X-Men Movies: #19 Reggie’s Movie Franchise Countdown

By Reggie's Take on May 20, 2014 • ( 2 )

The X-Men films are based on a team of mutant superheroes from the Marvel comic book of the same name. Grossing over $2 billion worldwide since 2000 with six films released and one on the way the X-Men franchise comes in at #19.

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, they first appeared in The X-Men #1, September 1963. The concept of the X-Men is that under a cloud of increasing anti-mutant sentiment, Professor Xavier created a haven at his Westchester mansion to train young mutants to use their powers for the benefit of humanity, and to prove mutants can be heroes.

20th Century Fox acquired the film rights in 1994. Bryan Singer was hired to direct X-Men (2000) and its sequel, X2 (2003). After Singer left the franchise, Bret Ratner was brought in to direct X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).

All three original movies were box office successes that brought about three more spinoff movies. X-Men Origins: Wolverine in 2009, X-Men: First Class (2011) and The Wolverine (2013). X-Men: First Class and The Wolverine were both given positive reviews while X-Men Origins: Wolverine was not as well received with the critics.

The first film introduced the X-Men to a mainstream audience with plenty of action. The sequels showed that this was no ordinary comic book franchise not afraid to discuss prejudice and discrimination.

The X-Men franchise has repeatedly shown it can connect with the public using a cerebral approach to superhero film making. It also doesn’t hurt having a invulnerable cigar-smoking mutant with retractable claws that’s just a bad-ass.

A seventh film is set to be released this coming Friday May 23rd with X-Men: Days Of Future Past. Plus two more that were announced earlier this year with X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016 and a third Wolverine movie in 2017.

There seems to be plenty of life left in a franchise that is now fourteen years old and looks to grow even older. The X-Men franchise as a whole comes in at #19 in my Reggie’s Take Top 20 Movie Franchise Countdown.

X-Men / 2000

Two mutants, Rogue and Wolverine, come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.

X2: X-Men United / 2003

Professor Charles Xavier and his team of genetically gifted superheroes face a rising tide of anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker in this sequel to the Marvel Comics-based blockbuster X-Men. Storm, Wolverine and Jean Grey must join their usual nemeses Magneto and Mystique to unhinge Stryker’s scheme to exterminate all mutants.

X-Men The Last Stand / 2006

When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier, and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier’s former ally, Magneto.

X-Men Origins Wolverine / 2009

After seeking to live a normal life, Logan sets out to avenge the death of his girlfriend by undergoing the mutant Weapon X program and becoming Wolverine.

X-Men First Class / 2011

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.

The Wolverine / 2013

Wolverine faces his ultimate nemesis – and tests of his physical, emotional, and mortal limits – in a life-changing voyage to modern-day Japan.

X Men Days of Future Past / 2014

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods in X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The beloved characters from the original “X-Men” film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from “X-Men: First Class,” in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.

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NOTE:
This posting also marks post #600 here at Reggie’s Take.com! Thank you to everyone who has followed my website and continues to check out my site on a daily basis. Here’s to 600 more.