There have been many complex, hilarious, and violent characters in the X-Men movie franchise over the years, and some rank higher than the rest. Fox’s time with the X-Men has ended. During the two decades of Fox X-Men movies, the studio managed to bring a decent chunk of characters from Marvel Comics to live-action. That was aided by the timeline of the X-Men movies. Hugh Jackman and the original X-Men cast led a trilogy before a new generation took over in the younger X-Men movie timeline.
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The mainline X-Men movies were not the only ones to be released, as a number of spinoffs also added new characters to the franchise. Based on the history of the X-Men movie franchise, there are quite a few interesting characters who sit among the best in the live-action movies. That also includes Deadpool & Wolverine, the first MCU mutant movie that will lead to future Marvel entries, including the MCU’s X-Men reboot.
20 Stefan Kapičić’s Colossus
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool (2016)
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The Deadpool movies have introduced many X-Men characters to live-action or put a new spin on characters who had appeared before. Colossus fits the latter. The character was first played by Daniel Cudmore in the original X-Men franchise.
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However, it was Stefan Kapičić’s version of Colossus that made the character shine. With few X-Men appearing in the first two Deadpool movies, Colossus developed an endearing bond with Wade Wilson. The character is funny, lovable, and has a strong sense of duty & honor.
19 Aaron Stanford’s Pyro
X-Men Franchise Debut In X2 (2003)
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Alexander Burton first gave life to Pyro in X-Men. The role was recast for the sequel, with Aaron Stanford taking over. Pyro’s story had interesting development in the original X-Men trilogy. Starting as a student at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, he would let his rage take the best of him.
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Pyro ended up defecting to Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants. Deadpool & Wolverine revealed that Pyro was sent to the Void by the TVA. There, his powers were shown to have grown, with Pyro defeating Chris Evans’ Human Torch with ease and playing a big role in the film.
18 Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler
X-Men Franchise Debut In X2 (2003)
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Few characters have as memorable scenes in the X-Men movies as Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler. The mutant’s powers were perfectly portrayed onscreen. Nightcrawler’s opening scene in X2, with the character brainwashed into attacking the President of the United States, is a visual marvel.
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Nightcrawler’s Catholic faith was represented in the movie. The only negative aspect is the character not being humorous like he is in the comics, save for a quick group scene. The role was also a one-and-done for Cumming.
17 Josh Brolin’s Cable
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool 2 (2018)
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Cable is a very important mutant. Deadpool 2 was the perfect live-action debut for the character, with Josh Brolin delivering a nuanced performance in the role. Cable has a hard exterior for most of the film.
Josh Brolin wanted to return as Cable in
Deadpool & Wolverine
, but he has no projects set to play the character again.
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Then, Deadpool 2 reveals that his wife and daughter have died. After Wade Wilson sacrifices himself, Cable’s heart shines through, saving Deadpool. The two have hilarious chemistry, with Cable’s tough guy persona being the perfect foil for Deadpool’s humor.
16 Liev Schreiber’s Sabretooth
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine is regarded as one of the worst superhero movies of all time. Despite the movie’s shortcomings, it has the best version of Sabretooth. Liev Schreiber made the character more interesting than Tyler Mane’s version.
Schreiber’s Sabretooth is Wolverine’s half-brother and best friend at first. However, Sabretooth and Hugh Jackman’s Logan end up parting ways and becoming bitter rivals. For all its faults, the X-Men movie did a good job of exploring Sabretooth and Wolverine’s connection.
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15 James Marsden’s Cyclops
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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Cyclops is the field leader of the X-Men. The character should have been higher on the list if only the Fox X-Men movies had done right by Scott Summers. That said, James Marsden was a fitting choice for the role.
However, the character had his role reduced due to the popularity of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Still, Marsden made Cyclops shine where he could. The X-Men leader’s powers looked great on the big screen, and Cyclops’ dynamic with Charles Xavier as the heart of the X-Men was explored in 2000’s X-Men.
14 Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: First Class (2011)
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Mystique was important in both X-Men movie timelines. However, Jennifer Lawrence’s version of Mystique was even more so than Rebecca Romijn’s. The reason for that is because Mystique was one of the three key characters of the younger X-Men movies alongside Charles Xavier and Magneto.
Fox tried to show both sides of the mutant argument through Mystique. While Romijn’s Mystique was more comic book-accurate, Lawrence’s character ultimately had better interactions with the rest of the mutants. Her relationship with James McAvoy’s Professor X was touching.
13 Halle Berry’s Storm
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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It is true that the X-Men movies have underutilized Storm. That led to Alexandra Shipp’s version of Ororo Munroe not being the most exciting. However, despite not appearing as much as one would hope, Halle Berry’s Storm was a force to behold.
The character had some impressive displays of power and cool action scenes. In X-Men: The Last Stand, Storm takes over the team’s leadership role after Jean Grey kills Cyclops. This was more in line with her Marvel Comics history.
12 Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Nova
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
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Deadpool & Wolverine is the MCU’s first movie for one of the mutants who were at Fox. Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Nova played a major role in it as the main villain. She is the sister of Charles Xavier, possessing a similar look and powers.
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Cassandra Nova was a sadistic killer. She controlled the Void and ruled over several multiverse characters. Despite being defeated at the end of the film, Cassandra was incredibly powerful, with Corrin turning in an electric performance as the evil character.
11 Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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Jean Grey was crucial to the original X-Men trilogy. The character’s role slowly grew with each movie, allowing Famke Janssen to get comfortable as the character. Jean’s powers became uncontrollable as the franchise went on.
While Fox managed to botch the Dark Phoenix storyline twice, Janssen was a fine Jean Grey. She made the character charismatic, smart, and determined. When playing the Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand, Janssen delivered a more heartbreaking and commanding performance than Sophie Turner’s Jean Grey in Dark Phoenix.
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10 Kelsey Grammer’s Beast
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
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Kelsey Grammer’s casting as Beast is one of the best in the X-Men movies. The actor delivered the perfect Hank McCoy, making the character every bit as intelligent as he is in the comics and adding gravitas to the role. Beast also looked pitch-perfect.
Sadly, Grammer only had one full movie appearance as Beast. The character later appeared in cameos in X-Men: Days of Future Past and The Marvels. The latter should lead to Grammer getting the chance to shine as Beast one more time before the MCU’s Multiverse Saga is over.
9 Channing Tatum’s Gambit
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
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Channing Tatum was cast as Gambit in 2014 but never managed to get his solo movie to work. After years of trying to play his favorite superhero, Tatum’s Gambit debuted in Deadpool & Wolverine. The wait was worth it.
While mostly played for laughs in the MCU film, Tatum’s Gambit stole every scene that he was in. The character donned his iconic Marvel Comics suit, and Gambit’s powers looked amazing onscreen. Tatum wants to return, and Marvel seems to love his Gambit as much as the fans do.
8 Evan Peters’ Quicksilver
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)
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Evan Peters’ Quicksilver is the best live-action version of the character. The hero has some of the most popular scenes in the X-Men movies, with his speedster powers being showcased through objects and people moving incredibly slowly next to him in key moments.
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Related Recasting 20 MCU Actors In Perfect Roles For James Gunn’s DC Universe
James Gunn has already cast MCU actors in the DCU, and he has teased that more will come, with many Marvel stars being perfect for DC characters.
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Different from Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Pietro Maximoff, Peters’ Quicksilver was Magneto’s son. The actor delivered a charming and fun performance in the role. The MCU later pretended Peters was Quicksilver in WandaVision before revealing his character was actually Ralph Bohner.
7 Dafne Keen’s X-23
X-Men Franchise Debut In Logan (2017)
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Logan is one of the best superhero movies of all time. Despite only being 12 when the movie came out, Dafne Keen showed that she was the perfect actress for X-23. The character was fierce, curious, and complex in Logan.
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Now an adult, Keen was one of the high points of Deadpool & Wolverine. The actress did not skip a beat as X-23, showing that she could play the role for a long time. X-23 helped Hugh Jackman’s new Wolverine variant live up to his potential in the MCU movie while being a great character in her own right.
6 Ian McKellen’s Magneto
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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Magneto is essential for most of the X-Men’s iconic stories. As the first live-action version of the character, Ian McKellen did not disappoint. His convictions were strong and presented clearly.
McKellen was great as one of the most powerful Marvel Comics villains. The actor brought to life a pained Erik Lehnsherr who wanted to enact real change in the world. However, there is another more compelling Magneto actor in live-action.
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5 James McAvoy’s Charles Xavier
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: First Class (2011)
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All versions of Professor X and Magneto in Fox’s X-Men movies have been fantastic. The only reason James McAvoy’s Charles Xavier is lower on the list is that he has to go up against one of the best superhero castings of all time.
McAvoy was an incredible choice for the character. He played many sides of Charles over the years. McAvoy’s Charles Xavier was a mentor to younger heroes, a friend to Magneto, always trying to make peace with the villain, and he let his fears and insecurity show. His Charles was complex, imperfect, and real.
4 Michael Fassbender’s Magneto
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: First Class (2011)
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Michael Fassbender’s Magneto is the best version of the villain in live-action. While Ian McKellen’s take on the character was great, Fassbender’s was more nuanced. Magneto’s backstory had some changes but was just as impactful. Fassbender’s Magneto has his fair share of trauma.
He was a complex character whose motives made sense, even though his methods were not always right.
Despite turning against humanity multiple times due to that, Magneto’s friendship with Charles Xavier still shined in every movie Fassbender and James McAvoy appeared in together. Fassbender’s Magneto was not just a full-on villain. He was a complex character whose motives made sense, even though his methods were not always right.
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3 Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier is one of the faces of the X-Men franchise and Marvel movies in general. The actor has even gone on to play the character in the MCU, appearing as a Professor X variant.
Stewart’s Charles Xavier looked pitch-perfect and behaved like the comics’ Charles. He was kind when he had to be, offering counsel to other mutants. However, Professor X was not someone to be messed with, as Stewart imbued the role with a presence and authority that matched Charles Xavier’s powerful nature.
2 Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool (2016) – As Wade Wilson In X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
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After X-Men Origins: Wolverine botched the character, 2016’s Deadpool allowed Ryan Reynolds to properly debut as one of the most popular live-action Marvel heroes. Deadpool is one of a kind, with his brand of R-rated humor and violence making him a worldwide hit. While the character’s strongest suit is his humor, Deadpool can work incredibly well in both comedic and dramatic situations.
In August, Ryan Reynolds told
Collider
that he does not know if he will be back as Deadpool, though
Deadpool & Wolverine
‘s success makes that very likely.
Reynolds’ Wade Wilson is hilarious, unpredictable, and insecure. Those characteristics add up to make him a flashy but complex character, which has led to Deadpool making the jump from Fox to Marvel Studios by leading a new MCU film, Deadpool & Wolverine, which is now the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
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1 Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
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Like Wade Wilson said in Deadpool & Wolverine, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is “The X-Man.” No other character from Fox’s X-Men movies represents the franchise better than he does. After the actor stole the scene in 2000’s X-Men, Wolverine was written to be the main star of the X-Men movies.
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While that meant that important characters like Cyclops got less to do, Jackman would turn in outstanding performances in the role for over two decades. Jackman’s Wolverine is a reluctant hero. He is a good person, but his violent attitude and gruff tone create walls around him that make it hard to let anyone in emotionally. Wolverine has some of the franchise’s best action scenes and is part of its biggest moments, cementing him as the best character of the X-Men movie franchise.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
Movie(s) X-Men (2000) , X2 , X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) , X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) , X-Men: First Class (2011) , The Wolverine (2013) , X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) , Deadpool (2016) , X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) , Logan (2017) , Deadpool 2 (2018) , Dark Phoenix (2019) , The New Mutants , Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) First Film X-Men (2000) Expand
All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies
-
Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
- Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025
- Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date May 1, 2026
- Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027
Captain America: Brave New World
Thunderbolts*
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Avengers: Secret Wars
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