Top 10 Characters of X-Men Movie Franchise

20th Century Fox turned a long-awaited dream into reality when it dispatched the first-ever cinematic adaptation of Marvel’s X-Men in 2000. Despite the lack of technological advancements and “not-so-great” visual effects, it ended up earning nearly $300 million on the global box office. Its sequel, X2 (2003), was received much better than its predecessor in terms of quality and storyline. However, the original trilogy ended up abruptly with its last instalment, The Last Stand.

The studio decided to expand X-Men’s universe by giving more movies with the Wolverine trilogy, Deadpool series, and Beginning films. However, the fans and the critics literally butchered Dark Phoenix and the spin-off instalment, The New Mutants. After the latter’s release, Fox sold this franchise. And guess who bought it? Disney! It means we are definitely going to see our beloved X-Men characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

Here are the top 10 characters of the X-Men franchise!

Cyclops (Scott Summers)

Scott Summers/Cyclops (James Marsden/Tye Sheridan)

Cyclops and Wolverine were definitely not on the same page. But the former loved Jean to death! He also proved it by sacrificing his life in the 2006 instalment. Yes, his death met with mixed reception from the viewers. Still, his cocky nature and good heart are loved by the fans.

Scott is capable of generating powerful optic beams from his eyes. However, he cannot control it without wearing a special set of glasses. Hank designed them especially for Scott so that he could control his beams. He is also a skilled martial artist.

Storm (Ororo Munroe)

Ororo Munroe/Storm (Halle Berry/Alexandra Shipp)

Storm is one of the most important members of the X-Men faction. Her expertise in crafting perfect tactics always comes in handy. She has helped the superhero team on countless occasions. However, she was a small-time thief while residing in Egypt until she met En Sabah Nur, the world’s first mutant. The latter enhanced her powers to the fullest.

Ororo excels at controlling the weather and generating deadly lightning beams. She is also a teacher at the educational institute of Professor Charles Xavier.

Sebastian Shaw

Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon)

Sebastian Shaw is the greatest antagonist in the X-Men movie series, period! Kevin Bacon’s chilling and cold-hearted portrayal of the leader of the Hellfire Club received critical acclaim. He was the one who pushed Erik to achieve his full magnetic potential. He possessed the power of controlling, absorbing, and utilizing kinetic energy.

To protect Xavier from entering into his head, Shaw even wore a specially designed helmet. Fortunately, Erik finished him off for good in First Class (2011). Of course, he received a little help from Xavier’s mind-control technique.

Beast (Hank McCoy)

Hank McCoy/Beast (Steve Bacic/Nicholas Hoult)

Beast might not have gotten proper screentime in the original trilogy. But he played an important role in the X-Men beginning films. He was one of the very first members who were chosen for Charles’ mutant superhero team. Apart from turning into a blue-coloured devil with immense strength, he is also a genius scientist. His contribution to Professor Xavier’s school is unparalleled.

There was a time when Hank used to believe that his mutation was nothing except a disability. He even achieved success in making a serum that would have permanently suppressed all his powers. He also had a strong crush on Raven as well.

Jean Grey

Jean Grey (Famke Janssen/Sophie Turner)

Jean Grey is undoubtedly one of the most powerful mutants ever! The Last Stand trashed her arc brutally at the hands of Logan. But her origin story was perfectly displayed in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). She contains dangerous telekinetic and telepathic powers in her arsenal.

Jean loved Scott the most! However, there was a time when she started developing feelings for Logan as well. Her adult form met her demise while protecting her team in X2. It is a shame that her character’s arc was slaughtered in Dark Phoenix.

Deadpool (Wade Wilson)

Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)

It is nothing short of a miracle that the Fox studio managed to breathe new fire into Deadpool after the mess they created with X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009). A fresh and stylish take on the character with a sprinkle of adult comedy worked brilliantly. The audience loved Reynolds’ humorous take on one of the deadliest mercenaries in the world.

Wade Wilson underwent an experimental mutation process for treating his cancer. But the experiment scarred him for life and gave him superhuman abilities. He has the power to grow back his organs if they get cut in a battle. Plus, he is also an expert in hand-to-hand combats and handling sword fights.

Mystique (Raven Darkholme)

Raven Darkholme/Mystique (Rebecca Romjin/Jennifer Lawrence)

Fans hated how the adult Mystique lost her powers in The Last Stand. And don’t even start us on her shocking end in Dark Phoenix. Both these moments suffered from terrible execution. But the actresses who portrayed this iconic mutant gave something new and special to the character. Romjin’s portrayal appeared more deadly and cunning than Lawrence’s. But the latter performer excelled at showing qualities like love and care. They were missing in the original trilogy.

Mystique can take the form of any human being. Additionally, she ages slowly as compared to other mutants.

Professor X (Charles Xavier)

Charles Xavier/Professor X (Patrick Stewart/James McAvoy)

Like Jean, Charles Xavier also masters powerful telepathic abilities. It is the reason why he is the only one who understands her better than anyone. Even his friend-turned-rival Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) respects him for what he has done for the mutant community.

Patrick Stewart played this character with utmost grace and style. Contrastly, McAvoy’s performances exhibited young Xavier’s goodness as well as flaws. He is the headmaster of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters.

Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)

Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellen/Michael Fassbender)

Magneto lives by his dream of conquering the world and ruling ordinary humans. He strongly believes that mutants are far more superior than powerless homosapiens.

There was a time when kindness resided in young Erik’s heart. But his separation from her mother and the brutal deaths of his wife and daughter turned him into a man filled with vengeance. He understood that the world would never let him turn good.

Magneto specializes in controlling and manipulating magnetic fields. He uses Shaw’s helmet to protect himself from Xavier’s telepathic abilities.

Wolverine (Logan)

Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)

There is only one man who has portrayed this legendary superhero character for more than 19 years… Hugh Jackman! Admit it! We are never going to find his replacement. The toughness and ruthlessness he brought to this role were exhilarating to watch. But he also showed that deep inside his heart, some signs of morality and righteousness were present.

From getting discovered by Charles Xavier to sacrificing his life while protecting his daughter, Laura, Logan has travelled a long and painful journey. He possessed accelerated healing and retractable claws in his hands. His body was brimmed with Adamantium during the events of X-Men Origins: Wolverine.