The New Mutants (2020)
The strangest death in franchise history: a shelved horror film released to empty theaters. A first screening for careers that mattered later. 5.3 IMDb, 36% RT. Autopsy value.
Tag fox x-men films
Deadpool 2 (2018)
The sequel it had to earn: the Juggernaut truck chase, Brolin's war behind the deadpan, a joke that turns sincere at the right instant. 83% RT, 7.7 IMDb. Stay for the post credits.
Deadpool (2016)
The leak that became a franchise: single take highway gore, a sincere love story under the jokes, 8.0 on IMDb from 1.2M. Rewrote the business model.
Dark Phoenix (2019)
The Fox era's end credit scene stretched to 113 minutes: reshoot damage on screen, a real beautiful team shot, the quiet McAvoy and Lawrence scenes worth the fare. 22% on RT, 5.8 IMDb.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
Best production design, worst-protected villain: Isaac's Apocalypse hidden from every trailer, a Cairo sky beam where a finale should be. 47% RT, 6.8 IMDb. Still a hell of a team shot.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
The fix that beat the original: future war despair, a 1973 heist, the Pentagon kitchen scene as the Fox run's purest joy. 90% on RT, 7.9 IMDb from 792K. The high water.
The Wolverine (2013)
The quiet one: Mangold's death-wish samurai film, Logan who cannot dies among people who must. The Xavier graveyard scene is the era's best moment. 70% on RT.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
The reboot that worked: color, 1962, McAvoy and Fassbender erase recast doubts in one scene. 86% on RT, 7.7 IMDb, no bad act. The most fun one.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
Taught Fox the wrong lessons: great Three Rivers opening, studio checklist after the island. 6.5 on IMDb from 573K. Watch act one at full speed, rest as documentation.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
The first stumble, still not the disaster: the cure metaphor is bitter and good, Phoenix gets the B plot she deserved. 56% on RT, 6.7 on IMDb. The rough patch before the reboot fixed the brand.