Summary
Wolverine is arguably the most famousMarvelsuperhero not created by Stan Lee, largely thanks to 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfilms and Hugh Jackman’s remarkable portrayal of the character. Since his big screen debut, moviegoers have been mesmerized by Logan’s mysterious backstory and journey of love and loss.
If you thinkthe Marvel Cinematic Universe’s timeline is confusing, the X-Men series will likely give you a migraine. Since the films jump between different time periods and continuities, many comic book fans have been left wondering how to watch the Wolverine movies in chronological order. That said, here is the definitive way to follow Logan’s journey from his origin story to his final days.
We’re defining Wolverine movies as films that star Logan as the main character.
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The first film in the timeline, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, begins in 1845. The story follows Logan, known here as James Howlett, from discovering his regenerative superpowers to being subjected to William Striker’s cruel Weapon X experiment, resulting in his adamantium skeleton and iconic metal claws.
While Marvel fans left theaters disappointed by the cliched story, Hugh Jackman’s performance was praised by critics and audiences. The movie is also noteworthy for depicting Logan’s first encounter with Wade Wilson, long before the MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
Wade Wilson’s involvement in X-Men Origins was later retconned in Deadpool 2 when he traveled back in time and shot his past self to “clean up the timelines.”
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Set decades after Logan’s origin story, X-Men follows an amnesia-riddled Wolverine recruited by Professor Charles Xavier to battle the tyrannical mutant Magneto. Not only did the film establish Logan’s fatherly bond with Rogue, but it also introduced moviegoers to his iconic love triangle with Jean Grey and Cyclops.
As the first X-Men movie ever released, it’s often credited with sparking the rise of superheroes in Hollywood, largely thanks to phenomenal acting from Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. Because of its success, themutants continue to be represented in toys, video games, and television.
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Often consideredone of the best comic book adaptations ever, X2 takes place shortly after the events of X-Men. Getting closer to figuring out his past, Wolverine finally comes face-to-face with William Striker once more. To protect Xavier’s students from the wicked scientist, Logan must team up with Magneto while confronting his suppressed memories.
X2 gained critical acclaim for its action-packed story, thought-provoking societal commentary, and meaningful character arcs for Logan, Professor X, Nightcrawler, and Iceman. Decades after its debut, the film is still celebrated as one of the greatest superhero sequels.
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As the sequel to X2, X-Men: The Last Stand places Wolverine amid a war between humans and mutants sparked by Magneto’s outrage over a mutant cure. The film also attempts to adapt the Dark Phoenix saga from the comics. Logan’s love for Jean Grey is tested when her suppressed murderous tendencies threaten to destroy the world.
Despite being a box office success, superhero fans left cinemas underwhelmed by the shoehorned Dark Phoenix plotline and lack of character exploration. Regardless, the action scenes and performances were praised, as always.
The Last Stand was retconned from the timeline in X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Despite that, the film is still worth watching to understand the events of the next installment.
Based on Frank Miller’s and Chris Claremont’s limited series, The Wolverine takes place after The Last Stand. Mourning the loss of Jean Grey, Logan flees to Japan for a life of isolation, only to be targeted by an assassin called Silver Samurai. With his healing powers weakening, he must scramble to find a way to survive.
Critics and Marvel fans applauded The Wolverine for its epic fight scenes, character-driven story, and faithful adaptation of the comic books. Not only does it provide a deep dive into Logan’s struggle with grief, but it also acts as a solid popcorn movie.
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Days of Future Past is tricky to place in chronological order with the other films because the story switches between 2023 and 1973. However, since the movie begins after Logan’s time in Japan, it should be watched after The Wolverine.
X-Men: Days of Future Past begins in 2023 and depicts a world where mutants are nearly extinct after an army of government-funded Sentinels annihilates most of the species. With the help of Kitty Pryde’s superpowers, Wolverine must travel back to 1973 to stop the robots from being developed.
In the past, Logan encounters a young Professor X, who is battling alcoholism, along with Magneto and Mystique, who are on the verge of cementing their supervillain status. Adored by critics and moviegoers, the film is one of the most successful in superhero cinema.
Adapted from the Old Man Logan comics, Logan wraps up the timeline with its darkest and most emotional story ever. Due to his fading regenerative powers, Wolverine has begun to age. With the help of a terminally ill Professor Xavier, he must protect a child named Laura Kinney (also known as X-23) from the anti-mutant group Reavers.
Logan made history as the first R-rated Wolverine movie and the only one in the series to be nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars. Widely praised as an outstanding piece of cinema, it is one of the most beloved Marvel films of all time.
