insert tab and click Pictures > Local Pictures. You may also use the image illustrations from the left-side libraries.
Step 5:
All that is left is formatting. Navigate to the Design tab from the top and change the timeline’s theme and color scheme. Modify its arrangement and orientation.
Step 6:
Finally, click the Export Icon to download your timeline in the desired format from the quick-access toolbar.
Part 3: Benefits of Making a Movie Timeline with EdrawMax
Timelines are an excellent way to visualize complicated processes, series, and sequences. However, creating them requires proper knowledge about formats, labels, and visual elements. So, what’s the next step? Ditch the paper method and switch to advanced digital timeline makers like EdrawMax.
It is an all-in-one diagramming solution for over 210 types of infographics with readymade templates and an intuitive interface. Plus, the smart vector symbols, image libraries, and auto layouts make it popular among individuals and businesses. Here is what makes EdrawMax stand out among other software.
- Ready-to-edit templates for a wide variety of diagrams, including timelines, org charts, flowcharts, etc.
- 20,000+ resizable vector-enabled symbol illustrations. Image illustrations and clipart libraries for graphic supports.
- A collection of AI tools for drawing, intelligent file analysis, research, and image extraction to streamline your routine tasks.
- 10+ export formats, including PNG, JPG, Visio, PDF, and more.
- Integration with popular tools like MS Visio, AutoCAD, and Pixabay.
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Final Words
The X-Men series, released between 2000 and 2024, became the symbol of action and thrill with a global fan following. However, if you are new to this world of mutants, it's better to have a visual reference like this X-Men timeline.
It chronologically lists all the films in the franchise, so the audience can grasp the storyline and connect the dots. You can also create a similar timeline using EdrawMax in minutes. It also has thousands of free ready-to-customize templates to kickstart your journey. So, give it a shot.
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