10 Best Characters in the X-Men Movies, Ranked

Within the Marvel universe, humans born with the X-Gene become mutants and develop an expansive range of superpowers when they hit puberty. Thus, mutants are feared and hated by humanity, with many becoming radical criminals to strike back at a world that openly rejects them. However, some mutants choose to use their powers to protect both their fellow mutants and humanity, such as the X-Men.

From 2000 to 2019, 20th Century Studios helmed an X-Men film franchise that has become one of the highest-grossing of all time. The films introduced some of the most popular X-Men to a new generation of audiences and were instrumental in the rise of superhero films in the 2000s and 2010s. Thanks to talented actors and strong writing, even in some of the weaker films, these versions of the characters remain strong in the minds of fans. These are the best characters in the X-Men movies, with more than a few becoming the definitive versions of their respective mutants.

10 Kitty Pryde

Played by Sumela Kay, Katie Stuart, and Elliot Page

A resident of Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, Kitty Pryde (Sumela Kay, Katie Stuart, and Elliot Page) can phase through solid matter. Once she learns how to control her powers, she becomes a member of the X-Men with the codename Shadowcat. Later on, she gains the ability to send people’s consciousness through time, which she uses to send Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) back to 1973 to prevent an apocalyptic future where mutants are almost eradicated.

Waiting until X-Men: The Last Stand to make Kitty a team member was a good choice, as it allowed audiences to see her grow from a student to a superhero. Kitty adds youthful energy to the dynamic, and her unique powers lead to creative action scenes. She’s at her best in The Last Stand, especially during the climax when she interacts with Jimmy (Cameron Bright), a young mutant being used to synthesize a mutant cure. In fact, she’s among the few good things in what is probably the worst X-Men movie.

9 Rogue

Played by Anna Paquin

While most mutants love their powers, some, like Marie D’Ancanto (Anna Paquin), find them more of a burden than a gift. She has the power to absorb the memories and mutant powers of whoever she touches, but if she’s not careful, she can hurt or even kill the person. Scared of herself, Marie lives on the run until she meets Wolverine, and the two are eventually found by Charles Xavier (Sir Patrick Stewart).

Rogue is a character who helps show the complexity of mutants and how their powers can have drastic, life-altering consequences. This crucial aspect becomes a major focus in the third film, where Rogue seriously considers taking the mutant cure so that she can touch her boyfriend, Bobby (Shawn Ashmore). Besides that, she’s a sweet country girl who develops a strong friendship with Wolverine, which furthers their respective arcs. Sadly, Rogue fades into the background following her introduction in the first movie, becoming one of the most wasted X-Men characters.

8 Beast

Played by Steve Bacic, Kelsey Grammer, and Nicholas Hoult

An old friend of Charles Xavier, Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult) is a brilliant scientist whose mutation gave him animalistic feet, granting him enhanced reflexes. Toying with the idea of a cure, Hank tries to suppress his mutation, but his formula backfires and causes him to grow blue fur and feline-like features. In time, he comes to accept his new form and becomes Secretary of Mutant Affairs in the U. S. Cabinet.

Beast’s story is a strong tale of self-acceptance and using one’s talent for the betterment of others. Despite his impressive strength, Hank prefers to solve problems diplomatically and approaches others with kindness and understanding. Both of his primary actors bring phenomenal performances: Hoult does a great job playing Beast in his younger, less confident years, while Emmy-winner Kelsey Grammer captures the self-confidence and wisdom that come with age.

7 Jean Grey

Played by Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner

An incredibly powerful psychic mutant, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen and Sophie Turner), works personally with Charles to master her powers. Some of her abilities include telepathy and telekinesis, making her one of the more versatile members of the team. While she is normally a kind, supportive person, there is a darker side to Jean lurking beneath the surface called the Phoenix.

As the undisputed most powerful member of the X-Men, the mighty Jean shows the incredible destructive abilities of mutants and their strength of character to use her powers for good. She is a supportive, gentle person who is committed to helping others, making it all the more shocking when she is consumed by the Phoenix and becomes a raging force of destruction. The only thing that drags her down is her love triangle with Wolverine and the team leader, Cyclops (James Marsden).

6 Deadpool

Played by Ryan Reynolds

Following a dishonorable discharge from the Special Forces, Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) becomes a mercenary for hire, doing everything from assassinations to threatening stalkers. When he is diagnosed with terminal cancer, Wade partakes in an experimental treatment, which triggers his X-gene and grants him a healing factor but also disfigures his body. Breaking free of the facility, Wade takes the name Deadpool and begins hunting down those responsible for his present condition.

Following a disastrous film debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Reynolds’ second, more faithful adaptation of the character has been praised by audiences and critics for bringing new life to the X-Men franchise. Deadpool is a wonderful example of an anti-hero: though he has a moral code and is willing to work alongside heroes like Colossus (Stefan Kapičić), he also won’t hesitate to use lethal force to ensure that the bad guys get taken down. If that wasn’t enough to love him, he’s one of the funniest Marvel characters, constantly breaking the fourth wall and firing off one hilarious one-liner after another.

5 Mystique

Played by Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence

As a young girl, Raven Darkhölme meets Charles Xavier when she attempts to steal food from his home but is welcomed in as a foster sister. As a young adult, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) tries to follow Charles’ ideology of using her powers to help humans and mutants equally but becomes disillusioned and gravitates instead towards Magneto’s (Michael Fassbender) more radial mutant supremacist view. Eventually, Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) becomes Magneto’s (Sir Ian McKellen) closest ally with her skills in hand-to-hand combat and her impeccable shapeshifting powers.

Mystique is one of the most compelling characters in the X-Men films thanks to her fantastic design and the strong personalities found in both versions of the character. Romijn plays her as an aged and experienced veteran whose every movement makes audiences question what she is going to do next. Meanwhile, Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence plays her as a young woman still trying to find her place in the world and what kind of impact she will have on the fight for equality.

4 Quicksilver

Played by Evan Peters

The illegitimate son of Magneto, Peter Maximoff (Evan Peters), lives with his mother and two siblings in America. His mutant powers allow him to move and think at supersonic speeds, but he often uses them for juvenile pranks and thievery. In 1973, he is recruited to help break Magneto out of prison and later joins the X-Men in their battle against the ancient mutant, En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac).

Despite joining the franchise late into its run, Quicksiver became a fan favorite thanks to his energetic personality, Peters’ performance, and how creative the films brought his powers to life. He’s a rebellious teen with a love of pranks and quips, which plays well off the other, more serious characters. He is also front and center for the standout scenes from X-Men: Days of Future Past and X-Men: Apocalypse, where he uses his super speed to save people to the tune of Jim Croce and Eurythmics.

3 Magneto

Played by Sir Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender

During World War II, Erik Lehnsherr and his family are sent to Auschwitz, where he develops his power to control metal. After the war, he moves to America and hunts down Nazi survivors before joining forces with Charles Xavier to stop Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) from starting World War III. Although Erik and Charles become friends, Erik disagrees with him that humans and mutants will be able to coexist, going down a radical path of mutant supremacy.

Magneto is one of the greatest comic-book villains for a reason, and the film version does a phenomenal job of capturing the complexity of the character. He’s a fantastic antagonist because, while his actions are wrong, his logic is not, as humanity has a terrible history of demonizing and attacking that which doesn’t fit the norm. His friendship with Charles is a highlight of every film, as the two men want the same thing and respect one another deeply but can’t agree on how to see their dream through.

2 Charles Xavier

Played by Sir Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy

The most powerful telepath in the world, Charles Xavier, dedicates his life to protecting mutants from oppression and fostering a good relationship with humanity. Using an advanced computer called Cerebro, he can locate mutants anywhere on the planet, and bring them to his school to help them hone their powers and be part of a supportive community. Some of his students he trains to be the X-Men, a task force committed to maintaining peace between the two worlds by defeating mutant and human forces who would see one or the other harmed.

Charles Xavier is the heart and soul of the X-Men films, serving as a wise and compassionate leader for the team and the main source of hope that a better world can be achieved. Stewart’s portrayal is nothing short of legendary, capturing Charles’ intelligence and unwavering spirit with his powerful voice. For his part, McAvoy is also brilliant, switching between youthful confidence and extreme stress as his ideals are challenged between films.

1 Wolverine

Played by Hugh Jackman

Thanks to his powerful regenerative powers, James “Logan” Howlett has lived for hundreds of years and fought in many global conflicts. He is eventually selected by William Stryker (Danny Huston) for the Weapon X Project, which sees liquid Adamantine attached to his bones, making him indestructible. However, the trauma also wipes his memory, leaving Logan to wander the Earth in search of answers about his past.

A reluctant hero through and through, Wolverine stands as perhaps the most recognizable and beloved live-action comic film protagonist. He is a man at war with himself, constantly struggling between his animalistic rage and the moral compass that keeps pulling him back to the path of a hero. Jackman’s performance is phenomenal at capturing this duality, especially in films like The Wolverine and Logan, where he also has to grapple with his own mortality.

NEXT: What Happened to ‘X-Men Origins: Magneto’?