Wolverine is officially a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). The movie sees Hugh Jackman reprise his iconic role as James Howlett (aka Wolverine) alongside Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool). Although this is the first MCU movie Jackman’s Wolverine starred in, he has been portraying the role since 2000.
For viewers interested in catching up on the character’s film history in lieu of the latest movie, this guide will explain how to watch all of Wolverine’s live-action movies in order on Disney+ and more.
X-Men (2000)
X-Men, the first film in the original X-Men series, marks Jackman’s debut as Wolverine. In the movie, Wolverine and Rogue (Anna Paquin) struggle to decide whether their loyalties lie with Professor X (Sir Patrick Stewart) or Magneto (Sir Ian McKellen), two former friends with radically different ideas on how or if humans and mutants should co-exist.
X-Men is a thought-provoking and action-packed movie that packages themes of discrimination and acceptance in an engaging and suspenseful superhero team-up movie. Jackman shines as the rough and sarcastic Wolverine, who shows hints of vulnerability when confronted with the idea of finding a family with Xavier and the mutants. If you enjoy faithful comic book adaptations with lighter tones, like Thunderbolts* (2025) and The Avengers (2012), you’ll love X-Men.
X2 (2003)
X2 is the sequel to X-Men and puts Wolverine front and center. The film sees the rise of Colonel William Stryker (Brian Cox), a man with knowledge of Wolverine’s past, who seeks to destroy Professor X’s school for mutants. It’s just as well-made as X-Men, with a thoughtful message, superhero action, complex characters, and a nice balance between a lighthearted and mature tone.
It also caters to Wolverine fans by delving into his complicated past and the beginning of his journey to coming to terms with what happened to him. X2 is a strong superhero movie that will especially appeal to younger viewers as it drives home its themes of acceptance. Viewers who enjoyed X-Men, Spider-Man (2002), and other more lighthearted 2000s superhero movies will like X2.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
X-Men: The Last Stand is the final installment in the original X-Men trilogy. The stakes are higher than ever as tensions flare between humans and mutants due to the creation of a cure for mutants. X-Men: The Last Stand is heavy on character development as the mutants are faced with the possibility of removing their powers and leading everyday lives.
Like X-Men and X2, it maintains thought-provoking themes as it probes the cost of power. However, it is one of the weaker entries in the X-Men series, featuring only surface-level sentiments and some disappointing character arcs. Still, it’s enjoyable for fans of the previous X-Men movies and standard superhero team movies like Justice League (2017).
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine marks Wolverine’s first solo movie, which serves as a prequel to the X-Men trilogy. The film delves into Logan’s past, including the traumatic manifestation of his mutant powers and the revenge mission that led him to Project X. X-Men Origins: Wolverine is a treat for Wolverine fans, with a passionate and sometimes feral performance from Jackman.
It satisfactorily tells Wolverine’s origin story, though the complicated history is sometimes a bit difficult to follow. Still, X-Men Origins: Wolverine is perfect for viewers who love a typical superhero origin story like Aquaman (2018) or Black Adam (2022), and it will especially appeal to viewers who love Jackman’s Wolverine.
X-Men: First Class (2011)
X-Men: First Class sees a young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) recruit a team of mutants to stop an impending nuclear war. Jackman has only an uncredited cameo in the film as Wolverine, who rejects Xavier and Lehnsherr’s recruitment offer in his typical blunt, gruff fashion. While the cameo is perfect for Wolverine, X-Men: First Class isn’t a good pick for fans seeking a significant Wolverine role.
However, the film is a fascinating look at the X-Men’s origins. McAvoy and Fassbender are excellent as Xavier and Lehnsherr, powerfully capturing the essence of the characters’ history and friendship. X-Men: First Class’s strong character development, fast pace, and stunning visuals make it an entertaining and emotional superhero movie. Viewers who loved the X-Men movies but prefer superhero films with younger heroes, like Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) or Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015), will love X-Men: First Class.
The Wolverine (2013)
The Wolverine is the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The movie takes Wolverine to Japan, where he was once a prisoner of war, as he grapples with his past and gets caught up in a dangerous zaibatsu scheme. The Wolverine is an excellent change of pace and setting in the X-Men franchise, offering an action-packed superhero movie that borders on a crime thriller rife with ninjas, yakuza, and a surprisingly emotional continuation of Wolverine’s story.
It remains faithful to the source material, treads into darker territory, and does justice to Jackman’s character. Ultimately, The Wolverine is a must-see for fans of Wolverine. The tone most closely resembles the darker, serious tone of Logan (2017), but offsets some of the darkness with humor, offering one of the most balanced and grounded Wolverine movies.
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
X-Men: Days of Future Past is the sequel to X-Men: First Class and serves as a crossover between the prequel and original trilogy. In the film, Wolverine travels back in time to seek the help of young Charles and Erik in preventing the future genocide of mutants. X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the best X-Men movies, perfectly executing a tricky time-travel premise and fixing the series’ timeline by undoing much of X-Men: The Last Stand.
The ambitious crossover between the prequel and original X-Men casts will thrill viewers, while fans of Wolverine will enjoy seeing him drive the narrative and plot. It capitalizes on all the best aspects of the X-Men films, including the powerful performance, top-notch cast, and complex storytelling, while differentiating itself with its crossover/time-travel premise. If you love superhero crossovers or time-travel movies like The Avengers and Avengers: Endgame (2019), X-Men: Days of Future Past is an excellent choice.
X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)
X-Men: Apocalypse is the third film in the X-Men prequel series and sees the mutants come up against the supervillain mutant Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac). Like X-Men: First Class, Jackman only has an uncredited cameo as Wolverine, who runs into the X-Men in Weapon X form. Again, it’s not the film to watch solely for Wolverine, especially since the cameo feels a little unnecessary and out of place.
X-Men: Apocalypse will still appeal to fans of the X-Men prequel trilogy and those eager to see Apocalypse brought to life. The film is a bit heavier on the action and visuals than character development, making it an excellent choice if you’re seeking some fast-paced entertainment. X-Men: Apocalypse stands out from most X-Men movies with its unique setting and shares some similarities with other superhero projects that draw inspiration from Egyptian themes, such as Black Adam and Moon Knight (2022).
Logan (2017)
Logan is the final film in the Wolverine trilogy and centers on an older, weary Wolverine, who is forced back into action to protect a young mutant, Laura (Dafne Keen), with similar powers to his. The film is dark, brutal, and a beautiful adaptation of “Old Man Logan.” Jackman offers his best Wolverine performance yet as the world-weary and gruff Logan.
At the same time, the film sets itself apart from all the X-Men movies with an unusually thoughtful, gritty, and emotional premise. Logan is a must-see for fans of Wolverine and Stewart’s Professor X, offering the perfect finale for both iconic characters. It’s an excellent film for fans of mature superhero movies like The Watchmen (2009) and The Batman (2022).
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Although Jackman intended Logan to be his final bow as Wolverine, he decided to return to the role with Deadpool & Wolverine, which marked his character’s entrance to the MCU. The film brings him back via the multiverse, as Deadpool (Reynolds) finds a Wolverine variant (Jackman) to help him save his timeline. Deadpool & Wolverine is more of a Deadpool film rather than an X-Men movie. Hence, it boasts a far funnier and more mature tone than the previous X-Men movies. It is just as irreverent, vulgar, violent, and hilarious as Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018).
The film also offers the crossover that every Wolverine fan has been hoping for since Deadpool’s premiere. Reynolds and Jackman’s chemistry and comedic timing are on point, while Deadpool & Wolverine is filled with exciting, fan service cameos. Viewers who love multiversal superhero movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and The Flash (2014), but want one with a bit of adult humor, will love Deadpool & Wolverine.
Wolverine Movies In Chronological Order
While we recommend watching the Wolverine movies in release date order to avoid switching between film series and timelines, viewers can also watch the films in chronological order if they choose. The chronological order is as follows:
- X-Men: First Class
- X-Men: Days of Future Past
- X-Men Wolverine: Origins
- X-Men: Apocalypse
- X-Men
- X2
- X-Men: The Last Stand
- The Wolverine
- Logan
- Deadpool & Wolverine
