Every X-Men movie villain ranked worst to best

Fox X-Men Universe created an incredible Marvel universe with some exciting and iconic villains. Over 13 films and more than 20 years, it can be difficult to even know the order in which to watch them X-Men Movies. The franchise overall worked so well because of how much time and effort was spent developing incredible villains for the series Who can stand up to the beloved team of heroes.

Out of all of Marvel, X-Men may have one of the best libraries of villains, second only to perhaps Spider-Man. With the animated X-Men ’97 Villains take a lot of attention in 2024, It’s worth reviewing the villains that have filled the feature films Fox has produced over the years. While iconic foes like Mister Sinister are likely ahead for the franchise when the MCU reboots it, so much ground regarding X-Men villains has already been covered with these iconic foes.

17

Deadpool

Appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Before he went on to star in one of Marvel’s most successful franchises, Deadpool was one of the main antagonists of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. however, This character is the lowest ranked villain on the list because of how the antihero was altered for the film. Rather than being true to the comics, Deadpool is transformed into a mutant monster with his mouth sewn shut. This leads to a scene where Deadpool is finally cut in half.

There was a lot of talk about how poor a choice this Deadpool was. Even Ryan Reynolds made a joke of it during his time-traveling sequence at the end of Deadpool 2which featured an appearance by this iteration of the character. While this version of the villain was ineffective and unenjoyable, it eventually led to the antihero getting his own wonderful trilogy of films, so there’s some upside.

16

Vuk

Out in the dark Phoenix

The second attempt to tell “The Phoenix Saga”, one of the most popular X-Men comic book stories, was even less successful than the first. Dark Phoenix See Jessica Chastain enter the X-Men universe as a D’Barry who escaped the destruction of her own world. This led her to seek out Jean Gray in an attempt to take the Phoenix’s powers away from her.

While Chastain was an excellent addition to the universe, there was simply nothing interesting for her villain to do in this overstuffed yet boring film. little of Dark Phoenix worked, causing the X-Men franchise to fail in its final installment. Some of Vuk’s scenes and lines in the film were effective, but unfortunately there wasn’t enough meat on the bone for Fox to make something enjoyable in the retread of “The Phoenix Saga,” which was already covered in medium Success in X-Men: The last stand.

15

Demon bear

Appeared in The New Mutants

After years of tumultuous development, The New Mutants was a fumbled spinoff that released to little fanfare. Despite this, the film has some good, creepy images that were effective throughout its runtime. The most memorable is the demon bear that the group faced in the film’s climax. A manifestation of Mirage’s greatest fear, the demon bear appeared as a giant, spiritual force that the team had to fight.

Unfortunately, probably due to the film not resonating with audiences, There is simply nothing about the Demon Bear other than its grand design to make it a memorable villain. Ethereal rather than entirely physical, and acting as a manifestation of fear, the force was too abstract for audiences to find much interest in. Like the rest of the film, Demon Bear is mostly forgotten by the time the credits roll.

14

Apocalypse

Appeared in X-Men: Apocalypse

Apocalypse is one of the greatest X-Men villains of all time, although the version that appeared in X-Men: Apocalypse Was a massive disappointment. Although not everything in the film was bad, the realization of the first mutant played by Oscar Isaac missed the mark. With strange makeup and a design reminiscent of a Power Rangers villain, the unimposing apocalypse didn’t make an impact when the film was released and has aged poorly.

There are rumors of Dwayne Johnson playing Apocalypse in the MCU, and that would likely be much closer to the villain fans know and love. While Oscar Isaac is a great performer, he simply doesn’t have the intimidating size or power that characterized Apocalypse in X-Men stories.. The character must be terrible; Unfortunately, this element is not captured in Apocalypse.

13

Ajax

Appeared in Deadpool

The inclusion of Ajax in Deadpool felt extremely minor for the movie. Played by Ed Skrein, the villain is not a focus of the movie, and felt somewhat underwhelming. Deadpool instead calls him Francis, and chases him down to try and kill him for revenge after his operation. The focus of the film, however, was on Deadpool and his relationship with Vanessa, leaving little room for the development of a compelling villain.

Ajax – or Francis – is far from a bad villain in the X-Men universe. He offers very little, even when Ed Skrein does his best to imbue his dialogue with style and flair. When the film ends, Deadpool Leave a big impact on its audience. However, very little of that impact comes from the forgettable villain.

12

Cassandra Nova

Appeared in Deadpool & Wolverine

While teased as the powerful villain of deadpool and wolverine, Cassandra Nova did not leave as much impact in the film as hoped. Charles Xavier’s twin sister, Much of Cassandra lends itself to terrifying imagery, particularly as she reaches her hand through people to peer into their minds.. Her plan to reduce the entire multiverse so that life only exists in the vid fits the film, but it doesn’t amount to much in the end.

Taken out without too much effort, Cassandra Nova is not the incredible force she was supposed to be. instead, The film featured a decent antagonist who provided some effectiveness throughout the film. Deadpool & Wolverines cameos and Easter eggs instead took the focus of the film, rendering Emma Corrin’s villain to only a minor component of the huge, multiverse-hopping story.

11

Donald Pierce

Out in Logan

Donald Pierce is an effective villain in this film LoganWhere Boyd Holbrook gives an understated and effective performance. Although not as colorful or theatrical as the most memorable X-Men villains, Pierce is a terrifying, slow-burn force that builds over the course of the film. His intensity bleeds into every scene and every appearance, leading to a satisfying ending when the character is finally killed by the children he has oppressed.

Pierce is terrifying in very real and human ways, despite being Outfitted with cybernetic enhancements. This helps make his threat feel more authentic and contributes to the emotional tone of the film he appears in. Logan is a very unusual superhero film, although it is incredibly special, and a villain like Pierce fits the bill perfectly.

10

Phoenix

Appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand And Dark Phoenix

One of the most effective villains in the X-Men comics run is the transformed Jean Grey, and the films have tried to do this story twice. The first, in X-Men: The last standSaw a regenerated Jean Gray fighting to keep a cure for mutants from being produced. With incredible power, the relationship between her and Wolverine is given full focus in a deep and impressive death for the character that haunted Logan from that day forward.

Phoenix in Dark Phoenix Is less successful as an antagonist, but is not without some good moments. These powers are a force that Jean tries to control in the film, leading to a conflict against VK. Rather than tapping into the villainous side of the Phoenix, the film instead puts a greater focus on the heroic other side of the coin at its end. Still, it’s the development of the character and the establishment of Jean Gray as a compelling character in her own right that makes this villain transformation effective.

9

Sabretooth

Appeared in X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Deadpool & Wolverine

Sabretooth is supposed to be one of Wolverine’s greatest enemies, and the films have approached this with some success. The feral version of the villain appeared in the first X-Men Film with a decent plot, although he seems like a minor villain. He was also quickly defeated in Deadpool & Wolverine. More memorably, Liew Schreiber was tapped to play the role in X-Men Origins: WolverineWhich he did with an excellent and impressive intensity.

Sabretooth, a terrifying character, is at his best when seen as a counterpoint to Logan. The two have been depicted as brothers, and their shared past adds depth to their divergent moral paths.. While not everything in X-Men Origins: Wolverine Worked, this version of Sabretooth was one of the most compelling, terrifying, and exciting villains in any X-Men movie.

8

Sebastian Shaw

Appeared in X-Men: First Class

The Black King, Sebastian Shaw, was memorably portrayed by Kevin Bacon in X-Men: First Class. A mutant with the ability to absorb power and energy, Shaw founded the iconic Hellfire Club in the film and attempted to start a nuclear war. Working as an influence on Magneto, Shaw worked to develop Magneto’s powers in Nazi Germany, leading to Eric’s twisted motivations and anger throughout the film.

Shaw was a one-and-done villain in the X-Men movies, but he was one of the most effective. Tying his story with Magneto’s origin was an inspired move that made Shaw much more of a formidable opponent to the team. With pomp and style, Shaw quickly became one of the most successful villains yet to appear in the franchise, and his impact on the character of Magneto can be felt throughout the rest of the franchise.

7

Emma Frost

Appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men: First Class

Emma Frost, often called the White Queen, is one of the best X-Men characters and was seriously underserved by the films. While a reference to a character with diamond skin appeared in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, It wasn’t until X-Men: First Class That Emma Frost became an antagonist to the team played by January Jones. With modern flair and the ability to turn her skin into diamond, Emma Frost was a memorable villain who even left a bigger impact than her partner in Sebastian Shaw.

With so much story about Emma Frost, there is hope among many X-Men fans for the character to be a major player in the MCU reboot. After that performance — and after Sigourney Weaver nearly played the role in a canceled Marvel movie — There is much more to be shown with the mischievous and conniving Emma Frost aheadMaking the promising prospect of her appearance in upcoming films all the more exciting.

6

Cable

Appears in Deadpool 2

Josh Brolin’s Cable was a memorable antagonist to Deadpool in Deadpool 2. Released just a few weeks after Avengers: Infinity WarBrolin played two Marvel enemies that summer, appearing as Thanos and Cable. Cable was an excellent contrast to Thanos, as a less grandiose and more rough and tumble enemy in the X-Men universe. Time traveling from the future, Cable came with a devout dedication to his plans to save his future.

Cable is not issued in deadpool and wolverine, Which was a disappointment to some audiences. yet, The character had a significant impact on the universe and the Deadpool movies as a strong, fierce, compelling character with incredible drive and purpose.. Cable tapped into the time travel details of other Marvel films and became one of the best enemies in any X-Men film.

5

Bolivar Trask

Appeared in X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Bolivar Trask was a long time coming to the X-Men movie universe, and was originally set to be played by Bill Duke in a brief appearance in The last stand. The villain eventually appeared with Peter Dinklage instead playing the roleProviding a strong, compelling and interesting performance. Trask is a more unique antagonist in that he is a villain because of his job, not his own innate powers, setting him apart from many other X-Men foes.

Trask created the iconic Sentinels in the X-Men movies, and this nearly led to total destruction in Days of Future Past. Taking this threat into the past through time travel was some of​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​most most exciting moments in the entire franchise. Trask may not have been a formidable force, but the work he did wreak havoc on the future of mutants, and Dinklage’s performance as the villain was excellent.

4

Silver Samurai

Out in the Wolverine

Perhaps the most underrated film of the entire X-Men franchise, The Wolverine saw some deep and disturbing reflections on mortality explored throughout the film’s runtime that would be expanded upon in the film’s sequel, Logan. Ichirō Yashida is saved from death by Wolverine in the opening of the film, and this leads to a relationship between the men later onWhere Yashida promises to help Wolverine end his life and take away his immortality. The ruminations are dark and difficult but are explored very well by director Jacob Mangold.

Wolverine disagrees, and this leads to a developing conflict between the old Yashida, who fakes his own death. Yashida is kept alive by the iconic silver samurai armor, leading to an incredible final setpiece where the two battle. The relationship between Wolverine and Yashida is unusual and compelling, and the film’s themes are dark and deep, leading to one of the best X-Men villains in all of film.

3

Mystic

Appeared in every major X-Men film

Mystique is an incredible character who has been a major part of the X-Men mythos in cinema. While the villain was an effective antagonist throughout the original trilogy, It was when X-Men: First Class Reintroduced her as a close friend to Charles that Raven’s depth began to be explored in the franchise truly. Seeing her evolve and change helped to humanize the mystical character and led to an incredible path forward.

Mystique is a relatable villain who has been cast aside by society. This drove her to overcome her repression and join the Brotherhood of Mutants alongside Magneto. Being able to be yourself, even if it’s an unusual-looking presentation of blue-skin, is paramount to Mystique’s motivations.. With depths of unusual rejection and sadness, Mystique ranks among the best X-Men villains.

2

William Stryker

Appeared in X2: X-Men United, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and X-Men: Days Of Future Past

William Stryker is a formidable force in the X-Men universe, appearing in multiple films played by multiple performers. Danny Huston took the role in WolverineWhile Brian Cox played the most memorable iteration in X2. Josh Hellman also played the role in Days of Future Past And Apocalypse. Stryker is an effective villain because he is an agent of greater purposes and selfishly believes in using mutants to further his own goals.. He is a thoughtful manipulator, and his scenes are dripping with intensity.

Striker is inherently linked to Wolverine, being part of the hero’s transformation. Without Stryker, Wolverine wouldn’t have the adamantium skeleton and wouldn’t be the same powerhouse he’s known as across the franchise.. However, this also inflicted incredible trauma on the hero. Stryker is linked to Logan’s dark past in complex ways that weave through the entire franchise.

1

Magneto

Appeared in every major X-Men film

There could be no other choice for the top spot of X-Men movie villains than Erik Lehnsherr himself. Born in trauma during the Holocaust, Eric’s powers gave the villain a kind of control that he could only have dreamed of. The character grew across so many films, working both with and against the heroes, always showing strength and depth throughout every single appearance.. Magento became one of the best, most relatable and deepest villains ever, played by Sir Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender.

It is a strength in the US X-Men Films where the lines between right and wrong are blurred. From the beginning, Eric looked to establish a brotherhood that was pushed to the margins of society. His motivations are relatable and authentic and can correlate with many social and civil resistances throughout history. Erik is the strongest X-Men villain because, to an extent, he is correct, drawing out the moral questions and themes that make up many of the series’ strongest moments.