There have been many complex, hilarious, and violent characters in the timeline of the X-Men movies. Hugh Jackman and the original X-Men cast led a trilogy before a new generation took over in the younger X-Men movie timeline.
The mainline X-Men movies were not the only ones to be released, as a number of spinoffs also added new characters to the franchise. Based on the history of the X-Men movie franchise, there are quite a few interesting characters who sit among the best in the live-action movies. That also includes Deadpool & Wolverine, the first MCU mutant movie that will lead to MCU's X-Men reboot.
20 Stefan Kapičić’s Colossus
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool (2016)
The Deadpool movies have introduced many X-Men characters to live-action or put a new spin on characters who had appeared before. Colossus fits the latter. The character was first played by Daniel Cudmore in the original X-Men franchise.
However, it was Stefan Kapičić’s version of Colossus that made the character shine. With few X-Men appearing in the first two Deadpool movies, Colossus developed an endearing bond with Wade Wilson. The character is funny, lovable, and has a strong sense of duty & honor.
19 Aaron Stanford’s Pyro
X-Men Franchise Debut In X2 (2003)
Alexander Burton first gave life to Pyro in X-Men. The role was recast for the sequel, with Aaron Stanford taking over. Pyro's story had interesting development in the original X-Men trilogy. Starting as a student at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, he would let his rage take the best of him.
Pyro ended up defecting to Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants. Deadpool & Wolverine revealed that Pyro was sent to the Void by the TVA. There, his powers were shown to have grown, with Pyro defeating Chris Evans' Human Torch with ease and playing a big role in the film.
18 Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler
X-Men Franchise Debut In X2 (2003)
Few characters have as memorable scenes in the X-Men movies as Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler. The mutant's powers were perfectly portrayed onscreen. Nightcrawler's opening scene in X2, with the character brainwashed into attacking the President of the United States, is a visual marvel.
Nightcrawler's Catholic faith was represented in the movie. The only negative aspect is the character not being humorous like he is in the comics, save for a quick group scene. The role was also a one-and-done for Cumming.
17 Josh Brolin’s Cable
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool 2 (2018)
Cable is a very important mutant. Deadpool 2 was the perfect live-action debut for the character, with Josh Brolin delivering a nuanced performance in the role. Cable has a hard exterior for most of the film.
Josh Brolin wanted to return as Cable in Deadpool & Wolverine, but he has no projects set to play the character again.
Then, Deadpool 2 reveals that his wife and daughter have died. After Wade Wilson sacrifices himself, Cable's heart shines through, saving Deadpool. The two have hilarious chemistry, with Cable's tough guy persona being the perfect foil for Deadpool's humor.
16 Liev Schreiber’s Sabretooth
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine is regarded as one of the worst superhero movies of all time. Despite the movie's shortcomings, it has the best version of Sabretooth. Liev Schreiber made the character more interesting than Tyler Mane's version.
Schreiber's Sabretooth is Wolverine's half-brother and best friend at first. However, Sabretooth and Hugh Jackman's Logan end up parting ways and becoming bitter rivals. For all its faults, the X-Men movie did a good job of exploring Sabretooth and Wolverine's connection.
15 James Marsden’s Cyclops
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
Cyclops is the field leader of the X-Men. The character should have been higher on the list if only the Fox X-Men movies had done right by Scott Summers. That said, James Marsden was a fitting choice for the role.
However, the character had his role reduced due to the popularity of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. Still, Marsden made Cyclops shine where he could. The X-Men leader's powers looked great on the big screen, and Cyclops' dynamic with Charles Xavier as the heart of the X-Men was explored in 2000's X-Men.
14 Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men: First Class (2011)
Mystique was important in both X-Men movie timelines. However, Jennifer Lawrence's version of Mystique was even more so than Rebecca Romijn's. The reason for that is because Mystique was one of the three key characters of the younger X-Men movies alongside Charles Xavier and Magneto.
Fox tried to show both sides of the mutant argument through Mystique. While Romijn's Mystique was more comic book-accurate, Lawrence's character ultimately had better interactions with the rest of the mutants. Her relationship with James McAvoy's Professor X was touching.
13 Halle Berry’s Storm
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
It is true that the X-Men movies have underutilized Storm. That led to Alexandra Shipp's version of Ororo Munroe not being the most exciting. However, despite not appearing as much as one would hope, Halle Berry's Storm was a force to behold.
The character had some impressive displays of power and cool action scenes. In X-Men: The Last Stand, Storm takes over the team's leadership role after Jean Grey kills Cyclops. This was more in line with her Marvel Comics history.
12 Emma Corrin’s Cassandra Nova
X-Men Franchise Debut In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Deadpool & Wolverine is the MCU's first movie for one of the mutants who were at Fox. Emma Corrin's Cassandra Nova played a major role in it as the main villain. She is the sister of Charles Xavier, possessing a similar look and powers.
Cassandra Nova was a sadistic killer. She controlled the Void and ruled over several multiverse characters. Despite being defeated at the end of the film, Cassandra was incredibly powerful, with Corrin turning in an electric performance as the evil character.
11 Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey
X-Men Franchise Debut In X-Men (2000)
Jean Grey was crucial to the original X-Men trilogy. The character's role slowly grew with each movie, allowing Famke Janssen to get comfortable as the character. Jean's powers became uncontrollable as the franchise went on.
While Fox managed to botch the Dark Phoenix storyline twice, Janssen was a fine Jean Grey. She made the character charismatic, smart, and determined. When playing the Phoenix in X-Men: The Last Stand, Janssen delivered a more heartbreaking and commanding performance than Sophie Turner's Jean Grey in Dark Phoenix.
