How to Watch the X-Men Movies in Preparation for Dark Phoenix

If you're planning to watch the movie Dark Phoenix, you might be wondering what order to watch the X-Men movies in. Unlike some other superhero franchises, there is no strict order required, and you can watch Dark Phoenix without a prior view of the entire X-Men series! However, if you want to have a better understanding, there are some recommendations on movies you should watch to ensure you're not confused.

First, it's essential to understand that you do not need to watch Logan, Deadpool, or Deadpool 2. These films, while excellent individually, do not contribute to the main X-Men continuity and are not necessary for viewing Dark Phoenix.

Similarly, the film X-Men Origins: Wolverine is not recommended. This movie is often criticized for its lack of cohesiveness with the X-Men continuity and can even damage the overall narrative. It doesn't add any valuable information to the other films in the series and is generally not considered a must-watch.

Bare Minimum Order

The most basic order you should consider is X-Men: Apocalypse followed by Dark Phoenix. This pair of films covers the essential plot points you need to understand for Dark Phoenix. Apocalypse introduces the main characters and sets up the cosmic conflict that you'll see darken in Dark Phoenix.

Slightly Less Bare Minimum Order

If you want a slightly more comprehensive understanding, adding X-Men: First Class into the mix before watching Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix would be beneficial. This route provides a broader timeline and context for the characters, slightly addressing the jarring elements that some might feel after watching only the newer films.

X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past, followed by Apocalypse and then Dark Phoenix

The inclusion of Days of Future Past offers a more cohesive understanding of the various timelines and reveals a broader range of characters. While the abrupt change in storytelling might be a bit jarring, it provides a rich background for the heroes and villains in Dark Phoenix.

For True X-Men Enthusiasts

If you're a true fan and want to watch all the X-Men films up until Dark Phoenix, you can include Logan, The Wolverine, and even The Wolverine 2. However, as mentioned, the only truly necessary part is the end credits of The Wolverine which lead directly into Days of Future Past. While viewing the entire The Wolverine trilogy offers a broader character background, the end credits scene is what truly matters for continuity.

Alternatively, you can stick to the true essentials and skip the previous X-Men trilogy (X-Men, X2: X-Men United, and X3: The Last Stand) as these films primarily focus on older characters who do not directly impact the main X-Men continuity after Days of Future Past.

Lastly, please note that Dark Phoenix is often regarded as the lowest-performing film in the X-Men franchise. While it certainly has its merits, critical reception was not favorable. So, if you choose to watch it, be prepared for a mixed experience!