Summary
- Wolverine’s iconic MCU debut honored his cinematic history in Deadpool & Wolverine.
- The brief yet intense Wolverine vs. Sabretooth scene in Deadpool & Wolverine finally delivered a longstanding fan desire.
- Deadpool & Wolverine’s comic-accurate appearance fulfilled fan expectations and solidified Wolverine’s iconic status onscreen.
Wolverine quickly became the most popular character in Fox’s X-Men movies, producing a swathe of iconic scenes that have endured as classic Marvel movie moments. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine debuted in X-Men (2000), appearing in most films in the X-Men movie timeline and earning his own solo trilogy. After seemingly retiring from the role, Jackman reprised his role in Deadpool & Wolverine, which proffered some of the most iconic Wolverine scenes ever made.
Deadpool & Wolverine introduced Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the MCU timeline, teaming up with the famed Merc with a Mouth to celebrate Wolverine’s cinematic history, after having appeared in a total of 10 movies. Additionally, Deadpool & Wolverine featured numerous Wolverine variants, each drawn from a famous Marvel Comics story. This uniquely positions the movie to honor Jackman’s impressive cinematic history as Wolverine, which is brimming with especially iconic imagery and highly memorable scenes.
Related Marvel Honors Wolverine’s First Comics Appearance
Deadpool & Wolverine referenced many major Marvel moments, though perhaps most notably, Logan’s iconic comic book debut and the battle that followed.
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10 Wolverine Fights Sabretooth
Deadpool & Wolverine
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Wolverine’s longstanding rivalry with Sabretooth is a cornerstone of his character in both the comics and films. While their initial showdown in X-Men (2000) laid the groundwork, many were left craving a more satisfying confrontation between these two feral mutants. While it seemed that X-Men Origins: Wolverine would offer this, recasting Sabretooth and a disappointing narrative scuppered this. Enter Deadpool and Wolverine, where the filmmakers finally gave audiences the epic fight they had been waiting for over two decades.
The showdown between Wolverine and Sabretooth was certainly brief but delivered a powerful punch that resonated with audiences. Deadpool even noted how long audiences had been waiting for this battle. Despite its brevity, the scene was a testament to the deep-rooted enmity between the two characters and provided some satisfying visuals of Wolverine’s hunched fighting stance, his body skewered by Deadpool’s katanas, and Sabretooth’s decapitated head.
Deadpool & Wolverine R
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
Director Shawn Levy Release Date July 26, 2024 Runtime 127 Minutes
Related Wolverine’s Tragic Backstory In Deadpool & Wolverine Has Roots In A Shocking X-Men Comics Storyline
Deadpool & Wolverine adapts a familiar moment from X-Men movies and X-Men comic book lore to create the most harrowing backstory for Wolverine.
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9 Wolverine Walks Away From An Explosion
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine may not be the most celebrated entry in the X-Men timeline, but it did deliver one of the most iconic action movie moments ever. As Wolverine walks away from a massive helicopter explosion, seemingly unfazed, the scene cements itself as a quintessential action movie trope. The visual of Wolverine striding away from the fiery wreckage, his silhouette highlighted by the flames, is both exhilarating and symbolic of his indomitable nature.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine struggled to find critical and commercial success. However, this moment has endured as a superhero movie trope that was repeated in numerous others, including the MCU’s Iron Man. Despite the film’s missteps with its narrative and its infamous handling of Deadpool, this scene remains a defining image of the superhero genre, often cited when discussing the evolution of action movie tropes.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
3.0 pg-13 Where to Watch
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After Bryan Singer’s X-Men trilogy, Hugh Jackman returns as the titular clawed mutant in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The 2009 superhero movie explores Logan’s origins with a look back at Weapon X, the experiment that covered his skeleton with adamantium. It marks Ryan Reynolds’ first appearance as Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool, and it precedes James Mangold’s The Wolverine and Logan, which retroactively make Origins the first installment in a solo trilogy for Jackman’s iconic Marvel hero.
Director Gavin Hood Release Date April 30, 2009 Runtime 107minutes
8 Weapon X Costume
X-Men: Apocalypse
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One of the most exciting cameos in the X-Men franchise occurred in X-Men: Apocalypse when Wolverine appeared in his comic-accurate Weapon X costume. This brief but significant moment redeemed some of the less favorable aspects of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and offered fans a glimpse of a Wolverine that was truer to his comic book roots. Clad in his famed Weapon X headgear, the scene depicts Wolverine as a feral, unstoppable force moments after losing his memory.
Wolverine’s appearance in X-Men: Apocalypse was a thrilling nod to the source material, recreating his design almost perfectly. For audiences who had been waiting to see a more authentic representation of Wolverine’s origins, this cameo delivers in spades. It was a moment of redemption, not just for the character, but for the franchise as a whole, which had previously struggled with inconsistent portrayals of its characters.
X-Men Apocalypse PG-13
The third installment of the X-Men prequel films, and the ninth film in the overall X-Men movie franchise, X-Men: Apocalypse once again sees Professor Xavier and Magneto on opposite sides of a catastrophic conflict. Having been raised from the dead, the ancient mutant Apocalypse wishes to wipe out all of humanity, and recruits four mutants including Magneto to help him in his quest, leading Xavier and his young team of X-Men to try and stop them. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender reprise their roles as Professor Xavier and Magneto, with a larger ensemble cast that includes Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Olivia Munn, and Oscar Isaac.
Director Bryan Singer Release Date May 27, 2016 Runtime 144 Minutes
7 The Bullet Train Fight
The Wolverine
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The Wolverine is often praised for its exploration of Wolverine’s character, delving into his vulnerabilities and his struggle with grief after killing Jean Grey in X-Men: The Last Stand. Among the film’s standout moments is the unforgettable bullet train fight scene. It is not only one of the most visually striking sequences in the movie but also one of the most thrilling action scenes in the entire X-Men franchise.
As Wolverine battles a group of Yakuza thugs on top of a speeding bullet train, the scene highlights his incredible agility, strength, and determination. The intense choreography, combined with the unique setting of a high-speed train, makes this fight sequence one of the most memorable in Wolverine’s cinematic history. The scene is a masterclass in tension and action and is especially memorable for the moment when Wolverine leaps through the air at his adversary.
The Wolverine PG-13 Where to Watch
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Based on the 1982 comic event “Wolverine,” The Wolverine takes place after X-Men: The Last Stand and follows Logan on a journey to Japan at the behest of a former acquaintance. Living in isolation after the world-changing events in the prior movie and haunted by the death of the woman he loved, Logan is found and asked to travel to Japan to meet with a man named Ichiro, who he had saved during World War II. At the end of his life, Ichiro offers Logan a chance to free himself of his healing abilities to finally die by taking them for himself. However, Logan soon learns that Ichiro’s intentions for immortality are far less honorable than he had expected, leading him to struggle to face off with a former ally.
Director James Mangold Release Date July 26, 2013 Runtime 2h 6m
6 Protecting The Xavier Mansion
X2: X-Men United
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In X2: X-Men United, Wolverine’s ferocity is put on full display during the assault on the Xavier Mansion. As William Stryker’s forces invade the school, Wolverine defends the students, leading to one of the most iconic action sequences in the X-Men franchise. This scene is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it marks the first time audiences truly witness Wolverine’s lethal capabilities as he takes on Stryker’s soldiers with brutal efficiency.
The image of Wolverine leaping from a balcony, claws extended, is one of the most enduring images of the character. Secondly, this scene establishes Wolverine as a protector of the innocent, a role that he would continue to embody throughout the series. It is a moment that solidified Wolverine’s status as the X-Men’s fiercest warrior and one of the most compelling characters in the franchise.
X2: X-Men United PG-13 Where to Watch
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X2: X-Men United is the follow-up film to Fox’s 2000 X-Men starring Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, and Patrick Stewart. The film features the introduction of Colonel William Stryker (Brian Cox) as he kidnaps Charles Xavier, which leads the X-Men to team up with Magneto. Most of the cast from the original film returned for the sequel, along with the introduction of Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler.
Director Bryan Singer Release Date May 2, 2003 Runtime 134 Minutes
5 Wolverine Fights Sabretooth On The Statue of Liberty
X-Men (2000)
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The climax of X-Men (2000) features a thrilling showdown between Wolverine and Sabretooth atop the Statue of Liberty. This fight is one of the most memorable moments in the film and also serves as a pivotal moment in Wolverine’s journey as an X-Man. As the two ferocious mutants clash on the head of the iconic statue, the scene is filled with tension and high stakes.
The fight is a test of both Wolverine’s physical abilities and his resolve to protect his newfound friends. The setting of the battle, with the characters precariously perched on the statue, adds an extra layer of danger and excitement to the confrontation, creating one of the movie’s most enduring images. This fight is a standout moment in the original X-Men film, setting the stage for future clashes.
X-Men PG-13 Where to Watch
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X-Men is the first film in the long-running superhero franchise centering on the iconic Marvel team. Wolverine and Professor X take center stage as they and the other X-Men attempt to stop Erik Lehnsherr (aka Magneto) after he has a violent response to the proposed Mutant Registration Act. Hugh Jackman stars as Wolverine, alongside Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, and Anna Paquin.
Director Bryan Singer Release Date July 14, 2000 Runtime 104 Minutes
4 Wolverine The Cage Fighter
X-Men (2000)
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Wolverine’s introduction in X-Men (2000) is one of the most memorable character entrances in superhero cinema. Found in a backwoods bar, engaging in a brutal cage fight, this scene perfectly encapsulates the essence of Wolverine as a character: a lone, battle-hardened warrior with a mysterious past. The scene is filled with subtle details that define Wolverine’s character.
The clank of metal as he headbutts his opponent with his adamantium-laced skull, his primal rage and fierce fighting ability, and the gruff demeanor that hides a deep well of pain – all these elements are present in this brief but powerful introduction. The referee’s warning to Wolverine’s opponent, “Don’t kick him in the balls,” followed by Wolverine’s swift and brutal response, is a moment that perfectly captures the character’s no-nonsense attitude. This was followed by the thrilling first appearance of Wolverine’s claws.
3 The Woodland Fight Scenes
Logan
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Logan is widely regarded as one of the best superhero films of all time, and one of the most poignant moments in the film occurs during the woodland fight scenes. As Wolverine, now aged and weary, fights to protect a group of young mutants, including his clone daughter Laura, the film reaches its emotional climax. The woodland fight scenes are brutal, raw, and filled with a sense of desperation as Wolverine battles his enemies with the last remnants of his strength.
The brutality of his fighting is contrasted with the vulnerability of his aging body, making these scenes some of the most emotionally charged in the entire X-Men series. The culmination of these battles is Wolverine’s death, producing one of the most compelling superhero movie scenes ever. The fierce fight followed by the deeply emotional moment serves as a fitting conclusion to Wolverine’s X-Men arc.
Logan R Where to Watch
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Logan sees the titular hero, AKA Wolverine, in his twilight years as his healing factor has begun to fail him, and he has begun to age more rapidly. Set several years in the future, Logan finds himself caring for an ailing Professor Xavier, whose mind has begun to succumb to dementia, making him an incredibly dangerous mutant that can cause widespread destruction accidentally. But when the preoccupied Logan is asked to meet with a woman that requests he transports a young girl to a mutant haven known as Eden, he learns that she may have his DNA and that the fate of mutant-kind may rest in her hands.
Director James Mangold Release Date March 3, 2017 Runtime 137 Minutes
2:53 
Related Forget Logan, Deadpool & Wolverine Ruins An Even Better Marvel Movie Way More
Logan’s return in Deadpool 3 may undermine his ending, but another legacy is at risk of being ruined, particularly considering subsequent events.
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2 Fighting Lady Deathstrike
X2: X-Men United
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X2: X-Men United features one of the most thrilling fight scenes in the X-Men franchise: Wolverine’s battle against Lady Deathstrike. As two characters with similar abilities – both have healing factors, adamantium skeletons, and claws – the fight is an intense and evenly-matched contest that pushes Wolverine to his limits. The fight is highly dynamic, with the two combatants using their claws and agility in a deadly dance of violence.
The encounter is not just a physical battle, but also a confrontation with Wolverine’s past, as Lady Deathstrike is revealed to be another victim of Stryker’s experiments. This fight is a standout moment in X2, mixing impeccable fight choreography with the darker aspects of Wolverine’s past. It is a scene that perfectly encapsulates Wolverine’s combination of strength and pain, and one of the most memorable fights in the franchise.
1 Wolverine Wears A Comic-Accurate Costume
Deadpool & Wolverine
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One of the most anticipated moments in Deadpool and Wolverine was Wolverine finally donning his iconic yellow-and-blue costume, complete with the mask. Audiences had long awaited a comic-accurate representation of Wolverine on the big screen, and this film delivered in style. The costume perfectly blends classic comic design with modern aesthetics, giving Wolverine a look that is both true to the source material and fitting for the cinematic universe.
This scene wasn’t just about the costume; it was a fulfillment of fans’ long-held desire to see Wolverine portrayed as they knew him from the comics. Seeing Wolverine in his full costume for the first time was thrilling for fans, bringing the character full circle and solidifying his iconic status in superhero cinema. It was a powerful statement about the enduring appeal of Wolverine and the filmmakers’ understanding of what makes the character so beloved.
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