Only a handful of actors have managed to portray the same character for over a decade, let alone for two, and we’re not referring to a long-running television series like Peter Falk. Hugh Jackman’s role as Wolverine in the X-Men films demanded that he maintain peak physical condition for nearly twenty years while embodying an immortal character.
Yet, the narrative surrounding Wolverine goes beyond just a talented performer; it delves into profound themes of loss and anguish as he witnesses loved ones age and pass away while grappling with a toxic burden within himself.
This storyline offers a thrilling and emotional journey from beginning to end, and there are several ways to enjoy this incredible saga. Below is a guide on how to view all of Hugh Jackman’s significant appearances as Wolverine, arranged both chronologically and by their release dates.
How Many Wolverine/X-Men Movies Are There?
In total, the X-Men franchise consists of 14 films, with Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine featured in 10 of these titles. Following Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox in 2019, Marvel is set to produce future X-Men and Wolverine movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
How to Watch the Wolverine/X-Men Movies By Release Date
- X-Men (2000)
- X2 (2003)
- 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 (2020)
- Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
How to Watch the Wolverine Movies in Chronological Order
If you want to view the Wolverine movies in order according to their timeline within the X-Men universe, you can simply watch them in the order they were released. However, the situation becomes more intricate when you consider the entire X-Men series, as Wolverine makes appearances that don’t always align seamlessly with the established continuity.
Here is a detailed timeline that lists all the X-Men films featuring Wolverine, along with his standalone movies highlighted in bold for clarity on their placement within the series.
Timeline 1
1. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
A great way to start a marathon of Wolverine films is with the origin tale, X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This movie explores the character’s early life in Canada during the 1800s, his involvement with Major William Stryker’s Team X, and the process of bonding his skeleton with the indestructible metal adamantium as part of the Weapon X program.
Liev Schreiber joins the cast as Victor Creed, who is also known as Sabretooth and is Wolverine’s half-brother. This film sets the stage for the events leading up to the 2000 release of X-Men.
2. X-Men (2000)
Coming up next is the inaugural live-action X-Men film, showcasing Wolverine alongside Anna Paquin’s character, Rogue, as they are introduced to Professor Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and join the ranks of the X-Men.
A hesitant Wolverine, who has feelings for Famke Janssen’s Jean, assists the team in their battle against Ian McKellen’s Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants. The movie also features performances from James Marsden and Halle Berry, adding depth to this groundbreaking superhero narrative.
3. X2 (2003)
The Wolverine Movies in Order take us on a thrilling journey, and one standout entry is X2: X-Men United. This exceptional sequel to the first X-Men film reintroduces elements from Wolverine’s history, featuring the character William Stryker, now portrayed by Brian Cox. Stryker’s sinister plan involves seizing control of Xavier’s mutant-tracking system, Cerebro, with the intent to eliminate all mutants.
threat compels Xavier’s students to ally with Magneto’s team to confront Stryker’s dangerous scheme.
4. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Blending two significant storylines from the X-Men comics, namely “The Dark Phoenix Saga” and “Gifted,” the film X-Men: The Last Stand showcases Jean Grey struggling to manage her telepathic abilities.
Meanwhile, Magneto is on a mission to dismantle a newly developed “mutant cure” that endangers all individuals with superhuman traits. In this installment, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine confronts not only external threats but also his own emotional turmoil as he attempts to prevent Jean from unleashing chaos.
Joining the cast are notable actors such as Kelsey Grammer, Elliot Page, Vinnie Jones, and Ben Foster, adding depth to this mutant ensemble.
5. The Wolverine (2013)
Following his journey with the X-Men, Wolverine experiences a period of sorrow in the 2013 film The Wolverine, directed by James Mangold, who would later helm Logan. In this installment, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine embarks on a trip to Japan, accompanied by co-stars Rila Fukushima, Tao Okamoto, and Hiroyuki Sanada.
During his time there, he makes a significant choice to relinquish his healing abilities to a technology executive named Ichiro, seeking to escape his lifelong burden of immortality. This film marks the last adventure of Wolverine within the relatively stable timeline of the Wolverine Movies in Order.
6. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
You can wrap up the Wolverine storyline by watching Days of Future Past. In this film, Wolverine’s consciousness is sent back to his younger self in the 1970s, as he navigates a bleak future dominated by mutant-hunting robots known as Sentinels.
He must collaborate with a younger Professor X and his allies to prevent Mystique, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, from killing a military scientist. Although it’s beneficial to have seen X-Men: First Class beforehand since this movie serves as a continuation, it isn’t absolutely essential.
This film combines elements of time travel and alternate realities, immersing viewers in a narrative that showcases the complexities of Wolverine’s character. The emotional stakes are high as Wolverine races against time to alter a catastrophic future while confronting a pivotal moment in the past.
Timeline 2
1. X-Men: First Class (2011
In this alternate timeline, we see a fresh cast taking on both original and new characters. Wolverine doesn’t play a significant role in the overarching narrative, with the exception of his notable appearance in Days of Future Past.
However, in X-Men: First Class, Hugh Jackman makes a humorous cameo as Wolverine during a scene where James McAvoy’s Professor Xavier and Michael Fassbender’s Magneto (Erik) are on a mission to recruit mutants for Xavier’s institution. Overall, First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn, delivers an exciting and stylish ’60s adventure for the series.
As the timeline unfolds, the focus shifts towards the development of new characters while still paying homage to the established ones. Even though Wolverine’s presence is minimal, the film effectively captures the essence of the era, blending humor and action seamlessly.
2. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
Absolutely, this film serves as a direct continuation of First Class and places a significant emphasis on Wolverine’s character. While familiarity with the earlier X-Men films featuring the previous cast can enhance your viewing experience, it isn’t strictly necessary to enjoy the story.
3. X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
As we explore the Wolverine movies in order, we find ourselves diving into the 1980s with “X-Men: Apocalypse,” which follows the events of earlier films set in the ’60s and ’70s.
The conclusion of “Days of Future Past” saw Wolverine from the ’70s being captured by Stryker (or rather, Mystique impersonating him, adding to the ongoing confusion within the X-Men timeline) and subsequently subjected to brainwashing to become Weapon X.
In this newly established timeline, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine makes a brief appearance as a menacing figure pursuing some of the new characters introduced in the film.
Floating Timeline
1. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
The timeline of Wolverine movies can be quite intricate, especially with the addition of Deadpool & Wolverine. This film is set in 2024, five years prior to the events of Logan. However, Deadpool seems aware of what occurs in Logan, which might lead viewers to assume it takes place afterward.
Despite the discrepancies in the timelines of these films, we position Deadpool & Wolverine before Logan. It’s essential to recognize that this film operates in a unique, fourth-wall-breaking universe where traditional continuity takes a backseat to the entertaining antics of its superhero characters.
2. Logan (2017)
The film Logan serves as a remarkable conclusion to Wolverine’s journey, standing apart from the two established timelines in the series. While it can be interpreted as part of the larger narrative, the primary connection it has to previous films is through Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of the iconic character, along with Patrick Stewart reprising his role as an aged Professor X.
Drawing inspiration from the “Old Man Logan” comic series created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven, *Logan* functions as a standalone “What If?” scenario, showcasing a “retired” Wolverine who takes on the responsibility of protecting a young mutant named Laura, also known as X-23, from the formidable cybernetic foes known as the Reavers.
Upcoming Wolverine Movies
At present, there are no confirmed upcoming projects featuring Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine, although he could potentially make an appearance in a future Marvel Cinematic Universe film. The most probable options include the two upcoming Avengers films: Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
Additionally, a version of Wolverine might also be featured in the new X-Men film that is currently being developed by Marvel. This will mark the first authentic X-Men movie since Disney acquired the film rights to the franchise following its purchase of Fox in 2019.
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source: Gamerode
