Every Animated Version of the X-Men, Ranked

While the Avengers are incredibly popular, the X-Men have consistently been a major success for Marvel, especially in animation. The 1990s were a peak period for the X-Men, coinciding with a popular comic book revival and the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series. Their success led Fox to acquire the film rights, creating a hugely profitable movie series that continues to influence superhero films. Marvel has even announced that X-Men characters will be returning in future Avengers movies.

Despite all the different ways Marvel’s X-Men have been presented, animated TV series still feel like the perfect fit. Their stories work best when they have time to develop over multiple episodes, and animation allows for amazing visual effects. There have been five different X-Men animated shows so far, and this looks at how they stack up against each other.

7) Pryde of the X-Men

First aired in 1989, Pryde of the X-Men was a TV pilot that, unfortunately, wasn’t picked up as a full series because of money problems at Marvel. The legendary Stan Lee narrated the episode, which featured a version of the X-Men’s Second Genesis team with some changes. Kitty Pryde was a central character, though she was somewhat portrayed as needing rescue, and Wolverine was presented as being from Australia. Casting director Rick Holberg explained this was done because Australian characters and themes were popular in movies like Mad Max and “Crocodile” Dundee at the time.

Surprisingly, the real impact of Pryde of the X-Men isn’t from the TV show itself, but from the 1990 Uncanny X-Men video game. That game had almost the same team of characters – swapping Dazzler for Iceman – and is often ranked as one of the worst superhero games ever made.

6) Marvel Anime

Back in 2010, the Japanese studio Madhouse created a series of animated Marvel shows, including a 12-episode series focused on Wolverine and another on the X-Men. These shows stand out from typical American animation with their continuous, overarching storylines instead of individual episodes. The animation quality is excellent, though the shows received varied reactions, partly due to attempts at tackling more adult themes that didn’t fully land.

As a fan, I think the characters are mostly well done, but not always spot-on. Storm, especially, doesn’t quite feel as powerful as she is in the comics, and honestly, I’ve seen her portrayed better in other animated series. That being said, the tension between Cyclops and Wolverine is fantastic, and I actually think Wolverine’s depiction in this X-Men anime is stronger than how they handled his own standalone story.

4) X-Men: Evolution

Premiering in 2003, X-Men: Evolution ran for four seasons and stands out as a truly unique take on the X-Men. Instead of retelling familiar stories, it reimagines Professor X as the principal of a school for young mutants. The series focuses on teenage versions of the X-Men, with characters like Wolverine and Storm providing guidance. The show took some surprising turns and is particularly remembered for introducing X-23, Wolverine’s female clone, who later appeared in the comics and films.

X-Men: Evolution boasts a strong voice cast, clever writing, and well-developed characters. While it deviates significantly from the comic books – for instance, it created a popular romantic pairing between Cyclops and Rogue that comic fans wouldn’t expect – it’s still a highly recommended and very enjoyable show. It might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely worth checking out.

3) Wolverine and the X-Men

Premiering in 2009, Wolverine and the X-Men is remembered as a particularly disappointing Marvel show, mainly because it was cancelled after just one season. The series drew inspiration from Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men comic run, especially in how the characters looked. The show depicts Wolverine rebuilding the X-Men team a year after a devastating event at the X-Mansion. It offers a fresh take on the X-Men, notably featuring a darker and more complex version of Cyclops who frequently disagrees with Wolverine – a clever twist on their usual dynamic.

The animated series Wolverine and the X-Men is well-written, with compelling characters and surprising plot twists as it approached its first season’s end. While the finale left viewers on a cliffhanger, a second season never materialized due to funding issues. With Marvel recently bringing back classic animated shows like X-Men ’97, many fans are hoping Wolverine and the X-Men will get another chance.

2) X-Men: The Animated Series

It feels wrong to rank the 1992 X-Men: The Animated Series so high on this list, even though it’s incredibly important. This show is what really introduced the X-Men to a wide audience, running for five years and building their reputation before the first movie came out. Many fans still consider it the best version of the X-Men ever made. However, the show wasn’t always great because the quality of the stories and animation varied. This happened because the budget was cut and Marvel switched animation studios mid-run, which was a poor decision.

While not perfect, X-Men: The Animated Series remains highly regarded. For every weak episode, there were many excellent ones, like when Nightcrawler was introduced, Professor Xavier explored the Savage Land, and the show presented a phenomenal version of the Phoenix Saga – one that surpasses any big-screen adaptation.

1) X-Men ’97

As a huge animation fan, I was so excited for Marvel’s X-Men ’97 when it dropped in 2024, and it totally delivered! It’s a fantastic revival of the original series, giving us that sweet nostalgia while also feeling really modern and tackling some surprisingly dark themes. Season one really drew inspiration from Grant Morrison’s run on the comics, updating the whole X-Men world for today’s audience. The writing is genuinely clever, and they weren’t afraid to throw in some unexpected turns. Plus, that season finale? Perfect setup for season two, which thankfully is coming in the summer of 2026!

The first season was excellent, with ten episodes that were slightly better than X-Men: The Animated Series. Whether the upcoming second season will maintain this high standard is yet to be determined – it’s up to viewers to decide if it’s still the best.

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2025-12-25 15:11