The fictional X-Men created by Marvel Comics have appeared in multiple forms of media besides comics, including on television numerous times, in both live action and animated television programs.

Animated

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedHead writerDirector(s)Network
First releasedLast released
The Marvel Super Heroes165September 1, 1966 (1966-09-01)December 1, 1966 (1966-12-01)——Syndication
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends113September 12, 1981 (1981-09-12)December 5, 1981 (1981-12-05)—Don JurwichNBC
23September 18, 1982 (1982-09-18)October 2, 1982 (1982-10-02)
38September 17, 1983 (1983-09-17)November 5, 1983 (1983-11-05)
Pryde of the X-MenPilotSeptember 16, 1989 (1989-09-16)Larry ParrRay Lee & Stu RosenSyndication
The Animated Series113October 31, 1992 (1992-10-31)March 27, 1993 (1993-03-27)Eric LewaldLarry HoustonFox Kids
213October 23, 1993 (1993-10-23)February 19, 1994 (1994-02-19)
319July 29, 1994 (1994-07-29)October 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
421May 6, 1995 (1995-05-06)October 26, 1996 (1996-10-26)
510September 7, 1996 (1996-09-07)September 20, 1997 (1997-09-20)
Evolution113November 4, 2000 (2000-11-04)May 12, 2001 (2001-05-12)Greg JohnsonVariousKids' WB
217September 29, 2001 (2001-09-29)May 11, 2002 (2002-05-11)
313September 14, 2002 (2002-09-14)August 23, 2003 (2003-08-23)
49August 30, 2003 (2003-08-30)October 25, 2003 (2003-10-25)
Wolverine and the X-Men126January 23, 2009 (2009-01-23)November 29, 2009 (2009-11-29)Craig Kyle & Greg JohnsonNicholas Filippi, Steven E. Gordon, Doug Murphy & Boyd KirklandNicktoons
Wolverine (anime)112January 7, 2011 (2011-01-07)March 25, 2011 (2011-03-25)Kengo KajiHiroshi AoyamaAnimax & G4
X-Men (anime)112April 1, 2011 (2011-04-01)June 24, 2011 (2011-06-24)Mitsutaka Hirota & Warren EllisFuminori KizakiAnimax & G4
X-Men '97110[1]March 20, 2024 (2024-03-20)[2]May 22, 2024 (2024-05-22)[2]Beau DeMayo[2]Jake Castorena, Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura[2]Disney+
2TBATBATBATBA

The Marvel Super Heroes (1966)

The X-Men made their first ever animated appearance on The Marvel Super Heroes TV series in 1966 with Professor X commanding the original X-Men line-up of the Cyclops, the Beast, Marvel Girl, the Angel, and Iceman. The X-Men appeared in the Sub-Mariner episode "Dr. Doom's Day / The Doomed Allegiance / Tug of Death". Though the episode was adapted from Fantastic Four No. 6 (1962) and Fantastic Four Annual No. 3 (1965), Grantray-Lawrence Animation did not have the rights to the Fantastic Four (their series was produced by Hanna-Barbera), and so instead substituted the X-Men.[3] The X-Men are never referred to in this episode as the X-Men but rather as the Allies for Peace.[4] The characters kept their original looks and individual names from the comics.

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981–1983)

The X-Men guest-starred in several episodes of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, which included Iceman, along with Spider-Man and Firestar, as the main characters, starting with a flashback in "The Origin of Iceman".[4] Appearing in this particular episode are Professor X and the five original X-Men: Iceman, the Angel, the Beast, Marvel Girl, and Cyclops. For the continuity of the show, Firestar was also a former member of the X-Men. X-Men member Sunfire would also pop up on his own in a later episode teaming up with the Amazing Friends, as well as representing a romantic interest for Firestar.

The X-Men's next appearance was in the episode "A Firestar is Born",[4] which included appearances from Professor X, Storm, the Angel, Cyclops, Wolverine, and the Juggernaut and cameos by Magneto and a Sentinel.

The X-Men would return the following season in the episode titled "The X-Men Adventure".[4] Making appearances this time were: Professor X, Cyclops, Sprite, Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird. This episode was meant to be a pilot for an X-Men cartoon that was slated to feature the X-Men characters, plus Lady Lightning (an animated version of Carol Danvers / Ms. Marvel) and Videoman as members.[5] The series was never produced.

Pryde of the X-Men (1989)

In 1989, Marvel Productions produced a half-hour pilot X-Men episode titled X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men. It related the story of Kitty Pryde's first adventure with the team of mutants which included Professor X, Cyclops, Storm, Wolverine, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as they fought against Magneto, the White Queen, the Juggernaut, the Blob, Pyro, and the Toad.[4] The series was never picked up but the single episode aired infrequently in syndication during the Marvel Action Universe series and was released on video in 1990.[3]

In 1991, a six-player arcade game and a four-player version were based upon the pilot starring Cyclops, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Dazzler as the playable characters. Kitty Pryde and Professor X also appear.[6]

X-Men (1992–1997)

In 1992, the Fox network launched an X-Men animated series with the roster of Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, Jean Grey, and Professor X with secondary background player Morph making occasional appearances. The two-part pilot episode, "Night of the Sentinels" began a five-season series. It was an extraordinary success and helped to widen the X-Men's popularity.[4] The five seasons ended in 1997. It returned to Fox's line-up for several months after the first movie was released in 2000.[7]

Spider-Man (1995–1997)

The X-Men starred on Spider-Man in episodes "The Mutant Agenda" and "Mutants Revenge", when Spider-Man seeks Professor X's help with his growing mutation disease. Storm would later guest-star in the Secret Wars arc.[4]

Fantastic Four

Cyclops, Jean Grey, Gambit, Wolverine, Storm, and the Juggernaut, along with the Scarlet Spider, made cameos in the Fantastic Four series, in the episode "Nightmare in Green", as the Human Torch flies overhead.[8]

X-Men: Evolution (2000–2003)

In 2000, The WB launched the X-Men: Evolution television series, which portrayed the X-Men as teenagers attending a regular public high school in addition to the Xavier Institute. The series ended in 2003 after its fourth season. The show focused on Cyclops, Jean Grey, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Shadowcat, Wolverine, Storm, Beast, Professor x, Spyke (Storm's nephew), in addition to introducing the character Laura Kinney / X-23, who has since become a recurring character in the comics.[4]

Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003)

The X-Men and mutant-kind are mentioned in an episode of the short-lived CGI series Spider-Man: The New Animated Series called "The Party". Peter Parker is quoted as saying, "I bet the X-Men get to go to parties". Soon after, he is ambushed by a group of cops, one of them calling him a "mutant freak".[9]

Wolverine and the X-Men (2009)

In 2008, Marvel Studios released a new X-Men animated show that featured Wolverine titled Wolverine and the X-Men. This series used a mesh of 2D/3D animation for characters and backgrounds.[10] Avi Arad, CEO of Marvel Studios, stated "X-Men is one of Marvel's crown jewels and it makes sense to focus on the popular Wolverine character for our second animation project."[11] The series debuted in the United States on January 23, 2009 and in the U.K. in February.[10][12] It also aired in Latin America and Canada. The team consisted of Wolverine, Emma Frost, Cyclops, the Beast, Storm, Shadowcat, Iceman, Rogue, Nightcrawler, the Angel, Jean Grey and Professor X. The show was cancelled just after one season due to financing issues.[4]

The Super Hero Squad Show (2009)

The X-Men appeared on Cartoon Network's The Super Hero Squad Show.[13]

Marvel Anime: X-Men (2011)

As part of a four-series collaboration between the Japanese Madhouse animation house and Marvel, the X-Men starred in a 12 episode anime series that premiered in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4 in 2011.[14][15] The series deals with the X-Men coming to Japan to investigate the disappearance of Armor. The antagonists are reported to be the U-Men.[16][17]

Marvel Anime: Wolverine (2011)

As part of the same four-series collaboration as described above, several characters from the X-Men franchise, including Wolverine and Cyclops, are featured in a 12 episode anime series aired in Japan on Animax and in the United States on G4.[17][14]

X-Men '97 (2024)

On November 12, 2021, Marvel announced a revival of the 1992–1997 animated series titled X-Men '97, set to be released on Disney+ in 2024 and will be produced by Marvel Studios. Beau DeMayo will serve as the head writer and executive producer for the upcoming series with several cast members from the original animated series are set to reprise their roles and will be joined by new cast. Original animated series director Larry Houston, and its showrunners and producers Eric and Julia Lewald are announced as the consultants for the upcoming series.[18][19][20] It is set to premiere on Disney+ on March 20, 2024 and run for 10 episodes.[2] A second season is in development.

Live action

Generation X (1996)

Main article: Generation X (film)

A television pilot produced by Marvel Entertainment after the comic of the same name. It was later aired as a TV film, and featured the characters of Jubilee, Emma Frost, Banshee, M and others.

Mutant X (2001–2004)

Main article: Mutant X (TV series)

A syndicated show produced under the supervision of Avi Arad and Marvel, but without the license of any mutant or Marvel characters. The show was cancelled in 2004.

Legion (2017–2019)

Main article: Legion (TV series)

The show focuses on David Haller, who is diagnosed as schizophrenic. Following an encounter with another patient, he is confronted with the possibility that the voices he hears and the visions he sees might be real.[21]

In October 2015, FX had ordered a pilot titled Legion, with Noah Hawley attached as the showrunner.[21] It was picked up by FX in early 2017 for an eight episodes run.[22] Starring Dan Stevens as Haller, Rachel Keller, Jean Smart, Jemaine Clement, Bill Irwin, Jeremie Harris, and Aubrey Plaza as the Shadow King, the first season aired from February to March 2017. It returned for a second season in 2018.[23]

The Gifted (2017–2019)

Main article: The Gifted (American TV series)

The show focuses on a suburban couple whose lives are changed by the discovery that their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from the government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants for survival.[24] The show stars Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker, Sean Teale, Natalie Alyn Lind, Percy Hynes White, Jamie Chung as Blink, Coby Bell, Emma Dumont as Polaris, Blair Redford as Thunderbird, and Skyler Samuels as the Stepford Cuckoos. It premiered on October 2, 2017 on Fox.[24]

Characters

The X-Men team roster varies from show to show, though multiple characters are frequently featured.

Animated

Character Series
The Marvel Super Heroes (1966) Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981-1983) Pryde of the X-Men (Pilot) X-Men: The Animated Series (1992-1997) X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003) Darktide (Short) (2006) Wolverine and the X-Men (2009) Wolverine (anime) (2011) X-Men (anime) (2011) X-Men '97 (2023)
Charles Xavier / Professor X Guest Main None Main None Main TBA
Logan / James Howlett / Wolverine None Guest Main TBA
Scott Summers / Cyclops Guest Main Guest Main TBA
Jean Grey / Marvel Girl / Phoenix Guest None Main Recurring None Guest TBA
Ororo Munroe / Storm None Guest Main None Main TBA
Rogue None Main None Recurring None Guest[25] TBA
Hank McCoy / Beast Guest None Main None Main TBA
Warner Worthington III / Angel / Archangel Guest None Recurring Main None Guest[26] TBA
Bobby Drake / Iceman Guest Main None Guest Recurring None Main Main TBA
Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler None Guest Main Recurring Main None Main None Guest[27] TBA
Kitty Pryde / Sprite / Shadowcat None Guest Main None Main None Main None TBA
Piotr Rasputin / Colossus None Guest Main Recurring None Recurring None Guest[28] TBA
Remy LeBeau / Gambit None Main Recurring None Recurring None TBA
Jubilation Lee / Jubilee None Main Recurring None TBA
Emma Frost / White Queen None Guest Recurring None Main None Main TBA

Reception

For more details on the reception of each series, see the "Reception" section on each series' article.

Ratings

Each season is linked to the "Ratings" section of its article.
Viewership and ratings per season of X-Men in television
Series Season Episodes First aired Last aired TV season Viewership
rank		 Avg. viewers
(millions)		 Avg. 18–49
rating
Date Viewers
(millions) 		Date Viewers
(millions)
Legion 1 8 February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08) 1.622[29] March 29, 2017 (2017-03-29) 0.812[30] – – – –
2 11 April 3, 2018 (2018-04-03) 0.669[31] June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12) 0.315[32] – – – –
3 8 June 24, 2019 (2019-06-24) 0.377[33] August 12, 2019 (2019-08-12) 0.365[34] – – – –
The Gifted 1 13 October 2, 2017 (2017-10-02) 4.90[35] January 15, 2018 (2018-01-15) 3.42[36] 2017–18 99 4.97[37] 1.7[37]
2 16 September 25, 2018 (2018-09-25) 2.58[38] February 26, 2019 (2019-02-26) 1.61[39] 2018–19 132 3.32[40] 1.1[40]

Critical response

Critical response of X-Men television series
TitleSeasonRotten TomatoesMetacritic
Legion190% (238 reviews)[41]82 (40 reviews)[42]
291% (160 reviews)[43]85 (10 reviews)[44]
393% (71 reviews)[45]72 (6 reviews)[46]
The Gifted176% (54 reviews)[47]63 (22 reviews)[48]
283% (12 reviews)[49]—

See also

References

  1. ^ Bonomolo, Cameron (February 7, 2022). "X-Men '97 Producers Reveal Intel on X-Men: The Animated Series Revival". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Petski, Denise (February 15, 2024). "'X-Men '97' Animated Series Gets Disney+ Premiere Date, Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Mangels, Andy (August 1993). "Scorching the Screen". Wizard: X-Men Turn Thirty. pp. 70–73.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Goldman, Eric (May 31, 2011). "The X-Men's TV History". IGN. Archived from the original on November 20, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  5. ^ Reaves, Michael (n.d.). "Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends – The X-Men Adventure". Spider-Friends.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  6. ^ White, Brett (February 11, 2017). "Pryde of the X-Men: 16 Things The Failed Cartoon Got Right – 3". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  7. ^ Moore, Rose (March 23, 2016). "10 Things You Didn't Know About X-Men The Animated Series – 9". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  8. ^ "Cameos – Nightmare in Green". Marvel Toonzone. Archived from the original on May 28, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  9. ^ Cyrenne, Randall (January 17, 2004). "Spider-Man: The New Animated Series: Special Edition – Review". Animated views. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Kirchhofer, Scott (January 7, 2009). "'X-Men' return to animation on Nickelodeon Jan. 23". Nerdvana. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  11. ^ "Wolverine is the focus of new X-Men cartoon series". ICv2. October 17, 2005. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  12. ^ Siegel, Lucas (January 24, 2009). "Review: Wolverine and the X-Men". Newsarama. Archived from the original on May 31, 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  13. ^ Holt, Louis (September 7, 2017). "X-Men To Appear on the Super Hero Squad Show". Comicbook. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  14. ^ a b Weisman, Jon (July 26, 2010). "G4 to air Marvel anime series". Variety. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  15. ^ Loo, Egan (July 23, 2010). "Marvel Anime to Run on G4 in the United States in 2011". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
  16. ^ "SDCC: G4 Announces New Marvel Anime Series". Superhero Hype!. July 26, 2010. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  17. ^ a b Graham, Bill (July 26, 2010). "G4 To Air Four New Marvel Animated Series Written by Warren Ellis". Collider. Archived from the original on February 16, 2019. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
  18. ^ Belt, Robyn (November 12, 2021). "EXCLUSIVE: Cast Announcement for 'X-MEN '97' Coming to Disney+". Marvel Entertainment. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  19. ^ Gartenberg, Chaim (November 12, 2021). "Marvel embraces the Sad Wolverine meme to announce X-Men '97, a new animated Disney Plus show". The Verge. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  20. ^ Holub, Christian (November 12, 2021). "'X-Men '97' will resurrect classic animated X-Men series for Disney+". EW.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  21. ^ a b Lesnick, Silas (October 14, 2015). "X-Men TV Series Plans Including Both Legion and Hellfire". Coming Soon. Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2015.
  22. ^ "FX Networks Picks Up Legion to Series". Marvel Comics. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016.
  23. ^ Patten, Dominic (March 29, 2017). "'Legion' EP Noah Hawley Interview: Tonight's Finale, Season 2 & 'Fargo'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Pedersen, Erik (May 16, 2017). "'The Gifted' Trailer Tops 31M Views, Fox Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  25. ^ "The Scott and Jean Archives | Destiny: Connections". Archived from the original on June 14, 2019.
  26. ^ "The Scott and Jean Archives | Destiny: Connections". Archived from the original on June 14, 2019.
  27. ^ "The Scott and Jean Archives | Destiny: Connections". Archived from the original on June 14, 2019.
  28. ^ "The Scott and Jean Archives | Destiny: Connections". Archived from the original on June 14, 2019.
  29. ^ Welch, Alex (February 9, 2017). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' premiere brings in strong numbers, 'The Magicians' holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
  30. ^ Welch, Alex (March 30, 2017). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' season finale holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  31. ^ Welch, Alex (April 4, 2018). "Tuesday cable ratings: 'Legion' premieres down, 'WWE Smackdown' holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  32. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 13, 2018). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.12.2018". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  33. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 25, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  34. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (August 13, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Monday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.12.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  35. ^ Porter, Rick (October 3, 2017). "'Big Bang Theory,' 'Voice' adjust up; 'Good Doctor,' 'DWTS,' 'Kevin Can Wait,' 'The Brave' & 'Scorpion' down: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  36. ^ Porter, Rick (January 17, 2017). "'The Gifted' finale, 'The Good Doctor' and all others hold: Monday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  37. ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa; Hipes, Patrick (May 22, 2018). "2017-18 TV Series Ratings Rankings: NFL Football, 'Big Bang' Top Charts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  38. ^ Welch, Alex (September 26, 2018). "'This is Us' and 'The Voice' adjust up, 'New Amsterdam' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  39. ^ Welch, Alex (February 27, 2019). "'FBI' adjusts up, 'The Gifted' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  40. ^ a b de Moraes, Lisa (May 21, 2019). "2018–19 TV Season Ratings: CBS Wraps 11th Season At No. 1 In Total Viewers, NBC Tops Demo; 'Big Bang Theory' Most Watched Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  41. ^ "Legion: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  42. ^ "Legion: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  43. ^ "Legion: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  44. ^ "Legion: Season 2". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  45. ^ "Legion: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  46. ^ "Legion: Season 3". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  47. ^ "The Gifted: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  48. ^ "The Gifted: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  49. ^ "The Gifted: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
Category