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Geek Vibes Nation
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Ranking All 14 ‘X-Men' Movies (2000-2024): A 25-Year Mutant Journey
Twenty-five years ago, on July 14, 2000, 'X-Men' burst onto the big screen, kicking off a superhero revolution. Directed by Bryan Singer, it traded comic-book spandex for sleek leather and introduced us to a world where mutants fought for acceptance. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Patrick Stewart's Professor X, and Ian McKellen's Magneto became icons, setting the stage for a sprawling, sometimes messy, but always heartfelt franchise. As we celebrate this milestone, let's rank all 14 X-Men films, from the game-changing originals to the irreverent Deadpool spinoffs, with fun facts and fresh insights. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, join me on this mutant-filled ride! 14. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Director: Gavin Hood | Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | Box Office: $373M Let's start with the low point. 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' tried to unpack Logan's backstory but stumbled hard. The film's heart is in the right place, with Hugh Jackman's charisma carrying a convoluted tale of his rivalry with Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber) and the Weapon X program. But it's infamous for botching Deadpool—sewing Ryan Reynolds' 'Merc with the Mouth' shut! A leaked, unfinished cut didn't help its reputation, and the overstuffed plot feels like a comic book fever dream gone wrong. Recent Reviews: Critics on X call it a 'disappointment' that 'flattens' Wolverine's mystique by overexplaining his past. Fans still wince at the CGI claws and Gambit's (Taylor Kitsch) brief, accent-less cameo. Fun Fact: The film's production was so chaotic that it had 11 writers, including David Benioff, and suffered from a writers' strike. Ryan Reynolds improvised most of his lines as Deadpool before the character was altered in post-production. 13. The New Mutants (2020) Director: Josh Boone | Rotten Tomatoes: 36% | Box Office: $49M This horror-tinged spinoff aimed to reinvent the X-Men as a teen thriller, following young mutants like Magik (Anya Taylor-Joy) trapped in a creepy facility. It's ambitious but feels disconnected from the franchise, with a thin plot and production delays that dulled its edge. Fans appreciate the cast but lament its lack of X-Men spirit. Recent Reviews: Reviews note its 'quiet' approach but call it forgettable, while X posts lament its wasted potential, especially after years of reshoots. Fun Fact: Originally planned as a trilogy, 'The New Mutants' was delayed by Disney's acquisition of Fox, and its horror elements were toned down to fit a PG-13 rating. 12. Dark Phoenix (2019) Director: Simon Kinberg | Rotten Tomatoes: 22% | Box Office: $252M The second attempt at the 'Dark Phoenix Saga' sees Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) consumed by a cosmic force. Despite a talented cast, including James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, it feels rushed and small-scale for such an epic story. The alien villains (led by a bland Jessica Chastain) and production woes didn't help. Recent Reviews: Critics call it a 'forgettable shrug,' and fans on X agree, citing a weak script and lackluster CGI as reasons it's a disappointing finale. Fun Fact: The film's climax was reshot to avoid similarities with another superhero movie, and the alien race was changed from Skrulls to D'Bari to fit MCU plans. 11. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) Director: Bryan Singer | Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | Box Office: $543M Oscar Isaac as the ancient mutant Apocalypse should've been a slam dunk, but the film overreaches with a bloated cast and generic world-ending stakes. The Quicksilver (Evan Peters) slow-motion scene is a highlight, but the story lacks the emotional depth of earlier entries. Recent Reviews: Reviews call it a 'guilty pleasure' for its weirdness, but fans on X criticize its reliance on CGI over character development. Fun Fact: Isaac spent hours in prosthetics to play Apocalypse, only to have his performance muted by heavy makeup and a script that gave him little to do. 10. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Director: Brett Ratner | Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | Box Office: $459M The original trilogy's finale tackles the 'Dark Phoenix Saga' and a mutant cure, but it's a chaotic mess. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) kills off major characters, and the plot juggles too many threads. Still, moments like Kitty Pryde (Elliot Page) and Beast (Kelsey Grammer) shine. Recent Reviews: Fans praise its action but call it 'overstuffed,' while recent X posts defend its bold swings despite the flaws. Fun Fact: Director Brett Ratner was a last-minute replacement after Matthew Vaughn and Bryan Singer left, leading to a rushed production. 9. The Wolverine (2013) Director: James Mangold | Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | Box Office: $414M Logan's Japan-set adventure strips him of his healing factor, offering a fresh take on the character. Hugh Jackman shines, but the third act veers into generic action with a clunky Silver Samurai. It's a solid solo outing but lacks the depth of later spinoffs. Recent Reviews: Critics call it a 'character-driven story' undermined by a 'bizarre corporate conspiracy,' reflecting mixed fan sentiment on X. Fun Fact: The film's bullet train fight was shot using a real train in Japan, with CGI enhancing the high-speed chaos. 8. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) Director: Shawn Levy | Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | Box Office: $1.3B+ The MCU's first X-Men film is a multiversal romp with Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine teaming up to save Wade's timeline. It's a cameo-filled blast with raucous humor, but its reliance on Marvel lore and weaker story depth keep it from the top tier. See also 'Superman': DC's $225M Gamble To Save The DCU Recent Reviews: Reviews praise its 'tons of fun' but note it's 'bloated' compared to earlier Deadpool films. Fans on X love the nostalgia but want clearer MCU mutant plans. Fun Fact: Jackman finally wears Wolverine's iconic yellow suit, a nod to the comics that fans waited 24 years to see! 7. Deadpool 2 (2018) Director: David Leitch | Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Box Office: $785M Bigger and bloodier, 'Deadpool 2' amps up the action with Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz). It's hilarious but loses some of the first film's heart, leaning hard into meta-jokes. The X-Force team's ill-fated mission is comedy gold. Recent Reviews: Critics note it's 'crasser and funnier' but less fresh, while X posts call it a 'fun time' despite its bloat. Fun Fact: The film's 'Once Upon a Deadpool' PG-13 cut added a framing device with Deadpool kidnapping Fred Savage, parodying 'The Princess Bride'. 6. X-Men (2000) Director: Bryan Singer | Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | Box Office: $296M The one that started it all. 'X-Men' introduced mutants to a post-Matrix world, with grounded themes of prejudice and stellar casting. Jackman's Wolverine and McKellen's Magneto steal the show, though the third act feels dated. It's a landmark for superhero films. Recent Reviews: Fans praise its 'sharp narrative focus' but note outdated effects, while X posts celebrate its 25th anniversary with nostalgia. Fun Fact: Russell Crowe turned down Wolverine, recommending Jackman, who was initially rejected for being 'too tall' at 6'2″ compared to the comic's 5'3″ Logan. 5. Deadpool (2016) Director: Tim Miller | Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | Box Office: $782M Ryan Reynolds' passion project redefined R-rated superhero films. 'Deadpool' is a foul-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking riot with a surprisingly sweet romance between Wade and Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Its lean story and irreverence make it endlessly rewatchable. Recent Reviews: Critics call it the best Deadpool film for its 'sincere stakes,' and fans on X still quote its one-liners. Fun Fact: The film's $58M budget was tiny compared to other superhero films, forcing creative solutions like using practical effects for Colossus.
Geek Vibes Nation
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Ranking All 14 'X-Men' Movies (2000-2024): A 25-Year Mutant Journey
Twenty-five years ago, on July 14, 2000, 'X-Men' burst onto the big screen, kicking off a superhero revolution. Directed by Bryan Singer, it traded comic-book spandex for sleek leather and introduced us to a world where mutants fought for acceptance. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, Patrick Stewart's Professor X, and Ian McKellen's Magneto became icons, setting the stage for a sprawling, sometimes messy, but always heartfelt franchise. As we celebrate this milestone, let's rank all 14 X-Men films, from the game-changing originals to the irreverent Deadpool spinoffs, with fun facts and fresh insights. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, join me on this mutant-filled ride! 14. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Director: Gavin Hood | Rotten Tomatoes: 37% | Box Office: $373M Let's start with the low point. 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' tried to unpack Logan's backstory but stumbled hard. The film's heart is in the right place, with Hugh Jackman's charisma carrying a convoluted tale of his rivalry with Sabretooth (Liev Schreiber) and the Weapon X program. But it's infamous for botching Deadpool—sewing Ryan Reynolds' 'Merc with the Mouth' shut! A leaked, unfinished cut didn't help its reputation, and the overstuffed plot feels like a comic book fever dream gone wrong. Recent Reviews: Critics on X call it a 'disappointment' that 'flattens' Wolverine's mystique by overexplaining his past. Fans still wince at the CGI claws and Gambit's (Taylor Kitsch) brief, accent-less cameo. Fun Fact: The film's production was so chaotic that it had 11 writers, including David Benioff, and suffered from a writers' strike. Ryan Reynolds improvised most of his lines as Deadpool before the character was altered in post-production. 13. The New Mutants (2020) Director: Josh Boone | Rotten Tomatoes: 36% | Box Office: $49M This horror-tinged spinoff aimed to reinvent the X-Men as a teen thriller, following young mutants like Magik (Anya Taylor-Joy) trapped in a creepy facility. It's ambitious but feels disconnected from the franchise, with a thin plot and production delays that dulled its edge. Fans appreciate the cast but lament its lack of X-Men spirit. Recent Reviews: Reviews note its 'quiet' approach but call it forgettable, while X posts lament its wasted potential, especially after years of reshoots. Fun Fact: Originally planned as a trilogy, 'The New Mutants' was delayed by Disney's acquisition of Fox, and its horror elements were toned down to fit a PG-13 rating. 12. Dark Phoenix (2019) Director: Simon Kinberg | Rotten Tomatoes: 22% | Box Office: $252M The second attempt at the 'Dark Phoenix Saga' sees Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) consumed by a cosmic force. Despite a talented cast, including James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, it feels rushed and small-scale for such an epic story. The alien villains (led by a bland Jessica Chastain) and production woes didn't help. Recent Reviews: Critics call it a 'forgettable shrug,' and fans on X agree, citing a weak script and lackluster CGI as reasons it's a disappointing finale. Fun Fact: The film's climax was reshot to avoid similarities with another superhero movie, and the alien race was changed from Skrulls to D'Bari to fit MCU plans. 11. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) Director: Bryan Singer | Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | Box Office: $543M Oscar Isaac as the ancient mutant Apocalypse should've been a slam dunk, but the film overreaches with a bloated cast and generic world-ending stakes. The Quicksilver (Evan Peters) slow-motion scene is a highlight, but the story lacks the emotional depth of earlier entries. Recent Reviews: Reviews call it a 'guilty pleasure' for its weirdness, but fans on X criticize its reliance on CGI over character development. Fun Fact: Isaac spent hours in prosthetics to play Apocalypse, only to have his performance muted by heavy makeup and a script that gave him little to do. 10. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Director: Brett Ratner | Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | Box Office: $459M The original trilogy's finale tackles the 'Dark Phoenix Saga' and a mutant cure, but it's a chaotic mess. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) kills off major characters, and the plot juggles too many threads. Still, moments like Kitty Pryde (Elliot Page) and Beast (Kelsey Grammer) shine. Recent Reviews: Fans praise its action but call it 'overstuffed,' while recent X posts defend its bold swings despite the flaws. Fun Fact: Director Brett Ratner was a last-minute replacement after Matthew Vaughn and Bryan Singer left, leading to a rushed production. 9. The Wolverine (2013) Director: James Mangold | Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | Box Office: $414M Logan's Japan-set adventure strips him of his healing factor, offering a fresh take on the character. Hugh Jackman shines, but the third act veers into generic action with a clunky Silver Samurai. It's a solid solo outing but lacks the depth of later spinoffs. Recent Reviews: Critics call it a 'character-driven story' undermined by a 'bizarre corporate conspiracy,' reflecting mixed fan sentiment on X. Fun Fact: The film's bullet train fight was shot using a real train in Japan, with CGI enhancing the high-speed chaos. 8. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) Director: Shawn Levy | Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | Box Office: $1.3B+ The MCU's first X-Men film is a multiversal romp with Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine teaming up to save Wade's timeline. It's a cameo-filled blast with raucous humor, but its reliance on Marvel lore and weaker story depth keep it from the top tier. See also 'Superman': DC's $225M Gamble To Save The DCU Recent Reviews: Reviews praise its 'tons of fun' but note it's 'bloated' compared to earlier Deadpool films. Fans on X love the nostalgia but want clearer MCU mutant plans. Fun Fact: Jackman finally wears Wolverine's iconic yellow suit, a nod to the comics that fans waited 24 years to see! 7. Deadpool 2 (2018) Director: David Leitch | Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Box Office: $785M Bigger and bloodier, 'Deadpool 2' amps up the action with Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz). It's hilarious but loses some of the first film's heart, leaning hard into meta-jokes. The X-Force team's ill-fated mission is comedy gold. Recent Reviews: Critics note it's 'crasser and funnier' but less fresh, while X posts call it a 'fun time' despite its bloat. Fun Fact: The film's 'Once Upon a Deadpool' PG-13 cut added a framing device with Deadpool kidnapping Fred Savage, parodying 'The Princess Bride'. 6. X-Men (2000) Director: Bryan Singer | Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | Box Office: $296M The one that started it all. 'X-Men' introduced mutants to a post-Matrix world, with grounded themes of prejudice and stellar casting. Jackman's Wolverine and McKellen's Magneto steal the show, though the third act feels dated. It's a landmark for superhero films. Recent Reviews: Fans praise its 'sharp narrative focus' but note outdated effects, while X posts celebrate its 25th anniversary with nostalgia. Fun Fact: Russell Crowe turned down Wolverine, recommending Jackman, who was initially rejected for being 'too tall' at 6'2″ compared to the comic's 5'3″ Logan. 5. Deadpool (2016) Director: Tim Miller | Rotten Tomatoes: 83% | Box Office: $782M Ryan Reynolds' passion project redefined R-rated superhero films. 'Deadpool' is a foul-mouthed, fourth-wall-breaking riot with a surprisingly sweet romance between Wade and Vanessa (Morena Baccarin). Its lean story and irreverence make it endlessly rewatchable. Recent Reviews: Critics call it the best Deadpool film for its 'sincere stakes,' and fans on X still quote its one-liners. Fun Fact: The film's $58M budget was tiny compared to other superhero films, forcing creative solutions like using practical effects for Colossus.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘X-Men' at 25: How the game-changing franchise established Marvel movies — and was largely snubbed by the Oscars
Twenty-five years ago, the evolution of comic book movies leaped forward. On July 14, 2000, Marvel Comics' not-so-merry band of mutants, the X-Men, made their way from the comic pages to the big screen, changing the company's cinematic fortunes and making the box office safe for the team-based superhero movies that would follow years later. It should be noted off the top that Blade ice-skated uphill so that X-Men could run downhill to franchise-launching success. Wesley Snipes' 1998 vampire movie brought the comic-book movie genre back from the brink of extinction courtesy of the mega-bomb that was 1997's Batman & Robin. Blade was also the first Marvel Comics-derived film that didn't fall into direct-to-video hell like failed versions of Captain America and The Punisher, and Roger Corman's never-released take on the Fantastic Four. More from Gold Derby 'The Young and the Restless' leads Daytime Emmy predictions for Best Drama Series 'Adolescence,' 'The Penguin,' 'Disclaimer,' and more last-minute Emmy nominations predictions for Best Limited/Movie Directing Still, X-Men's existence was far from guaranteed even after Blade pointed a way forward for Marvel. Director Bryan Singer had been attached to the project since the mid-'90s, but 20th Century Fox executives were skeptical about the movie's commercial propsects — and nervous about the budget. Multiple drafts of the script were written and rewritten with the input of such big-name screenwriters as Christopher McQuarrie and Joss Whedon, as well as such comic legends as Chris Claremont. The tinkering continued as the film went into production, with several VFX-intensive sequences — including a set-piece set inside the Danger Room, a training ground for the titular team — scrapped to save on the bottom line. But the key to the movie's success proved to be the cast rather than the action. Singer secured Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as friends-turned-ideological enemies Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto, respectively, and their gravity as performers lent the movie a dramatic weight. Meanwhile, a twist of fate gifted Singer with the actor who would come to define the X-Men franchise. Originally, Dougray Scott had been cast as Wolverine, the mysterious mutant from the Great White North whose skill set includes razor-sharp claws and a handy healing factor. But the Scottish actor had to complete his role as Tom Cruise's foil in Mission: Impossible 2 before making his way to X-Men's Vancouver set, and the John Woo-directed film ran into substantial delays that necessitated a replacement Wolverine. Enter Hugh Jackman, a musical theater actor from Australia with limited film experience — but a whole lot of snarl. Despite being the proverbial new kid on the block in an ensemble that included Halle Berry, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, and Oscar winner Anna Paquin, Jackman popped as X-Men's breakout star the moment he popped Wolverine's claws out between his knuckles. Even as the cast of mutants expanded with each successive entry, Wolverine remained the center of the franchise — and Jackman has yet to be replaced in the role even as other actors have taken on the mantle of his past and future teammates. Released with minimal fanfare in a blockbuster-heavy summer season, X-Men maxxed out its box-office potential as an inaugural adventure for untested comic book characters, banking over $150 million to become the sixth-highest grossing movie of 2000. More importantly, it convinced the studio to make a sequel — and spend more money on it this time. X2: X-Men United debuted three years later and earned over $200 million. That kicked off a franchise run that ultimately spanned 20 years and 15 features and spin-offs, most notably Ryan Reynolds' misadventures as that merc with a mouth, Deadpool. Along with the rest of 20th Century Fox's now-defunct Marvel series — think Fantastic Four and Daredevil — the series received a viking's funeral courtesy of 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine, which brought Jackman's alter ego back from the dead to close the door on that pocket universe. While the X-Men became seriously popular with moviegoers, this particular comic-book franchise was never a serious Oscar contender — unlike the Batman series or the mainline Marvel Cinematic Universe entries. The original film largely settled for awards recognition outside of the Academy Awards sphere. For example, Jackman was awarded Best Actor by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror; Marsden and Rebecca Romijn won supporting actor statuettes from the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards; and the film itself scored a Best Movie nod at the MTV Movie and TV Awards. But some post-2000 installments did break through into the Oscar race. Here's a quick recap of the X-Men and X-Men adjacent films that voters put in contention. 20th Century Fox certainly didn't stint on the VFX for this massive team-up adventure that brought together the casts of the original X-Men trilogy, as well as the prequel series that launched with 2011's First Class. Singer returned behind the camera for the first time since X2 and Jackman heads up a super-sized ensemble that crosses universes and time periods. It's not as smoothly engineered a crossover as the first Avengers movie, but it's much more fun than Justice League. Other nominees: Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Guardians of the Galaxy, Interstellar (winner) Jackman's solo Wolverine trilogy had a mixed track record, but the final installment is widely-regarded as one of the best superhero stories committed to the big screen. Jumping forward in time to a dystopian future where mutants are largely distant memories, Logan has to save the next generation of his kind even if it means he himself won't live to see a better tomorrow. Director James Mangold and co-screenwriters Scott Frank and Michael Green craft a narrative that's part Western, part Moses story and entirely gripping. Other nominees: Call Me by Your Name (winner), The Disaster Artist, Molly's Game, Mudbound Best of Gold Derby Everything to know about 'The Batman 2': Returning cast, script finalized Tom Cruise movies: 17 greatest films ranked worst to best 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') Click here to read the full article.
Geek Feed
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Feed
Should Thunderbolts* Director Jake Schreier be the Choice to Helm the X-Men Reboot?
It was reported back in May that Thunderbolts* helmer Jake Schreier was in talks to direct the next X-Men reboot for Marvel Studios, and we haven't gotten any significant update since then. Variety is confirming once again that Schreier has been tapped to helm, but is he the right choice for the new X-Men ? With there being heavy emphasis on the X-Men being a team, I'm sure that there are a lot of fans saying that Schreier would be a great pick because he was able to make the Thunderbolts/New Avengers feel like a team, and that justifies him being a great choice. If anything, I still loved his work with projects like Beef and Skeleton Crew. But when it comes to a property like X-Men , it does feel like Marvel should probably give the chance to a director who has a more personal connection to the property's themes of discrimination or the minority experience. Say what you will about Bryan Singer, but he definitely understood the assignment when it came to the Fox X-Men movies embracing its LGBTQ+ themes. The scene in X2 where Iceman reveals his powers to his family mirrors a 'Coming Out' dialogue; even the mom going so far to ask Bobby if he's tried 'not being a mutant' felt like it was really pushing the metaphor home: Even X-Men '97 , the latest critically acclaimed X-Men property, is considered hit very hard emotionally because the now ex-showrunner Beau DeMayo was openly gay and wanted to make sure the series reflected his authentic experience as a minority. Admittedly, I don't think your sexuality alone should determine whether you get to work on a project, but with X-Men being such a huge brand, you would think that Marvel would consider it; even if they get a queer person to be attached as a writer or producer. Personally, think Leslye Headland ( The Acolyte, Russian Doll ) would be a great fit. Based on her Star Wars work, she already knows how to pull off action scenes. Or, if they're interested, maybe the Wachowskis would want to take a stab at it. I know the last Matrix movie was divisive, but they still do very great work cinematically, and maybe they'll have something interesting to say with a property like X-Men . I mean, Schreier is still a solid pick, but I guess Pride Month really got me thinking about the next iteration of X-Men and how it's going to be made. No release date has been set for Marvel's X-Men reboot, but it will probably come out way after 2027.
Geek Tyrant
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Alan Cumming Says Returning to Play Nightcrawler in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY Is "Healing" After "Miserable" X2 Shoot — GeekTyrant
Alan Cumming is returning to the role of Nightcrawler in the upcoming Marvel movie Avengers: Doomsday , and the experience is not only so much easier make-up-wise, but it's healing for the actor. We first saw him in the role of Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in the 2003 movie X2: X-Men United , which was notoriously known for its toxic set, as it was later revealed that the director, Bryan Singer, almost got the whole thing shut down due to his angry outbursts and terrible treatment of cast and crew. So this return is a welcome breath of fresh air, that Cumming is hoping will rewrite some negative memories from his past. In a recent interview with THR, the actor said of X2 , and of Doomsday : 'I had a miserable time making it. All of us did. It was not nice. [Marvel] was very conscious of that. It's not finished yet, but it feels healing to go back to something that wasn't the greatest experience and enjoy yourself. 'When I wrote my book, Baggage , I realized that after X-Men , I stopped doing those kinds of bigger, blockbuster-type films. 'I didn't do anything like that for years. I purposely went away from that big machine because I didn't want to be an unhappy cog. Going back to a different atmosphere, it's really nice.' Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.
